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[xnihil]

After finishing my first year in Cairo I returned to the states and wanted to exchange my pounds for dollars. I had no idea how difficult it would be! I couldn't find a single place in Cairo willing to sell pounds. I ended up doing the exhange in Frankfurt for about eight pounds to the dollar (current official rates are more in the 6-6.5 range). It wasn't such a big deal because we didn't have much to exchange, but this next year, our income will be increasing significantly. Does anyone have any advice on how to change the currency without getting ripped off?

[veiledsentiments]

I assume that you meant that you want to buy dollars in Cairo and get rid of your pounds. First off, never take them out of Egypt as it is almost impossible to change them elsewhere in the world except perhaps the Gulf without getting totally ripped off as you learned.

Buying dollars has always been a problem, mostly because it is pegged at an unrealistic rate and the money changers and banks don't want to let go of the dollars they have. I was paid partially in dollars and partially in pounds - and every month I might be able to sweet-talk the bank teller where my money was deposited to exchange to $100-200 - and that was it. Other than that I just spent it wildly. I bought lots of books and gold is another choice.

The only other option that I can think of is to hang around touristy spots - hotels and such - and try to get tourists to sell their dollars to you (or euros even...) - be fair and don't try to make a profit at it and you may be able to change a bit. This has been an almost continuous problem for at least the last 20 years!! I know long time Cairo expats who will still have to spent days wandering the money changers trying to get a few hundred dollars in hand for travel.

VS