Holiday spendies

[Kirstie]

Does anyone know where the best place is at the moment to get holiday currency?

[RuthH]

Also can anyone tell me what currency I need for going to Egypt (Mersa Alam) - US dollars or Egyptian currency? Or both? Thanks!

[beanie]

post office
comission free (both ways )

[kath2407]

I found the post office really good for it. If you go to a big main one they will have it there but if they don't they will be able to get it within 48 hours. I speak from experience of needing Maltese money and only realising that I hadn't got it the day before I flew!!!!!!!!!!!!! There was a very helpful man on a phone line (try their website) who advised me of which currency I needed (I seemed to think I needed euros!) and told me where the nearest PO that did "on demand" currency was. No commission and they buy back un used currency

Kath

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by RuthH

Also can anyone tell me what currency I need for going to Egypt (Mersa Alam) - US dollars or Egyptian currency? Or both? Thanks!

Both.

[wilbo]

sterling and also Euros are acceptable, but US dollars are King.

Don't forget to get loads of £1 notes for Baksheesh.. you'll need to ask for these at the money exchange - otherwise they will hand out large demonimations.. I've started hoarding my small notes now, ready for when I need them..

[DanE]

Don't forget that you will be able to withdraw local currency from ATM's in Egypt if you have a cirrus badged debit card.

dan.

[Fiji Dave]

Originally Posted by RuthH

Also can anyone tell me what currency I need for going to Egypt (Mersa Alam) - US dollars or Egyptian currency? Or both? Thanks!

We took a combination of Egyptian, US, and UK Sterling to Marsa and they were all accepted, the hotel we stayed at had quite a few of the prices in Euros too. On the last day we even managed to pay for a couple of souvenir t-shirts using a combination of all three currencies and got change in Euros!

Dave

[hawkeye]

I would say M&S is the best place to get currency no commission and better rates than post office and travel shops.

[Simon TW]

For Egypt, the euro is doing better than the doller here at moment.

The best rate of exchange is here in Egypt. Dont change any prior to comming, bring sterling and change at Thomas Cook. there will be one at the airport.

You will need a visa on entry but you can pay in Sterling (£10) and will receive a few bits of LE (Egyptian Pounds) as change.

If you need more cash there are two types of cash machine one does the Visa range of cards and the other the mastercard ones. Sterling is accepted at most places but change it at a recognised bank or Exchange service.

Thomas Cook are 11.4 LE to the £1.00 at the mo