Tipping in Egypt: who to tip and how to decide the amount

Do you have to tip in Egypt?

Tipping is common in Egypt. Many visitors hear the word "baksheesh". It means a tip or a small cash gift.

We found no Egyptian law or official guidance that sets tip amounts. The UK, Canadian, Australian and US travel advice for Egypt does not give tip amounts. A tip is your choice. Give it for good service.

A tip and a price are different:

• A tip is money that you decide to give after a service.
• A price is money that you agree before a service. You must pay the price that you agreed.

Why this page gives no fixed amounts

Many travel sites give amounts for each type of tip. Their amounts are different from each other. Many of these sites are tour companies. We found no official source that confirms these amounts.

The value of the Egyptian pound also changes. An amount that was correct one year ago can be too small or too large now.

Who usually expects a tip

Visitors and travel sites often name these people. This list comes from visitor reports, not from an official source.

Baksheesh for photos and "help" at the pyramids

At the pyramids, some people offer a service and then ask for money. Examples are a person who takes your photo, a person who poses with a camel or a person who shows you a "better view". The US Department of State tells tourists to beware of overcharging and scams in tourist areas. The UK government says that scammers and touts sometimes target foreign visitors at tourist sites.

Use these steps:

1. Ask the price first. If someone offers a service, ask "How much?" before you accept.
2. Say no if you do not want it. Say "No, thank you" one time. In Arabic, you can say "La, shukran". Continue to walk.
3. Ask before you photograph a person. The UK government says that Ministry of Tourism rules require written permission before you photograph an Egyptian citizen. A person who poses for a photo can ask for money. Agree the price before you take the photo.

You do not need to pay anyone for permission to use your phone camera. The official ticket site says that you need no permission for a phone camera at the sites.

For camel and horse offers, see Camel ride at Giza pyramids. For other tricks and how to stop them, see Common scams at the pyramids.

How to decide the amount

We found no official amount, so use these points to decide:

• Agree prices first. Agree the full price of a ride or a service before it starts. Then a tip is only extra money for good service.
• Think about the length and the quality of the service. A full day with a guide is different from a short walk to a viewpoint.
• Ask a local source. Ask your hotel or your tour company what is usual now.
• Do not let a person set your tip. If a person tells you the amount of your tip, it is a price. You can say no.
• A tip is not an entry fee. The official tickets come only from the official ticket site, the Experience Egypt app or the ticket office. See Pyramids of Giza tickets.

Cash: Egyptian pounds or US dollars?

The local currency is the Egyptian pound. The Canadian government says that US dollars are preferred, particularly at tourist sites. It also says that many merchants accept only cash.

• Small notes. Keep a few small notes separate from your main money. Then you do not show all your money when you tip.
• ATMs. The Australian government says that ATMs are available in most established areas.
• Tickets. You do not need cash for the official tickets. The official ticket site says that on-site counters accept Visa and Mastercard.
• Limit. The UK government says that you can bring up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds into or out of Egypt.

If someone asks for more than the agreed price

Pay the price that you agreed. Say the agreed price one time, in a calm voice. Do not discuss a new price. If you have a problem, call the tourist police on 126.

A guide can speak for you when sellers come near. Ask the tour company if the guide stays with you on the plateau. For a guided visit, see Private tours and Pyramids of Giza tours.