Tipping 10–15% of your bill total is customary at cafes and restaurants, and loose change is acceptable for food purchases from street vendors and markets.
Often known as 'backsheesh' in parts of Asia and the Middle East, tipping is standard practice in Egypt. If you’re happy with the service provided by waiters, drivers and other workers, leaving a small tip is a good way to show your appreciation. For smaller purchases, rounding up the bill or not asking for any change is an appropriate way of leaving a tip. If you are at a restaurant or hotel, check if a 10% service charge has already been added, and think about tipping a little extra for the wait staff who will likely not receive any of this charge.
You should also tip drivers and tour guides, as well as other service staff who look after you on a day-to-day basis. The exact amount will differ depending on the level and length of service, but as a general rule of thumb, consider tipping a driver EGP 50 and a tour guide EGP 80–100 for a full day on top of the base costs. You could tip as you go, or leave a lump sum when you say goodbye to your guide. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but you can round up your fare if the ride was particularly good.
While it may not be customary to you, tipping is of great importance to the people who take care of you during your travels. It also encourages excellent service in the future and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. Carrying small notes in the local currency will make tipping easier in Egypt.
Participate in a tipping kitty
On the first day of your trip your local leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty, which everybody contributes an equal amount to at the start of the tour. Your leader then uses this to tip drivers, local guides and hotel staff on your behalf. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent, which can be checked at any time, and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassle of needing small change and knowing when and what is an appropriate amount to tip. Participation in this kitty is optional, and you are welcome to manage your own tipping separately if you prefer. Please note the tipping kitty excludes tips for your tour leader.
Tipping your local leader in Egypt
You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however the equivalent of USD 2–4 per person, per day, is a commonly used guideline. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Click here to return to Egypt FAQs
Our tours in Egypt
8 Days
From
987
Visit Egypt and adventure along the River Nile through the land of the pharaohs, from...
15 Days
From
2359
Take an adventure holiday through Egypt and Jordan. Visit Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza,...
15 Days
From
5228
Travel down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, exploring Luxor, Alexandria and more along...
12 Days
From
2292
From Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan to the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, see the pharaohs,...
15 Days
From
1492
Explore Egypt with a trip to Cairo, the Nile, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria. Pyramids,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
9 Days
From
3087
From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples of Karnak and the bustling Khan al-Khalili...
9 Days
From
1234
Follow in the footsteps of prophets on an adventure tour through Jordan and Egypt....
19 Days
From
3868
This 19-day tour explores the best of Egypt and Jordan in Comfort, from Cairo to...
16 Days
From
6397
Discover Egypt and Jordan on a 16-day Premium adventure from Cairo to Amman, including...
8 Days
From
2104
Travel Egypt on this adventure that visits Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. See pyramids, visit...
8 Days
From
1743
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...
22 Days
From
2805
Explore Jordan and Egypt with a trip to Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Cairo, the Nile, Aswan,...
22 Days
From
7695
Discover the contrasts of modern and ancient Egypt and Jordan on this in-depth Premium...
9 Days
From
604
Take a trip through Egypt, kicking off in Cairo with the Great Pyramids of Giza and the...
15 Days
From
4221
Tick the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Nile, the Dead Sea and The Treasury in Petra...
15 Days
From
1648
Take an epic adventure through Egypt and Jordan, seeing two Wonders of the World, the...
8 Days
From
1879
Step back in time on an 8-day family Egyptian adventure through Cairo, Aswan and Luxor....
15 Days
From
3838
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...
22 Days
From
5470
Experience the best of the Middle East across Jordan, Egypt, Israel & Palestine....
28 Days
From
10974
Deep dive into the Middle East on a 28-day Premium journey through Egypt, Jordan,...
19 Days
From
2831
Travel to Egypt’s Cairo, Luxor and the Nile to Jordan’s Petra, Amman, the Dead Sea and...
22 Days
From
8802
Uncover the culture and history of the Middle East on a 22-day Premium journey through...
22 Days
From
7272
Take a Middle Eastern adventure that explores the wonders of Egypt, Jordan, Israel and...
26 Days
From
7748
Embark on an immersive, 26-day journey through the diverse Middle East, from the icons...