How much to tip private tour guide & driver
 

I have arranged a private 14 day tour of Egypt with Orbit Tours. Does anyone know what the suggested tips are for the driver and guide? I can't seem to find it anywhere and I don't want to undertip or tip well beyond the norm. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

We use a guideling of US$5/day for guide; USD$2/day for driver. If you're a couple traveling you can give USD$5/day for driver. And of course if your guide goes out his way - taking you somewhere no as scheduled, assisting with bargaining you may choose to add a little extra. If you are taking a cruise, there are tips for the boat's crew - we used USD$5/day for each of us, which included housekeeping, waiters, bartenders such funds shared between these individuals.

I just returned from Egypt and also did the $5USD/day tip for our guide and $2USD/day for the driver. Both seemed very happy with the tip...I traveled with 11 other friends so it was a nice tip.

We also tipped about the same, $5/day for guide and $3/day for driver.

A few very basic questions.

Is it preferable to give the tip:

(1) In cash;

(2) In Eyptian pounds or, since I'm from the US, US dollars; and

(3) each day or at the end of the trip?

Thanks.

In cash, at the end of the trip and at this point everyone wants Egyptian Pounds. The dollar is dropping so fast no one wants it as a tip if they can help it. That might change next month though...you never know.

Always tip in Egyptian pounds - it is difficult for Egyptians to exchange US money (would you want to receive a foreign currency while performing your job here in the U.S?).

Mary B

You're right that it's best to tip in Egyptian pounds simply because that's the local currency;however, if I had a choice, I'd rather be paid in Euros than dollars right now.

When I was in Egypt in March, everyone asked for dollars (Cairo and Alexandria). The falling dollar may affect that now, however.