What is baksheesh, and should it make me nervous?
Baksheesh is the Egyptian custom of small tips for small services, and it is woven into everyday life rather than bolted onto your bill. The porter who carries your bag, the attendant who points you to the right temple gate, the driver who waits in the heat while you explore, a few coins or a small note says thank you and is genuinely appreciated.
Here is the part that removes the worry: tipping in Egypt is customary, but it is never demanded, and it is always discretionary. You are not being cornered into a fee. If a service was helpful, a small thank-you is kind. If it was not, you are free to smile and move on. We hand every cruise guest a printed tipping guide at embarkation, so you are never left guessing.
How much should I tip the crew on a Nile cruise?
Your Nile cruise sails the Luxor to Aswan stretch with full board, all temple admissions, and a private Egyptologist guide included, so tipping is the one small thing left to you. The crew looks after you around the clock, and a fair, unhurried tip at the end of the sailing is the norm. Think of it as sharing your thanks with the people who made the days easy.
These are the everyday amounts we suggest, and they match the printed card in your cabin. They are guidance, not a rule, and you can adjust up or down for the service you actually received.
- Housekeeping (your cabin steward): about £4-6 per night
- Dining waiter: about £4-8 per dinner
- Egyptologist guide: about £8-12 per day
- Optional: a shared tip box for the wider crew is sometimes offered near disembarkation
What should I tip drivers, porters, and housekeeping on land?
Away from the ship, the same warm logic applies. A private driver who spends the day with you deserves more than someone doing a short airport run, and hotel staff who go out of their way are worth a small note. None of this needs to be precise, and none of it should feel stressful.
- Private driver (full day): a few pounds, more if the day was long or involved waiting
- Airport or short transfer driver: a couple of pounds
- Hotel porter: roughly £1-2 per bag
- Hotel housekeeping: a small daily note left in the room
- Cloakroom or washroom attendant handing you tissue or towels: small change
How does tipping work in Egyptian restaurants?
In cafes and restaurants, a tip of around 10% is the friendly standard for good table service. Check your bill first, because some places already add a service charge; when they do, a little extra for the person who served you is a nice touch but not expected.
For a quick coffee, a snack, or counter service, rounding up or leaving small change is perfectly fine. You are matching the size of the thank-you to the size of the service, which is the whole spirit of baksheesh.
What about guides on day tours?
Our Egyptologist guides are the heart of a great day out, turning the Pyramids, Karnak, or the Valley of the Kings into stories you remember. For a full day of guiding, many travellers tip in a similar range to a cruise guide, and you can allow for the separate driver too.
If you had a half-day or a shorter visit, scale it down accordingly. A warm word and a fair tip at the end mean far more than a rigid formula, and your guide will never chase you for it.
Should I tip in pounds sterling or Egyptian pounds?
Both work. Pounds sterling are widely welcomed for tips, especially small, clean notes, and they are easy to carry. For day-to-day tipping around markets, cafes, and small services, Egyptian pounds are often the most useful because they can be used anywhere and do not need changing.
The trick is to keep small denominations handy. A pocket of low-value notes lets you tip smoothly without breaking a big note or hunting for change, and it keeps every thank-you quick and relaxed.
How much should I budget for tipping overall?
Rather than a single figure, think in the small, steady amounts above and set aside a modest daily float. Most travellers find that a handful of notes each day covers drivers, porters, and coffees, with the cruise crew and guide handled together at the end of the sailing.
Because we include admissions, full board on the river, and your private guide, tipping is the only loose piece, and it stays small. If you would rather have it all mapped out before you fly, just ask us and we will walk you through it.
Plan with us
Tipping in Egypt: A Simple Guide to Baksheesh and Your Nile Cruise
How much to tip in Egypt, from drivers and hotels to your Nile cruise crew and guide. Clear amounts, when GBP is fine, and why baksheesh is a warm thank-you.