Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian Pound, abbreviated LE (Livre Egyptienne) or EP, and locally called also “guinea”. Banknotes have different nominal values: 100 LE, 50 LE, 20 LE, 10 LE, 5 LE, 1 LE, 50 piasters (don’t mistake it with the 50 LE note!) and 25 piasters. Coins are still circulating but are very rare. 1 LE = 100 piasters. Cash (ATM) machines are quite common in Egypt, especially in the main tourist areas; you can withdraw only local currency. Most European currencies are exchangeable at banks and exchange offices. Many establishments accept payments in EU, USD and Sterling Pounds. Shops and local restaurants require cash payment, while most hotels also accept credit cards, mainly Visa and Master Card (American Express isn’t as readily accepted). Kindly note that: - USD notes older than 1996 or in bad conditions are not accepted;
- while paying by credit card, you might be charged extra additional transaction fees;
- electronic credit cards are still not common in Egypt, so be sure to have a non-electronic one;
- if you wish to pay your hotel bill in Egyptian pounds, you will need to show a receipt proving that you changed at least the equivalent amount of foreign currency while in Egypt. Currency import/export regulations: you can import/export maximum 5000 Egyptian Pounds and up to USD 10000 or its equivalent in freely convertible currency. Click here for the exchange rates between Egyptian Pound and foreign currencies. |