Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on taking currency to Egypt (JOE 18/10). I've read so much information but I'm more confused than ever, so I though it would be best to get some advice from people who've been there recently.
The overall consensus seems to be not to bother with travellers cheques but to take sterling or US dollars cash instead. Onviously I would be a bit worried about taking so much cash, so wonered if it is possibly to easily get cash via ATM as you stop along on the tour, or whether I really should take cash in sterlign for example? I've also heard that its best to change as little as possible in the UK and wait till getting to cairo as you get a better rate but not sure if this is true.
If anyone can tell me what they have found easiest on recent trips then that would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Emma
Egyptian Money
I'm not sure what tour you are on in Egypt but as a rule you are only there for approximately one week. You will find that if you exchange your money at the airport, including local payment and tipping kitty, you should be fine.
Travellers cheques are extremely hard to cash and costly as you must find a bank that will cash them and they charge a hefty fee, so I would leave them at home. Haven't travelled with travellers cheques for many years as even in Europe now they are a problem to cash as most people use ATM's. We didn't use any ATM's in either Egypt or Jordan while there as our time was so short in both countries (less than two weeks. While on the cruise everything is included (other than your liquor) and meals were included at the hotels.
Wear a money belt - silk is the best as it forms to the body and is virtually not visible under your clothes. Stay away from a fanny pack as locals will know exactly where your money is. There is little theft -- they tend to lose a hand if caught!
I believe euros or USD are easier to cash than pound sterling but perhaps more Brits out there could comment!
Have a great trip -- just watch out for the shopkeepers in Cairo - most aggressive I've found so far in the world.
Maureen
Vancouver, BC Canada
Egyptian money
I was in Egypt and Jordan 2 years ago. US dollars are accepted everywhere. When we were in the local markets (in Luxor and Aswan)several vendors asked us what pounds were or what the exchange would be. We are Canadian and they thought we were British. Things tended to cost more if you bought with US dollars rather than Egyptian pounds. Water would cost 1 US dollar but you could buy it for 3 egyptian pounds elswhere.
ATMs are everywhere in Cairo but when we tried to use ATMs to withdraw money, no one from Canada could get the ATMs to accept our cards until we found HSBC ATM machines. The Americans and Australians in our group had no problems. There are money exchange places everywhere and we had no problem exchanging US dollars there.
Catherine
Hi both,
Thanks very much for the replies, that helps!
Emma
Thanks for passing on great information guys!
Kate Hudson
Egyptian Money
I travelled on the JOE tour myself. I Brought half of my spending money in Egyptian Pounds and the rest in bank of England Pounds sterling. I also used the atms while I was there on 3 different occasions and they were fine every time for me.
But as for Getting money changed you will find many of the large hotels can change money for you if required. We had a bit of a nightmare when it came to trying to change money. we weren't able to get money changed for the 1st 3 days of our tour due to varying reasons and some of the group had to borrow some egyptian pounds off the tour leader to tide them over until they could get their dollars changed. SO i would reccommend definately changing at least a quarter of your spending money before you go to save some possible embarassment.
Also I would definately invest in a money belt or pouch that you can wear under your clothes as they are fer more secure than a fanny pack or wallet.
Hello Stepahnos666
I totally agree re the money belt they are more secure as they are not on show.
Have a great trip guys!
Kate Hudson