Is it safe to visit Egypt as a budget traveler?

Yes, Egypt is generally safe for budget travelers. Stick to main tourist areas, use common sense with your belongings, and avoid political demonstrations. Tourist police are present at major sites.

How much should I tip guides and service workers?

Tip pyramid guides 50-100 EGP for good service. Restaurant servers expect 10-15%. Hotel staff appreciate 20-50 EGP. Small tips (5-10 EGP) work for most other services.

Can I visit other sites besides Giza on a budget?

Absolutely. Saqqara (step pyramid) costs 150 EGP entry, Egyptian Museum is 200 EGP, and Islamic Cairo mosques are often free. Take public transport to all of them.

Do I need to book accommodation in advance?

Not essential except during peak season (December-January). Most hostels and budget hotels accept walk-ins, and you can often negotiate better rates in person.

How much Arabic do I need to know?

None required. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learning basic greetings and numbers helps with bargaining and shows respect, but isn't necessary.

How to visit Egypt and the pyramids on a budget

You can visit Egypt and see the pyramids for $30-50 per day by staying in hostels, eating local food, using public transport, and booking pyramid tickets directly. Skip tours and hire local guides at the sites instead. Cairo makes the best budget base.

Fly into Cairo and stay in Islamic Cairo or Downtown. Book hostels in Islamic Cairo ($8-15/night) or budget hotels in Downtown Cairo ($15-25/night). These areas put you walking distance from the Egyptian Museum and close to metro lines. Avoid Zamalek and Heliopolis unless you find a deal.
Buy pyramid tickets directly at the gate. Go to Giza Plateau early (7am) and buy tickets at the entrance. General area ticket costs 200 EGP ($6.50). Great Pyramid interior costs extra 400 EGP ($13). Skip tour companies - they mark up prices 300-500%.
Take public transport to Giza. From Cairo, take Metro Line 2 to Giza station (5 EGP), then microbus 357 to the pyramids (3 EGP). Total trip: 45 minutes, under $1. Taxis charge $15-20 for the same route.
Hire guides at the sites, not through hotels. Official guides at Giza charge 200-300 EGP ($6-10) for 2 hours. Hotel-arranged guides cost 3-4x more. Look for guide badges and negotiate directly. Many speak excellent English.
Eat where locals eat. Ful medames (fava beans) costs 10-20 EGP at street stalls. Kushari (Egypt's national dish) runs 20-40 EGP at local restaurants. Tourist restaurant meals cost 200-400 EGP for the same food quality.
Use the metro and microbuses for all city transport. Cairo Metro costs 5-7 EGP per ride anywhere in the city. Microbuses charge 3-5 EGP for most routes. Uber and taxis cost 10-20x more for the same distances.

Is it safe to visit Egypt as a budget traveler?: Yes, Egypt is generally safe for budget travelers. Stick to main tourist areas, use common sense with your belongings, and avoid political demonstrations. Tourist police are present at major sites.
How much should I tip guides and service workers?: Tip pyramid guides 50-100 EGP for good service. Restaurant servers expect 10-15%. Hotel staff appreciate 20-50 EGP. Small tips (5-10 EGP) work for most other services.
Can I visit other sites besides Giza on a budget?: Absolutely. Saqqara (step pyramid) costs 150 EGP entry, Egyptian Museum is 200 EGP, and Islamic Cairo mosques are often free. Take public transport to all of them.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?: Not essential except during peak season (December-January). Most hostels and budget hotels accept walk-ins, and you can often negotiate better rates in person.
How much Arabic do I need to know?: None required. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learning basic greetings and numbers helps with bargaining and shows respect, but isn't necessary.