Field guide · 16 of 20
Tipping in Egypt (baksheesh): who, how much, and how to make it painless
Tipping (baksheesh) is expected in Egypt for most services. As of 2026, typical ranges are USD 30–50 a day for a private Egyptologist, USD 15–20 a day for a driver, EGP 50–100 per bag for porters, EGP 10–20 for toilet attendants, and USD 10–20 per person per night for boat crew. A private guide can manage it all.
Why tipping matters here
Wages in Egyptian tourism are low and tips are part of income, not a bonus. This is not a reason to feel pressured; it is a reason to carry small notes and to tip calmly and consistently. Done well, it takes a few seconds and nobody is embarrassed.
The Egyptian pound traded at roughly EGP 50 to USD 1 in 2026. All ranges below are typical, not rules, and will drift with the exchange rate.
The ranges
| Who | Typical tip (2026) | When and how |
|---|---|---|
| Private Egyptologist guide | USD 30–50 per day for a couple; add about USD 10 per day per extra adult | At the end of the trip, in an envelope, in USD or EUR |
| Private driver | USD 15–20 per day | At the end, or at the end of each city if the driver changes |
| Dahabiya crew (pooled) | USD 15–20 per person per night | Envelope to the captain on the last evening; shared among the crew |
| Cruise-ship crew (pooled) | USD 10–15 per person per night | Envelope at reception on the last evening |
| Hotel porter | EGP 50–100 per bag (about USD 1–2) | On delivery to the room |
| Housekeeping | EGP 50–100 per room per day | Daily, on the pillow, since staff rotate |
| Restaurant staff | 10–15% if no service charge; 5–10% in cash on top if service is included | Check the bill |
| Toilet attendants | EGP 10–20 | Small notes, every time |
| Tomb and temple guardians | EGP 20–50, only for a service you asked for | Decline unrequested "help" politely; nothing is owed |
| Felucca captain | EGP 100–200 per hour, for the boat | At the end of the sail |
| Camel or horse handler | EGP 50–100 after the ride | Separate from the agreed ride price |
| Airport transfer driver | EGP 50–100 | On arrival at the hotel |
| Taxi | Round up | Rarely more than EGP 10–20 |
Note the two currencies. Small local tips work best in EGP. Larger end-of-trip tips to guides and drivers are usually given in USD or EUR, which they can hold or exchange.
Three practical problems and how to solve them
1. ATMs give you EGP 200 notes. Nobody can change them at a temple gate. Break them early: buy a bottle of water at the hotel shop, or ask reception for tens, twenties and fifties. On a private trip, we hand you a small-notes pack on day one.
2. USD 1 bills are not useful. Banks in Egypt are reluctant to exchange small or worn US notes. If you tip in dollars, make the smallest note a crisp USD 5, and bring USD 20 and 50 notes for the end-of-trip envelopes.
3. The guardian who "shows you something". At tombs and temples a custodian may beckon you to a hidden relief or offer to take your photo. This is a request for a tip. If you want it, EGP 20–50 is right. If you do not, a smile and "la, shukran" (no, thank you) ends it. Your guide will usually step in before it starts.
How a private guide handles it so you do not have to
This is the part most travellers do not know. On a private trip, the guide can carry a float and tip on your behalf throughout the day: the toilet attendant at Karnak, the guardian at Mereruka's tomb, the porter at the Luxor hotel. The amounts are reconciled with you at the end of each day or each city, in a short note on WhatsApp. You never fumble for change at a tomb entrance.
What you then handle yourself is only the end-of-trip gesture to the guide and driver, and the crew envelope on the boat. We tell you in advance what is customary and leave the amount to you.
A budget line for planning
For a couple on a 10-day private trip with four nights on a dahabiya, set aside roughly USD 500–800 in total for all tipping, including the guide and driver. For a family of four, USD 800–1,200. These are planning figures, not obligations; many travellers tip more when the service has been exceptional, and that is entirely their call.
What not to do
- Do not tip children who ask. It encourages them to miss school for it.
- Do not hand coins; EGP notes only.
- Do not feel you must pay for a service you declined.
- Do not tip in front of a crowd. A folded note in a handshake is the Egyptian way.
FAQ
How much should I tip my tour guide in Egypt? As of 2026, a private Egyptologist is typically tipped USD 30–50 per day for a couple, with about USD 10 per day added for each extra adult, given in an envelope at the end of the trip. Exceptional service often draws more.
Do I need small change for tips in Egypt? Yes. Toilet attendants, porters and tomb guardians expect EGP 10–100 notes. ATMs issue EGP 200 notes, so break them early at your hotel. USD 1 bills are not useful; USD 5 is the practical minimum.
Is tipping included on a Nile cruise or dahabiya? Usually not. Crew tips are pooled: typically USD 15–20 per person per night on a dahabiya and USD 10–15 on a cruise ship, handed to the captain or reception in an envelope on the final evening.
If you would rather never think about change at a temple gate, that is exactly how we run a trip. Ask us what's possible for your dates.