Direct Answer: How Much Should You Tip in Egypt?
Tipping (known locally as Baksheesh) is an integral part of everyday service culture in Egypt. It is not considered an optional bonus for luxury service, but a customary supplement to modest service wages.
As a general rule, tip in Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for small daily services (restrooms, baggage handlers, cafe staff) to save recipients the difficulty of converting small foreign notes. For private tour guides and drivers, you can tip in either crisp foreign currency (USD or EUR) or equivalent Egyptian Pounds.
Baksheesh Reference Table
| Service / Person | Standard Tip Amount (EGP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Restroom Attendant | 10 to 20 EGP | Carried in small change; attendants provide paper towels. |
| Hotel Porter / Luggage Handler | 50 to 100 EGP per bag | Handed directly upon luggage delivery to room. |
| Hotel Housekeeping Staff | 50 to 100 EGP per night | Left on the pillow daily rather than at checkout. |
| Restaurant Waiter | 10% to 15% of total bill | Check if a service fee is included; add cash on top for the waiter directly. |
| Luggage Porter at Airport | 50 to 100 EGP per trolley | Only accept if you want assistance with the trolley. |
| Nile Cruise Ship Crew | 150 to 250 EGP per guest / night | Placed in the communal tip box at reception at checkout. |
| Private Full-Day Driver | 200 to 400 EGP per day | Paid at the end of the day based on courtesy and traffic handling. |
| Private Licensed Egyptologist Guide | 500 to 800 EGP per day ($10 - $16 USD) | Per party/group, paid at end of tour. |
Cash vs Card in Egypt: What Works Where?
1. Credit and Debit Cards (Visa & Mastercard)
- Official Monument Tickets: The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has transitioned monument ticket booths (Giza, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, GEM) to card-only payment. Cash is no longer accepted at primary tourist ticket windows.
- Hotels and Major Restaurants: Cards are widely accepted in all 4-star and 5-star hotels, established dining venues, and shopping malls.
2. Egyptian Pound Cash
- Small Businesses & Street Markets: Cash is essential for traditional bazaars (Khan el-Khalili, Luxor souq), street food vendors, local taxis, felucca captains, and daily baksheesh.
- The "Small Change" Challenge: Banknotes of 10, 20, 50, and 100 EGP are highly valuable. ATMs distribute 200 EGP notes. Break large notes whenever purchasing items at supermarkets, hotel lobbies, or museum bookstores so you always have small notes ready for tips.
Three Common Money Mistakes to Avoid
- Accepting Foreign Coins as Change or Giving Foreign Coins as Tips: Egyptian banks do not accept foreign coins (only foreign banknotes). A 1-Euro or 2-Euro coin cannot be exchanged by a local worker at a bank. Use Egyptian banknotes instead.
- Changing Large Sums of Foreign Currency at the Airport: Exchange only $50 or $100 upon arrival to cover airport taxis or tips. Use local bank ATMs (CIB, Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt) in city centres for competitive official exchange rates.
- Falling for "No Change" at Street Vendors: When buying small souvenirs, always pay with exact change. Vendors frequently claim they have no small notes available to return your balance.
How to Decline Unwanted Help
If someone offers unsolicited assistance (pointing out a doorway, pointing at an artifact, or holding open a door) and demands baksheesh:
- Say "La, Shukran" (No, thank you) clearly and firmly with a hand gesture.
- Do not accept items handed to you (like scarves or alabaster figurines) "as a gift," as payment will immediately be requested afterwards.
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