Tipping in Egypt
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
"Baksheesh" (gratuity) is expected; 5–10% is standard.
5–10 EGP per night for housekeeping; 5 EGP per bag.
Agree on fare before riding; a small extra is appreciated.
A tip is expected at hammams and spas.
A small tip is appreciated.
A small tip is expected.
$2–5 USD per person for pyramid and Nile tours.
A small tip is appreciated.
About Tipping in Egypt
Overview
Tipping — known locally as "baksheesh" — is an ingrained part of Egyptian social and service culture that predates modern tourism. It applies broadly: restaurant staff, hotel workers, drivers, guides, and even attendants who open a door or direct you to a site all expect a small gratuity.
When to Tip
Tip at restaurants (5–10%), with taxi drivers, tour guides at the pyramids and Luxor, hotel housekeeping, and anyone who provides a specific service. For guided tours, budget $2–5 USD per person per day and hand the tip to the guide at the end of the tour.
How to Tip
Carry Egyptian pounds in small denominations — 5–50 EGP — at all times. USD and EUR are accepted as tips in major tourist areas but local currency is preferred and more practical. At restaurants, leave cash on the table or hand it directly to your server; card gratuity lines are uncommon at most local spots.
Cultural Context
Baksheesh in Egypt operates as a parallel system of micro-payments for services both formal and informal — it isn't considered charity but a fair acknowledgement of assistance rendered. In a country where official wages in hospitality are very low, the system genuinely supplements income. Travellers who understand this navigate the culture with ease; those who treat every baksheesh request as a scam miss the underlying social logic entirely.