Tipping in Egypt — locally called baksheesh — is woven into daily service culture far more than in many Western countries, and it catches first-time visitors off guard specifically because it applies even when a service charge already appears on the bill. Knowing roughly what's expected removes a surprising amount of low-level stress from a trip, since nearly every interaction with service staff in Egypt carries a small tipping expectation.
Restaurants
Most restaurant bills in tourist areas already include a 10-12% service charge, but this is not treated as the full tip the way it might be elsewhere — an additional 5-15% left directly for the server is standard practice on top of it. At casual, local-style eateries without a printed service charge, rounding up the bill or leaving 10-20 EGP is the norm rather than a percentage calculation.
Guides and drivers
For a private Egyptologist guide, figures commonly cited range from roughly $20-30 a day on the lower end to higher amounts for specialized or multi-day tours; group-tour guides are typically tipped less per person since the amount is split across the group, often in the 200-500 EGP per day range collectively. For a private driver — separate from a guide — a common range is about $15-20 or 300-500 EGP per day, handed over directly rather than added to any invoice.
These figures vary by source and by exactly what's included in the service, so treat them as a reasonable starting range rather than a fixed rule; adjusting slightly up for an especially helpful guide or driver is normal and appreciated.
Hotels
Housekeeping is typically tipped around 50-100 EGP per day, left in the room rather than handed to anyone directly — leaving it daily rather than as one lump sum at checkout is the more common approach, since a different staff member may clean the room on different days. Porters who carry luggage are usually tipped roughly 50-100 EGP per bag. Doormen and concierge staff who arrange something specific for you (a taxi, a reservation, directions) are tipped on a case-by-case basis, generally a small amount reflecting the effort involved.
Sites, bathrooms, and "informal" tipping
At tourist sites, it's common for a site attendant to offer to "show you something extra" or let you into a restricted area, often followed by an expectation of a small tip — this is optional, not a rule, and declining politely is entirely acceptable if you're not interested. Public restroom attendants at tourist sites typically expect a few EGP. This category of tipping is the one first-time visitors find most uncomfortable, mainly because it isn't posted or standardized anywhere — treating it as optional and tipping only when you genuinely received a service is a reasonable approach.
Practical tips on currency and cash
Carrying small-denomination Egyptian pounds is more useful than US dollars for most day-to-day tipping, since change is rarely given back on a tip. Larger tips for guides and drivers over a multi-day tour are sometimes given in US dollars, which some service providers prefer for its stability, but either currency is generally accepted. Breaking large notes at a bank, hotel, or shop before you need small bills for tipping avoids an awkward moment at the point of actually tipping someone.