What should I do if an ATM in Sharm El Sheikh doesn’t dispense cash, and when are banks open to process a refund?
Based on 1 discussion with 2 participants · Last activity: 16 days ago
TL;DR
If an ATM in Sharm El Sheikh fails to dispense cash, go to the bank branch as soon as possible and keep a photo of the ATM plus the exact time and location of the transaction. In Egypt, banks are typically closed on Friday and Saturday, while many branches reopen on Sunday; refunds may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 days.
What the community said
In one reported case, the refund was processed the same day: after visiting the branch on Monday, the money from the failed ATM transaction was returned in about 30 minutes. The refund was issued in Egyptian pounds rather than the original card currency.
16 days ago 30 minutes, Egyptian pounds
If the ATM issue happens right before the weekend, you may not be able to resolve it quickly: Friday and Saturday are commonly bank days off in Egypt. Because of that, some travelers only manage to visit a branch on Monday if Sunday is not possible.
16 days ago Friday and Saturday
When reporting the problem, travelers recommend taking a photo of the ATM and noting the exact time and location of the transaction. These details help bank staff identify the failed withdrawal and process the refund faster.
16 days ago ATM photo, transaction time and location
Based on traveler reports, refund timing varies: some got their money back the same day, while others were told it could take up to 3 days. It helps to follow up firmly with the branch about the claim.
16 days ago Up to 3 days
If you need to visit a bank in Sharm El Sheikh, Sunday is usually a working day for Egyptian banks. Some branches may also open on Saturdays, but those are less common, so Sunday or regular weekdays are safer options.
16 days ago Sunday