Tipping in Egypt: what to actually leave

Tipping in Egypt — baksheesh — is a much bigger part of daily life than most visitors are used to. It is not compulsory, but it is a genuine convention, and knowing the numbers takes the awkwardness out of it.

In restaurants

10% is the easy rule. Many bills already carry a service line: in that case a little loose change on top is plenty and nobody expects a further 10%. If the bill has no service line, 10% is the number.

Taxis

You agree the fare before you get in, and that fare is the fare. Rounding up by 5 or 10 EGP is normal and appreciated; no percentage is expected.

In hotels

20–30 EGP for a porter, and something left in the room at the end of the stay for housekeeping. Small amounts, given without ceremony.

The rule that matters

Better to give a little often than a lot once. And leave Egyptian pounds: euros have to be changed, and whoever receives them loses on the exchange.

If you want to skip the fumbling entirely, keep a few 20s and 50s in a separate pocket. The difference between hunting for change and having it ready is the whole thing.