Money & Egypt...

[Starburn]

Hi All

First time to Egypt in a few weeks.. (not looking forward to the injections though , but thats another story). Anyway I can't seem to figure out the best way to take money to Egypt.

I phoned Natwest and asked if there is a card that would work over there & apparantly my Solo will only work in Cairo National Airport, as does the Switch (which I don't have anyway). I reckon I could probably use my Visa for cash advances, but my credit limit isn't exactly high enough to use for the whole holiday (plus I bet the charges abroad are extortionate).

So I'm left with getting travellers cheques I guess, where is the best place to buy these from? & what are the charges like for swapping them into local currency in Sharm? (Pacha bay/Naama bay to be more precise).

Thinking of taking about 1000 egyption pounds and �30 with me, for the first day or so and keep the rest of the money in travellers cheques, exchanging some when needed.

Thanks

[flowerfairy]

Hi Starburn,

Just back from Sharm:hotsun: , my advice is to change a small amount here but take as much Sterling as you feel comfortable with and get LP (Egyptian pounds) once over there as you will get a better rate.
That's what I did but I also used ATMs (using Switch) and didn't actually use traveller's cheques so can't help you out on that one I'm afraid.

Have a wonderful time, I'm sure you will,
:flower:

[Starburn]

I read that you are only allowed to take �500 (LP 5000) into Egypt though?

So I didn't want to push my luck with the amount of currency I take in.
Unless that only applies to local currency you bring in, not Sterling?

I wish I could use my Solo card over there, but unfortunately it seems I cannot, so the only alternative is travellers cheques. Though I will get my partner to find out if she can use her card (different bank) in Sharm.
What are the exchange rates like when drawing from the ATM?

[marina]

i would wait untill you get there but i would have money with you for the first day as you may not be able to find a bank straight away we went to egypt last feb we stayed in an all inclusive hotel still went off 3 meals bought pressie and only spent �200 mc donalds is really cheap too i know you want to get away from england but its nice to have somethings to remember from home hope you have a good time we are going on the 19th of feb carnt wait

[flowerfairy]

:confused: Oh I didn't know about the �500 limit!

I withdrew 1000 LP from the ATM using switch and it actually cost me �103.53 if that's any help.

Didn't have any injections, don't think they are compulsory (unless anyone knows differently)!
:flower:

[Starburn]

Thats not too bad.
I've had my limit increased on my VISA so I may end up just using that, and taking some money with me.

Not decided between VISA or Travellers Cheques yet though :s.


I've had my injections today ..
Already up to date with Polio/Tetnus so didn't need those.
None are required but HepA & Typhoid are highly recommended - so I had those (not so bad as it was a combined injection, but my arm is a bit sore and I feel a tad 'weird' but thats expected with immunisations afaik).

[marina]

we went to egypt last yr and didnt have no injections
we have had them 4 turkey about 10 yrs ago but they probly need up dating

[Starburn]

Ok back on topic;

I've decided travellers cheques are best (after seeing Natwest's skewed exchange rates (which is, I assume, what they will use when/if I draw out money on my VISA) compared to what I'd get in Egypt!).

Just looking for some information -
I've heard you can exchange the cheques in most hotels/quite a few places; what are the rates like? (I'm going to Pacha bay/Naama bay), is there a charge for exchanging travellers cheques in �, rather than the � itself?

Cheers

[caroldave]

Went to sharm last april. They prefered us to use sterling as it is worth a lot more over there. If you pay in sterling you will find they give you the change in egyptian, advise you to take a converter, you can get one from the travel agency or off the net. Prices are very cheap but remember to haggle as they will get as much as they can out of you. If you smoke get your cigs when you get there you only have 24 hours to use the duty free shop after that you will have to wait till you are on the way home �7 for 200 Bensons at the airport, also applies to drink cheaper at airport.

[bettyboop2]

hi starburn

hope you enjoyed egypt Im going in November and was wondering did you find any atm/banks that you could use your natwest solo card in???
how did you take the currency did you just take sterling or travellers cheques? any tips or warnings about shar i am staying 10mins from Nam bay. anything would be great thanks Bettyboop