Can you pay with USD or euros in Egyptian shops and malls?

When paying for excursions or exchanging money through tour operator representatives, the USD rate is set equal to the EUR rate. In duty-free shops, however, the EUR rate is slightly lower than the USD rate.

Paying by card in euros worked fine on the spot — it's not only pounds that are accepted; other tourists' euro-denominated cards were also accepted.

Breaking large bills is a real problem: a large euro note had to be exchanged for dollars because breaking it locally proved difficult (relevant for those leaving tips). Advice: skip euros, bring small dollar bills instead.

Some shops apply noticeably different rates when you pay in cash foreign currency: about 4,900 EGP for 100 USD versus about 5,400 EGP for 100 EUR. In practice, euros may be accepted on better terms than dollars.

At some beach vendors (e.g. smoothie stands), dollars are taken 1-for-1 with euros, meaning you effectively lose on the exchange. Dive centres more often convert at their own unfavourable rate. Euros are more widely used here than dollars.

Payment via SBP transfer is accepted in some places. Paying in Egyptian pounds is the most cost-effective option — prices work out cheaper than paying in foreign currency.

Hotels generally accept USD and euros, but the exchange rate applied favours the establishment rather than the tourist. New-series USD banknotes are more reliably accepted; elsewhere it varies. If a price is listed in euros, you will be charged more in dollars (e.g. 5 EUR ≈ 6 USD).

An RSHB UnionPay card can be used to withdraw Egyptian pounds from local ATMs, but the per-transaction limit is 4,000 EGP and contactless does not work — the card must be inserted physically.

In Abu Dabbab, hotel reception desks readily break large USD bills into small denominations (1–2 USD) for tips. Dive clubs and front desks also accept payment in USD or euros, converting between currencies on request. [Abu Dabbab]

Some shops display prices in USD or euros, but you still pay in Egyptian pounds based on the current exchange rate — check it online before shopping.

Senzo Mall in Waikiki is an exception where USD and euros are reportedly accepted in practice.

Gomla Market accepts Egyptian pounds only — foreign currency including euros is refused at the register.

Egyptian ATMs do not accept cash USD for exchange — they only dispense pounds from a linked bank card.