I am going to Egypt in October for a holiday I was going to take 500 Egyptian pounds and travelers cheques and a couple of hundred pounds sterling. Is this the best way to do it what would you recommend
2006-09-15 09:21:05 · 12 answers · asked by micvay47 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Egypt
500 pound Egyptian is only £50.
I would take what you think you will spend in Egyptian pounds.
Then take some £ you'll not have to pay to change them back and most shop owner in Egypt will accept them at a rate of £1 to 10 EP.
Then take a debit card so you can withdraw anything else you need direct from you bank in EP
Most places will not accept travellers cheques and they can be difficult to change,
Saying that it depends where you are travelling and where you are staying.
The Winter palace in Luxor have a foriegn exchange where you can change anything 24hrs a day.
Heres's a tip for Bartering.
If you see something decide what you'd like to pay for it. Go for a fair price in the UK.
Say you see a Galabeya.......(Egyptian Smock)
You think if you saw it in Tesco you'd Pay £12.
Also things in Egypt are cheaper so your target should be £10.
The Trader will ask £50.
You go in at £3.
He's trying to rip you of, He'll act really insulted but come down to £40....
Don't increase your price he'll come down again.
At this price go up a £ to £4, He'll Ask £40 again you say No, He'll come down again to £20.
Go up to your last price. If he say's no. He'll come down more. When you've offered your last price he'll beg for more. If he doesn't agree to your price then.
WALK AWAY.
He'll follow you and give it to you for your price.
If he doesn't then you'll know he's offered it to you for his lowest price.He'll not loose a sale unless he can't afford to sell it for that price.
BTW... a fair price for a Galabeya is £5-£7
HERES SOMETHING I LIKE TO DO.
I bargain hard. But I have more money than these people.
I set a target price of say £10.
I bargain really hard and get it for £5.
I then give the trader £7.50, that way we both make.
He's been fair with me and he needs the money more than me.
If the traders been unfair or rude then I give hime the £5 only.
If he's been friendly and respectful and I'm very happy with the situation I'll actuall give him the £10 even though wegot down to £5.
Some of them WILL try to trick you. Some of them Will try to short change you. BE SMART but be nice.
Have fun and enjoy the people.......
2006-09-15 09:32:58 · answer #1 · answered by David T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a wonderful country and the tips on bargaining a very good. I never bother with travellers cheques I change some Egyptian pounds take some sterling which is always acceptable in Egypt and the rely on using the ATMs they do have them in the big towns like luxor and Cairo. Oh a lot of the shops take plastic. Have good time.
2006-09-15 17:59:38 · answer #2 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take £ or better still a credit card. We went in May, and you get a different rate for £ and $ than for egyptian £'s. We found UK£, even coins, were acceptable when Egyptian £ were not. In fact actual £ coins are great for grabbing a quick souvenir/sunhat etc before rushing back to your tour group and the next temple! They also went further. B est bet is a credit card to get what cash you need from a machine for coffee's etc as you need it, and also use it for bigger purchases. Its a better exchange rate than most cash transfers anyway, despite the transaction fees. Don't forget your visa's at the airport need to be UK£. Barter for EVERYTHING - we used a start point of 10% asking price and haggled up to 30% - if the traders won't go for it then, someone else a few shops down will! Enjoy - we had a great time - I hope you do too
2006-09-15 16:29:24 · answer #3 · answered by fleabag155 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just got back from Sharm el Sheikh last week. Used Egytian Pounds, pounds sterling and travellers cheques. You'll find they'll accept sterling, dollars or euros too.
2006-09-16 13:13:45 · answer #4 · answered by borderline1311 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
500 and a credit card is enough!
im from cairo and i think u should be aware not to pay what ppl ask for
i mean Bargain as much as u can!
coz if u hear the number 100 it actually costs less then 30!!
and soo on!
and the best way to Bargain in Egypt is too be cold and say the number u r willing to pay one time and show no interested if he said not and turn around and attempt to leave!
he will run after u! :)
contact me if u neeed more help! :)
2006-09-17 05:06:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Travelers cheques
2006-09-15 16:23:39 · answer #6 · answered by Life after 45 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you take pounds sterling that you may find the exchange rates not very good unless you use a bank. ATM's give very good exchange rates and they do have them there and they are in English
2006-09-16 05:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by Rob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget cash or cheques and use a credit card. There is a much better exchange rate.
2006-09-15 16:29:35 · answer #8 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup sounds good to me don't just rely on travellers cheque take money too like u say as u always have to find some where to change/accept em
2006-09-15 16:31:05 · answer #9 · answered by kj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am an egyptian 500 EGYPTIAN pounds are not enough take and it depends on where u are going to if u are going to sharm take about 600 dollars and if u are going to cairo take about 500 dollars
2006-09-16 15:32:37 · answer #10 · answered by il kindome di cielo₪ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋