Currency exchange in Sharm el-Sheikh: where to get the best USD to Egyptian pound rate?
Based on 2 discussions with 4 participants · Last activity: 1 day 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.
3 days ago 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.
3 days ago 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.
3 days ago 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.
16 days ago What to do with leftover pounds