Money & Payments in Cairo (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Cash is king in Cairo. Most micro-transactions (street food, souks, small shops) require Egyptian pounds. Always carry small denominations.
Card surcharges: Some merchants levy 2–3% or claim equipment is broken to avoid card fees. Budget for this possibility.
ATM withdrawal strategy: Make fewer, larger withdrawals to minimize home-bank fees (often charged per transaction).
Service charge ≠ tip. Restaurant bills include 10–12% service charge, but additional 10–15% tipping on top is expected by staff.
Tipping culture is tied to income, not just quality. Workers in service sectors earn very low base wages and rely heavily on gratuities.
USD is accepted for major transactions and tour guides prefer it, but EGP always stretches further for small tips and local commerce.
Check with your bank before travel to avoid card blocks flagged as suspicious; notify them of Egypt visit.
DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) is a trap: always decline and pay in EGP when prompted at card terminals.

ATM Access

Availability: Widely available in Cairo, especially downtown and tourist areas
Card Support: Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro accepted at most machines
Withdrawal Limits: Variable by ATM; daily limits may apply, requiring multiple withdrawals

Fees

Home Bank Charges: EGP 30
Typical range: varies by home bank, often 2-3% or flat €5-10 per withdrawal
Local Egyptian Bank ATM Fee: EGP 38
Standard Egyptian bank charge per transaction
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: Avoid DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) if offered—adds 7%+ surcharge to standard rates

Credit Card Fees

Note: Use travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees where possible
Description: Typically 1.75–4% of withdrawn amount with minimum fee around €5

Tipping Norms

Overview: Essential cultural practice ('baksheesh'); workers depend on tips as significant income supplement

By Context

Tour Guides: EGP 100
100–200 EGP per day depending on tour length/quality; USD preferred for guides who travel internationally
Uber Careem: EGP 5.00
5–10 EGP or equivalent in-app tip; tip is separate from metered fare
Hotel Housekeeping: EGP 10
CaféS Coffee Shops: EGP 5.00
5–10 EGP, especially if occupying table for extended periods
Hotel Bellhops Luggage: EGP 5.00
Public Restroom Attendants: EGP 5.00
5–10 EGP customary

Taxis Traditional

Action: Round fare to nearest 5–10 EGP; no percentage calculation needed

Restaurants Casual

Action: Round up bill or add 10–20 EGP
Currency: Egyptian pounds preferred

Restaurants Formal

Currency: Tip in EGP discreetly by handing directly to server; USD also acceptable for larger tips
Service Charge Included: Usually 10–12% automatically added to bill

Additional Tip

Percentage: 10–15% additional after service charge
Example: For 500 EGP meal: add 50–75 EGP on top of included service charge

Best Practices

Carry small bill denominations (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 EGP notes); vendors cannot break larger notes
Tip discreetly with a handshake or direct hand placement to show respect
Never leave tips on table—hand directly to person who provided service
If someone politely declines tip on first offer, insist gently once (cultural modesty gesture); accept if declined second time
Avoid excessive tipping (e.g., American 20% norms); distorts expectations for other travelers and is considered disrespectful
Tip reflects genuine service appreciation, not guilt—poor service does not require a tip

Card Acceptance

Debit Credit

Overview: Cash-heavy society; cards accepted selectively in tourist areas
Important Note: Some smaller vendors with card machines may request surcharge or claim machine is broken to avoid fees

Card Types

Visa Mastercard: Most widely accepted
American Express: Less common; primarily high-end establishments only

Accepted In

Major hotels, upscale restaurants, large retail chains
Tourist attractions like Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum
Supermarkets and larger shops in central Cairo

Not Accepted In

Traditional souks (Khan el-Khalili bazaar)
Local cafés and street food vendors
Traditional taxis
Small shops and neighborhood vendors

Banking

Banking Hours: Generally Sunday–Thursday, 8:30 am–2:00 pm; some branches until 5:00 pm
Cash Vs Digital: Cash remains primary payment method; ATMs offer best exchange rates; cards accepted at upscale stores and restaurants; most payments cash or card rather than check.
ATM Availability: Widely available throughout Cairo; accept major international cards

Account Setup For Expats

Account Types: Savings, current, and multi-currency accounts available; most major banks offer parallel USD accounts alongside EGP
Process Timeline: 1–2 hours at branch; debit card issued in 3–7 business days
Minimum Deposit Local: EGP 1,000
Minimum Deposit Range: 1,000–5,000 EGP depending on bank and account type
Residency Requirement: Most banks require a residence permit with 6+ months validity; some accept tourist visa with CIB.

Documents Required

Valid passport
Residence permit (6+ months validity)
Proof of address (utility bill, tenancy contract)
Passport-sized photos
Completed application form
Egyptian phone number (for SMS verification)

Recommended Banks For Expats

Commercial International Bank (CIB)
Recommendation
Most foreigner-friendly; English-speaking staff; good mobile app; branches in tourist areas; accepts tourist visa
National Bank of Egypt (NBE)
Recommendation
Largest bank; English support available
QNB
Recommendation
Viable option for expats
Banque Misr
Recommendation
Viable option for expats

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Cairo

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Cairo