Understanding Tipping Customs While in Egypt, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics when it comes to tipping custom in Egypt. As a popular travel destination, but one many Americans have not visited before, it’s important to understand basic etiquette in Egypt and how to follow it without breaking the bank.

At Cruise Lady: Latter-day Adventures®, we specialize in escorted cruises and land tours for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We’re happy to provide advice on tipping customs for any of these locations, including our Egypt land tours. In today’s part two, we’ll go over general tipping guides for a few other areas or situations you may encounter during your time in Egypt.

Tour Guides and Tipping

As a refresher from part one, Egyptian currency is calculated in pounds, and often expressed as EGP for Egyptian pounds. In other cases, you will see the LE abbreviation for livre egyptienne, a French translation. In still other situations, it’s considered okay to tip in US dollars or Euros if you have run out of Egyptian currency.

When it comes to tour guides or related professionals who show you around a given area or city, your tip will depend in part on the services provided and the quality of the guide. For a full-service experience that includes driving and sightseeing, we recommend around 100 EGP per person, per day, depending on quality. Based on current exchange rates, 100 EGP translates to just over $6 in U.S. dollars.

Taxis and Drivers

In today’s day and age, particularly with the rise of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft that factor in gratuity in different ways, tipping taxi and other drivers in Egypt is not generally done. You should agree on a price in advance of the trip, and this would be understood to include a tip. The only case where you might consider adding more at the end of the ride would be if the driver goes above and beyond their standard duties.

When a driver accompanies you on a tour, you should provide a tip that is at least half of the amount that you provide to the tour guide. In other words, around 50 EGP per person per day.

Other Possible Tipping Locations in Egypt

Finally, here are a few other situations where you might be wondering about tipping in Egypt:

• Bathrooms: One area that might surprise some Americans is bathroom tipping. Especially at many Egyptian rest stops, but also in many other areas, an entrance fee will be required for bathrooms – it’s usually 5 EGP, but can be more in some cases. There are also commonly bathroom attendants who provide various toiletries or tissues, and these individuals will expect tips. This is not technically required, but a few EGP here is considered good practice.
• Pictures: Be prepared for locals in certain major tourist areas to offer to take your photo for you, then to ask for money in return. If you feel this is done in good faith and is helpful, you can feel free to tip. However, some attempt this as a trick or scam and a way to get quick cash, and you do not have to feel obligated to say yes to everyone who offers this service.

For more on Egyptian tipping customs, or to learn about our Israel trips, church history tours, Mediterranean cruise options or numerous other destinations, speak to the staff at Cruise Lady: Latter-day Adventures® today.