This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. You have the entire and total decision regarding determining how much money you are willing to give as a tip or not give at all. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt. Check out our guide on top spots to visit, what to expect when sailing on a felucca, and highlights of the ancient world. By my calculation I would end up spending around 120-150 euros just on tipping if I used the above recommendations. Traveler Reviews - see what our passengers have to say Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home. The cultural attitude towards women in Egypt is different to that of the West so travelling as a solo female does require consideration to ensure a more comfortable travelling experience. When we went, we only had issues of people not being happy about the tips once we got to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. The key is to go in low and work your way up but always have a maximum amount in mind. The best way you can avoid unwanted attention is to dress conservatively at all times and this means keeping shoulders and upper arms, legs and chest covered with loose-fitting and opaque clothing. Oftentimes, at the end of the cruise, you are provided envelopes with suggested tip amounts. Anyone who provides you with a service is likely to expect a tip - think waiters, drivers, security guards, porters and the like. Baksheesh or tipping is a word that is used in Egypt that means that someone is waiting for your act of appreciation for the service he/she offered to you by giving them some of your change that can be estimated by the type of service you have received. "If this occurs say sorry and ask for the money back pretending you want to give them more then leave and dont look back", Just like Mrs eLaReF's taxi driver - "Dohhhh.. What just happened? Remember to remove shoes before entering. If travelling on a group tour with less than 6 participants or on a tailor-made holiday, in place of Tipping Made Easy we recommend the following amounts per person per day be allocated to cover tips paid directly by you to bellhops, luggage handlers, your driver and local guides: USD $10 if the day includes a local guide and sightseeing and USD $5 if the day does not include a guide or sightseeing. Nile Felucca Sailing - what to expect on a felucca cruise Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. Those who do tip will give from the 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. Thank you for the link eLaReF, the suggested amounts seem more reasonable. If anyone complains, you take it back. In such situations, we will say out loud that you shouldnt give them a penny of what you have as they simply dont deserve your money. There are good and bad aspects of visiting the country during Ramadan. Wash rooms including western toilets can be found at the end of each carriage. What are the Official Languages of Egypt? Those rates are a fair guide, and gives you an idea, but as Clint said you are already paying for the service so tipping is an added bonus if good service is received. If they are pushing you from one terminal to another (long distances), then $10-20 would be appropriate plus extra for luggage. If you are supposed to tip, budget about $5-10 per day. It's not just women that need to consider how they dress when visiting Egypt - it's also best for men to wear trousers and keep their shoulders covered, keeping in line with how Egyptian men dress. We have defined the word of professionalism throughout the tours that we have arranged through the past years as it is not just business to us but it is a matter of proving to the whole world that we are the best travel agency in the middle east who can arrange perfect well-organized tours in Egypt with the whole required element to make it one of its kind. Read more about Egypt travel visa. Vegetarians should find plenty of options with stuffed peppers, grilled eggplant and baked squash popular meat-free dishes in Egypt. Send us a direct email message Email us now. {KU+.xikj$z*xq;30#Mh**znddjX2m!AdK|&E. What Are the Finest Destinations to Visit in Egypt? One more question: Where can we get the change to tip all these people? Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other major currencies can be exchanged in Egypt. Imhotep, King Djosers Doctor, Architect, High Priest, Scribe, And Vizier, The Best Day Trip from Cairo to El Fayoum Oasis, Travel Agency Representative ( 5 US$ 15 US$), Felucca Captain ( 10 US$ 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). This is a per-person rate. Nile River Cruises Reviews (Honest Advices), Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt, Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt, Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt, Tipping in Egypt- the Art of Dealing with Baksheesh. From sunrise to sunset, those who fast must refrain from eating, drinking and smoking. Tour guides Check ahead. Tip private tour guides more. 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. Planning a trip to Egypt? This would eventually end up with locals being ignored or not served well because they can't pay like the foreigners. Many members write about receiving 'suggestions' from guides, that are on the lines of asking the fox about security for the chicken shed, i.e. I also got a list of FAQs from the tour operator we are using. Tipping is always expected in Egypt, it is generally expected to tip 10% as a sign of good etiquette and respect across all the facilities. The precise dates of Ramadan varies from year to year. For instance, sometimes the meal is included, sometimes it isnt. Here are some tipping guidelines: Porter or skycap $2 per bag or more if the bags are heavy. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. For longer distance tours (like Abu Simbel, Dendara/Abydos, or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Tipping in Egypt is a tradition and an art forms easy to master. Otherwise, if you found someone who needs help, feel free to give him/her the suitable amount of money you want. Houmous and other yogurt-based dips, coupled with fresh pitta, schwarma (similar to a Turkish doner kebab), kofta (a skewered spiced meat dish) and fiteer (a kind of pizza) are other popular dishes. In terms of eating out, you can expect to pay around $10 per person for an inexpensive restaurant meal, though of course you will pay more depending on how many courses you have! You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations. You should tip the one who seems in need of your money, who does you a favor, and who offers you the best services you need. The average annual income in Egypt is about $1500US a year (2006) and the very poor may make far less than US$ 40 a month. Egypt is a very price-competitive destination, so much so in fact that in 2015 it was ranked the world's second cheapest country for international visitors based on hotel prices, taxes and purchasing power parity. I guess if I am really happy with the service I will tip as per the guideline. done a good job and driven safely. It would be helpful to know if the above recommendation on the higher side or is par for the course. $2 extra for curbside check-in is optional. We used private tours in Cairo/Giza/Alexandria(also Luxor and Aswan) and all the drivers and guides were happy with what they received. All of our tours were private, they were already compensated to do their job i.e guide, explain or drive. Definitely! Standard voltage is 220 volts. Updated: 08 December, 2021. The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. She took back the 20 & gave him the 10! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-95954835', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Aswan/Luxor transfers), it is customary to tip approximately 100 Egyptian pounds (at your discretion of course). On our group tours we welcome young adults aged between 16-18 years accompanied by a parent/guardian. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. But remember, it's a tip for good service, not an obligatory tax. Re: Tipping guideline from tour operator- standard or excessive? Despite this, the major hotel chains usually offer a well-stocked bar for guests to use.

Some people are using children to get the money of baksheesh from tourists and this is unacceptable in Egypt and the government is trying its best to prevent such acts and you should assist in that by simply saying no and leaving them without giving them tips. The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Guards who are on each site can take around 10 $. Abu Simbel Sun Festival FAQ - all your questions answered, We've put together this handy guide so you have all the information you need for your trip to. There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Vendors will often inflate their prices considerably so that after a back-and-forth exchange of numbers, a final price will be agreed on that suits both parties. Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. No less than $20 for a half-day tour, $35 for a full-day tour, and $50-100 for a week-long tour. Fun Egypt Tours has been providing the most enjoyable Egypt tours & vacations, Egypt Nile River cruises, Egypt day tours & excursions, and Egypt shore excursions for over 20 years. Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees. Egyptian cuisine is not unlike the cuisine of Turkey, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries. It is considered rude to offer money for such a simple request. Egypt is by no means a dangerous place for female visitors - Egyptians are hospitable, friendly and humorous people and are likely to leave a lasting, positive impression of their country. If you arrive late and he helps you get to your flight on time, tip an extra $5-20. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt. Forthcoming Ramadan dates are: 12 April - 11 May 2021. Check OANDA for the latest exchange rates. Electric cart driver $2-$3 a person. On the bright side, people hit the streets after the sunset "breakfast" ready to sing, play cards, enjoy some of the special musical and theatrical entertainments and just generally have fun. While planning for spending a vacation in Egypt, travelers feel that this is an issue that is somehow confused them which is the issue of giving tipping to locals in Egypt. Alcohol is not readily available as Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country.

There is one company suggests a $10-$20 tip daily to their guide! The amounts collected for tips per person are as listed in your tour Trip Notes for your convenience: Please note that our Tipping Made Easy amount does not include a tip to your group tour leader, where we suggest an amount of USD $3-$6 per day of your tour. What are Egypt Festival and Public Holidays? It is customary to give a small tip of 40 Egyptian pounds for this service (at your discretion of course). The luggage Man's man tip is 5 to 10 $. But please do not stress about tipping, you give what you think. They also do last minute arranging and changes to your itineraries upon request. Journey to the land that gave the world pharaohs, mummies, the Sphinx, hieroglyphics, eye makeup and even toothpaste with our range of Egyptian adventures that include festive departures and family fun. The look on the recipients face when they take a peek at what youve given doesnt clarify things. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Wheelchair pusher If they are just pushing you down the ramp from the gate to the plane (or in reverse), then nothing. The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. Tip what your comfortable tipping.the above doesn't seem to excessive, but it's entirely up to you. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. One of the pillars of Islam requires Muslims to fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the month which commemorates the divine gift of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed. What are Special Advice for Foreign Women in Egypt? I would have preferred paying the driver and the guide at the end of each leg of the tour but apparently we may not have the same driver or guide everyday, so we have to pay daily. There is a bar carriage located toward the center of the train where hot and cold beverages can be purchased, and sometimes alcohol. Tipping on trains can be very confusing because most people dont travel by train often and the situations can be confusing. Tropicana Sea Beach Splash Resort- water park. The other side of the coin is that many aspects of "business as usual" don't apply during the month. I have pain problems, so we either do self guided tours or private tours. This article was written by our ETP team who is a skilled and expert group of tour operators and tour guides to provide all the details about tipping in Egypt. So if you found anyone like this in Egypt, dont hesitate in giving him/her tips. Our Tipping Made Easy policy takes the hassle out of tipping while on tour with a nominal pre-determined amount collected from all tour participants on the morning of day 2 in local currency. With succulent grilled meats, fish and vegetables, Egyptian cuisine has something to appeal to most eaters, though in order to avoid stomach troubles while on holiday, it's worth taking a few precautions. Displays of physical affection should not be made in public. ;Ju35f0V*RMy?g^_6D|n>R%^b"w7+~0QJD7!Q!}Vw |o3(IaOY9 iCkfW 7AJu7{2wt9: 5Rr( J$u[XhfK/RKdvT> R2:7c_*zh,n],:9qOxhp[B;\CA^IO!W)EstBn)|qjIa,xJj= 3z,ZcQK-W5`A Often it will be free WiFi access in the hotel lobby, and free or chargeable WiFi, or dial-up access in your hotel room. 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. Travel Alerts - latest updates on safety and security in Egypt Subscribe for latest updates & promotions. Taxi drivers are not tipped as the fee is agreed upon in advance. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We are already being charged in USD for the guide and driver. It's common to see Egyptian men greet one another with hugs and kisses but members of the opposite sex should refrain from any such contact outside the privacy of their hotel room. Egypt Lifts All COVID-19-related Restrictions on Arrivals -. If it is from the ticket counter to the gate/plane or from the gate/plane to the luggage carousel, then $5 is appropriate. Egypt will not be observing Daylight Saving Time in 2021. Egypt Tours specializes in providing the most pleasing Egypt tours & vacations, Egypt Nile River cruises, Egypt day tours & excursions, Egypt shore excursions, at the most affordable prices, and excellent services for the past 35 years. To be able to actually see the places and artifacRead More.

Naturally, though, the amount is up to you. Egypt Tours Portal team is a highly qualified group of Egyptologists, Archaeologists, historians, world travelers, content creators, digital marketers, and explorers who dedicate all their time and energy to preserving and showcasing the vast history and mysteries of the ancient Egyptians that traces back to more than 5000 years across their most famous destinations that hold an incredible number of monuments and attractions. The sleeper train is the highest class of rail travel available in Egypt, though by western standards it would be considered of a moderate standard. For more details about how you can distribute your tips; The first opportunity to tip during travel is usually upon arriving at the airport or train station. All rights reserved. When visiting a mosque both men and women will need to be completely covered with women also required to wear a headscarf. The education in Egypt, the stages of education in Egypt, educational materials in Egypt, which consists Egypt Tours Portal prides itself on being the best travel agency in Egypt as proven by our numerous positive reviews. View Our Travel Guide. It is an act of kindness you show to others and may Allah gives you what you really deserve for such good deeds. We got screwed, as a captive market, by a taxi driver who wanted 100LE for a short trip back to the ferry. You are the one who should determine the amount of money to give since it is not something you have to do, on the contrary, it is something that should get from your heart and based on your full desire to give money to others to help them and also to encourage them to do so many good deeds and offer assistance to other foreigners who come to visit Egypt. The best way to respond is by being polite and when refusing an offer do so with your right hand over your heart - this is seen as a sign of humbleness and gratitude in Egypt and an extremely polite way of declining any offer. I am originally from India, and now I wonder what are the recommended tipping guidelines for India. If this occurs say sorry and ask for the money back pretending you want to give them more then leave and dont look back . Who deserves to take your baksheesh and whom you should ignore and of course the one hundred dollars question, how much should I give tipping to anyone in Egypt and when even I should give tipping in Egypt??? I don't understand the logic of tipping higher just because you earn in USD or Euro or whatever. A liter bottle of water will cost around $1.20, whilst a bottle of beer tends to be priced at around $4, though it is likely to be a bit more expensive in the hotels. The basic staple centers on pulses - fuul medames (fava beans often served with vegetables and boiled egg) and ta'amiyya (chickpea patties), though visitors to Egypt are more likely to encounter a delicious spread of meats accompanied by salads, rice, seasoned vegetables, and mezzes. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made. Cabins on board the sleeper train are equipped with two bunk beds and fresh linen is supplied. It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. This way, baksheesh will become a tool, rather than a nuisance. Yea, this is a common ploy. We will explain everything that revolves around the word tipping in our article so that you understand all about it. Most wont expect the tip until the day you are leaving or before anyway. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. The best way to give tips to everyone and not to spend lots of money is through exchanging some of your money in the Egyptian pound once you arrive in Egypt and that way one of your dollars will equally around 5$ and this is going to be more than enough to give to someone as a kind of appreciation and shows lots of satisfaction towards the services you have received. General tipping at the restaurants is around 10% of the total cost of your bill. For upscale eateries including hotel restaurants, most people leave anywhere between US$ 410. Tipping or service as the West calls it do not fully express the purpose of the practice known in Egypt as baksheesh. She gave him the 20, but he gestured at the 10 as well. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies. We take cash with us for a B&B stay and change to LE as and when we need it, but we allow a similar amount at least during our stays just for tips. Many of our holidays include an overnight sleeper train journey from Cairo - Luxor or Aswan and vice versa. What are the Best Activities to Do in Egypt? It's very tasty and exceedingly cheap. The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. For full day tours (8 hours), it is customary to tip guides around 150 Egyptian pounds per tour (at your discretion of course). 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. It wont make any difference how much you give them they will still ask for more and their faces will change from happy smiling servants to ragging frowning dummy spitters unfortunately. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-95975950', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Aswan, I hope we don't face the problems you did.