Planning a trip to the land of the Pharaohs involves more than just booking flights and packing sunscreen. To navigate the local streets like a pro, you must understand the social custom of tipping in Egypt. Known locally as “Baksheesh,” tipping is an integral part of the Egyptian economy and a fundamental way to show appreciation for services rendered.
Understanding the concept of baksheesh
In Western cultures, tipping is often seen as an optional “bonus.” However, when it comes to tipping in Egypt, it is deeply woven into the social fabric. Many workers in the service industry, from public restroom attendants to hotel porters, receive very low base wages and rely almost entirely on baksheesh to support their families. Understanding this helps shift the perspective from “being pestered for money” to “participating in a local economic tradition.”
Recommended amounts for tipping in Egypt
One of the most common questions travelers ask is, “How much should I give?” While there are no fixed rules, here are some general guidelines in Egyptian Pounds (EGP):
Waiters and restaurants
Most upscale restaurants include a service charge (12-14%) on the bill. However, this money goes to the establishment, not the waiter. It is customary to add an additional 5–10% in cash directly to your server. You can tip your hotel waiter on a daily basis (50-70 EGP) or for a multi-day stay. Be sure to tip at the beginning of your stay as this can improve service and attention that you can get.
Hotel porters and valets
For carrying luggage to your room, 20–30 EGP per bag is standard. A similar etiquette applies to tipping in Egypt for hotel staff, specifically when dealing with valets and housekeeping. For a room attendant, a daily tip of 50 to 60 EGP is highly recommended. Providing this baksheesh at the start of your stay often ensures a more personalized experience. Guests frequently find that this small gesture leads to extra bottles of complimentary water, daily fresh towels, and artistic touches like flower arrangements on the bed or elaborate towel origami figures.
Restroom attendants
In public areas or at historical sites, you will often find someone handing out tissues, 50 EGP is the standard rate for these places.
Tour guides tipping
Your tour guide is often the most influential person on your tour, providing the historical context that brings ancient ruins to life or introducing you to the rules of conduct during guided tours and safaris. Consequently, tipping in Egypt for guides involves different scales depending on the setting:
- Private historical tours: For a full day at a major site like the Giza Pyramids or Luxor’s temples, a tip of 800–1,000 EGP for a private guide is a generous and appreciated gesture.
- Group tours: If you are traveling as part of a larger group, a contribution of 60 to 120 EGP per person is the standard expectation.
- Boat tour on the island, snorkeling and diving: During a daily boat excursion, it is common practice to leave a collective tip for the crew. Usually, 100 to 300 EGP per family at the end of the trip is appropriate.
- Desert Safaris: For those heading into the dunes, tipping in Egypt applies to both your guide and your driver. It is customary to leave 50 to 250 EGP for the safari guide and 50 to 150 EGP for the Jeep driver who navigated the rugged terrain.
- Nile Cruise: When it comes to tipping during a Nile Cruise, specific rules apply. Cruises have a mandatory gratuity of $10 or €10 per person, per night, which is typically paid at the reception desk upon check-in. However, if you wish to show extra appreciation for your room steward, your specific waiter, or the chef, you should follow the individual baksheesh guidelines mentioned earlier in this guide.
Private and local transportation tipping in Egypt
When considering tipping for transportation, the amount varies based on the duration and nature of the trip. For a private driver during a boat or safari excursion, a tip of 100–200 EGP is standard. For long-distance travel or full-day tours in cities like Cairo and Luxor, a larger tip is appropriate. We recommend 250 to 500 EGP per driver to reflect the high level of service provided. For short, everyday commutes via taxi or Uber, simply round up the fare.
When and how to tip
The “how” is just as important as the “how much.” When practicing tipping in Egypt, it is best to do so discreetly. A folded banknote handed over during a handshake is a traditional and polite way to offer baksheesh. Always try to keep a pocket full of small denominations (5, 10, and 20 EGP notes). It can be very difficult to find change for large 100 or 200 EGP notes in local markets.
Common etiquette and mistakes
Although tipping is expected, you should never feel compelled to tip for poor service or for “help” you didn’t ask for (such as a stranger offering to show you the way to Hurghada Marina, or to the entrance to a museum that is clearly visible). It is important to remember that tipping should be done in local currency or major foreign currencies ($/€). However, always use banknotes instead of coins, as banks in Egypt do not exchange foreign coinage.
Stick to mastering tipping in Egypt with Hurghada today
Navigating tipping in Egypt doesn’t have to be stressful. By viewing baksheesh as a gesture of gratitude and a way to support the local community, you will find your interactions with locals much more rewarding. Carry small change, tip with a smile, and enjoy the incredible hospitality that Egypt has to offer.
