Yes. Tipping — known as baksheesh — is a deeply embedded social custom in Egypt. Service staff in hospitality and tourism earn low base wages and genuinely rely on tips, so baksheesh is expected for most services rather than optional.

How much should I tip in an Egyptian restaurant?

Around 10-15% of the bill is standard for good table service. Many restaurants already add a 12% service charge, but that often goes to the venue rather than the waiter, so a small extra of 5-10% directly to your server is still appreciated.

How much baksheesh for hotel staff and drivers in Egypt?

Fixed small amounts work better than percentages here. A porter or housekeeper typically receives around EGP10-50, a taxi driver a few pounds rounded up, and a tour guide often EGP50 or more per day depending on group size and service quality.

Is the service charge on my bill a tip?

Not really. The 12% service charge added to many restaurant bills usually goes to the establishment, not directly to the staff who served you. That is why a small additional cash tip handed to your waiter is customary on top.

Does this calculator store my data?

No. All calculations run locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded, so your figures stay private.

Egypt Tipping Guide & Calculator

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This Egypt tipping guide and calculator reflects the single most important fact about tipping in Egypt: baksheesh is expected, not optional. Hospitality and tourism workers earn low base wages and rely on tips, so a small, gracious gesture is part of nearly every transaction. This tool suggests sensible amounts by service type and splits the total per person — handling both percentage tips and the fixed-amount baksheesh that is more common for porters, drivers and guides.

How it works

Pick a service type and a tip approach. The calculator applies a level appropriate to Egyptian norms:

Restaurant (table service): 10-15% of the bill.
Cafe / casual: round up or 5-10%.
Hotel staff (porter/housekeeping): a fixed EGP 10-50.
Taxi / driver: a few pounds, usually rounding the fare up.
Tour guide: a fixed amount per day, often EGP 50+.

For a percentage tip it computes tip = bill × rate. For a fixed tip it simply uses the amount you enter. Either way it then adds the tip to the bill and divides by the number of people for an even split.

Example

A restaurant bill of EGP 300 for two people, with a 12% tip, gives a tip of EGP 36, a total of EGP 336, and EGP 168 each. If the bill already shows a 12% service charge, leaving an extra 5-10% in cash directly to your waiter is the customary courtesy.

Notes

Watch for a service charge already printed on a restaurant bill — typically 12%. That amount usually goes to the venue rather than to your server, which is exactly why handing a small cash baksheesh directly to staff remains the norm. For drivers, porters and guides, a fixed amount in cash is more practical and more appreciated than a percentage.