Money

Notes and coins

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (LE). There are 100 piastres in one Egyptian pound. Notes in common circulation are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Egyptian pounds and 50 and 25 piastres.

Paper money gets very old, tattered and torn, especially the smaller notes. Egyptians will often refuse to accept the notes in worst condition, especially torn ones. It may be best to refuse any that are torn or repaired with tape in case you get stuck with them.

There are coins but they are rarely used, except by local people for the ferry or for a local bus. Even in shops, most bills are rounded to the nearest 25 piastres. In restaurants change is normally rounded to the nearest pound.

Shops never seem to have any change, so it is best to pay for low cost items, such as drinks and small purchases from the market with the right money. However, the smaller notes are hard to get hold of. We suggest you keep hold of LE1 and LE5 notes for these minor purchases and for tipping.

When and where to get cash

There are plenty of cash machines (ATMs) in Luxor. There are cash machines in several of the hotel lobbies, including the Movenpick, the Sonesta St George (three inside and one outside), the New Winter Palace, the Sofitel Karnak and the Mercure Hotel (the one on the Corniche, not the Mercure Inn behind Luxor Temple). There are also several machines outside banks along the Corniche and along the main road around the hotels to the south of the town. Click here for a list of Visa cash machines in Luxor. Most of these ATMs will also take Link and other popular British debit and credit cards.

There are Bureaux de Change, and banks with exchange desks, in most parts of town, including along the Corniche and amongst the hotels at the southern end of Luxor.

When you change or draw money you are given an official receipt, which you are told to keep for inspection or in case you need to change Egyptian notes back into another currency. We have never had a receipt checked, but it is best to hold on to one or more to cover the amount of Egyptian cash you have, just in case.

Value of the Egyptian pound

The Egyptian Pound (LE) has been worth less than 10 English pence for a few years. Check the current rate, but for ease of calculation it is probably safe to work on the rule of thumb that LE10 is worth very roughly £1 sterling or LE1 is 10 pence (English).

Some examples of currency exchange rates appear below. These are today's commercial rates. You can expect to get very close to these rates if you draw or change money in Egypt. You will usually get quite a lot less if you buy Egyptian pounds in another country before you go. This list is up to date and fetches today's currency rates from coinmill.com.

You can also do a currency conversion between Egyptian Pounds and other major currencies by clicking here if you are connected to the internet. This will open a currency converter in another window. Close that window to return to Luxor Travel Tips.

Credit Cards and travellers cheques

Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. However, not all hotels or cruise boats will accept them for settling final bills.