Best way to get Egyptian pounds in Hurghada — exchange cash or use ATMs?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
TL;DR
The easiest option is to withdraw Egyptian pounds directly from ATMs, which are everywhere in Hurghada. Exchanging cash through bureaux or money changers is less convenient and often less favorable.
ATM withdrawal limits can be very low — around 4,000 Egyptian pounds per transaction, with a fee charged each time. Factor this in when planning how much cash you need.
Hotel grounds and tour operators typically price in US dollars, so you don't need to convert everything to pounds — dollars are accepted directly there.
Most places accept both pounds and dollars, but paying in dollars gives a worse rate. If you're far from an ATM and need to reach the marina, services like ABC Taxi or InDrive are a practical option.
ATMs are everywhere in Hurghada — just withdraw Egyptian pounds as needed and skip the hassle of exchange offices. Any leftover small change can go toward souvenirs.
Trying to exchange dollar bills through ATMs or exchange points can turn into a headache — machines may reject notes, and change is often given in old or crumpled bills that shops refuse. Withdrawing pounds directly is far simpler.
Bringing dollars from home and hunting for an exchange office on arrival is unnecessary hassle. Street exchange rates and money changers in Hurghada are typically unfavorable, so you end up losing money on the conversion.