Tipping in Egypt: A Straight Answer

Tipping — baksheesh — is woven into daily life in Egypt in a way that catches a lot of visitors off guard. It is not a scam and it is not optional, but it is also not unlimited.

Rough amounts that work

Tour guide: USD 8–12 per day for a couple, more for a larger group.

Driver: USD 4–6 per day.

Nile cruise crew: there is usually a shared box at the end of the trip — USD 5–8 per person per night covers it.

Restaurant: 10% if service is not already added.

Someone who carries a bag or opens a door: 10–20 EGP.

Practical tactics

Carry small notes. The single most useful thing you can do is break a large note early and keep 10s and 20s in a separate pocket.

Egyptian pounds are better than dollars for small tips. Dollars are awkward to spend in small amounts locally.

A firm, friendly "la, shukran" — no, thank you — is perfectly acceptable when you do not want a service you did not ask for.

Where it is reasonable to say no

Anyone who takes your camera to "help" with a photo and then asks for money.

Anyone who appears beside you at a site and starts guiding uninvited.

Anyone offering to show you a "special" area at a monument.

None of this should dominate your trip. Budget for it, keep small notes handy, and it becomes background noise within two days.