The currency of Cairo is Egyptian Pound or Gineih, which is symbolised as EGP or LE. 1 EGP is equivalent to 100 piastres or qirsh and 1000 malleem. The notes of Egyptian currency are available in several denominations, including 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Piastres coins are available in denominations of 25, 20, 10 and 5.

Other common international currencies like British Pound Sterling, Euro and the US Dollar are also accepted throughout the city. However, the change is generally accepted in Egyptian Pounds by the locals. Foreign currency can also be exchanged for Egyptian Pounds at banks, official bureaux de change and hotels. As far as the exchange rates are concerned, 1 US$ is equivalent to 5.81 EGP. However, the currency conversion rates to other currencies like INR keep on changing in accordance with their relation to US$.

Currency exchange is not a problem in Cairo due to the presence of various local and international banks, which offer this service. With better exchange rates than bureaux de change or hotels, banks are a preferred choice for money exchange solutions. Some of the globally acclaimed banks in Cairo from where currency can be easily exchanged are Citibank, HSBC, Barclays, Suez Canal and Commercial International Bank. Tourists can visit any of these banks during the working hours (8:30 am to 2 pm) on all days but Friday and Saturday.

Almost all big hotels and restaurants in the city accept payment via credit cards like American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. However, tourists are not liable to pay through cards in the Western oases. Another essential mode of making payments is traveller’s cheque. The prevalence of these cheques has reduced due to the facility of ATM available in almost all common places. Travellers are however, advised to carry the traveller’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling for avoiding additional exchange rate charges.

Egyptian currency can be imported and exported to the maximum limit of 38,735.79 INR. On the other hand, the import and export of foreign currency is limited to 449,817 INR or equivalent.