Tipping, commonly known as baksheesh, is a familiar part of Egyptian culture, particularly in tourism and hospitality. You may encounter it at restaurants, hotels, guided tours, transportation and for small everyday services.
The good news is that you do not need to memorize dozens of rules. With a few simple guidelines, you can handle tipping in Egypt confidently and avoid both overpaying and under-tipping.
Is Tipping Expected in Egypt?
Tipping is common and appreciated in Egypt, especially when someone provides a useful or attentive service. However, there is no single official amount that applies to every situation.
The amount can depend on the type of service, its duration, whether it is private or shared, and whether a service charge or gratuity has already been included.
A useful rule is simple: pay the agreed price for a service, and consider a tip as an additional thank-you for good service.
How Much Should You Tip in Egypt?
For everyday services, keeping small Egyptian-pound notes with you is the easiest approach.
At a restaurant, around 5–10% of the bill is a practical tip when the service was good and no gratuity has already been included. Some restaurants add a service charge, so always check your bill first.
For a hotel porter, 20–50 EGP per bag is a reasonable guideline. For housekeeping, around 50–100 EGP per day can be left for good service.
If you use a private driver for a full day, around 150–300 EGP is a practical range. For a private tour guide, travelers commonly budget around 300–500 EGP for a full day, although the amount can be higher or lower depending on the tour and level of service.
For taxis or ride-hailing services, simply rounding up or adding around 10–20 EGP is usually enough when you want to show appreciation.
These amounts are guidelines rather than fixed rates. Tipping customs can vary between cities, establishments and types of service.
Tipping in Egyptian Restaurants
Before leaving a tip at a restaurant, take a quick look at your bill.
Many restaurants add a service charge, so you should know what has already been included before deciding how much extra to leave.
If there is no gratuity included and you received good service, 5–10% is a useful general guideline.
At a casual café or inexpensive local restaurant, you can simply round up the bill or leave around 10–20 EGP.
You do not need to calculate everything perfectly. A reasonable tip that reflects the service is more important than following an exact percentage.
Tipping Hotel Staff in Egypt
Several hotel employees may provide services during your stay, and small tips are commonly appreciated.
For someone helping with your luggage, 20–50 EGP per bag is a practical amount.
For housekeeping, leaving approximately 50–100 EGP per day allows you to thank the staff member who actually serviced your room that day. This can be more practical than leaving one large amount at the end of your stay.
If a concierge or another employee goes out of their way to arrange something special for you, a tip of around 50–100 EGP can be appropriate depending on the assistance provided.
How Much Should You Tip Tour Guides and Drivers?
Tour guides and private drivers are among the services where tipping can vary the most.
For a private full-day tour guide, around 300–500 EGP is a useful starting point for good service. If the guide spends a particularly long day with you, provides exceptional assistance or handles a complex itinerary, you may choose to give more.
For a private driver, around 150–300 EGP for a full day is a reasonable general guideline.
For shorter excursions or group tours, the amount can be lower. The number of travelers also matters, so there is no universal amount that works for every tour.
At Akaza Travel, we recommend simply considering the quality and duration of the service rather than feeling pressured to follow a rigid tipping rule.
Should You Tip for Airport Transfers?
If a driver provides a private airport transfer, helps with your luggage and gives you a smooth and professional journey, a small tip is appreciated.
Around 50–100 EGP can be a reasonable amount for a standard transfer, while longer journeys or additional assistance may justify more.
Remember that the transfer price itself should already be agreed or included in your booking. The tip is separate.
What About Small Services?
During your holiday, you may encounter people who help with luggage, parking, restroom facilities or other small tasks.
For minor services, 5–20 EGP is generally enough when you genuinely want to show appreciation.
You are not required to tip every person who approaches you. If you did not request a service and do not want it, a polite “La, shukran” — meaning “No, thank you” — is perfectly fine.
Which Currency Should You Use for Tipping?
For everyday tipping, Egyptian pounds (EGP) are usually the easiest option.
Carry several small notes such as 10, 20, 50 and 100 EGP rather than relying only on large banknotes. This makes it much easier to tip without needing change.
Some travelers use euros or US dollars for larger gratuities, particularly for guides, but local currency is generally more convenient for small everyday tips.
Tips for Tipping in Egypt
A few simple habits will make the whole process easier:
* Keep small Egyptian notes with you.
* Check restaurant bills for service charges.
* Agree on prices before using independent services.
* Tip according to the service you actually received.
* Do not feel obligated to give a large amount.
* Remember that tour prices and tips are separate unless your booking specifically says gratuities are included.
* For longer private tours, plan your tipping budget in advance.
FAQ About Tipping in Egypt
Should I carry cash every day in Egypt?
Yes. Even if you use cards for hotels, restaurants and tours, carrying some small Egyptian notes is useful for tips and small services.
Is tipping different in Hurghada and Cairo?
The basic idea is similar, but the amount can vary depending on the type of establishment, tourism level and service provided. Resort areas and private tourism services may have different expectations from everyday local services.
Should I tip if the service was poor?
A tip is meant to show appreciation, so you do not have to give the same amount for every experience. If a service was genuinely unsatisfactory, you can reduce the amount or choose not to leave an additional tip.
How much tipping money should I budget for an Egypt holiday?
There is no universal daily amount. Your budget depends on your itinerary, hotel, number of tours and how many private services you use. Travelers using several private guides and drivers should naturally budget more than those traveling independently.
Enjoy Egypt Without Tipping Stress
Tipping in Egypt does not have to be complicated. Keep some small Egyptian notes with you, check what has already been included in your bills and bookings, and use the quality of the service as your main guide.
Whether you are exploring the ancient sights of Cairo and Luxor or enjoying the Red Sea in Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam, understanding the local tipping culture will help you travel with greater confidence and enjoy your Egyptian adventure.