💰 Currency exchange in Sharm El Sheikh: USD, EUR and GBP guide

Got US dollars, euros or pounds and wondering how to handle money in Sharm El Sheikh? Here's everything you need to know about exchanging cash, using ATMs, and getting the most Egyptian pounds for your money. 💵

Which currencies work in Sharm?

USD and EUR are the most useful currencies to carry. Most tours, excursions and larger shops accept either. British pounds are accepted in some places but are far less common. Egyptian pounds (EGP) are needed for smaller purchases: tips, local market stalls, minibuses, and small cafes.

As a rough guide, plan to have a mix: USD or EUR for tours and bigger spends, EGP for everyday tips and small purchases.

Best rates: Banque Misr and National Bank of Egypt

The best exchange rates in Sharm El Sheikh are at the government-owned banks: Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt (NBE). Both have branches in Naama Bay and near the main hotel areas. Rates here are very close to the interbank rate - significantly better than anywhere else in town.

Bring your passport. Transactions are quick and straightforward.

Avoid the hotel exchange desk

It's tempting to exchange money at your hotel front desk, but the rates are typically 8-10% worse than the banks. On $500, that's $40-50 lost before you've even left the lobby. A short walk to a bank is always worth it.

Private exchange offices (sarrafs)

Private exchange kiosks are scattered around the bazaars and shopping areas. Rates vary widely - some come close to the banks, others are considerably worse. Always check the rate displayed before handing over money, and count your cash carefully before walking away. Never hand money over in stages.

ATMs - Egyptian pounds only

ATMs in Sharm El Sheikh dispense Egyptian pounds (EGP), not dollars or euros. A few things to know:

💳 Fee per withdrawal: around $3-5 charged by the Egyptian bank - your own bank may add an additional fee on top

💳 Single withdrawal limit: typically 5,000-6,000 EGP per transaction (roughly $100-120 at current rates)

💳 Best ATMs: Banque Misr and NBE tend to charge lower fees than private banks

ATMs are a convenient fallback but work out expensive if you're making lots of small withdrawals.

Should you bring cash from home?

Yes - it's the smartest approach. Bringing USD or EUR in cash from home gives you the most flexibility: you can pay directly for tours and excursions, exchange at a bank for the best rate, and avoid ATM fees entirely. Crisp, undamaged notes are always easier to exchange.

If you're bringing pounds sterling, plan to exchange them at Banque Misr or NBE on arrival - GBP is accepted far less widely in shops and by local vendors.

How much cash do you need per day?

A rough guide for daily spending in EGP:

🪙 Tips for guides, drivers, hotel housekeeping: 50-100 EGP per person

🍽️ Local lunch outside the hotel: 150-300 EGP

🛒 Small market purchases, water: 10-50 EGP

🤿 A short activity or entry fee paid in EGP: 400-800 EGP

Most tours from SunTrip Egypt accept USD, EUR, or EGP directly, so you don't need to exchange everything before you book.