Egypt and Currency

[HIS LM]

Hi all,

Off to Sharm very soon Royal Grand Azure, do I need to buy any Egyptian pounds if so where from here or there and do I need them on arrival at the airport for visa etc.

Anyone been there ?

Ps I tried the search facility it is under maintenance

[anonymous-user]

I have been to hurghada. It was 15 dollars for visa. paid 10 pounds. You didn't have to pay a visa at sharm we were told. I bought Egyptian money in the uk. Just note the notes are filthy. Also take some pound coins for tips.

[BliarOut]

Better exchange rate over there but you can spend UK currency pretty much anywhere

[Ultuous]

Based on going to Hurghada earlier this year, you don't /need/ EGP's - the airport visa kiosk and big hotels were happy to take Sterling/ Euros/ Dollars - that said, I got the impression where we stayed that (as one might expect) the exchange rates were set to take advantage of 'lazy' tourists sticking with their own currency!

[Mermaid]

billybob69 said:

..I bought Egyptian money in the uk. Just note the notes are filthy. Also take some pound coins for tips.

keep small denominations notes acquired in the UK - give out, but don't be so keen to take theirs in change - I consider it a health hazard

[Jamie VTS]

Have just come back from marsa Alam and paid for everything in euros, although be carefull they tend to make up the exchange rate as they go!

[NWMark]

Just got back from sharm two weeks ago, we took £100 changed into egyption pounds for taxi and first day or so and the rest in cash, we got 8.6 to the £ from local money exchange place on the high street, everywhere in Egypt had a better rate 9.3 to 9.6 to the £. with a cash machine in the hotel lobby that also changed £, $ and € to egyption at a good rate.

Hotel, local shops, and shopping in soho square and naama bay all accepted £ or egyption pounds using 10 to 1 as an exchange rate when using £.

If I went again I'd do exactly what we did this time, changing what we needed when we needed it (commision is practically nothing and you get low notes handy for tipping.), or taking both out with us and using what was easier.

[Du1point8]

OH has spent 2 years there and its better to change across there as you will get a better exchange than in UK. If you have US $ that is a bonus.

[driverrob]

The notes are so disgusting I keep some of those sachets of airline disinfectant wipes in my wallet while in Egypt.

[Ultuous]

Good idea - I'm convinced a lot of the 'squits' stories are down to people handling the money and not cleaning their hands!

[HIS LM]

Du1point8 said:

OH has spent 2 years there and its better to change across there as you will get a better exchange than in UK. If you have US $ that is a bonus.

I have got few hundred US $ kicking around am I better off just taking that and £50 worth of Egyptian arse paper

[Du1point8]

HIS LM said:

Du1point8 said:

OH has spent 2 years there and its better to change across there as you will get a better exchange than in UK. If you have US $ that is a bonus.

I have got few hundred US $ kicking around am I better off just taking that and £50 worth of Egyptian arse paper

There are loads of places to change money, you will get a better deal than in the UK, so take cash and get the arse paper across there, they will happily accept $ or £... just give the area a reccy first to check which one gives the best rates first.

If you run out of money and have a HSBC Advanced card there are HSBC banks across there so can get cash from ATMs without being charged.

If I can get money out at Dahab (better for diving) Sharm will be no problems for you.