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Tipping in Egypt Guide - The Art of Dealing with Baksheesh

Discover the art of tipping in Egypt with our comprehensive guide. Written by our expert ETP team, this article covers when and how much to tip, the meaning of Bakshish, currency considerations, and tipping etiquette.

Tipping in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

Summary

  • Tipping in Egypt is a long-standing tradition and is considered an art form. The article aims to guide travelers on whether and how much to tip in Egypt.
  • Bakshish, or tipping, is a gesture of appreciation for services rendered. The amount is not fixed and is left to the discretion of the giver, reflecting a genuine desire to assist and encourage good deeds.
  • Tipping is not mandatory but is deeply ingrained in Egyptian culture. Service providers like tour guides, drivers, and waiters may be tipped based on the quality of service received. It is recommended to keep small change on hand to facilitate tipping.
  • To minimize expenses, it is advisable for travelers to exchange some currency for Egyptian pounds upon arrival. This way, a small amount can go a long way in expressing satisfaction and appreciation for services received.
  • While there is no fixed amount, the article suggests general tipping guidelines for various services, such as part-time drivers, luggage handlers, housekeeping, tour guides, and waiters. It also provides insights into tipping practices during Nile River cruises and advises on situations where tipping may not be appropriate.

Tipping in Egypt is a tradition and an art form that is easy to master. This article's goal is to provide every traveler in Egypt with all the answers and information about whether I have to tip in Egypt and how much to tip in Egypt. This article was written by our ETP team, which is a skilled and expert group of tour operators and tour guides to provide all the details about tipping in Egypt.

While planning to spend a vacation in Egypt, travelers feel that this is an issue that somehow confuses them, which is the issue of giving tipping to locals in Egypt. Who deserves to take your baksheesh, and whom should you ignore? Of course, the one-hundred-dollar question is, how much should I tip to anyone in Egypt, and when should I even tip in Egypt??? We will explain everything that revolves around the word tipping in our article so that you understand all about it.

What is the Meaning of Bakshish?

What is the Meaning of Bakshish - Egypt Tours Portal
What is the Meaning of Bakshish - Egypt Tours Portal

Baksheesh or tipping is a word that is used in Egypt that means that someone is waiting for your act of appreciation for the service he/she offered to you by giving them some of your change that can be estimated by the type of service you have received.

You are the one who should determine the amount of money to give since it is not something you have to do; on the contrary, it is something that should get from your heart and based on your full desire to give money to others to help them and also to encourage them to do so many good deeds and offer assistance to other foreigners who come to visit Egypt.

How Does Tipping Work in Egypt?

How Does Tipping Work in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal
How Does Tipping Work in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

By giving baksheesh or gratuity to someone, you are saying to him or her that thanks for the desired services you have obtained, and the most important thing to keep in mind is that it is not obligatory as no one can ever force you to give any amount of money that you don’t want. It is something really traditional in Egypt, which was inherited hundreds of years ago, and it should be kept in mind that anyone who offers you services in Egypt, including tour guides, drivers, waiters, and similar people.

After receiving some kind of service, you can offer the person who assisted you with some money that is determined based on the services you received. While planning a vacation in Egypt and calculating the costs of your trip, you need to consider the tipping fees, and the best way to do so is to keep change in your pocket as you will never know when you are going to need a bill.

What is the Best Currency for Tipping in Egypt?

What is the Best Currency for Tipping in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal
What is the Best Currency for Tipping in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

 The best way to give tips to everyone and not to spend lots of money is by exchanging some of your money in the Egyptian pound once you arrive in Egypt that way, one of your dollars will equally around 5$, and this is going to be more than enough to give to someone as a kind of appreciation and shows lots of satisfaction towards the services you have received.

How Much Should I Do Tipping in Egypt?

How Much Should I Do Tipping in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal
How Much Should I Do Tipping in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

There is no specific amount of tipping, but it is mostly 5 to 10% of the total cost of your bill. You have the entire and total decision regarding determining how much money you are willing to give as a tip or not give at all. Here are some tipping guidelines that can assist you in knowing how much money you need to tip in Egypt, for example:

  • How much do you tip a part-time driver in Egypt?  The driver's tip is 5$.
  • How much do you tip a luggage Man? The  luggage Man's man tip is 5 to 10$
  • How much do you tip the Housekeeping? The Housekeeping tip is 5-10 $ per night.
  • How much do you tip the Driver? The Driver's full-day Tip is 10 to 20$.
  • How much do you tip the tour guide? The Tour Guide's full-day Tip is 30 to 50$.
  • How much do you tip the waiter? The waiter's tip is 10$.

Tipping onboard the Nile Cruise

On board the Nile River cruise, you will find a gratuities box that is left at the reception, and you can leave there the amount of money you want.

  • Waiters on the cruise can take up to 10$ per trip.
  • Tour Gide usually takes 10$ per day.
  • Felucca man usually takes 10$ per hour.
  • Guards who are on each site can take around 10$.
  • Horsemen usually take 5$ per ride.
  • General tipping at restaurants is around 10% of the total cost of your bill.

When Should You Tip in Egypt?

When Should You Tip in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal
When Should You Tip in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

You should tip the one who seems in need of your money, who does you a favor, and who offers you the best services you need. Such people don’t push hard to get money from your side, but they just try to get your admiration for their services. So, if you find anyone like this in Egypt, don’t hesitate to give him/her tips.

When Shouldn’t You Tip in Egypt?

When Shouldn’t You Tip in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal
When Shouldn’t You Tip in Egypt - Egypt Tours Portal

Some might ask, Is it rude to not tip? , and the answer is that, unfortunately, just like any other country, there are people who make use of difficult situations when you can’t say no and keep pushing to get what they actually don’t deserve. In such situations, we will say out loud that you shouldn’t give them a penny of what you have as they simply don’t deserve your money.

Some people are using children to get money from baksheesh from tourists, and this is unacceptable in Egypt; the government is trying its best to prevent such acts, and you should assist in that by simply saying no and leaving them without giving them tips. Otherwise, if you find someone who needs help, feel free to give him/her the suitable amount of money you want. It is an act of kindness you show to others, and may Allah give you what you really deserve for such good deeds.

Conclusion

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Tip in Egypt?

Tipping is always expected in Egypt, it is generally expected to tip 10% as a sign of good etiquette and respect across all the facilities. There will be a service charge on the pill which goes to the restaurant, not the waiter.

How Much to the Tip Tour Guide in Egypt?

The tipping of a tour guide ranges about 80 to 100 Egyptian pounds for a full day and a half-day the tip is between 40-50 Egyptian pounds.

Is Tipping Expected In Egypt?

Tipping is highly expected in most of the service industries in Egypt as it is shown as a sign of gratitude for good service.

Is Tipping Customary In Cairo?

Many workers in the service and travel industry consider tipping to be highly required across all the destinations of Egypt.

Can I Tip In Euros In Egypt?

Of course, Tipping in euros in Egypt is preferred across all travel destinations in Egypt, but it is preferred to tip with the Egyptian pound. You can find many currency exchange offices all over the country.

How Much Do You Tip Hotel Staff?

$5-$20 is an ideal amount for a tip to all the staffers of your hotel in Egypt.

Is 200 EGP A Good Tip In Egypt?

200 EGP is considered to be a generous tip for all workers in the restaurants, drivers, and street vendors.

Is 5 Dollars A Good Tip In Egypt?

5$ is considered to be a very good tip for one-time services across the staff of the restaurants and hotels.

How Much Do Waiters Get Paid In Egypt?

Aside from their salary, tipping plays a significant role in salary as 10-15% of the bill for decent service and higher for exceptional service goes into the salary of the waiters.

Is $20 A Good Tip?

$20 is a generous good tip for the most service workers in Egypt.

What Is the Tipping Percentage In Egypt?

The usual tipping percentage for restaurants and other service industries is 10-15%. However, feel free to adjust your tip based on the quality of the services and your budget.

What Are the Finest Destinations to Visit in Egypt?

The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.

What Are Egypt's Visa Requirements?

If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.

What Is the Top Traditional Egyptian Food?

Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.

What is the Best Time to Visit Egypt?

The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.

What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?

You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.

Why Book With "Egypt Tours Portal"?

We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.

Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt?

You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.

What to Wear While in Egypt?

Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.

What are the Best Activities to Do in Egypt?

The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.

What are Egypt Festival and Public Holidays?

There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.

What are Special Advice for Foreign Women in Egypt?

Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.

What are the Official Languages of Egypt?

Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.

What is the Transportation in Egypt?

The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.

What is the Weather is Like?

The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.

What are the Reasons That Make You Visit Egypt?

It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.

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