Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Egypt, or should I carry local cash?
My experience across Egypt was consistent: taxis run on cash. Whether in Cairo, Alexandria, or even Sharm el-Sheikh, none of the drivers I met took cards. It’s normal to negotiate a price before you get in, and that’s always done in local currency. If you’re relying on taxis during your trip, make sure you’ve got enough pounds on you. Apps like Uber help in Cairo, but once you head to historic sites or smaller towns, cash is the only way drivers deal.
Egypt’s taxi culture is very traditional, and cards aren’t really part of it. When I flagged down cabs in Giza and downtown Cairo, every driver wanted cash. Some didn’t even understand when I asked about paying with a card. What’s more common nowadays is using Uber or Careem, which lets you link your card and avoid carrying too much cash. But if you’re going old-school with local taxis, just plan to pay cash every single time.
I spent time in Luxor and Aswan, and every taxi ride I took was settled in cash. Drivers there don’t deal with cards, and some even refused foreign currency. They want Egyptian pounds in hand. In Cairo, it was easier because ride-hailing apps are around, but once you’re outside the big cities it’s all about cash. My advice is to keep small notes handy because drivers don’t usually carry change for bigger bills.
In Egypt, cash is definitely the way taxis operate. I was in Cairo and Alexandria, and none of the regular cab drivers accepted cards. They expect Egyptian pounds and prefer exact change if you have it. The only exception was when I used Uber, which lets you pay through the app. For classic street taxis, though, don’t even think about swiping a card. It’s just not part of the system. Keep local money on you if you plan on using them.