Can you pay by card (like UnionPay) or cash dollars at Egypt airport duty-free shops, and where's better to exchange currency — airport or city?

In September 2026, travellers reported using the reception terminals at the neighbouring White Hills hotel to exchange money into Egyptian pounds or withdraw cash by card. Those terminals worked reliably during their visits, whereas the reception terminal at the Siva hotel worked intermittently.

You can exchange currency either at the airport or in the city — in Hurghada, for example, there are many exchange offices near the Sheraton hotel area.

Airport exchange rates are generally less favorable than in the city — it's worth checking current rates before exchanging a large amount.

Card payment is possible at the airport, but the exact location (terminal/zone) isn't always obvious — one traveler used an ATM near the Gomla area with help from a local.

Confirmed: a UnionPay card from Russian Agricultural Bank works fine in the departure duty-free shop, no payment issues encountered.

A traveler asked whether cash dollars can be used for payment at the departure airport instead of a card.

The original question was whether a UnionPay card from Russian Agricultural Bank works in the departure duty-free shop, since not all card payments go through smoothly and confirmation was needed in advance.