Right, so — this is the boring practical stuff but honestly? It's probably the most useful article on this entire site. Because showing up to Egypt without understanding how money and tipping works here is... an experience. Not always a fun one.
After 15+ years of living here and watching tourists make the same mistakes (and stopping my friends from getting ripped off), here's everything you actually need to know. No fluff. Just the stuff that'll save you stress and awkwardness.
💰 Money: The Basics
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP). The exchange rate has been... interesting... over the past few years. When I first came here, €1 got you maybe 8 EGP. Now? More like 50-55 EGP. Egypt got a lot more affordable for Europeans basically overnight.
Current-ish Exchange Rates
- 1 EUR ≈ 52-55 EGP
- 1 GBP ≈ 62-65 EGP
- 1 USD ≈ 49-51 EGP
These change constantly — check xe.com before you travel
Where to Exchange
- 🏦 Banks Best rates, longest lines
- 🏨 Hotels Convenient but meh rates
- 🏪 Exchange offices Good rates, no lines
- ✈️ Airport Terrible. Avoid if possible.
How to Pay
- 💵 Cash ESSENTIAL. Seriously.
- 💳 Cards Hotels/big shops only
- 🏧 ATMs Available but fees apply
- 📱 Apple Pay/Google LOL no
✅ My Actual Advice
Bring €50-100 in small notes (€5s and €10s) for immediate needs when you arrive. Euros and USD are accepted for tips and some purchases, but you'll get WAY better value using Egyptian pounds. Exchange some at the hotel, then find a bank or exchange office for the rest.
ATMs & Cards: The Real Talk
ATMs exist. They work. But they charge fees (usually around 50-100 EGP per withdrawal) and your home bank probably adds another 2-3% on top. If you're staying two weeks, this adds up fast.
Here's what I do: Wise card (used to be TransferWise). Genuinely life-changing for travel. You load it up, it converts at actual exchange rates, minimal fees. Revolut works too. Every regular traveler I know uses one of these now.
⚠️ Bank Card Warning
TELL YOUR BANK you're going to Egypt before you leave. Otherwise they might freeze your card for "suspicious foreign activity" and you'll be standing at an ATM in El Gouna unable to buy dinner. Ask me how I know this. (I was very hungry.)
💵 Tipping (Baksheesh) — This Is Important
Okay so. Tipping in Egypt is... different. Called "baksheesh." And it's EVERYWHERE.
I'm not going to lie — for the first few months I found this really overwhelming. Someone helps you with something tiny? Tip. Someone moves out of your way? Tip. Someone just kind of exists near you? Maybe tip. It felt constant.
But here's the thing. Egypt has a low minimum wage. Tourism jobs often rely heavily on tips. What feels like constant small payments to you might be 20-30% of someone's actual income for the day. Once I understood that, my perspective completely shifted.
| Who | How Much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🍽️ Restaurant servers | 10-15% of bill | Check if service already included first |
| 🛎️ Hotel porter | 20-50 EGP per bag | They'll remember you... |
| 🧹 Housekeeping | 20-50 EGP daily | Leave on pillow with note (so they know it's for them) |
| 🚕 Taxi drivers | Round up 10-20 EGP | Or just round up to nearest 50 |
| 🤿 Dive guide | €5-10 per day | They keep you alive underwater. Worth it. |
| 🚐 Day trip guide | €10-15 per day | For the whole group usually |
| 🚌 Tour bus driver | €5-10 per day | Separate from guide tip |
| 🐪 Camel handler | 50-100 EGP | After desert safari |
| 🚽 Bathroom attendant | 5-10 EGP | Yes, this is a thing. Just do it. |
🤫 What I Actually Do
I've got this little "tip wallet" — just a small pouch with 10, 20, and 50 EGP notes ready to go. Stops the awkward fumbling through your main wallet while someone waits.
Also: a Dutch lady I met brings about fifty €1 coins specifically for tips. Staff genuinely love receiving European coins — apparently they collect them, show their families, some even sell them to collectors. It's way more valuable to them culturally than 50 EGP in paper notes. Kind of lovely actually.
🛡️ Safety: Let's Be Real
✅ The Short Version
Hurghada is safe. Like, genuinely, boringly safe for tourists. I've walked through town at 2 AM more times than I can count. Violent crime against tourists is essentially unheard of. The Egyptian government takes tourist security extremely seriously — it's a massive chunk of their economy.
That said — common sense still applies. Don't flash expensive jewelry. Don't leave your phone on the table at a café and wander off. Don't carry your entire trip's budget in your pocket. Basically the stuff you'd do anywhere.
✅ Quick Safety Reminders
- Hotel safe for valuables (passport, extra cash)
- Keep passport copies on your phone too
- Save emergency numbers before you arrive
- HYDRATE. Seriously. Dehydration sneaks up on you.
- Sunscreen always. Desert sun is no joke.
- Agree taxi fares BEFORE getting in (or use Uber)
- Book tours through established operators
- Respect local customs at religious sites
⚠️ Scams That Exist (But Are Avoidable)
"My friend, let me show you my uncle's shop..." — This guy is not your friend. He's
earning commission. Polite "no thank you" and keep walking.
Taxi meter is broken! — No it isn't. Either agree a price before getting in, or use
Uber/Careem apps which work perfectly here and avoid all the drama.
Special price just for you! — It's not special. First quoted price in any market is
usually 3-5x what they'll actually accept. Haggle or walk away.
Okay Real Talk — How I Actually Handle Airport Transfers Now
Look, after fifteen years of living here... I've tried everything. Negotiating with airport taxis (exhausting, especially after a 4-hour flight). Uber at 2am (works, but sometimes the driver cancels twice and you're standing there like an idiot). Hotel transfers (overpriced, usually). And yes — I've been that tourist getting charged triple because I looked tired.
Then a German couple — regulars at my local dive center — told me about KiwiTaxi. Was skeptical at first. Another booking app? But here's the thing... it actually solves all the annoying stuff:
No meter games. No "traffic was bad" surprises. Price is price. Period.
Delayed three hours? They know. Driver waits. No panic texts.
Proper child seats. Minivans for groups. Not squeezing five people into a Lada.
Ask for English-speaking. Actually get English-speaking. Novel concept.
Mate, I recommend this to literally everyone who visits now. Family coming from the Netherlands? KiwiTaxi. Dive buddy arriving at midnight? KiwiTaxi. Even booked it for myself a few times when I was too lazy to drive to El Gouna after returning from a trip. Zero hassle.
Works for airport pickups, Luxor day trips, even inter-city transfers if you're crazy enough to road-trip to Cairo. Genuinely saves so much mental energy — and usually cheaper than what random airport taxis try to charge anyway.
Free cancellation up to 24h • Fixed prices • English-speaking drivers available
🙋♂️ Common Questions (That I Get Stopped on the Street For)
Is it safe to walk outside the hotel in Hurghada at night?
Honestly? Yes. I do it constantly. Hurghada isn't like some cities where you take a wrong turn and end up in trouble. The tourist promenade (Mamsha), the Marina, and Sheraton Road are bustling until 2 AM. Families, couples, locals — everyone's out. Obviously, stick to lit areas, but don't feel like you're trapped in your resort. The city comes alive at night.
Can I pay with Euros or Dollars in Hurghada shops?
You *can*, but you shouldn't. Shops will accept them, but the exchange rate they give you will be... creative. You'll lose 10-20% on every transaction. Use Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for shops, supermarkets, and taxis. Save your hard currency for hotels and big tour bookings.
Can I drink tap water in Hurghada hotels?
Hard no. Even I don't, and my stomach is made of steel by now. It's not poison, but the mineral content and treatment is different. Brush your teeth with it? Fine (mostly). Swallow it? Expect a day in the bathroom. Stick to bottled water — it's cheap everywhere.
How to avoid stomach bug in Egypt (Pharaoh's Revenge)?
The million-dollar question. 1) Drink bottled water only. 2) Avoid salad/uncooked veggies at budget places (luxury hotels are usually fine). 3) Pro tip: Go to any pharmacy and ask for "Antinal" if you feel a rumble. It's the local magic weapon. European meds often don't touch the specific bacteria here. Antinal fixes it in hours.
Is Hurghada safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, largely. I know many women who live here alone. You will get attention (catcalling, "shakira!", unsolicited marriage proposals from shopkeepers) — it's annoying, not typically dangerous. Ignore it, wear sunglasses, walk with purpose. If someone bothers you, a loud, firm "LA" (No) works wonders. Tourism police are everywhere if you ever feel uncomfortable.
🕌 Cultural Stuff Worth Knowing
Dress Code
Resorts = whatever. Outside resorts = shoulders and knees covered. Mosques = definitely cover up. Bring a scarf.
Greetings
"Salaam" (peace) works everywhere. Handshakes normal. Some conservative women won't shake hands with men — don't take offense.
Photos
Ask before photographing locals. NEVER photograph military/security stuff. Seriously, just don't.
Ramadan
If visiting during Ramadan, don't eat/drink publicly during daylight hours. Tourist restaurants stay open, but be respectful.
Alcohol
Available in hotels and tourist spots. Not for drinking in public streets. Don't be that tourist.
Left Hand
Use your right hand for eating and passing things. Left hand = traditionally unclean in Islamic culture.
📞 Emergency Numbers
If Something Goes Wrong
- 🚔 Police 122
- 🚑 Ambulance 123
- 🚒 Fire 180
- 🏥 Tourist Police 126
May Need These
- Your embassy Save the Cairo number
- Travel insurance Have the app/card
- Hotel emergency Program on arrival
Quick Answers to Stuff You're Wondering
Do I need to carry my passport everywhere?
Nope. Photo on your phone or a photocopy is fine for daily stuff. Keep the real thing in the hotel safe. You WILL need it for domestic flights and some excursions though.
Is it safe for women traveling alone?
In resort areas? Absolutely. In local markets? You might get attention — it's not dangerous, just annoying sometimes. A confident "la shukran" (no thanks) works. Dress modestly outside resorts and you'll have fewer annoyances. Many solo women visit without any problems.
Can I drink the tap water?
No no no no no. Bottled water only. It's cheap and everywhere. Use bottled for brushing teeth too — your stomach will thank you. Ice in hotel drinks is usually made from purified water, but ask if you're paranoid.
What if I get sick?
There are decent private hospitals and clinics. Many hotels have nurses or can call a doctor quickly. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS NOT OPTIONAL — healthcare is paid here and bills add up fast. Minor pharmacy stuff (traveler's tummy, etc.) is easily available.
Is the food safe?
Hotel food = totally fine. Street food = use judgment. I eat street food all the time, but I've also had the stomach of steel you develop after years here. Maybe start cautious and work up. Anything cooked hot and fresh is usually fine.
You're Ready. Go Enjoy Egypt.
This stuff is easy once you know it. Now stop worrying and start planning the fun parts. 🌴
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