Is it okay to tip with a US$ in Egypt?

Question

I'll be traveling to major locations in Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor). It is okay to leave tips in US$ instead of piastres? I would think that piastres would be preferred but I read a tour book that recommended bringing dollar bills for tips.

Thank you, everyone, for all the excellent answers. I'll tip, initially, in US dollars until I have built up some piastres. Then I'll plan on mixing it up buy using US dollars in large highly-touristy locations but piastres for taxis and smaller locations.

Answer 1

You can tip in Egyptian pounds or American dollars, it depends on what you have available at hand at the time you are going to tip.

Answer 2

An American dollar is always acceptable as a tip. But remember that in Egypt that is quite a significant amount to be tipping. Especially considering you will find you are doing it at least 10 times a day. I would suggest you keep a bundle of small denomination Egyptian notes e.g. 1LE and use these for tipping. Unless you can afford it then by all means go ahead But it is really not expected that you tip that much to someone for bringing you a drink or opening the hotel lobby doors.

Answer 3

I inform you Egypt is a great place to pass human beings listed here are Very friendly all human beings In Egypt Loves travelers it is totally risk-free do exactly no longer pass Into Any dark Alleys the main suitable Mohafaza(state) may well be Sharm El Sheikh it is finished of hotels Beachs And golf equipment The Water there is fairly captivating superb And Blue you need to pass On backside-Glass Ships yet once you Wanna See The Pyramids And The Nile you are able to pass to Cairo it fairly is the place you need to pass on A Nile Cruise A excursion instruction manual Can practice You each and all the belongings you additionally can pass to Alexandria to verify the finished Libary Of Alexandria And The maintains to be of the finished Lighthouse you need to have been given To All 3 yet once you are going to do this you would be able to stay a brilliant form of Time by way of fact All 3 Are diverse Mohfaza And as an occasion Alexandria--->Cairo=3 or 4 hourchronic Alexandria--->Sharm El Sheikh= 7 Hourchronic Cairo--->Sharm El Sheikh= Sorry I dpn't understand

Answer 4

Its better to tip in the local currency because its a hassle to go to the exchange place for a dollar here and there, and they can be rather picky about the condition of the money, especially coming from an Egyptian (just a way to stick them with a lower exchange) But if u find yourself out of or short of the local currency, then a dollar or 2 is certainly acceptable....

Answer 5

Was this a American-Published Tour Book? I'd say there is nothing wrong with using their currency. I'm sure u wouldn't want someone to pay u with piastres, so just give em what they use.

Answer 6

I really do not recommend u to do it. When I went to Egypt for a visit abt 3 yrs ago I tipped ppl at the airport with $ as I did not have any Egyptian pounds. In a second I saw a whole punch of workers gathering around me asking for tips, then calling to their friends to come n get their share. I had abt $20 that came in $1 and they were gone in a minute. the problem is i hated how so many ppl gathered aroud me attacking me to get $$$. I never did it again! I recommend u to use Egyptian pounds for tips. good luck

Answer 7

Watch where u can tip cause they don't tip in Egypt. Do not tip taxi cause it is cheap(u could pay from $1-and up,so why would u tip them?!) they all gonna charge u more any way. Tip only at the restaurants.

That is what my husband told me.

American married Egyptian,have been there twice.

Answer 8

I don't think tips in Egypt can be counted in piasters. You mean pounds. Piasters are like cents and it doesn't buy anything.
Dollars are accepted but you'll pay more if you pay dollars. Pounds will be always preferred.

Answer 9

they love american money it's like 5.6 pounds to every one u.s. dollar... but some prefer pasters so they can spend it right away ...there all beggers out there goodluck you give one tip to a person 500 other egyptians come after you wanting a tip too..

Answer 10

Unlike other countries currency, people the world over will gladly accept us dollars. The question is will you overpay for whatever it is you're buying. (Consult an ''exchange rate'' chart.)