Egyptian Currency

The Egyptian currency is the Egyptian pound, written E£ or LE and split into 100 piastres. It is the only legal money in Egypt and is issued by the Central Bank of Egypt. In late October 2026, one US dollar bought roughly E£56, but the rate changes every day. Cash is still needed for small payments and tips.

This guide explains what the Egyptian pound is, how banknotes and exchange rates work, what visitors can use to pay, how much to tip and how much cash travelers can bring.

Table of Contents

1.What Is the Egyptian Pound?

2.What Do Egyptian Banknotes and Coins Look Like?

3.Egyptian Pound Key Facts

4.What Is the Egyptian Currency Exchange Rate in November 2026?

5.How Do ATMs and Credit Cards Work in Egypt?

6.How Much Cash Can Visitors Bring Into Egypt?

7.How Much to Tip in Egypt?

8.How Much to Tip a Tour Guide in Egypt?

9.Plan an Egypt Trip with a Local Expert

10.Egyptian Currency FAQs: Quick Answers for Travelers

What Is the Egyptian Pound?

The Egyptian pound is the only legal money in Egypt. Locals call the pound a gineih and the piastre a qirsh. Prices in shops, cafés and markets are almost always given in pounds. Some hotels, cruise companies and tour operators quote prices in US dollars or euros, but everyday money in Egypt means pounds.

There is no single Egyptian pound symbol. In English, people write E£ or LE, which comes from the French livre égyptienne. In Arabic, the short form is ج.م, for gineih masri. Menus and price tags may use any of these forms.

What Do Egyptian Banknotes and Coins Look Like?

Egyptian banknotes come in E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50, E£100 and E£200, with Arabic on one side and English on the other. Egypt introduced a polymer E£10 note in 2022 and a polymer E£20 note showing Queen Cleopatra in 2023. In April 2025, the Central Bank of Egypt confirmed that paper and polymer versions both remain valid.

The most common coins are 25 piastres, 50 piastres and E£1. Small change is often short, so shopkeepers may round prices or give sweets instead of coins. In April 2026, Egypt's mint said it plans a new E£2 coin and an updated E£1 coin. Visitors should keep E£5, E£10 and E£20 notes for tips and snacks.

Egyptian Pound Key Facts

The list below sums up the main facts travelers need to know about the Egyptian pound:

• Official name: Egyptian pound, or gineih masri in Arabic.
• ISO code: EGP, used by banks and currency apps.
• Symbols: E£, LE, £E and ج.م on prices.
• Subunit: One pound equals 100 piastres, called qirsh.
• Issued by: The Central Bank of Egypt issues all notes.
• Banknotes: E£5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 are common.
• Polymer notes: E£10 since 2022 and E£20 since 2023.
• Coins: 25 piastres, 50 piastres and E£1 are most common.
• Rate: About E£56 to US$1 in late October 2026.
• Cash rule: Foreign cash over US$10,000 must be declared.

What Is the Egyptian Currency Exchange Rate in November 2026?

In late October 2026, one US dollar bought about E£56, so E£100 was worth a little under US$2. The pound has a floating rate, so its value moves every day. It weakened during 2026: in early March, the dollar was worth about E£49, and by 27 October it had reached about E£56.

These numbers are only a guide, so travelers should check a live rate from their bank, a currency app or the Central Bank of Egypt. Banks and exchange offices add a small margin, so the rate visitors get is a little lower than the market rate. Visitors can exchange money at:

• Banks and official exchange offices (maktab sarafa) in every city.
• 24-hour bank counters at Cairo International Airport, with fair rates.
• Hotels, which give poorer rates and suit emergencies only.
• Never on the street, which travelers should always avoid.

How Do ATMs and Credit Cards Work in Egypt?

ATMs in Egypt

ATMs are easy to find in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, but they are rarer in small towns and desert areas. Most machines accept Visa and Mastercard. Travelers should use ATMs inside banks or malls during opening hours, so staff can help if a card gets stuck.

ATM Fees and Currency Conversion

Home banks may charge a fee for each withdrawal, and some Egyptian banks add their own fee, so larger, less frequent withdrawals save money. If the screen offers to charge in the home currency, visitors should decline and choose Egyptian pounds. This "dynamic currency conversion" usually gives a worse rate.

Credit Cards in Egypt

Credit cards work well in hotels, large restaurants, malls, supermarkets and many tourist shops. Acceptance depends on the card and the place:

• Visa and Mastercard: Widely accepted across hotels, malls and restaurants.
• American Express: Accepted in fewer places than other major cards.
• Cash only: Many small shops, street cafés and markets take no cards.

Contactless Payments and Apple Pay

Contactless payment is growing quickly in Egypt's cities. Apple Pay launched in Egypt in late 2024 and works at many card terminals. Visitors should still carry some cash for places that do not accept cards.

InstaPay in Egypt

InstaPay is the Central Bank of Egypt's instant transfer app, and locals use it to send money by phone. It is linked to Egyptian bank accounts and cards, so most short-term visitors cannot use it.

What Is the Best Currency to Take to Egypt?

US dollars, euros and British pounds are the easiest currencies to exchange. Travelers should bring clean, undamaged notes, because some offices refuse torn or marked bills. Some hotels and tour firms accept dollars or euros, but small shops and taxis want Egyptian pounds, and paying in pounds usually gets a fairer price.

How Much Cash Can Visitors Bring Into Egypt?

There is no upper limit on foreign cash entering Egypt, but amounts over US$10,000, or the same value in other currencies, must be declared on arrival. For Egyptian pounds, the long-standing limit is E£5,000 per traveler when entering or leaving. Rules can change, so travelers should check with their airline or the Egyptian embassy before flying.

Travelers can handle money smoothly with a few simple steps:

• Tell the home bank about the trip and check foreign fees.
• Change a small amount at the airport for tips and transport.
• Carry small notes separately and keep larger notes somewhere safe.
• Spend or change leftover pounds within the E£5,000 limit before leaving.

Visitors should count their change carefully and check each note before handing it over, because some notes have similar colors. Keeping notes flat in a wallet, rather than crumpled in a pocket, makes them easier to check and to spend.

How Much to Tip in Egypt?

The amounts below are typical ranges suggested by travel guides in 2025, and prices rise quickly, so they work best as a starting point.

Tipping culture in Egypt is strong. The Arabic word baksheesh covers tips, small gifts and payments for small favors. Many service workers earn low wages, so tips are an important part of their income. A tip is expected for most services, from carrying bags to opening a tomb door for a photo. Tipping is still personal, so travelers give more for great service and less for poor service.

How Much to Tip a Tour Guide in Egypt?

A private tour guide in Egypt is usually tipped E£500–1,000 or more per day, while tips on tours and cruises follow the ranges below.

Travelers usually give the tip in cash at the end of the tour, ideally in a sealed envelope. On guided tours, tips are always at the traveler's discretion. Keeping a separate stash of larger notes for guides and drivers makes the end of the trip easier.

Plan an Egypt Trip with a Local Expert

A licensed Egyptologist guide helps visitors understand local prices, tipping and payments while exploring sites such as the Giza Pyramids, Luxor and a Nile cruise. Expert-led tours cover hotels, transfers and guided sightseeing in one upfront price, so travelers only need cash for tips and small extras. Travelers who want help planning can fill in the inquiry form on this page, and a local Egypt travel specialist will reply with a tailor-made plan.

Egyptian Currency FAQs: Quick Answers for Travelers