Egypt tipping and bazaar basics
Tipping is part of daily life in Egypt, but no single rate applies everywhere. Treat a tip as a personal thank-you for good service, keep small notes in Egyptian pounds at hand, and ask a guide or driver in advance if a price already includes a service.
The bazaar is easy to enjoy when you know a few things before you arrive: what to wear, how bargaining works, which scams are common at tourist sites and what you may photograph. A guided walk, such as the Cairo bazaar tours, takes some of the pressure off on your first visit.
Our pick: a guided bazaar visit
If you would rather not bargain on your own, a guide and private car through the markets is one way to do it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided bazaar walks in Cairo
Walks through Khan el-Khalili and Islamic Cairo with a local guide, with live prices and availability.
What to wear in Egypt
Simple rules for the bazaar and the mosques.
Cover shoulders and legs
Plan clothes that cover shoulders and legs at religious places. Light, loose cotton works in the heat of the lanes.
Carry a headscarf
Carry a headscarf with you, as is usual for visitors to Egypt. Whether a given mosque admits visitors, and under what rules, is for the mosque to say.
Check at each door
Rules differ between museums, mosques and churches. Look at the sign or ask the staff when you arrive.
Al-Azhar Mosque →Bargaining in Egypt
Friendly and practical.
Some shops in the bazaar have fixed prices and others expect you to negotiate. No fixed rule such as starting at half applies to every item. Ask the price of several similar pieces, compare shops and decide what the item is worth to you.
Keep the tone light. If the price does not suit you, say thanks and walk on. You do not have to buy because you have talked.
Egypt scams and how to handle them
General advice, without drama.
Pushy helpers
Official travel advice warns about fraudsters and pushy intermediaries at tourist sites. A polite "no thank you" and a steady walk are usually enough.
Agree prices first
Ask the price before a service starts, whether it is a ride, a guide or a snack. It is easier to settle it beforehand than afterward.
Crowds
Keep your bag in front of you in busy lanes. Pickpocketing is rare across the country, but crowds call for the usual care.
Is Cairo safe? →Who to call
The tourist police are on 126. The tourism ministry hotline is 19654.
Photos, tickets and small practical points
Rules that save trouble at the door.
Phone photos
Smartphone photography at monuments needs no separate permit. A drone needs a permit from the Ministry of Defence.
Military and police
Do not photograph or film military or police buildings, vehicles or staff without permission.
Tickets
Monument tickets can be bought on the official website, in the Experience Egypt app or on site, and Visa and Mastercard are accepted for the online channels. Paid tickets are not refundable or cancellable, and lost tickets are not replaced.
Opening hours
Shops and cafés in the bazaar set their own hours. The monuments around it keep daytime hours, for example 09:00–17:00 on Al-Muizz Street.
Al-Muizz Street →If you are buying papyrus, read the papyrus guide first. For a broader plan see souvenirs from Egypt and Cairo at night.
Egypt tipping and bazaar tips: frequently asked questions
How much should I tip in Egypt?
There is no single rate that applies everywhere. A tip is a personal thank-you for good service, so decide on the spot and keep small notes in Egyptian pounds at hand.
Do I have to bargain in Khan el-Khalili?
In some shops, yes. Others have fixed prices. There is no set discount, so ask politely and compare.
What should women wear in the bazaar?
The same as everyone: shoulders and legs covered, and a headscarf in your bag for mosques. Loose, light clothes are comfortable in the heat.
Can I take photos in the bazaar?
Smartphone photos at monuments need no extra permit. Drones need a permit, and military and police buildings, vehicles and staff may not be photographed.
Which phone numbers should I save?
The tourist police are on 126, and the tourism ministry hotline is 19654.