Planning a trip to Egypt and wondering how much cash to bring to Egypt?
If you are sailing on a cruise, then your cash needs may be lower than you expected, as the major cruise expenses are already included in your package.
That doesn’t mean that there is no need to carry cash, because you may need Egyptian pounds for tips, local markets, small purchases, drinks, snacks (that are not included in the package), and unexpected expenses. And once you are sailing, getting cash is less convenient than it is in a major city.
Table of Contents:
-
How Much Should You Bring to Egypt?
-
What Currency Should Tourists Use in Egypt?
-
Egyptian Pound Exchange for Tourists: What Should You Know
-
Do Cards Work in Egypt?
-
Card vs. Cash in Egypt: What Should You Use?
-
How Much Cash Do You Need on Dahabiya?
-
The Most Important Cash Tip Before Your Dahabiya Departs
-
ATMs in Luxor and Aswan
-
Where Is the Last Reliable ATM Before Your Dahabiya?
-
A Simple Cash Plan For Your Egypt Trip
-
The Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Egypt
-
FAQs
-
Final Takeaway: Cash for Egypt Without the Stress
How Much Should You Bring to Egypt?
There is no fixed cash amount that works for every traveler. The ideal amount depends on several factors, including:
-
- How many days will you be staying in Egypt?
- Whether your hotel and cruises are already paid.
- How much you plan to shop
- Whether you are traveling independently or with a tour
- Your tipping budget
- Whether you will use taxis or local transportation
- Whether you plan to take optional excursions
- How often do you expect to use your card
For travelers whose dahabiya cruise, accommodation, and major sightseeing are already paid, they can consider EGP 500-1,500 per person per day as a practical starting point, then add a separate amount for tipping and shopping.
It is suggested to keep a card or backup payment method available for larger expenses.
What Currency Should Tourists Use in Egypt?
The Egyptian pound is the official currency of Egypt, which is abbreviated as EGP and commonly written as LE.
Egyptian pounds are one of the most useful currencies for everyday spending. You may see prices for tours and services quoted in US dollars or euros, but that doesn’t mean you should rely on the foreign currency.
Egyptian pounds are particularly useful for:
- Tips
- Small shops
- Local markets
- Taxis and local transport
- Snacks and drinks
- Informal services
- Some local excursions
Egyptian Pound Exchange for Tourists: What Should You Know
While exchanging money, look at the actual amount of Egyptian pounds you will receive, not simply the advertised headline rate.
You may encounter:
- Bank exchange services
- Official exchange offices
- Airport exchange facilities
- Hotel exchange services
- ATMs
Your spending can be less or more depending on your travel preferences.
A better strategy
You can exchange or withdraw enough money for the next few days, then replenish your Egyptian pound cash when necessary. This will help to reduce the amount of unused cash you have to carry and make it easier to adjust your budget as your trip develops.
Do Cards Work in Egypt?
Yes, international cards work in Egypt, but try not to depend on them everywhere. Visa and Mastercard are generally the most useful international card networks for travelers. Cards are particularly convenient at:
- Major hotels
- Larger restaurants
- Established shops
- Some tourist attractions
- Larger tourism businesses
- Many online bookings
Cash remains important for smaller transactions, while cards are useful for making larger payments.
Card vs. Cash in Egypt: What Should You Use?
| Expense | Cash or Card? |
| Hotel | Cards often work. |
| Major restaurant | Cards often work. |
| Cruise booking | Usually arranged in advance |
| Local market | Cash |
| Tips | Cash |
| Small shop | Cash |
| Taxi/local transport | Cash is often useful |
| Snacks and drinks | Cash useful |
| Souvenirs | Either, depending on the vendor |
| Large purchases | Cards can be convenient |
| Remote village purchases | Cash |
Remember, the answer is not card or cash
It is cash and card.
Cards give you flexibility for larger expenses, while Egyptian pounds make small everyday transactions easier.
How Much Cash Do You Need on Dahabiya?
Your dahabiya itinerary can include stops around Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, along with visits to temples and local areas. However, the major costs are already included in your cruise package, but you may need extra cash for:
Tips: Do not mix the tipping budget; keep it away from your everyday spending money. Depending on the cruise guidelines, the tip may be collected together at the end of the trip or given directly to individual crew members.
If you are unsure how much to budget for tips, then you can also read our guide on Tipping on a Dahabiya in Egypt 2027: How Much Should You Give the Crew, Guide, and Driver?
Drinks and snacks: Depending on the inclusions and exclusions of your package, you may need to spend additional money on drinks, snacks, or personal purchases.
Local markets and souvenirs: Cash can be more useful than cards, especially if your cruise includes excursions to the local markets or village.
Transportation before or after sailing: Most cruises include airport transfers, but if your Nile cruise package does not include it, then you may need cash for taxis before embarkation or disembarkation.
Optional activities: Any activity that is not included in your package will be treated separately from your daily budget.
Emergency money: Plan a budget for your trip, keep a small reserve, and do not use it until you genuinely need it.
The Most Important Cash Tip Before Your Dahabiya Departs
Get the cash you expect to need before you board.
Once your dahabiya is underway, there will be no ATM onboard, so it is best to get the cash you need before boarding. Aswan and Luxor have ATMs, but try not to treat them as guaranteed places to withdraw cash. That’s why it is recommended to check your wallet before sailing.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have enough Egyptian pounds?
- Do I have enough small notes?
- Do I have enough cash for personal expenses?
- Do I have backup cash?
- Is my banking app working?
- Have I kept my emergency funds separately?
ATMs in Luxor and Aswan
In Luxor and Aswan, you can easily find an ATM. But remember that availability doesn’t mean that every machine will work perfectly for you.
Before withdrawing, consider the following factors:
- Prefer an ATM associated with a recognized bank
- Check whether your card is supported
- Know your bank’s international withdrawal fee
- Check your withdrawal limit
- Avoid making multiple withdrawals if your bank charges a fixed fee
- Keep your cards and cash secure
- Have a second card available
Where Is the Last Reliable ATM Before Your Dahabiya?
If you are planning a cruise from Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor, then try to withdraw the cash before boarding the cruise. However, in Luxor and Aswan you can withdraw the money, as both locations have established bank ATM networks.
The withdrawal location depends on your departure point; if your cruise departs from Luxor, then you can make your final ATM withdrawal in Luxor before boarding. The same applies if your journey starts in Aswan.
However, some smaller destinations may have ATMs; the availability and access may not be as convenient as in the main cruise cities.
Before leaving the ATM, make sure you have:
- Enough Egyptian pounds for tips and personal spending.
- Smaller denominations for local purchases
- A backup card or payment method
- Some emergency cash kept separately
- Checked your bank’s international withdrawal fees and limits.
A Simple Cash Plan For Your Egypt Trip
If you want to organize your money, then this cash plan may help you.
Before you fly:
- Check the current EGP rate
- Check your bank’s transaction fees
- Check your ATM withdrawal limit
- Make sure international transactions are enabled
- Keep your bank’s emergency contact details accessible.
When you arrive:
- Obtain a manageable amount of Egyptian pounds
- Keep small notes for immediate expenses
- Avoid converting your entire holiday budget at once
Before your dahabiya sailing
- Check your cash balance
- Get additional Egyptian pounds if necessary
- Separate your tipping money
- Make sure you have small denominations
- Confirm whether you have a backup card
During the sailing
- Use cash for smaller local purchases and tips
- Use cards where they are accepted.
- Keep emergency funds separate
- Do not assume the next stop will have a reliable ATM
The Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Egypt
- Carrying the entire budget in cash
- Relying only on cards
- Waiting until the cruise to get cash
- Carrying only larger notes
- Accepting every currency conversion automatically
- Forgetting bank fees
FAQs
What to budget in cash for a seven-night sailing?
If your major expenses are covered in the cruise package, then you don’t need to carry the full cost of your holiday in cash. However, you need to carry cash for tipping, personal expenses, shopping allowance, and small emergency expenses. The exact amount that you need will depend on your spending habits and what is included in your cruise package.
Can I use my credit card in Egypt?
Yes, you can use your Visa and Mastercard at many hotels, larger restaurants, shops, and tourism businesses. But don’t forget to bring cash, because it will also remain important for tips, merchants, small purchases, and some local transportation.
Final Takeaway: Cash for Egypt Without the Stress
While planning a trip to Egypt, you don’t need to choose between cash or card.
The smarter approach is to combine both.
Still confused about how much cash to bring to Egypt?
Always remember: Carry Egyptian pounds for small everyday expenses, tips, and local experiences. And use your cards for larger purchases. Moreover, keep a backup payment method and make sure that you have enough cash before your cruise leaves Aswan or Luxor.
If you still have any doubts, then simply contact Swan Dahabiya and ask about your doubts. We will help you to understand the inclusions and exclusions and what you should budget separately for before you sail.