Tipping – baksheesh – is part of everyday life in Egypt, and for many visitors it is the most confusing part of the trip. Who should you tip, how much, and when is it fine to say no? This Egypt tipping guide explains what baksheesh really means, gives realistic amounts for 2026 and shares simple habits that take the stress out of it. Bookmark this Egypt tipping guide and check it before each part of your trip.
At a glance
- Baksheesh is a small gift for a service; it is customary, not compulsory
- Restaurants: check the bill for a service charge; leave about 5–10% extra for good service
- Private guide: roughly US$10–20 per traveller per full day
- Driver: about half of the guide’s tip
- Small services: EGP 10–50 (toilets, porters, shoe minders)
- Carry small notes – EGP 10, 20 and 50 – in a separate pocket
What is baksheesh?
The word baksheesh comes from Persian and simply means a gift. In Egypt it covers several things: a tip for good service, a small payment for an unrequested favour (opening a gate, pointing out a carving, minding your shoes), and occasionally a donation. Wages in tourism and hospitality are modest, so tips are an important part of many people’s income – which is why they are expected, but never legally required.
Remember two simple rules: tip for service you actually wanted, and agree prices in advance for anything that is really a purchase, such as a camel ride or a felucca trip.
Egypt tipping guide: how much to tip in 2026
Amounts below are guidelines in Egyptian pounds (EGP) or US dollars. The pound has moved a lot in recent years – check the current exchange rate before you travel and adjust.
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Private Egyptologist guide (full day) | About US$10–20 per traveller |
| Private driver (full day) | About half of the guide’s tip |
| Airport transfer driver | EGP 50–100 |
| Hotel porter | EGP 20–50 per bag |
| Housekeeping | EGP 50–100 per day, left daily |
| Sit-down restaurant | 5–10% extra if service is already charged; 10–15% if not |
| Café or juice bar | Round up or EGP 10–20 |
| Felucca captain (1 hour) | EGP 50–100 |
| Toilet attendant | EGP 5–10 |
| Shoe minder at a mosque | EGP 10–20 |
| Nile cruise crew | About US$5–10 per person per night, into the shared crew envelope |
Restaurants and cafés
Many restaurant bills in Egypt already include a service charge (often 12%) plus VAT. This charge does not always reach the waiter, so locals often leave a little extra in cash – around 5–10% – when service has been good. If no service charge is listed, 10–15% is generous. In cafés and small local restaurants, simply round up or leave a few small notes.
Guides, drivers and tours
On a private tour, you usually tip your guide and driver separately at the end of the day or at the end of a multi-day trip. Put the tip in an envelope or hand it over discreetly with a thank-you. For a full day with an Egyptologist guide, roughly US$10–20 per traveller is common; give the driver about half of the guide’s amount. On group tours, the amounts per person can be lower.
On our tours, tips are never included in the price and are always optional – you decide based on the service you received.
Plan your visit
Travel with a private guide and driver who handle tickets, timing and the small details.
Hotels and Nile cruises
In hotels, tip the porter per bag and leave housekeeping a small amount every day rather than once at the end, because staff change shifts. On a Nile cruise, crews usually share a single tip box or envelope at reception; leave your contribution on the last day. Your cruise guide, if you have one, is normally tipped separately.
At the monuments and in the bazaar
At temples and tombs, guardians may offer to show you a hidden relief or let you take a special photo, then ask for baksheesh. If you are not interested, smile and say “la, shukran” (no, thank you) and keep walking. If you accept, EGP 20–50 is fair. Photography rules are set by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – paying a guard does not make a forbidden photo allowed.
For camel and horse rides, felucca trips and taxis without a meter, agree the full price before you start, including who is paid and in which currency.
Egypt tipping guide: six habits for stress-free tipping
- Get small notes early. Ask for EGP 10, 20 and 50 notes when you change money or buy something at your hotel.
- Keep a “tip pocket” separate from your main wallet.
- Decide your amounts in advance so you are not calculating under pressure.
- Tip at the end of a service, not at the beginning.
- It is fine to say no to help you did not ask for.
- Use local currency for small tips; US dollars, euros or pounds sterling notes are welcome for larger tips to guides and drivers, but foreign coins cannot be exchanged.
Frequently asked questions
Is tipping mandatory in Egypt?
No. Tipping is customary and appreciated, but it is always your choice. Tip for services you wanted and were happy with.
How much should I tip a tour guide in Egypt?
For a private Egyptologist guide, about US$10–20 per traveller for a full day is common. Tip the driver about half of that.
Should I tip in Egyptian pounds or US dollars?
Use Egyptian pounds for small tips. Larger tips for guides and drivers can be given in pounds or in foreign banknotes such as US dollars or euros – never coins.
Is service included in Egyptian restaurant bills?
Often, yes – many bills add a service charge of around 12% plus VAT. Check the bill; leaving 5–10% extra in cash for good service is common.
How much should I tip on a Nile cruise?
Most cruises have a shared crew tip box. About US$5–10 per person per night is a common guideline; tip your guide separately.
What does “baksheesh” mean?
It comes from a Persian word for a gift. In Egypt it means a tip or a small payment for a favour or service.
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice: safety and security (scams and touts)
- GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice: entry requirements and money
- Merriam-Webster – baksheesh (origin of the word)
Written by the Deluxe Travel Egypt team and checked against the published sources above. Rules and prices can change, so always confirm with the official source before you travel. Last updated October 2026.
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