Currency to take for Egypt trip?

[shutterbug39]

I will be travelling on my first GAP tour in January to Egypt, DPEE. I was planning to get Egyptian Pounds before I left but noticed that all the extra excursion fees are quoted in US dollars. Does this mean I should be bringing US currency instead/as well as Egyptian Pounds?

Thanks in advance.

[ballu]

I think prices are in USD because its the one currency most people can relate to. You will be using Egyptian Pounds for pretty much everything while there. I always bring some USD as a backup in case I run into a situation where my cards won't work (USD are easy to exchange almost anywhere).

I got a horrible rate when I got Egyptian Pounds before my trip a few years ago. Now when I travel I just wait until I get to the country and then hit an ATM machine.

[wavewet]

If you are comfortable carrying cash

I would get 100-200 EGP to take with you to start you off and enough US$ to cover all your optionals. (make sure they are newer and not ripped/torn or even nicked bills)

withdraw EGP as needed in Egypt via an atm

[seasons_wanderer]

I got a horrible rate when I got Egyptian Pounds before my trip a few years ago. Now when I travel I just wait until I get to the country and then hit an ATM machine.[/quote]


I am a canadian and at the begining of 2010 got 4 pounds to the dollar in canada and 5 to the dollar in Egypt. AS for currency EGP is the way to go and do your best to get verry small bills it is a pain in the arse to change 50 and 100. With this being said almost everyone in egypt can tell you what your money is worth in local money and are glad to get forign currency.

[LesinFL]

Walk with US dollars. Make sure they are newer bills, and no rips or tears. You will need $15 US to pay for the visa at the airport, and I exchanged $100 USD for EGP at the same time to pay for taxi, meals, etc., until I got to an ATM. ATMs are everywhere in the larger cities, but not all ATM's work all the time, so you may have to check around. I found that withdrawing 500 EGP each time was enough for essentials. Always pay with larger bills to get change. You will need it. To pay for optionals, Gap accepted USD or EGP.