Currency exchange in Sharm el-Sheikh: where to get the best USD to Egyptian pound rate?

From messages by 4 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 55 days ago

TL;DR

The best exchange rate is at ATMs, around 1:50 (50 Egyptian pounds per dollar). In shops, if you pay in USD, change is sometimes given at a worse rate of 1:45, or an extra $2 may simply be added to the price.

What the community said

Regular ATMs currently give a fair rate, about 1 USD = 50 Egyptian pounds — this is the most favorable exchange option.

ATM rate: 1:50

If you pay in USD at a shop and get change in Egyptian pounds (because the seller has no dollar bills for change), the rate may drop to 1:45 instead of the fair 1:50 — always confirm the rate before paying.

Discounted change rate: 1:45

In some shops, sellers simply add a couple of extra dollars on top of the price when you pay in USD — for example, $2 was added to a $10 item, and another $2 to a $35 item. Always double-check the final total before paying.

USD payment markup: +$2

Exchanging leftover Egyptian pounds back to dollars at the end of your trip is nearly impossible — it's easier to spend them at the airport cafe, sell them to other arriving tourists, or save them for your next trip to Egypt.

What to do with leftover pounds