Egypt Etiquette: Customs, Tipping, Photography and Cultural Norms

Egypt has a warm hospitality culture built around mutual respect. A handful of customs — around dress, tipping, and religious observance — make an enormous difference to how you are received. Get them right and Egyptians are exceptionally generous hosts.

Dress Code at Mosques and Religious Sites

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, and the main practical impact for visitors is the dress code at mosques and many historical sites.

For mosques:

• Shoulders and knees must be covered for all visitors, regardless of gender
• Women must cover their hair — headscarves are provided free or for a small fee (EGP 5 to 10) at major mosques such as Al-Azhar, Sultan Hassan, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
• Shoes come off at the entrance — carry a bag or use the rack provided
• Avoid visits at Friday midday prayer time (around 12:30 to 1:30pm) when congregational prayer is in progress

At archaeological sites (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Abu Simbel): The formal dress code is less strict, but covering your shoulders and knees is sensible for two reasons: respect for the ongoing religious significance many Egyptians attach to these sites, and practical sun protection. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and loose trousers are the standard travel choice.

In general public spaces: Swimwear stays at the beach and pool. In cities including Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor, vest tops and very short shorts are not appropriate outside resort areas. Linen shirts and long trousers or skirts are comfortable in the heat and show cultural awareness.

Tipping Culture (Baksheesh)

Tipping — called baksheesh — is embedded in Egyptian service culture. Many workers in tourism and hospitality earn a base wage on the assumption that tips will supplement it. A practical guide as of 2026:

Restaurants: 10 to 15 percent of the bill in EGP. If a service charge is already included on the bill, adding a small additional tip in cash to leave directly with your server is appreciated. In budget local restaurants, rounding up by EGP 20 to 50 on a small meal is typical.

Taxis: Round up to the nearest EGP 5 or 10 above the agreed or metered fare. On a short city ride of EGP 40 to 60, rounding up to EGP 50 or 70 is the norm. Uber and Careem fares are paid through the app; a tip through the app or in cash at the end is optional but welcome.

Hotel porters: EGP 20 to 50 per bag when checked in or out of a hotel. In upscale hotels, EGP 50 to 100 per instance is appropriate.

Site attendants and museum guards: Unofficial guides who point out details or assist with photography at archaeological sites often expect a tip of EGP 20 to 50. You are under no obligation, but it is the established norm if you use their time. If someone helps you into a good photography position at the Pyramids or Valley of the Kings, EGP 20 is a reasonable thank you.

Felucca and boat trips: The captain expects a tip at the end of the journey on top of the agreed fare, typically EGP 50 to 100 for a 1 to 2 hour private ride.

Always carry small denomination EGP notes — tipping in large notes creates change problems and feels awkward. A supply of EGP 10, 20, and 50 notes covers most situations.

Photography Rules

Egypt is extraordinarily photogenic and most Egyptians are proud of their heritage — but there are clear boundaries.

At archaeological sites:

• The Egyptian Museum in Cairo has restrictions on photography in specific rooms (signs are posted). The Grand Egyptian Museum allows photography throughout most exhibits as of 2026.
• Photography inside pyramid chambers is prohibited. Guards enforce this.
• Tripods and professional camera equipment require a separate permit at most sites — ask at the ticket office before entering.
• Drone flight over archaeological sites is prohibited without a permit from the Ministry of Antiquities.

With people: Ask before pointing a camera at anyone. Most people are happy to oblige, but photographing women (particularly in more conservative areas), people at prayer, or military personnel without permission is considered intrusive or, in the case of military sites, illegal. At souks and markets, vendors sometimes expect a small baksheesh (EGP 5 to 20) in exchange for posing.

Inside mosques: Photography is permitted in the courtyard and architectural areas of most major mosques, but not during active prayer. Check signs at the entrance and follow what other visitors do.

Ramadan Behaviour for Visitors

Ramadan shifts the rhythm of Egypt significantly. Eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is considered disrespectful to those fasting — while it is not illegal for tourists, being discreet shows basic consideration. Practical tips:

• Eat and drink in your hotel, a restaurant interior, or away from the main street rather than on the pavement
• Major tourist sites remain open but may have shorter hours and quieter mornings
• After iftar (the sunset meal), cities come alive — restaurants fill, markets stay open late, and the atmosphere is festive. This is one of the best times to experience local life
• Street food stalls set up extraordinary spreads from late afternoon; trying an iftar meal is one of the highlights of visiting during Ramadan
• Alcohol is not openly served in most restaurants during Ramadan; tourist hotels typically maintain their bar hours

Haggling in Egyptian Markets

Haggling is expected in Khan el-Khalili in Cairo, the Luxor souk, and most open-air craft and textile markets. It is not appropriate in supermarkets, pharmacies, or shops with fixed price signs.

The general rule: the first price quoted is usually 50 to 100 percent above what the seller will accept. A starting counter-offer of 40 to 50 percent of the asking price opens the negotiation. Most transactions settle somewhere in the middle after two or three exchanges.

A few principles:

• Be friendly, not aggressive — the exchange is as much social as commercial
• Walk away if the price is too high; sellers often call you back with a better offer
• Once you agree on a price, the deal is done — backing out after agreeing is considered bad form
• Agreeing to enter a shop creates no obligation to buy; you can browse and leave

For context, a cotton papyrus painting in Khan el-Khalili starts at an asking price of EGP 200 to 600 and typically settles between EGP 100 and 300 depending on size and your negotiating position, as of 2026.

Basic Arabic Greetings

Egyptians respond warmly when visitors make an effort with a few phrases.

Phrase	Arabic	Pronunciation
Hello (general)	السلام عليكم	as-salamu alaykum
Hello (casual)	أهلاً	ahlan
Thank you	شكراً	shukran
You’re welcome	عفواً	afwan
Please	من فضلك	min fadlak (to a man) / min fadlik (to a woman)
Yes / No	نعم / لا	na’am / la
How much?	بكام؟	bikam?
Too expensive	غالي	ghali

As-salamu alaykum as a greeting will earn a genuine smile from almost any Egyptian you meet. Shukran after any service goes a long way. Most Egyptians in the tourism industry speak some English, but opening with an Arabic greeting shifts the interaction immediately.

General Respect

A few further customs worth knowing:

• The left hand is traditionally considered unclean in Egyptian culture; use your right hand for greetings, passing items, and eating
• Pointing your finger directly at someone is impolite; use an open palm to gesture instead
• Public displays of affection between couples are not common in conservative areas
• Loud voices and overt frustration in public are seen as undignified; patience and humour work better in difficult situations

Egypt rewards visitors who take a moment to understand these basics. The country’s hospitality runs deep, and small gestures of cultural awareness open doors — quite literally — that would otherwise stay closed.