What Is Egypt's Currency? Is Credit Card Accepted?

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP); credit cards are accepted at hotels and large restaurants, but not everywhere. Small businesses, markets and daily expenses require cash. On this page you will find entry-exit currency limits, card and ATM usage, the cash requirement for the Sharm El Sheikh visa, and what to do before setting off.

In brief

• Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP); cash is the safest option for small expenses.
• Cards are accepted at hotels and large restaurants; small businesses require cash, and ATMs are widespread.
• The entry limit varies by source: is it a declaration requirement, or a cap of 10,000 US Dollars and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds; verify from an official source.
• At exit, a maximum of 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 US Dollars is allowed.
• The 15-day Sharm El Sheikh visa requires cash or card of no less than 2,000 US Dollars.

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound, abbreviated EGP. Payments for taxis, markets, local eateries, tea houses and small shops are generally made in this currency.

There is no official rule on card acceptance; card information is based on practices reported by travel sources. The short rule is: credit cards are accepted at places such as hotels and large restaurants, but not everywhere. Cards may not work at small businesses, so keep cash with you. ATMs are widespread; you can also withdraw cash from an ATM upon arrival.

Plan the money issue together with the visa. For the up-to-date entry requirements, see the Egypt visa page. If you're buying a package tour, check on the tour page which expenses are included in the package; set your cash share accordingly for expenses not included. We don't give a figure: exchange rate, commission and daily budget vary according to your bank and travel style.

Where to use card, where to use cash?

The scale of the place determines the card and cash split. The general framework is as follows:

• Places where cards are expected to work: hotels, large restaurants.
• Places requiring cash: small businesses, local shopkeepers, market shopping.
• ATM: widespread; it's possible to meet your cash needs this way.

This information is not from an official source but reflects blog-based practice. Assume it may vary from business to business. If you want to pay by card, ask whether that business accepts cards before ordering; finding out the card doesn't work when the bill arrives is the worst time to learn it.

Practical tips for paying by card

Confirm with your bank in advance that your card is enabled for use abroad. Learn your overseas transaction limit and commission conditions from your bank's current rules. Don't carry your card alone: a second card and some cash will save you if your card is rejected.

On the cash side

Keep small Egyptian Pound notes for small expenses. Breaking a large banknote at a small business may not always be easy.

Currency limits at entry and exit

Two separate sources differ in their wording regarding bringing money in and out of Egypt; this difference matters.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Amounts over 10,000 US Dollars or equivalent foreign currency must be declared to customs officials at entry. This wording does not set an upper limit, it imposes a declaration obligation.
• Central Bank of Egypt rules: Travelers may carry a maximum of 10,000 US Dollars (or equivalent) and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds at entry and exit. This wording sets an upper limit at entry as well.

So the two sources conflict: one only requires declaration at entry, while the other also sets a cap of 10,000 US Dollars and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds at entry. We cannot determine with certainty here which is the current practice. The safe approach is not to exceed these amounts at entry either; if you will exceed them, verify the current rule from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official travel page and the consulate before setting off.

At exit

At exit, a maximum of 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 US Dollars is allowed. If the foreign currency amount taken out exceeds 5,000 US Dollars, it must be declared.

Practical conclusion

On an individual holiday, you are not expected to approach these amounts. If you will travel with a large amount of cash, declare it. On return, keep your remaining Egyptian Pounds within the exit limit.

Sharm El Sheikh and the 15-day visa: cash requirement

The 15-day tourism visa issued for South Sinai (Sharm El Sheikh) requires carrying cash or credit card of no less than 2,000 US Dollars. If you are traveling to Sharm El Sheikh with this visa, you need to be able to cover this amount in cash or by card. We don't have verified information on how this requirement is checked at the border gate; ask for details from the visa page and your tour operator.

General visa conditions are separate. Turkish citizens receive the visa on arrival; the permitted stay is 30 days. The fee is 25 USD for e-visa, 30 USD at the gate. The difference between e-visa and visa on arrival and current conditions are on our visa page.

If you're looking for a route that also includes Sharm El Sheikh, you can check the Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria tour departing from Ankara. Learn from the explanations on the tour page at which stage the visa and money requirements apply to you; check your airline's current rules if in doubt.

Common mistakes

There are a few recurring mistakes regarding money in Egypt:

• Assuming cards work everywhere. Card acceptance varies by business; it may not work at small places.
• Traveling with only one card. If your card gets blocked or rejected, you have no backup.
• Not knowing the limits. There are currency rules at entry and exit; if there is uncertainty due to the difference between sources, don't travel with excess cash without verifying the current rule.
• Overlooking the Sharm El Sheikh requirement. The 15-day visa requires cash or card of no less than 2,000 US Dollars.
• Hoarding Egyptian Pounds on the last day. The amount of Egyptian Pounds you can carry at exit is limited.

Bank-related oversights

A card that's not enabled for use abroad is the most frustrating surprise on the first day of the holiday. Check your overseas transaction permission from your bank's app before you go. Learn costs such as commission and exchange rate difference from your bank's current tariff.

Step by step: money preparation for Egypt

1. Determine your visa route. E-visa or visa on arrival; if traveling to Sharm El Sheikh with the 15-day visa, note the cash or card requirement. For details, see the visa page.
2. Check your cards. Make sure they are enabled for use abroad and check their limits; get two different cards if possible.
3. Set aside a cash share. Keep cash with you for transport and small expenses on the first day; you can withdraw the rest from an ATM.
4. Verify the limits. Over 10,000 US Dollars must be declared at entry; according to Central Bank rules, there is a limit of 10,000 US Dollars and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds at entry and exit. At exit, 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 US Dollars is allowed. Confirm the current rule from an official source for the difference at entry.
5. Plan your payments. Use card at hotels and large restaurants, cash at small businesses and markets.
6. Spend before returning. Keep your remaining Egyptian Pounds below the exit limit.

If you're considering a short Cairo-focused route, check the included services on the Egypt & Cairo Tour Route in the Shadow of the Pyramids page; you'll calculate your cash needs more accurately.

Checklist before setting off

Review the following list before departure:

• I have confirmed my visa type and length of stay (permitted stay is 30 days).
• If traveling to Sharm El Sheikh with the 15-day visa, I meet the cash or card requirement of no less than 2,000 US Dollars.
• My cards are enabled for use abroad; I have a backup card.
• I have enough cash for the first day; I know I can access an ATM.
• I am not exceeding 10,000 US Dollars and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds at entry; if I am, I have verified the declaration rule from an official source.
• I know I can take out at most 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 US Dollars upon return.
• I have checked which payments are included in my tour package.

Prepare on the flight side too: read our online check-in guide and plan your timing in advance. For route ideas, check out our Egypt places to visit article. You can use the international tours page to see all options.

Frequently asked questions

What is Egypt's currency?

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound, abbreviated EGP. Payments in daily expenses, markets and small businesses are generally made in this currency.

Is credit card accepted in Egypt?

Credit cards are accepted at places such as hotels and large restaurants, but not everywhere. They may not work at small businesses, so it's important to carry cash. This information is not official, it is blog-based.

Are there ATMs in Egypt, can I withdraw cash?

ATMs are widespread in Egypt, you can meet your cash needs from them. Still, make sure your card is enabled for use abroad. Check your bank's current rules for commission and limits.

How much money can I bring into Egypt?

Sources differ. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires declaration of amounts over 10,000 US Dollars at entry; Central Bank rules state a maximum of 10,000 US Dollars and 5,000 Egyptian Pounds at entry and exit. If you will exceed these amounts, verify the current rule from an official source before setting off.

How much money can I take out when leaving Egypt?

At exit, a maximum of 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 US Dollars is allowed. If the foreign currency taken out exceeds 5,000 US Dollars, declaration is required. Keep your remaining Egyptian Pounds below this limit.

Do I need to show cash for the Sharm El Sheikh visa?

The 15-day tourism visa issued for South Sinai requires carrying cash or credit card of no less than 2,000 US Dollars. Check the current visa conditions from our Egypt visa page.

Sources

• Country Profile / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — mfa.gov.tr
• Notice to Turkish Citizens Traveling to Egypt / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — mfa.gov.tr
• Travel Tips - Egypt — cairo.embassy.qa
• Currency in Egypt - Vova Tours — vovasharm.com
• Egypt Travel Guide - MNG Turizm — mngturizm.com