Should you pay in Egyptian pounds or USD at pharmacies in Sharm el-Sheikh?
From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 21 days ago
Egyptian pounds are preferable at pharmacies: when paying in USD, the total may be rounded and change in cents is generally not given. Check any local-currency change for worn or damaged notes.
21 days ago Egyptian pounds; no change in cents
ATMs in hotels/malls often jam or reject banknotes — many travelers report this. Better to exchange cash locally at a shop, hotel reception, or the exchange point on the corner of the Old Market.
Exchange point at Old Market corner
A Rosselkhozbank UnionPay card works for withdrawing Egyptian pounds from ATMs and for card payments at pharmacies and some stores. Recommended to bring around $800 in cash, depending on planned excursions.
Rosselkhozbank UnionPay, ~$800 cash
Old US dollar bills are accepted reluctantly — usually only for large purchases via excursion operators or ATM exchange. Better to bring newer bills with the blue security stripe; if unavailable, exchange dollars to euros first, then to Egyptian pounds.
Bills with blue security stripe
The pharmacy point in the Naama Bay / Nabq area mall accepts card payments — a transaction receipt was confirmed.
Pharmacy in Nabq mall
Grocery stores in Sharm el-Sheikh accept only cash in Egyptian pounds. ATMs are available inside the same malls. Pharmacies and some clothing boutiques accept cards.
ATM inside mall
Paying in Egyptian pounds at pharmacies is always cheaper: the price printed on the packaging is in EGP and that's what you pay. If you pay in USD, the seller sets their own exchange rate, which is typically unfavorable.
Price on packaging = price in EGP