Africa

Money, cards and tipping in Egypt

Capital: CairoArabic, English, FrenchUpdated October 2026

EGPPound

Money in Egypt

Mostly cash Cash for taxis, street food, markets and tips; cards work in hotels, malls, chain restaurants and supermarkets. Keep small notes for baksheesh. US$1 ≈ E£52.28 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Price level: about 15% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Cairo	Mostly cash	Cards work in malls, hotels and chains; cash for taxis, street food, markets, entrance fees and tips.
Luxor	Mostly cash	Cards work in larger hotels and some restaurants; cash for taxis, ferries, small restaurants, bazaars and tips.
Hurghada	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, local eateries, markets and tips.
Sharm El Sheikh	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, malls and most restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, small eateries, bazaars and tips.
Aswan	Mostly cash	Cards in larger hotels and some restaurants; cash for taxis, felucca, souq, small eateries and tips.
Dahab	Mostly cash	Cards in some hotels, dive centres and restaurants; cash for taxis, bazaars, cafés and tips. ATMs are limited, so keep a reserve.
Alexandria	Mostly cash	Cards in malls, hotels and chains; cash for trams, microbuses, taxis, markets, street food and tips.
Giza	Mostly cash	Cash for taxis, markets, tips and street food. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; museum and site tickets can be paid by card.
Marsa Alam	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in resorts and dive centres; cash for taxis, local eateries, small shops and tips. ATMs are few.
El Gouna	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, restaurants and shops; cash for tuk-tuks, local eateries and tips. ATMs are available in Downtown.
Siwa Oasis	Cash only	Mostly cash; cards work only in a few lodges. ATMs are limited and may be empty, so bring enough Egyptian pounds.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Egypt?

Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.

Is Egypt cashless?

Mostly cash. Cash for taxis, street food, markets and tips; cards work in hotels, malls, chain restaurants and supermarkets. Keep small notes for baksheesh.

What currency does Egypt use?

The Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.