Money when in Eygpt - Local or Euro/USD?

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medhead

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My mum is going to Egypt next year basically for a 7 or 8 day tour. Something that is beyond our experience or that of any friends. We were just puzzling over what to do about cash.

Does anyone have any experience with cash in Egypt? Is it a country that only operates with local currency? Or are they likely to readily accept US dollars or Euro for purchases and such instead of local currency? Obviously being on a tour currency isn't going to be that vital, but it is all a matter of balancing access to cash against having to take away unspent Egyptian currency. Or even running out as I guess using an ATM might be risky.
 
USD will be fine you can withdraw either from ATMs (choice of USD or local). Note the the group I travelled with all had troubles with ATMs but we always found one that worked eventually. If on a tour the group leader will help out.

We had one tour member who had an ATM eat her card. Tour leader managed to get local bank to return card :)

Egypt is worth visiting BTW
 
I've spent about three months in Egypt and in my experience only tourist orientated places will take foreign currency and then usually at a disadvantageous exchange rate. It's easy to get Egyptian currency either out of an ATM (best option and what I always do) or by changing at an amex office or hotel bureau de change. The only foreign currency I have used in Egypt is USD but I assume they would take euros and GBP too (don't take AUD).

The main issue in Egypt with local currency is getting enough of the small bills which have always been in chronic shortage when I was there! It's a constant game to get change without having to use up your own precious supply of small notes.

I believe its possible to change Egyptian currency back at the airport on departure but its better not to change too much, instead spend whatever you have and avoid the hassle.

As a package tourist she could probably survive on USD (take plenty of small notes) as long as she sticks to the touristy areas. But it will be cheaper and more flexible for her if she changes for at least some Egyptian money.
 
I would take/use Egyptian Pounds quite easy for her to get before she leaves try for 50 or 100 pound notes and she can cash them in befor she leaves Egypt at Cairo airport back to US dollars or maybe Aus if thay have any
Hope she has a great time
 
I mainly used local when I was there on a tour last year, but for the most part it was just used on tips. We were told USD (or just about anything else for that matter!) would be fine as well. It wasn't too difficult to find banks or ATMs (including inside a couple of hotels).

Biggest issue I had with currency was keeping small denominations handy for tipping - I suspect that'd be even worse with USD, unless you arrive in country with a huge supply of $1 notes.

I strongly suspect the near-supernatural ability of the folks selling souvenirs to tourists to figure out someone's nationality and have a decent bash at their language is easily matched by their willingness to accept any form of currency!

Danny
 
Oh, and she should have a great time - Egypt is one place I definitely want to go back to!

My advice now is to read up on it pretty well before going, knowing where you are and what it is you're looking at really gives some meaning to the experience - some people avoid that, thinking having seen too many photos of pyramids and temples will reduce the impact of the real thing, but I certainly didn't find that.

Danny
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. Really great help. I might get mum a guide book for Christmas to bone up on the history.
 
Usd, it's cheaper than euro and more widely accepted

That's what I thought. But swings and roundabouts as she is also spending 4 weeks in Europe and my brother lives there so euro might be more convenient/useful on the whole. A few months to work out the details so will have to watch the exchange rates.
 
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