The notes in circulation
The Central Bank of Egypt's page on current denominations, last updated in October 2023, lists six note values. Two of them come in two versions.
| Versions | |
|---|---|
| 5 | Paper |
| 10 | Paper and plastic polymer |
| 20 | Paper and plastic polymer |
| 50, 100 and 200 | Listed once each |
Source: Central Bank of Egypt, current denominations.
Small change and cards
In December 2025 the transport ministry said that the metro operator had installed machines accepting Visa cards at all ticket booths and subscription offices on Lines 1 and 2. Officials describe the step as a way to ease congestion at the windows and to cut delays caused by shortages of small change.
In daily life, keep small notes for taxis, tips and street stalls. Cards help in larger places, not everywhere.
How the metro works for visitors is covered in our Cairo Metro guide.
A phone that pays and navigates
- Bank alerts: turn on push notifications for card payments abroad.
- Codes: keep your home SIM for SMS codes and use an eSIM for data, see data-only eSIMs and your number.
- Plans: networks and plan sizes are explained in our Egypt eSIM guide.
Questions and answers
Which Egyptian pound notes exist?
The Central Bank of Egypt lists 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200, with the 10 and the 20 also as plastic polymer notes.
Can I pay for the Cairo Metro by card?
Since December 2025, machines accepting Visa cards are installed at all ticket booths and subscription offices on Lines 1 and 2, according to the transport ministry.
Why is small change a problem in Egypt?
Officials cite shortages of small change as one reason for adding card payments at the metro booths.
Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: Central Bank of Egypt: Current denominations · State Information Service: Visa-based ticket payments across Cairo Metro Lines 1, 2 (9 Dec 2025)
