Tipping in Egypt: How Much Should You Tip

Tipping in Egypt is a vital part of local culture. and knowing when and how much to tip can make your visit smoother and more respectful. Whether you’re tipping guides, hotel staff, or drivers, knowing proper etiquette helps you avoid awkward situations. You should also be ready to travel, remember to prepare your documents, and get an Egypt e-Visa, and you will arrive without any problems.

General overview of tipping in Egypt

Introduction about tipping in Egypt

Tipping in Egypt is a widely practiced social custom, especially in tourism and hospitality, and understanding it can help travelers navigate service interactions more smoothly.

Why is it important?

In many parts of the tourism and hospitality sector, tips serve as a meaningful supplement to base wages, especially in customer-facing roles. Tips can be given to hotel workers, drivers, and guides and these people directly contribute to the comfortable and pleasant experience of the visitors.

It is also important to understand when and how to tip as this helps travelers avoid confusion, as tipping is often expected after services. When you tip properly it not only reflects cultural respect but also improves your service delivery. When tourists are guided by the local standards, communication becomes more pleasant, smoother, and mutually beneficial.

Rules of tipping in Egypt

The major rules that should be followed in tipping in Egypt are as follows:

• It is helpful to carry small bills (5, 10, 20 EGP), as many everyday tips involve modest amounts.
• Give the tip to the person who has attended to you, do not leave money unattended.
• In restaurants without a service charge, a tip of around 5–10% or rounding up the bill is common, while some tourists choose to leave 10–15% for very good service.
• Hotels: Porters: 10-20 EGP per bag; housekeeping: 20-50 EGP per day.
• Taxis: Round up the fare or add 5–10 EGP for good service.
• Tour guides: For tour guides, tips often range from 150–250 EGP per person for private full-day tours, or a collective group tip for larger tours; drivers are typically tipped separately based on service and distance.
• Nile cruises: pooled tipping systems are common, with recommended daily amounts usually communicated by the cruise operator rather than individual staff.
• Restrooms and other miscellaneous: 5-10 EGP is average.
• There is no need to be held to account in case nothing was actually rendered.
• Pay in cash, preferably Egyptian pounds, as digital tipping is uncommon.

How much to tip in Egypt?

Tipping in Egypt varies by service type, but small cash amounts in Egyptian pounds are generally expected across daily interactions.

Tipping in restaurant and cafes

The following are general tipping rules of restaurants and cafes in Egypt:

• Full-service restaurants: Tip 10-15% in cases where a service charge is not charged.
• Service fee: Leave 5-10 EGP directly to employees since they do not often receive the entire fee of service.
• Casual restaurants/local Cafes: 5-10 EGP is the average price to have a good service.
• Food vendors: It is not necessary, yet welcome (2-5 EGP).

Always give tips directly to the server using small bills.

Restaurant and café tipping guidelines

Tipping in bars and lounges

The most common tipping rules in bars and lounges include:

• Bartenders:Gratuities of 10–15% of the bill are common.
• Table service: Tip 10–20 EGP per round if service is attentive.
• Shisha bars: Tip the shisha waiter 10-20 EGP to prepare and to fill up.
• Live entertainment places: it is not compulsory but it is a customary practice to tip the performer in certain places.

Cash tips are also better as employees are not assured of card service charges.

Tipping in transportation

The common transportation tipping in Egypt is as per below:

• Taxis: Round up or add 5–10 EGP for a smooth ride.
• Ride-hailing applications (Uber, Careem): It is not mandatory but a tip of 5-15 EGP is welcome.
• By private drivers: 50-100 EGP- short distance; 100-150 EGP- full day driving.
• Airport transfers: 50-100 EGP with or without luggage assistance.

Airport over-tipping must be avoided, and in this case, the informal helpers demand too much.

Tipping in salons and spas

The tips usually given in Egypt beauty and wellness services are:

• Hair salons: Tip stylists 10-15% of the cost of service.
• Barbers: 10-20 EGP for a cut or shave.
• Spa and massage salons: Leave a tip of 10-15 percent to the therapist.
• Nail salons: 10-15 EGP to have manicures or pedicures.

Always tip discreetly and politely because most of the personnel are dependent on gratuities.

Tipping in hotels and other accommodation

These are the current tipping norms of hotels in Egypt:

• Porters: 10-20 EGP per bag.
• Housekeeping: 20-50 EGP/day, left daily to rotating staff.
• Concierge services: 20-50 EGP based on help.
• Room service: 10-20 EGP not included in the bill.
• Budget hotels/guesthouses: It can be a smaller tip however greatly appreciated.

Have little pieces of paper to use in case of a frequent tipping incident.

What to know about tipping at hotels and similar stays

Tipping in luxury hotels vs small family businesses

Tipping expectations differ significantly between luxury properties and local guesthouses:

Luxury hotels:

• Porters: 20–40 EGP per bag
• Housekeeping: 40–60 EGP per day
• Dining staff: 10–15%
• Spa/amenities staff: 20–40 EGP

Family-run stays:

• Porters: 5–10 EGP
• Housekeeping: 10–20 EGP
• Meals: 5–10 EGP

Family businesses appreciate tips deeply, but expectations are more modest than major chains.

Tipping guides on tour

The guides and the tour support staff depend on tips greatly, and in this case, adhere to the following standards:

• Full-day tour guide: 150-250 EGP per person based on expertise and service.
• Half-day guide: 80-150 EGP.
• Tour driver: 80-150 EGP per day.
• Nile cruise employees: Pooled tipping - most cruises charge between 60-100 EGP/day.

Cash tip, which is given directly or deposited in the appropriate pool.

Budgeting for tipping in Egypt

You need to have a small sum of money that you can use in a day as your tipping budget allocation. Take into account the following useful instructions:

• Many travelers find that setting aside approximately 50–150 EGP per day for incidental tipping is sufficient, depending on activities and service usage.
• Bring minor amounts of money (5, 10, 20 EGP) because the majority of tips are low.
• Tips in the hotels and tours tend to be more, and thus depending on days of guided tours, one should budget around 200-400 EGP.
• Travelers in groups ought to increase the number of tips they pay per service provider (e.g. guides, drivers).
• Pooled tips are common in the river cruises; many expect 60-100 EGP per day.
• Immediate assistants in the locations or bathrooms can cost 5-10 EGP, and you should have convenient money.

Read through your itinerary to ensure that you are not in a hurry - busy sightseeing days have more chances of getting a tip.

Common mistakes to avoid when tipping in Egypt

Tourists often make tipping errors that create awkward or costly situations. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Not carrying small bills, leading to over-tipping.
• Tipping foreign currency, which is hard for locals to exchange.
• Over-tipping at airports, where unofficial porters may ask for high amounts.
• Believing service charges go to staff—they often don’t, so small cash tips remain important.
• Accepting unsolicited help, then feeling pressured to tip; politely decline unless needed.
• Tipping too early, which can encourage repeated requests.
• Leaving tips in hotel rooms, as housekeeping may rotate—hand tips directly.
• Failing to research local norms, resulting in inconsistent or unnecessary tips.
• While tipping is not mandatory everywhere, it is socially expected in many service-related situations in Egypt.

Mistakes you should avoid when tipping in Egypt

When tipping is NOT expected

Although tipping is common in Egypt, there are several situations where it is not required. Below are the cases where you do not need to tip:

• Fixed-price shops and supermarkets: Cashiers and staff do not expect tips.
• Government offices and official ticket counters: Never tip officers or staff at museums, archaeological sites, or immigration desks.
• Public transportation: No tipping is needed on the metro, buses, or ferries.
• Self-service restaurants or fast-food chains: You’re not required to tip unless someone provides additional assistance.
• When no actual service is provided: Decline unsolicited help at tourist sites—no tip is necessary if you didn’t request or receive real assistance.
• Hotel front desk staff: Tipping is optional unless they perform special services (booking taxis, arranging tours).
• Ride-hailing services: Uber/Careem drivers don’t expect tips, although rounding up is polite but optional.

In short, tipping is expected only when real, requested service is provided—not in official or fixed-price environments.

Top tips for tipping in Egypt

Follow these practical tips to ensure smooth and respectful tipping in Egypt:

• Always carry small bills (5, 10, 20 EGP) for quick, appropriate tipping.
• Tip in Egyptian pounds, as foreign coins cannot be exchanged locally.
• Hand tips directly to staff rather than leaving them unattended.
• Check bills for service charges; if included, add a small extra cash tip only if service was good.
• Avoid over-tipping, especially at airports or tourist hotspots where informal helpers may ask for more.
• Tip based on service quality, not pressure—authentic assistance deserves recognition.
• Ask locals or hotel staff when unsure about appropriate amounts.
• Prepare a daily tipping budget to avoid running out of small notes.
• Respect cultural norms, as tipping is woven into Egypt’s service economy.
• Be polite and discreet, using phrases like “shukran” (thank you).

Other options instead of tipping in Egypt

While cash tips are standard, there are respectful alternatives when appropriate:

• Offer positive feedback directly to management or tour operators.
• Leave online reviews praising specific staff members.
• Express gratitude with small gifts from home, especially in family-run stays.
• Show respect through politeness, patience, and cultural awareness.
• Recommend services to other travelers, helping locals gain more business.

These alternatives support workers even when you prefer not to give cash.

In conclusion

Understanding tipping in Egypt helps travelers navigate daily interactions with confidence and cultural respect. By learning local expectations and preparing small cash notes, you support workers who rely on gratuities while avoiding common mistakes. Whether dining, touring, or staying in hotels, thoughtful tipping improves your experience and theirs. Before traveling, ensure your documents are ready - applying for an e-Visa Egypt makes your arrival faster and stress-free.