If you’re planning a trip to the Pyramids or just curious about how global markets are shifting, you’ve probably noticed that Egypt's money situation has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. Honestly, it’s confusing. One day you hear about devaluations, the next you’re seeing shiny new "plastic" banknotes in Cairo.
So, let’s get the basics out of the way first.
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound. You’ll see it written as EGP on exchange sites, but locally it’s almost always called the LE (which stands for livre égyptienne, a leftover from the days of French influence). If you're looking at price tags in a shop, you might see the symbol £ or the Arabic ج.م.
It’s a currency with a lot of history, but 2026 is a very different beast compared to even just two years ago.
The Egyptian Pound in 2026: Stability or Chaos?
If you visited Egypt back in early 2024, you might remember a massive gap between the "official" bank rate and what people were actually paying on the street. That black market is basically a ghost story now.
In March 2024, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) let the pound "float." That sounds technical, but it basically just means they stopped trying to fake the price and let the market decide what it’s worth. As of early 2026, the pound has found a bit of a sweet spot. Experts at Standard Chartered and Dailynewsegypt have noted that while the currency hit some historic lows—touching near 51 or 52 to the US Dollar at one point—it has recently stabilized in the 46 to 49 EGP per USD range.
It’s not exactly "strong," but it’s predictable. That’s a huge win for travelers and locals alike.
Breaking down the bills (and the plastic)
The money here is colorful. It’s also getting a high-tech makeover. Egypt has been rolling out polymer (plastic) banknotes, specifically for the 10 and 20 pound denominations. They’re harder to fake and don’t turn into mush if you accidentally leave them in your pocket when you jump into the Red Sea.
Here is what you’ll find in your wallet:
- The 200 Pound Note: The big daddy. It’s the highest denomination. You’ll want these for paying hotel bills or big dinners.
- The 100, 50, and 20 Pound Notes: The workhorses of the Egyptian economy.
- The 10, 5, and 1 Pound Notes: These are getting scarcer as coins take over the lower end.
- The Piastre: Think of these like cents. 100 piastres make 1 pound. You’ll mostly see 50-piastre and 25-piastre coins, though they’re becoming worth so little that people often just round up.
Why the "Pound" isn't the only money people talk about
Kinda weirdly, you might hear people quoting prices in "dollars" or "euros" for things like hot air balloon rides in Luxor or diving trips in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Legally, shops and restaurants in Egypt are supposed to charge you in EGP. However, the government actually requires international tourists to pay for their entry visa in foreign currency (usually $25 USD). Also, many high-end hotels will quote you in Dollars but allow you to pay the equivalent in Pounds at the daily bank rate.
Pro tip: Always insist on paying the local price in EGP if you’re at a market or a local spot. If you pay in Dollars at a souvenir shop, they’ll give you a "convenience" exchange rate that usually involves you losing about 10-20% of your money's value.
Cash vs. Card: The 2026 Reality
Egypt is historically a cash-is-king society. You’ll still need a thick wad of bills for tips (baksheesh), taxis, and street food. But things are changing fast.
Most "real" businesses in Cairo, Alexandria, and the coastal resorts now take Visa and Mastercard. Even some of the stalls at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar have started using mobile payment apps or card readers.
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Wait, what about ATMs?
They are everywhere. You’ll find them in hotel lobbies, on street corners, and inside malls. Just a heads up: many Egyptian ATMs have a withdrawal limit of around 3,000 to 5,000 EGP per transaction. If you need more, you just have to put your card back in and do it again.
Important Note on Fees: When an ATM asks if you want to be charged in your "home currency" or the "local currency," always choose EGP (local currency). If you let the ATM do the conversion for you, they use a predatory rate. Let your own bank back home handle the math; it’s almost always cheaper.
Is Egypt expensive right now?
Actually, for most Western travelers, Egypt is incredibly affordable in 2026. Because of the currency devaluations over the last few years, your Dollars, Pounds Sterling, or Euros go a long way.
A fancy dinner that might cost you $80 in London or New York will likely run you about $25 in Cairo. A cup of coffee from a street vendor? Maybe 20 or 30 cents. The "catch" is that inflation has hit the locals hard. While the exchange rate makes it cheap for you, the price of bread and fuel has skyrocketed for Egyptians. Being a "generous" tipper isn't just a nice gesture here; it’s often the difference between someone making ends meet or not.
What to do with your leftover money
One thing nobody tells you: It is technically illegal to take more than 5,000 EGP out of the country. If you’re at the airport and you have a mountain of pounds left, try to spend them on duty-free or change them back into Dollars before you go through security. Once you’re back home in the US or Europe, finding a bank that will exchange Egyptian Pounds is surprisingly difficult and the rates are usually terrible.
Your Actionable Checklist for Managing Money in Egypt:
- Bring a "Clean" $25 Bill: You need this for the visa on arrival at the airport. It needs to be crisp and un-torn; they can be weirdly picky.
- Download a Currency App: Use something like XE Currency or a simple calculator. The math ($1 \approx 48$ EGP) isn't too hard, but it’s easy to get confused when you're looking at a bill for 4,000 pounds.
- Get Small Bills Early: Break your 200s and 100s at a grocery store or your hotel. Tipping culture is huge, and nobody ever seems to have change for a 5 or 10 pound note.
- Tell Your Bank: Before you fly, make sure your bank knows you’re in Egypt. Their fraud detection systems are aggressive and will freeze your card the second you try to buy a koshary bowl in downtown Cairo.
- Use the "Big" Banks: When using ATMs, stick to established names like CIB (Commercial International Bank), Banque Misr, or National Bank of Egypt (NBE). They are more reliable and less likely to eat your card.
Staying on top of Egypt's currency means being flexible. The numbers might shift a little while you’re there, but as long as you stick to the official bank rates and keep a mix of cash and card, you'll be fine. Enjoy the hibiscus tea—it’s worth every piastre.