Currency in Egypt - A Full Guide 2024
Planning a trip to Egypt? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Egypt, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.
What is the currency in Egypt?
The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Egypt. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - EGP. In stores and restaurants, Egyptian Pound prices are likely to use the currency symbol ج.م.
Once you’re in Egypt you’ll see costs of items shown in EGP and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes - 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 EGP and coins - 25, 50 piastres; 1 EGP.
Can you officially pay in USD when you are in Egypt?
You’re unlikely to be able to officially transact in USD in Egypt, which is why it’s time to start getting used to EGP and learning more about the currency exchange rates so you’ll know what you’re spending on your trip.
This guide will walk through all you need to know, including US dollar/Egyptian Pound rates and where best to get your travel money from.
| Egyptian Pound | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Egyptian Pound |
| ISO code | EGP |
| Symbol | ج.م |
| Subunit | Piastre |
| Central Bank | Central Bank of Egypt |
| Best travel cards to take to Egypt | Wise |
EGP coins and banknotes
Here’s a full rundown of the EGP coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Egypt.
| EGP banknotes | EGP coins |
|---|---|
| banknotes - 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 EGP | coins - 25, 50 piastres; 1 EGP |
History of Egyptian Pound currency
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) was established in 1834, replacing the piastre as the chief unit of currency. It has survived through political changes and economic shifts, maintaining its role as the monetary unit of Egypt, with the Central Bank of Egypt managing its value and stability.
Is USD accepted in Egypt?
As we’ve seen, the official currency in Egypt is EGP. If you carry USD with you on your trip, you’ll probably need to exchange it before you can spend.
Sometimes when you’re away on a trip abroad you’ll find that merchants will take payments in a selection of major foreign currencies. However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your USD. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in EGP when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end.
Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travelers and tourists. That’s because you’ll have a back up plan in case one payment method isn’t accepted for any reason, and you can pick the method that’s best suited to the specific transaction. Having a multi-currency card from a provider like Wise, plus your normal bank debit card, and some local cash in EGP should mean you’ve always got options. You can use your cash for small purchases and tipping, and make low cost payments and cash withdrawals with your multi-currency card, while keeping your bank card in reserve for emergencies.
Use a travel card on your next trip to Egypt
Using a travel debit card in Egypt is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in the US offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in EGP. That allows you to add a balance in USD and switch over to EGP to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.
Once you have EGP in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.
Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Egypt.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and manage your money from your phone. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in EGP - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate ✅ No foreign transaction fees apply ✅ Free to hold and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Receive payments to your Wise account in a selection of global currencies ✅ No minimum balance or ongoing fees | ❌ Card order fee applies ❌ ATM fees apply once you’ve exhausted your free monthly withdrawals |
What is the currency exchange rate for $ 1 USD/EGP?
It’s helpful to get to know the live USD/EGP rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad. The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the USD/EGP rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.
Find the USD/EGP mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily. Right now, the mid-market rate for 1 US Dollar to EGP is 0.95885.
Should I exchange USD to EGP before traveling to Egypt?
It’s a good idea to exchange USD to EGP before you head off to Egypt, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.
When you’re in Egypt you’re going to need EGP in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your EGP travel money in advance can get you better USD/EGP exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in Egypt.
Tips for exchanging money in Egypt
At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in EGP. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in USD instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. ATMs are widely used in Egypt so withdrawing money in target-currency is easy, particularly in big cities and Cairo.
Best place to exchange currency in Egypt
You can get your EGP in Egypt in a couple of ways.
You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.
Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in USD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city center are likely to be cheaper overall.
How to pay in Egypt?
You’ll need to have EGP to spend in Egypt. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Egypt.
1. Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important. Order a travel card from a provider like Wise for cheap and fast transactions, including card payments and cash withdrawals as and when you need travel money in EGP.
2. EGP cash
Cash is widely used in Egypt, so it’s worth having some with you at all times. You may want to exchange money to EGP before you leave, but it’s also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Egypt.
You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Egypt, but carrying some cash in EGP is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It’s a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in EGP when you’re in Egypt. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut alongside your cash for flexibility.
Paying for the trip in USD
If you’re paying for things in Egypt with a USD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.
Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Egypt using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to EGP in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in USD and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.
Conclusion - Currency in Egypt
You won’t be able to pay in USD when you visit Egypt - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on EGP in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging USD to EGP, and make your money go further while you’re away.
The official currency in Egypt is EGP. You can’t usually pay in USD in Egypt, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to EGP and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the USD to EGP mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.
FAQ - Currency in Egypt
What is the currency in Egypt called?
The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. You may also see the code EGP and the currency symbol ج.م.
What's the currency in Cairo?
The official currency in Cairo is the Egyptian Pound. You’ll only be able to spend in EGP while you’re there.
What is the old Egypt currency?
Today the currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.
What is the best currency to take to Egypt?
You’ll only be able to spend in EGP while you’re in Egypt. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.