How Much Currency Should You Exchange Before Traveling to Egypt?

Planning Your Currency Exchange Before Visiting Egypt

One of the most common questions from travelers to Egypt is: "How much money should I exchange before I arrive?" The answer depends on your travel style, itinerary, and payment preferences. This guide provides practical estimates and advice.

The Golden Rule: Exchange Less Abroad, More in Egypt

Currency exchange rates for Egyptian Pounds outside Egypt are almost always worse than rates within the country. Banks and exchange offices abroad add significant markups for less commonly traded currencies like the EGP.

Our recommendation: Exchange only a small amount before departure (enough for your first day), and do the bulk of your exchange in Egypt where rates are substantially better.

How Much to Bring for Your First Day

You should arrive in Egypt with enough cash for immediate needs:

Airport transfer: 300-500 EGP by taxi, or 100-200 EGP by bus

Tips and small purchases: 200-300 EGP

First meal: 200-500 EGP depending on restaurant choice

Recommended first-day amount: Exchange approximately $30-50 USD worth of EGP before departure, or plan to use the ATM at Cairo International Airport immediately upon arrival.

Daily Budget Estimates by Travel Style

Budget Traveler (hostels, street food, public transport):

Accommodation: 300-600 EGP per night

Food: 200-400 EGP per day

Transport: 50-150 EGP per day

Sightseeing: 100-300 EGP per day

Total: 650-1,450 EGP per day (approximately $13-29 USD)

Mid-Range Traveler (3-star hotels, restaurants, taxis):

Accommodation: 1,500-3,000 EGP per night

Food: 500-1,000 EGP per day

Transport: 200-400 EGP per day

Sightseeing: 300-600 EGP per day

Total: 2,500-5,000 EGP per day (approximately $50-100 USD)

Luxury Traveler (5-star hotels, private guides, fine dining):

Accommodation: 5,000-15,000 EGP per night

Food: 1,500-3,000 EGP per day

Transport: 500-1,500 EGP per day

Sightseeing: 500-1,500 EGP per day

Total: 7,500-21,000 EGP per day (approximately $150-420 USD)

Major Tourist Site Entry Fees

Factor these into your cash needs:

Site

Egyptian Residents

Foreign Visitors

Pyramids of Giza	60 EGP	540 EGP
Egyptian Museum (Cairo)	30 EGP	450 EGP

Valley of the Kings (Luxor)	60 EGP	680 EGP
Karnak Temple	40 EGP	450 EGP

Abu Simbel

40 EGP

600 EGP

Note: Prices are subject to change. Student discounts are often available with valid ID.

Cash vs Card: What to Expect in Egypt

Where cards are widely accepted:

Major hotels (4-star and above)

Shopping malls and chain stores

Higher-end restaurants
Airlines and travel agencies

Where you will need cash:

Street vendors and small shops

Local restaurants and cafes

Taxis (most do not accept cards)

Markets and bazaars (including Khan el-Khalili)

Tips (essential in Egyptian culture)
Most tourist sites for entry tickets

Our estimate: Plan on needing cash for 60-70% of your expenses in Egypt.

Tipping Culture in Egypt

Tipping (baksheesh) is an important part of Egyptian culture. Budget for:

Restaurant waiters: 10-15% of the bill

Hotel porters: 20-50 EGP per bag

Taxi drivers: Round up to the nearest 10 EGP

Tour guides: 100-300 EGP per day

Bathroom attendants: 5-10 EGP
Felucca captains: 50-100 EGP

Keep a supply of small notes (5, 10, 20, 50 EGP) for tipping throughout your trip.

Where to Exchange in Egypt

Best rates (compare on 3omlla):

Banks — Most competitive rates, especially for large amounts

Licensed exchange offices — Often slightly better than banks but verify they are licensed

Avoid:

Airport exchange counters (worst rates, but convenient for small first-day amounts)

Hotel exchange services (convenient but expensive)

Unofficial money changers (illegal and risky)

How Much to Exchange in Total: A Summary

Trip Length

Budget

Mid-Range

Luxury

5 days	$100-150	$300-500	$1,000-2,100
7 days	$130-200	$400-700	$1,400-3,000

10 days	$180-290	$550-1,000	$2,000-4,200
14 days	$250-400	$800-1,400	$2,800-5,900

Add 10-20% buffer for unexpected expenses.

Final Checklist Before You Travel

Exchange $30-50 worth of EGP at home for arrival expenses

Bring clean, undamaged USD or EUR notes for exchange in Egypt

Have a debit card with low international fees as backup

Download 3omlla to compare rates on arrival

Keep a mix of large and small EGP notes

Inform your bank of your travel dates

Have a backup payment method (second card)

Conclusion

The smart approach is to minimize what you exchange before leaving home and take advantage of better rates in Egypt. Bring foreign currency in cash, exchange it at competitive banks (use 3omlla to find them), and supplement with ATM withdrawals as needed. This strategy typically saves 3-5% compared to exchanging everything abroad.