I remember the street vendors were glad to take US dollars. I am sure the drive would as well. Take lots of small US bills (1's and 5's). I am sure they would take Euros as well. If I got Egyptian pounds, I got them from the ATM at the hotel.

By the way, you have to pay an entry fee at the airport when you arrive. That is in US Dollars. That is in addition to getting a Egyptian visa, which I think you have to get ahead of time. I know I did.

You want to get small amounts of pounds early as you have to pay to use the bathrooms, even in the hotel. On my first night I only had US dollars, so I had to pay with that. It was 5 pounds to the dollar, an only cost one pound. Good luck getting change.

I only did one day by myself, but I felt safe with the driver the hotel doorman got for me. So I was not completely alone. The rest of the time I was with the tour group.