A comprehensive guide for wise tipping in Egypt
“Tipping” or “service” as the West calls it does not fully express the purpose of the practice known in Egypt as baksheesh. Tipping isn’t an easy process in Egypt.
With seemingly endless situations calling for a gratuity of some kind and virtually no set rules — and the added confusion of inflation — you are frequently left guessing at the appropriate amount to give. The look on the recipient’s face, when they take a peek at what you’ve given, doesn’t clarify things.
The average annual income in Egypt is about $ 3000US a year (2023) and the very poor may make far less than US$ 100 a month. Tipping, therefore, is an integral part of life in Egypt and a few pounds will make a difference in man’s life. This does not mean handing out money like you’re the Prince of Persia, either. Be generous or not, as you like, but remember don’t let it ruin your trip.
This problem leads to the issue of what amount is appropriate to pay. The details of the baksheesh system are second-nature to an Egyptian but can be very confusing for a foreigner.
As a guideline for tipping in Egypt, it is considered appropriate to tip between US$ 5-10 per person per day for his vacation to Egypt, and here is a summary of how this tipping is distributed over one’s trip.
- Travel Agency Representative ( 5 US$ – 15 US$)
- Guides (20 US$ – 50 US$) per day
- Drivers (10 US$) per day
- Felucca Captain ( 10 US$ – 20 US$) (for the 2-night Felucca cruise)
- Cruise staff ( 5 US$) (per person per night on the boat)
- Porters and Hotel Staff (1 US$ – 3 US$)(per service rendered)
What Currency Should You Use for Tipping in Egypt?
When tipping in Egypt, the local currency, Egyptian pounds (LE), is generally preferred. Using Egyptian pounds can be more economical for you and convenient for the recipient.
Why Egyptian Pounds?
- Cost-Effective: Tipping in LE often means spending less than you would with foreign currency.
- Convenience for Locals: Locals can immediately use or exchange the tip without any hassle.
Tipping with US Dollars
While it’s best to use Egyptian pounds, tipping in US dollars is also widely accepted. If you choose to tip in dollars, consider the following:
- Denominations: Prepare small bills like $1, $2, $5, $10, or at most $20. This makes it easier for the recipient to use or exchange the money.
- Acceptance: Most Egyptians will appreciate the tip regardless of the currency, but smaller denominations are more practical.
Key Takeaway
The crucial aspect is the gesture of tipping rather than the currency itself. However, for the best experience both for you and the recipient, tipping in Egyptian pounds is advisable.
For more details about how you can distribute your tips:
Tipping at the Airport
The first opportunity to tip during travel is usually upon arriving at the airport or train station. Here are some tipping guidelines:
- Porter or Skycap – $2 per bag or more if the bags are heavy. $2 extra for curbside check-in is optional. If you arrive late and he helps you get to your flight on time, tip an extra $5-20.
- Electric cart driver – $2-$3 a person. Wheelchair pusher – If they are just pushing you down the ramp from the gate to the plane (or in reverse), then nothing. If it is from the ticket counter to the gate/plane or from the gate/plane to the luggage carousel, then $5 is appropriate. Tip more if they help you with your luggage ($1-2 per bag) or if they help you to your car. If they are pushing you from one terminal to another (long distances), then $10-20 would be appropriate plus extra for luggage. Tip less if they are unpleasant or rude.
- Tour guides Check ahead. If the tip is not already included, give 10-15% of the tour price. No less than $20 for a half-day tour, $35 for a full-day tour, and $50-100 for a week-long tour. This is a per-person rate. Tip private tour guides more. If the bus driver is particularly helpful then tip $10-20.
Tipping in Hotels and Beaches
“Bellboys, beach boys, and other people who serve you in the hotel expect to be paid extra and often make use of your good mood during your vacation. Tourists vary widely in their opinions on how much to tip hotel staff, with some vacationers choosing not to tip at all as the hotel charges a service tax.
Those who do tip will give from a modest $1 to the bellboy and the guy who helps find you a lounge chair and umbrella on the beach, to an extravagant $20 at the end of a visit for those who carry your laundry and clean your room. If meals are included in a travel package, $0.5-1 on the table per person to say thank you to the help that has to clear the tables and do the entire grunt work to make sure you are served a good meal.
In Egypt, tipping is a highly developed process, and the number of service workers to be tipped is larger than in countries where this tradition is less established. You can expect to tip:
- Waitstaff in restaurants and cafes.
- Hotel employees, including baggage handlers and the cleaning team.
- Bartenders.
- Nile River Cruise crew.
- Coach and bus drivers during tours.
- Egyptian local guides.
- Staff at monuments, churches, mosques, and museums who provide extra services or interesting facts.
- Individuals offering small services such as opening doors, showing the way, or taking photos at tourist attractions.
- Bathroom attendants.
- SPA employees.
- For supermarket employees who pack your purchases, especially during larger transactions; a 5-10 LE (1$) tip is appreciated.
- Gas station attendants who assist with refueling and other services like washing windows or checking tire pressure; a 5-10 LE (1$) tip is customary.
Understanding who expects tips and how much to give can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable, ensuring you show appreciation for the various services that enhance your stay.”
Tipping on Cruise Ships
Find out in advance. If you are supposed to tip, find out if it is done at the end of the trip or at the time of service. Oftentimes, at the end of the cruise, you are provided envelopes with suggested tip amounts. If you are supposed to tip, budget about $5-10 per day.
- Waiter – $3 per day per person.
- Cabin steward – $3 per day per person.
- Busboy – $1.5 per day per person.
- Maitre d’hotel – Not necessary unless special services are provided.
- Bar steward – Usually, 15% is automatically added to the bill.
Tipping on a Nile River Cruise
On a Nile River cruise, the tipping process is more centralized to ensure fairness. Around 60 people work on a typical cruise ship, but you might only see 5 to 9 crew members in customer-facing roles. Given this, it’s unfair to tip only the visible staff while overlooking those who work behind the scenes.
To address this, all tips from guests must be given at the end of the trip, rather than tipping individuals during the voyage. Here’s how to do it:
- Place tips in an envelope: Write the total amount on the back of the envelope.
- Leave the envelope: Drop it off at the reception desk on the ship.
All tips will then be collected and shared among the entire cruise staff, making it a fair solution where everyone benefits.
For clarity, gratuities are typically around $10 per person per night. For example, if you are a party of two and spend 5 nights aboard the cruise, your total tip amount will be:
$10 x 5 nights x 2 people = $100
You would leave $100 in an envelope at reception at the end of your Nile cruise. This approach ensures that all crew members, from the cabin steward to the unseen workers, are fairly compensated for their efforts.
Tipping on Sleeper Train
Tipping on trains can be very confusing because most people don’t travel by train often and the situations can be confusing. For instance, sometimes the meal is included, and sometimes it isn’t.
- Dining car waiters, stewards, and bar car waiters: 15 percent of the bill (or estimated cost of a meal when included)
- Redcaps, or porters: $1 per bag
- Sleeping car attendant: $5 per passenger per day
Tipping in Restaurants
There is no shortage of factors in determining how much you should leave as a tip. Some people choose not to leave one because of the 8–12 percent service charge automatically added to the bill. But for those who do want to leave something extra, the proper amount depends on the type of restaurant, the number of people dining, and how much was ordered.
For eateries such as Chili’s and Johnny Carino’s, the standard gratuity is usually US$ 1–5; particularly poor service merits a tip that varies from nothing to US$ 1, although very few people leave without tipping. For upscale eateries including hotel restaurants, most people leave anywhere between US$ 4–10. For a particularly large meal shared by a party of five or more people, many leave 20 percent instead of the standard 15.
In higher-class Egyptian restaurants and cafes, service is automatically billed—you see it as a separate item on your receipt. An appropriate percentage of the basic fee is usually charged, typically no more than 10-15%. However, this service charge goes to the restaurant or cafe and not to the waiter, so be sure to tip the waiter or waitress in addition.
Tipping for Bathroom
Nothing is more disgusting than having to clean up after someone else, especially in the bathroom. The men and women who do this for you at the airport, hospital, malls, and any other public place should be treated with more respect. Not only are they stuck with a job that many of us don’t even want to do in our own homes, but they are snapped at and yelled at for not doing a good job when there’s really only so much they can do.
For the person who gives you a couple of sheets of paper on your way into the bathroom, a US$ 0.5–1 tip should be good. Not only will they appreciate it, but you will also be told which stall is the cleanest.
Tipping Kitty
Some travel agencies would make a central tipping kitty which is handled by the tour leader who distributes the proper amount of tipping to the people who served the tourist according to the type of service rendered. Apart from this, it is normal to tip any particular individual that you feel has been especially attentive to your needs for the duration of the stay as opposed to a once-off service. Most won’t expect the tip until the day you are leaving or before anyway.
Exception
An exception, though—don’t tip someone if you ask them for directions, even if they insist on changing directions and walking you halfway to your destination. It is considered rude to offer money for such a simple request. Taxi drivers are not tipped as the fee is agreed upon in advance.
However, it’s important to be aware of situations where tipping might seem expected but isn’t necessary. For instance, at the airport check-in desk, you might encounter aggressive requests for tips (backsheesh) for services you didn’t ask for, such as placing your luggage on the conveyor belt. In such cases, it’s perfectly acceptable to say a firm “no.”
Understanding these nuances helps ensure you navigate tipping customs in Egypt with confidence and cultural sensitivity.
How Much Should You Tip in Egyptian Salons and Spas?
When visiting hairdressing salons, beauty salons, or spas in Egypt, it’s customary to show appreciation for good service with a tip. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you decide how much to tip:
- General Guideline: Aim to tip between 10% and 15% of the total bill.
- Exceptional Service: If you’re particularly pleased with your experience, consider tipping closer to 15%.
- Less Satisfactory Visits: If the service was less than ideal, tipping around 10% or slightly less is acceptable. Don’t hesitate to provide feedback to management regarding your experience if something wasn’t up to your expectations.
How Much Should You Tip Bartenders in Egypt?
When visiting Egypt, acknowledging service with a tip is a common practice and greatly appreciated. Tipping standards can vary, so understanding how much to give ensures that your gesture is respectful and well-received.
Tipping Currency
It’s advisable to tip in the local currency, Egyptian pounds (LE), as it is more convenient for the recipient and generally costs you less. If you prefer using foreign currency, dollars are an acceptable alternative. Opt for small denominations such as $1, $2, $5, or $10 for convenience.
Standard Tips for Bartenders
Bartenders in Egypt, like many service workers, rely on tips as a significant part of their earnings. Here’s a guideline for tipping bartenders in different scenarios:
- In Hotels or Resorts: If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort or hotel, a bartender usually expects a small tip for each drink. Offering 10-20 LE per drink is customary.
- Busy Tourist Bars: In popular tourist spots, tipping 10% of the total bill is a standard practice.
- Local or Smaller Bars: For more local or less frequented bars, tipping around 10-15 LE per drink or 5-10% of the total bill is considerate.
Additional Tips
- Quality of Service: Always consider the quality of service when tipping. Exceptional service might warrant a more generous tip.
- End of Service: If you plan on spending a longer time at the bar, you can give a larger tip at the end of your visit rather than small tips after every drink. For instance, 50-100 LE at the end of a few hours of good service can be appreciated.
- Tipping Jars: Some bars may have a communal tipping jar. You can place your tip in there if you prefer. Ensure that your contribution reflects the level of service received.
By following these guidelines, you can navigate the tipping culture in Egypt with confidence, ensuring both you and your bartender have a pleasant experience.
Why Tipping Matters
Leaving a gratuity is more than just a bonus for the staff; it’s a significant part of their income. Not leaving a tip may inadvertently signal that you forgot, rather than indicating dissatisfaction.
In short, tipping in Egyptian salons and spas not only rewards excellent service but also ensures that staff members feel appreciated for their work.
“Whether or not monetary appreciation is displayed, Egyptians are always more than happy to help in any way they can. Nevertheless, baksheesh will be a frustrating game for all newcomers to Egypt, but it is part of the way this system works. The most important thing is knowing the rules of the game so that the foreigner is also an informed traveler. This way, baksheesh will become a tool, rather than a nuisance.”
Tipping in Egypt, also known as baksheesh, is not obligatory. Just like in many parts of the world, tipping is generally given when you are satisfied with the level of service. This practice is common in the hospitality and service sectors, but you are not required to tip. Understanding this can make your experience smoother and help you navigate the cultural landscape with ease.
By being informed about when and how to give baksheesh, you can turn what might initially seem like a frustrating game into a helpful tool. This knowledge empowers you to show appreciation without feeling pressured, making your interactions more pleasant and respectful.
