Tipping in Egypt: Who to Tip and How Baksheesh Works

Tipping in Egypt: Who to Tip and How Baksheesh Works

Tipping, known locally as "baksheesh", is a deeply ingrained and expected part of daily life in Egypt, serving as a vital supplement to the wages of those in the service industry. It is the customary way to show appreciation for good service, and while not legally required, it is essential for the livelihoods of many Egyptians. For travelers, understanding the nuances of tipping in Egypt, having small notes ready, and knowing when and what to give will make your interactions smoother and your journey more rewarding.

As a tour operator with over a decade of experience creating bespoke journeys through Egypt, we at Nourbelle Tours understand that navigating cultural customs like tipping can be daunting. This guide is designed to demystify the process, helping you feel confident and prepared as you explore the wonders of this incredible country.

Quick Facts about Tipping in Egypt

• Local Term: Tipping is universally known as baksheesh.
• Currency: Tipping in Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is preferred, especially for smaller amounts. Carry a good supply of EGP 5, 10, 20, and 50 notes.
• Expectation: Tipping is not just a bonus; it's an expected part of the compensation for almost any service rendered.
• Discretion: It is polite to hand a tip discreetly, often folded in your palm during a handshake, rather than flashing money publicly.
• On Tours: Your main tips will be for your Egyptologist guide and your driver, typically given at the end of your time with them.
• Restaurants: A service charge is often included, but an additional 5 to 10% cash tip directly for the server is standard for good service.

Understanding Baksheesh: More Than Just a Tip

The word baksheesh covers a spectrum of meanings that go beyond a simple tip for service. Understanding its different forms is key to navigating social interactions gracefully. While you'll mostly be concerned with tipping for service, it's helpful to know the other contexts.

1. A Tip for Service: This is the most common form you will encounter. It's a gratuity given to someone who has provided a service, from a waiter or hotel porter to your dedicated Egyptologist guide.

2. An Act of Charity (Alms): Baksheesh can also refer to giving money to someone in need, without any service being performed. As a traveler, you are not generally expected to give alms, but it is a fundamental pillar of Egyptian and Islamic culture.

3. A Facilitation Fee: This is the grayest area of baksheesh. It can be a small payment to a security guard to allow a photo, to a bureaucrat to speed up a process, or to an attendant for pointing out a "special" feature in a tomb. With a Nourbelle Tours guide, you will be insulated from these awkward situations, as your guide manages all necessary and appropriate interactions.

Who to Tip and Suggested Amounts

Knowing who to tip and what is considered appropriate can be stressful. The following guidelines are based on standard practice, but remember that tipping is always a reflection of the quality of service you received. When traveling on one of our private Egypt tours, your guide can always offer tailored advice.

On Your Tour

• Egyptologist Guide: This is likely an important tip you will give. Your licensed Egyptologist guide is your teacher, storyteller, and cultural interpreter for your entire journey. A standard practice is to tip per person, per day. Given their level of expertise and the personal attention they provide, this tip should reflect their significant contribution to your experience.
• Driver: Your driver expertly navigates challenging traffic and ensures your safety and comfort between sites. They are a key part of your team. The tip for a driver is also typically calculated per person, per day, and is usually around half of what you would tip your guide.
• Nile Cruise Staff: On larger Nile cruises, it is customary for all tips for the ship's crew (housekeeping, restaurant staff, deckhands) to be collected at the end of the voyage. There is usually a communal tip box at the reception desk, and the amount will be distributed among the entire staff. The cruise director will typically provide a suggested amount. Note that the tip for your Egyptologist guide who accompanies you on shore excursions is separate and should be given to them directly.
• Dahabiya Crew: For a more intimate sailing experience, like a dahabiya sailing, tipping is similar. You would typically give a collective tip at the end of the trip to be shared among the small, dedicated crew who have been looking after you.

At Hotels and Restaurants

• Hotel Staff: For porters carrying your luggage, a tip per bag is appropriate. For housekeeping, leaving a small amount on your pillow each morning is a nice gesture.
• Restaurants & Cafes: This is a common point of confusion. Most restaurant bills will include a service charge (usually 10 to 12%). However, this fee rarely makes it to your server. If you were pleased with the service, it is customary to leave an additional 5 to 10% of the pre-tax bill in cash for the waiter directly. For a simple coffee or drink, rounding up the bill is sufficient.

General Services & Public Spaces

• Taxi/Ride-Sharing Drivers: For a metered taxi, rounding up the fare to the nearest EGP 5 or 10 is common. For app-based services, you can add a tip through the app or give a small cash tip.
• Site Guardians/Tomb Attendants: At sites like the Valley of the Kings or the temples of Luxor, you may find attendants or guards who offer unsolicited advice, point out a particular carving, or offer to take a photo. If they have genuinely enhanced your visit, a small tip is appreciated. However, never pay for photos in areas where photography is forbidden.
• Public Bathroom Attendants: In many tourist sites, museums, and restaurants, there will be an attendant who keeps the facilities clean. A small, fixed tip is expected for their service.

Tipping on Specific Experiences

Certain activities have their own tipping customs. For instance, on a Luxor Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Experience, it is customary to tip the ground crew and pilot collectively. Similarly, for a day trip to the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Grand Egyptian Museum, you would tip your guide and driver at the end of the day based on the guidelines above.

Baksheesh (Facilitator Fee) vs. Service Tip: A Comparison

To help clarify the often-confusing world of baksheesh, this table breaks down the differences between a standard service tip and the more ambiguous "facilitator" fee.

Tipping Etiquette: The Dos and Don'ts

• Do carry a variety of small notes. Breaking large notes can be difficult. Your hotel front desk or larger shops are good places to ask for change.
• Do be discreet. Fold the banknote in your palm and pass it with your right hand during a handshake, accompanied by a smile and a quiet "shukran" (thank you).
• Do ask your Nourbelle guide if you are ever unsure. Part of our job is to make you feel comfortable with these cultural nuances.
• Don't feel pressured to tip for aggressive or unsolicited "help", like someone grabbing your bag without permission. A firm but polite "la, shukran" (no, thank you) is appropriate.
• Don't hand out money, sweets, or pens to children, as this can encourage begging and take them away from school. If you wish to give back, your guide can suggest a reputable local charity.
• Don't dramatically over-tip. While generous, it can create unrealistic expectations for service providers and for the travelers who come after you.

Preparing for Your Trip: Currency and Small Change

Before you travel, it's wise to familiarize yourself with Egypt's currency and entry requirements, which you can read about in our Egypt arrival guide. Upon arrival, you can exchange money or use an ATM. It is essential to get a mix of denominations, specifically asking for smaller notes (EGP 20, 50). This "tip money" will be invaluable for your first day. Throughout your trip, take every opportunity to break larger notes at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops so you always have a ready supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to tip in foreign currency like US Dollars or Euros?

For larger tips, such as for your guide or cruise crew, foreign currency like USD, EUR, or GBP is generally welcome and accepted. For smaller, everyday tips (e.g., bathroom attendants, porters, cafes), local currency (EGP) is strongly preferred as it is much easier for the recipient to use without needing to go to a currency exchange.

What if a service charge is already included on my restaurant bill?

This is a very common question. The service charge included on the bill is a tax that goes to the restaurant owner, not the staff. If you were happy with the personal service from your waiter, it is customary to leave an additional 5 to 10% of the bill's total as a cash tip directly for them.

I'm on an all-inclusive tour. Do I still need to tip?

Yes. The price of an "all-inclusive" package, such as our 8-Day Classic Egypt Tour, covers your accommodation, transport, entry fees, and meals as specified. However, it does not include personal gratuities for the excellent service provided by your guide, driver, and other staff who work hard to make your trip special. These tips are a separate and important gesture of appreciation.

How do I handle someone being very pushy for a tip?

Politeness and firmness are key. A clear "la, shukran" ("no, thank you") and confidently walking away is usually enough. Avoid engaging in arguments. One of the primary benefits of traveling with a private guide is that they will expertly and discreetly manage these situations on your behalf, ensuring you are never made to feel uncomfortable.

What is a reasonable amount to budget for tips for a one-week trip?

The total amount will vary significantly depending on your group size, the luxury level of your services, and your personal generosity. Rather than a single figure, it's better to budget based on a daily rate for your guide and driver, plus a collective amount for any cruise, and then add a buffer for daily incidentals like restaurant staff and porters. Our travel experts are happy to provide more specific guidance based on your chosen itinerary when you book with us.

Plan Your Egyptian Adventure with Nourbelle

Navigating the cultural landscape of tipping shouldn't be a source of stress. It should be a simple and positive way to connect with the people who make your journey unforgettable. At Nourbelle Tours, our private, licensed Egyptologist guides are not just experts in history—they are your cultural liaisons, on hand to offer advice and handle the small details so you can focus on the magic of Egypt. With over a decade of experience, we craft seamless, personalized journeys that go beyond the monuments.

Ready to explore with confidence? Browse our Egypt tour packages and let us help you design the trip of a lifetime.