Egypt runs on cash more than cards, especially outside hotels and major restaurants — plan around that rather than fighting it.
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the only legal currency for purchases; some tour operators quote in USD or EUR, but you’ll pay the equivalent in pounds at most actual points of sale. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates close to your trip rather than relying on old numbers.
Hotels, higher-end restaurants, and larger shops in Cairo take cards. Markets, small restaurants, taxis, tips, and rural areas are cash-only. Carry small bills — large notes are often genuinely hard for vendors to break.
Small bills matter more in Egypt than almost anywhere else — vendors often can’t break large notes.
ATMs are common in cities and hotels and generally reliable, dispensing EGP. Notify your bank before traveling, and expect a foreign transaction fee on top of whatever the ATM itself charges.
Tipping is expected far more broadly than in most Western countries — for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restroom attendants, and anyone who provides a small service. Keep a stock of small notes specifically for this; it adds up but is a genuine part of how service workers are paid here.