What currency to use for Egypt visa on arrival at Hurghada airport — do they give change?

The visa costs $30. Pay only at the official bank window at the airport — ignore tour operators who try to redirect you to their counters.

When paying for the visa at airport bank kiosks, change is typically given in USD even if you request Egyptian pounds. EGP change is only available if the cashier has it on hand.

Euros are also accepted for visa payment at Hurghada airport visa counters.

Paying in Egyptian pounds is possible, and change will also be in EGP. You can withdraw pounds in advance from a hotel ATM using a UnionPay card.

In practice, the change currency depends on what the cashier currently has. If the previous passenger paid in EGP, those pounds may be passed on as change to the next traveler. This was observed at Hurghada airport in December 2023.