For a week in Egypt, budget around $40-$80 USD (approx. 1,900 - 3,800 EGP) per day for mid-range travel (food, transport, activities) or $20-$30 USD (approx. 950 - 1,400 EGP) for budget travelers, excluding accommodation and flights; luxury can be much higher, but expect to spend roughly $200-$500+ USD total for a week, depending heavily on your style, with Uber being cheaper than taxis and tipping (baksheesh) being a significant factor.
For tour guides, a tip of 100-200 Egyptian pounds per day is customary, depending on the length and quality of the tour. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is sufficient, although you may choose to add an additional 5-10 Egyptian pounds for exceptional service.
Check with your bank what it'll cost to use your card for payments in Egypt. Most big hotels, established stores, and restaurants will accept Mastercard and Visa, and contactless payments are common. Smaller hotels, cafés, shops, and markets are more likely to expect cash.
About $1-2 USD per day is a nice gesture. Tip someone who carries your bags up to your room around $1 equivalent, although they may leave abruptly after dropping bags off and not stay to receive a tip.
It totally depends on the length of your trip, and what you are doing, but I recommend bringing at least $200-$300 worth of foreign currency with you, just in case, and if you feel like you will not lose it, bringing around $100 USD worth per day is a good idea (so if you are in Egypt for 7 days, bringing $700 ...
In Egyptian culture, the right hand is used for all things clean and good—handing over gifts, eating from the communal dish—and the left hand for everything dirty and impure (yes, the dreaded bum gun). Never eat with your left hand, and always hand over money or gifts with your right or both hands.
Plan to tip around 10-15% in Egyptian restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Egypt depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It's customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.
In most Albanian restaurants, a 5–10% tip of the total bill is customary. In smaller cafés or casual eateries, rounding up to the nearest 100–200 Lek is often sufficient. For upscale or fine dining restaurants, a 10% tip demonstrates appreciation for attentive service.
What's the best time to exchange currency for Egypt?
Airport exchange kiosks often have some of the worst rates and high commission fees. If you land and need Egyptian Pounds (EGP) right away, exchange only a small amount (like $20-50) to cover your immediate expenses (SIM card, taxi, snacks). For better rates, wait until you're in the city.
However, smaller shops, local markets (souks), and some taxis may not accept cards. Street vendors, souvenir shops, or small cafes outside the main tourist zones often prefer cash. In these cases, having local currency—Egyptian Pounds (EGP)—is necessary.
Even though it's good to have cash on hand, it is important to be aware that using international ATMs can trigger unexpected fees, and some banks cap how much you can withdraw each day. You can minimize fees by using the ATMs in your home bank's network or at a bank that partners with it.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
