Why do exchange counters in Egypt sometimes refuse US dollar bills, and what should you bring instead?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 9 days ago
TL;DR
Exchange counters, pharmacies, and taxi desks in Egypt sometimes refuse even undamaged US dollar bills over invisible flaws, seemingly without real reason. Many travelers now bring euros instead, which are accepted everywhere without issue.
What the community said
One traveler solved the issue entirely by switching to euros for cash — they're accepted everywhere in Egypt without any pushback.
10 days ago euros — hassle-free currency to carry
This isn't a one-off issue — last year a pharmacy refused a crisp $20 bill over a trivial flaw, while the duty-free shop at the airport accepted an identical bill without any problem.
11 days ago airport duty-free — accepts bills without issue
At a taxi-stand exchange counter, staff rejected a crisp, undamaged 2017-series $20 bill, claiming they spotted an invisible tear, and then demanded a $100 bill instead — refusing to break it into smaller notes. The same $20 was accepted without issue at a nearby pharmacy minutes later.
11 days ago $20 bill (2017 series) — rejected at taxi desk, accepted at pharmacy