Can you pay by card in Sharm el-Sheikh or is cash better?
From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 66 days ago
On-site payment only works with foreign-issued cards, or through local 'helpers' who process the payment for you for an extra fee.
Local payment helpers (extra fee)
Not every store accepts card payments directly — for example, Mango only allows payment via QR code, not by card.
Mango store — QR code only
Card payments are accepted in very few places in Sharm el-Sheikh. The main use of a card here is ATM cash withdrawals, not purchases.
Paying by card is more cost-effective where accepted since there's no fee. Best strategy: try card first, fall back to cash if declined.
0% fee when paying by card
When withdrawing cash, take the maximum allowed per transaction — 4,000–4,250 EGP — to minimize ATM fees per pound withdrawn.
Max per withdrawal: 4,000–4,250 EGP
Some foreign-issued cards (such as those from payment services like Plati Po Miru and similar) do work for purchases, but there's no guarantee they won't stop working — use them while you can.
Plati Po Miru, Paylate cards
An alternative to cards is buying gift certificates through services like PeopleBot, but they cost roughly twice the face value — an expensive workaround.
Gift certificates: ~2× markup
Some shops (similar to MTS-style outlets) offer payment processing but charge a commission — a last-resort option if cards and cash aren't working.
MTS-type shops (commission applies)