Tipping in Egypt: The Complete Guide

Tip 10–15% at sit-down restaurants in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Tourist restaurants on the Nile cruise circuit and in Giza often have 10% service charges — check before tipping extra.

At local kushari shops and street food stalls, rounding up or leaving EGP 5–10 is appreciated.

Tip hotel porters EGP 20–50 per bag. Leave EGP 20–50 per night for housekeeping — use a note with 'thank you' written in Arabic (شكراً) if possible.

At Nile cruise boats, tip the entire crew at the end of the cruise — EGP 200–400 per person for a 3–4 night cruise is appropriate.

Tour guides in Egypt are highly knowledgeable and tipping is very important to them. EGP 100–300 per person per day for private guided tours.

Drivers for temple tours or full-day Cairo circuits: EGP 100–200 on top of the agreed fare.

Uber and Careem operate in Cairo and Alexandria. Round up the fare or add 10%.

White taxis (white cabs) should have meters — insist on using them or negotiate first.

Egypt has a passionate football culture and fans will travel in force for the 2026 World Cup in North America. US and Canadian tipping norms are higher but more structured — 18–20% at restaurants is standard.

North American card terminals prompt for tip before processing. The suggested amounts (20%, 25%, 30%) can be adjusted to 18–20% by entering a custom amount.