Does American money go far in Egypt?
Egypt. Have you ever dreamed of taking a Nile River cruise or seeing the famous Pyramids of Giza in person? Well, this is your chance! Now in 2024, one USD equates to about 47 Egyptian Pounds – meaning your Egyptian bucket list is more affordable than ever.
USD | EGP |
---|---|
100 USD | 4,801.57 EGP |
500 USD | 24,007.87 EGP |
1,000 USD | 48,015.74 EGP |
5,000 USD | 240,078.73 EGP |
Money Matters
It is useful to have local currency for tipping or for shopping in smaller souks or local restaurants, and it is easy to change money at any hotel bank. US dollars are widely accepted in major tourist establishments, hotels, and souvenir shops.
Japan continues to be a popular choice, but Vietnam and South Korea stand as solid alternatives among numerous countries in Asia with favorable exchange rates for the US dollar. Closely following in value are South American countries: Argentina and Chile are among those offering the biggest luxury bang.
In what is another sign of the unfolding BRICS de-dollarization plan, Egypt has officially ditched the US Dollar in trade. Indeed, the country was one of five nations to accept an invitation to join the alliance at its 2023 summit.
Our budget Egypt travel guide. Egypt is not an expensive country to travel in - it's very budget friendly. It's an incredible destination, from the hustle and bustle of Cairo to the mighty Nile, the marine life of the Red Sea, and the treasures and monuments left by ancient civilizations.
The range of food cost per person can vary from budget restaurants for $5 to $10, mid-range restaurants for $15 to $30, and high-end restaurants for $50 to $100. A budget traveler can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day in Egypt, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day.
Smaller hotels, cafés, shops and markets are more likely to expect cash. Not many places may accept American Express and Diners Club cards, so have an alternative if possible. Bear in mind that with the Travelex Money Card you can make contactless payments with no hidden charges.
Safety and Security in Egypt
Avoid excessive jewelry and do not openly show or carry large amounts of cash. You will notice that all group tours will have an armed guard. Armed guards are employed by tour operators so do not be shocked to see this practice throughout Egypt.
Always take your money( GBP, euros or dollars )and change over in Sharm - the exchange rate is much much better. There are ATMs (belonging to various banks) which take any of the above currencies and change them into LE( Egyptian pounds) and the rate is very similar to banks.
Where is USD strongest?
- Peru. Peru/Peruvian Sol. ...
- Mexico. Mexico/Mexican Peso. ...
- South Africa. South Africa/South African Rand. ...
- South Korea. South Korea/South Korean Won. ...
- Japan. Japan/Japanese Yen. ...
- Argentina. Argentina/Argentine Peso. ...
- Hungary. Hungary/Hungarian Forint. ...
- Chile. Chile/Chilean Peso.
The Iranian Rial is known as the world's least valuable currency. This began in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution, a time when numerous businesses abandoned Iran due to political instability. This situation worsened with the Iran-Iraq War and economic sanctions imposed due to Iran's nuclear activities.
The Kuwaiti dinar is the strongest currency in the world, with 1 dinar buying 3.26 dollars (or, put another way, $1 equals 0.31 Kuwaiti dinar). Kuwait is located on the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and the country earns much of its wealth as a leading global exporter of oil.
As a rule, the best exchange rates are found once you've arrived in Egypt - US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are the easiest currencies to convert, and you can take cash out at the majority of ATMs.
1 USD = 48.1775 EGP Apr 22, 2024 23:26 UTC
Check the currency rates against all the world currencies here.
The FCDO warns against travelling to large swathes of Egypt. Egypt's border with Israel and Gaza sits on the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula, and the FCDO warned against travel to the entire Egyptian border region of North Sinai before the events of October 7 2023.
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Egypt cost? A one week trip to Egypt usually costs around $118 (E£5,589) for one person and $236 (E£11,178) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Site | Price per person “Egyptian Pounds” |
---|---|
Giza Pyramids | 540 |
Entry to inside the Great Pyramid | 900 |
Entry to inside the 2nd or the 3rd Pyramid | 220 |
Pyramids Sound and Light Show | 300++ |
The Egyptian Tourism Authority advises that travelers are not allowed to bring more than 5,000 EGP (approximately 320 USD) into the country in local currency. You can bring up to 10,000 USD or the equivalent in foreign currency and then swap it for Egyptian pounds at a currency exchange.
What language is spoken in Egypt?
The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and most Egyptians speak one of several vernacular dialects of that language. As is the case in other Arab countries, the spoken vernacular differs greatly from the literary language.
Bring a reusable bottle or canteen (we recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity) that can be refilled as needed, or buy some water purifying tablets or a sterilizing kit to treat water on the go. Some hotels you stay in may have drinking water available in large drums.
In restaurants, it is customary to tip between 10-15% of the total bill. For hotel staff, such as housekeeping, bellhops, and doormen, a tip of 20-30 Egyptian pounds per service is appropriate. For tour guides, a tip of 100-200 Egyptian pounds per day is customary, depending on the length and quality of the tour.
Egypt is mostly a cash-based society, and credit cards are not something often used to make payments. This is slowly changing, so travelers can expect to use credit cards in the following scenarios: When staying at international hotel chains, like Marriott, Hilton, etc.
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