Please know that the entire tourism industry in Egypt is underpaid and overworked. The average MONTHLY salary for the waiters, bellmen, front desk staff, etc. at hotels and on cruises is $100-$150. This is why everyone is looking for tips. When you get good service think about rewarding it. If you don't get good service then do not tip them anything. These are suggested MINIMUM tips:
ARRIVAL DAY:
Arrive Cairo, clear immigration and customs then staff will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight Cairo
Entry visa: $15 + $3 service charge
Tour Leader: $1 (this is the person who will meet you at the airport, assist with the transfer to the hotel, assist with checking in and go over your tour with you).
Baggage handler/airport: 50 cents per bag
NOTE: At the airport and perhaps other places its common for 3
or 4 people to try and get involved with handling the luggage.
Give the tip to the one person who you feel does the most and if others ask, point to the person you gave the money.
Baggage handler/hotel: same as airport
Driver: 50 cents per person for transfers
Waiters: (excellent service) 50 cents per person at buffets,
add 5%-10% for other meals when you get excellent service
(a service charge of 12% is already included)
TOTAL Tips: About $3.00 per person
TOUR DAYS:
Buffet breakfast, tours.
Hotel Maid: 50 cents per person or $1 for single rooms
Tour Guide:$10.00 per person
Driver (Cairo): $1 per person
Waiters: same as above
TOTAL Tips: About $12.50 per person
TOUR DAYS WITH TRANFERS (i.e. flying Cairo to Luxor or Aswan):
Baggage handler/Cairo hotel: 50 cents per bag
Maid (Cairo hotel): 50 cents per person or $1 for single rooms
Tour Guide (Cairo): (if you have tours, same as above)
Tour leader (Cairo): $1 per person
Driver (Cairo): $1 per person
Baggage handler/airport/Cairo: 50 cents per bag
Baggage handler/airport/Luxor or Aswan: 50 cents per bag
Baggage handler/Luxor or Aswan hotel: 50 cents per bag
Waiters: same as above
TOTAL Tips: About $7.50 to $15 per person
CRUISES:
EMBARKATION DAY:
Maid Luxor or Aswan hotel: 50 cents per person or $1 per room
Baggage handler/hotel: 50 cents per bag
Tour leader: $1 per person (transfers you to boat)
Driver: 50 cents per person for transfer + $1 for tour
NOTE: You would have one driver in Luxor and a different driver in Aswan plus generally a horse/carriage at Edfu temple.
DISEMBARKATION DAY:
Cruise staff: Many people leave an envelope at the front desk with their cabin number on it at the end of the cruise. Basically we suggest $5 per night, per cabin ($2.50 per person in triples) to cover tips to ship's crew. This includes the waiters and maids plus other staff on ship but NOT guide.
Cruise Tour Guide: $10 per person per day
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE DAY:
Hotel luggage handler: 50 cents per bag
Tour leader: $1 per person
Driver: 50 cents per person, airport luggage handler: 50 cents per bag