Nomadic dani

One of the most common questions before traveling to Egypt is: What money should I bring?

The good news! It’s simpler than it sounds.

*Bring a mix – but don’t overthink it.

💵 Cash is king (but in moderation)
Egypt still runs heavily on cash, especially for tips, small shops, markets, taxis and local food spots. Bring USD/EUR and some Egyptian pounds with you. I found that most places would accept my Euros but you would end up paying more for things in euros than you would in Egyptian pounds.

🏧 ATMs are widely available
In cities like Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, ATMs are easy to find and reliable but I would say only use these in emergencies and use the ATMs that are inside of banks. Just make sure to check your bank’s international withdrawal fees before you go.

💳 Cards work… sometimes
Hotels, nicer restaurants and larger shops usually accept credit cards. Smaller places, local eateries, and markets often don’t. Think of cards as a backup – not your main plan. My card didnt worki n a few places so i had to contact my bank to access the card (which is a pain, so do remember to tell your bank first). Like many places if you pay by card make sure to choose to pay “in egyptian pounds” for the best rate,

How much cash should you carry?
You don’t need to walk around with a lot for obvious security reasons. Make sure if you do bring cash to split this and ask for lots of smaller bills prior to entering Egypt.

Keep smaller bills for:

• Tips (very common and appreciated)
• Bathrooms (at all of the tourist attractions) – its usually 1 euro for two people to use the facilities but this may change depending on where you are.
• Drivers and guides
• Snacks and street food

Top up cash every couple of days rather than carrying everything at once.

My quick tips that make life easier

• Always carry small denominations
• Don’t rely on cards alone
• Avoid exchanging money on the street for safety reasons
• Keep cash split between your bag and hotel safe

At the end of the day, Egypt is affordable, flexible and used to travellers. A combination of local currency + ATM withdrawals + a backup card will have you covered without stress.

Enjoy!

*All information correct as of February 2026