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Egypt Egypt Currency Guide

The currency of Egypt and how to prepare for payments — all on one page.

Currency

Egyptian Pound

EGP

Checking rates

Check with your bank app or card issuer before you go

The rate and fees you actually pay differ by bank and card issuer.

Payment Tips to Remember

Always pay in the local currency

If a terminal asks whether to charge in your home currency, always choose the local currency. Choosing your home currency triggers DCC (dynamic currency conversion), which adds a hidden markup.

Set up a travel card before you fly

Prepaid multi-currency travel cards let you convert money in the app beforehand and pay like a debit card locally. Fees are usually lower than cash exchange counters, and you can freeze the card instantly from the app if lost.

Airport exchange counters: last resort

Airport counters are convenient but tend to offer some of the worst rates. If you need cash, exchange via your bank's app before departure or consider withdrawing from a local ATM.

Check ATM fees on screen

Local ATMs may add their own operator fee. Check the fee shown on the confirmation screen before proceeding. If the ATM offers conversion to your home currency (DCC), choosing the local currency is usually better.

Keep some small cash

Every country has places that don't take cards — markets, tips, small transport. Carrying a small amount of cash in separate places keeps you covered.

Cards for Abroad

Explore the Wise multi-currency card

One account holding 40+ currencies, converting and paying at mid-market based rates. Handy for multi-country trips — no need to exchange for each currency separately.

Learn more

Local data

Get an eSIM for Egypt before you go

Activate mobile data with a QR code instead of swapping SIM cards. Buy it before departure and switch it on the moment you land.

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Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

City Guides in Egypt

Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, situated where the Nile River branches into its delta. It's the largest city in both Africa and the Middle East, a vibrant metropolis home to 17 million people.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a port city on Egypt's northern Mediterranean coast, rich with history and ruins dating back to antiquity. It's a great place to explore a grand library, a fortress, and even underground catacombs.

Giza

Giza sits on the west bank of the Nile across from Cairo and is famous for ancient monuments like the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx. It pairs well with a visit to the Egyptian Museum.

Luxor

Luxor is a city in southern Egypt scattered with remnants of ancient Egyptian civilization. Every year, countless tourists come to see sites like Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.

Aswan

Aswan is the capital of Aswan Governorate in southeastern Egypt, home to the Aswan Dam, which regulates the flow of the Nile. Its climate is among the driest in the world, offering a landscape distinctly shaped by the desert.