ATMs in Egypt: locations, fees, and tips

Travelling to Egypt from the UK? Whether you’re planning a sightseeing tour of the pyramids or a snorkelling trip to Sharm-el-Sheikh, you’re going to need some spending money.

While there are places in Egypt where you can pay by card, it’s a good idea to take some Egyptian pounds in cash. And for that, you’re going to need an ATM.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using ATMs in Egypt. This includes where to find them, what fees they charge and whether there are any limits you need to know about.

We’ll even show you a super convenient way to spend abroad using the Wise card, which works in 150+ countries.

So, let’s get started.

Where do I find ATMs in Egypt?

In the major cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, ATMs are in plentiful supply. You should be able to find them in the usual places, such as at banks and in shopping centres. You’ll also find ATMs at major airports.

In smaller towns though, they might be harder to find. And if you’re heading somewhere remote or rural, you’ll find it a lot trickier to track one down.

You can use an ATM locator to find one near you. Here are locators or lists of ATMs for some of Egypt’s largest banks:

• Banque Misr ATM list
• Commercial International Bank (CIB) ATM locator
• QNB ATM locator
• HSBC Egypt ATM list.

What are ATMs called in Egypt?

ATMs are generally called ATMs, so you should be able to spot them easily. They look similar to the cash machines you’ll find back in the UK.

Will my credit or debit card work in Egyptian ATMs?

ATMs in Egypt generally accept Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. This is good for UK travellers, as these are the most commonly issued types of cards in the UK. Both local and foreign-issued cards should be accepted in most cases.

American Express and Discover cards aren’t generally accepted, so you might struggle to find an ATM you can use if you only have this kind of card.¹

So, you should be fine to use your UK-issued card in Egypt. The only thing to check before withdrawing cash is whether your bank at home has any charges for overseas ATM withdrawals.

You can search for your nearest cash machine in Egypt with these global ATM locators:

• Visa ATM locator
• MasterCard ATM locator

Egypt ATM Pins

ATMs in Egypt accept the 4-digit PINs we use here in the UK.

When it comes to paying for goods and services in shops and restaurants, you might find that only cash is accepted.

If debit cards are accepted, Chip and PIN technology may be used (especially in bigger cities). But there’s also a chance you may encounter magnetic stripe systems (where your card needs to be swiped).

Many debit cards have both, but it’s a good idea to check before you travel.

Egypt ATM max cash withdrawal limits

The maximum amount you can withdraw from an Egyptian ATM will largely depend on your bank. Each bank usually has its own daily, weekly and/or monthly withdrawal limits.

ATMs in Egypt also tend to have their own withdrawal limits of between 2000 and 3000 EGP.¹

Let your bank know before you travel

These days, it isn’t usually essential to tell your bank you’ll be using your debit card abroad. But it could be an idea to do it anyway, to prevent any disruptions to your travel spending.

After all, the last thing you want is for your overseas transactions to be mistakenly flagged up as fraud or your card blocked.

To avoid any of this hassle, it could even be worth getting an alternative spending card - one that is specially designed for international travel.

A great option is the Wise card, as it works in countries and lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) from overseas ATMs without any fees.Wise doesn’t charge for these withdrawals but you’ll need to check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fees.

Choose to withdraw in the local currency and your Wise card will do the currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small conversion fee*.

This means no expensive mark-ups eating into your spending money.

Discover the Wise card 💳

What are the ATM fees in Egypt?

In the UK, while there are some independent ATM networks that charge their own fees, the majority of ATMs are free to use. But how does it work in Egypt?

Read on for info on potential costs, including transaction fees and currency conversion costs.

Exchange rate fees at ATMs in Egypt (DCC)

The first thing to get to grips with when using an overseas ATM is currency conversion.

If you’ve ever used an ATM in another country, you may be familiar with the screen asking you if you want the transaction to be carried out in British pounds or the local currency. You’ll encounter this in Egypt too.

It’s always recommended to choose to withdraw in the local currency, in this case Egyptian pounds (EGP) - without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider.

However, if you choose to be charged in British pounds, the ATM will make up an exchange rate using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This rate will almost certainly be unfavourable, and can make the transaction expensive for you.

So the bottom line is - it’s always best to press ‘no’ when asked about currency conversion.

Home bank ATM fees

Some UK banks have foreign transaction fees, often called ‘non-Sterling transaction fees’. These fees could apply to overseas spending, cash withdrawals or both.

To avoid any surprise charges, it’s crucial to check this carefully before you travel. You can either contact your bank or take a look at the terms and conditions (and fee information document) for your account.

Egypt bank ATM fees

Some ATMs in Egypt may charge a fee - you can expect this to be around 5 EGP at the most.²

It may even be possible to find fee-free ATMs, but you might need to do a little shopping around.

Can I get free cash withdrawals in Egypt?

It may be possible to get free cash withdrawals in Egypt. You can try a few bank’s ATMs - if there’s a fee, it’ll be displayed on the screen before you confirm the transaction.

Another option is to see if your UK bank has a partnership with any banks in Egypt. If so, you may be able to withdraw cash for free (or for lower fees) at these ATMs.

Tips for avoiding ATM fees in Egypt

Always choose to be charged in the local currency

Some ATMs may offer you a ‘service’ of being charged in your local currency (i.e. GBP). While you may feel relieved to see the figures on terms you’re more familiar with, it’s always best to decline this option.

Being charged in the local currency helps you avoid hidden ATM rip-offs by giving you the best possible exchange rate.

Choosing to see the transaction shown in British pounds gives the ATM permission to give you an arbitrary (generally much more unfavourable) exchange rate for your withdrawal. So, it’s best avoided.

Check out the latest GBP - EGP conversion rates below:

Avoid airport ATMs

ATMs at airports tend to be very expensive, charging high fees for withdrawing money or converting currency. So even though they may be convenient, they’re best avoided unless you have no other option.

Check whether your home bank has partner banks in Egypt

If your UK bank has an overseas ATM network or partners with banks in Egypt, you may be able to benefit from low or no fees on ATM withdrawals. It’s always worth finding out before you travel.

Choose the right fee-free card

Some UK banks don’t charge foreign transaction fees for spending and cash withdrawals. If this isn’t something your bank offers and you travel a lot, it may be worth switching banks so you can benefit from a fee-free card.

Another important thing to remember is that you should avoid making ATM withdrawals with a credit card.

It’s usually a lot more expensive than using a debit card, as fees are charged for cash-based transactions. Plus, interest will likely start accruing right away, so you won’t benefit from your usual interest-free period.

Spend and withdraw worldwide with the Wise card

If you travel regularly, the Wise card is the perfect way to spend and withdraw cash worldwide.

It’s a dedicated travel card, letting you spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend.

And when you need cash, you can use it to withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) fee-free*. You’ll just need to check whether the ATM operator charges its own fees.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Wise only ever charges small, transparent fees* for currency conversion, and it’s fee-free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Sign up for a Wise account online and you can get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7.

Sign up for a Wise account 🌍

ATMs in Egypt FAQs

How much does it cost to withdraw cash in Egypt?

It costs a maximum of 5 EGD to withdraw cash from ATMs in Egypt, but it could be less or even free depending on the ATM.²

Are there any fee-free ATMs in Egypt?

It may be possible to find ATMs without any fees, but you may need to try a few before you find one.

What is the maximum withdrawal from an ATM in Egypt?

ATMs in Egypt tend to have withdrawal limits of between 2000 and 3000 EGP.¹

Can I use my UK debit card in Egypt?

Yes, you should be fine to use your UK debit card in Egypt, as both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Is it better to take cash or card to Egypt?

Cards are accepted in some places in Egypt, mainly in big cities. You should be able to pay by card in major hotel chains, large shopping malls, fast food chains and in tourist areas.

But elsewhere in the country, cash is still king. You’ll need cash for things like tipping, public transport, street food vendors and markets, and for some local restaurants and bars.

Read more about the best currency to take to Egypt for your trip.

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Sources used:

1. Egypt Adventures Travel - ATM max withdrawal limits in Egypt
2. Frommer’s - ATMs fees in Egypt

Sources last checked on date: 17-Oct-2024