Is it safe to eat street food in Egypt?

Yes, if you choose busy stalls with high turnover and hot, freshly cooked food. Avoid salads and anything that's been sitting out. Stick to fried or grilled items served immediately.

How much should I tip in Egypt?

Tip 10-15% at sit-down restaurants, 5-10 Egyptian pounds for hotel staff, 20-50 pounds for day tour guides. Small services like bathroom attendants expect 2-5 pounds.

Can I drink tap water in Egypt?

No, stick to bottled water or use purification tablets. Bottled water costs 3-5 pounds ($0.20-0.30) at local shops. Ice in drinks is usually made from purified water at established places.

What's the cheapest way to see the Pyramids?

Take the metro to Giza station (3 pounds), then a local bus or shared taxi to the pyramids (5-10 pounds). Entry ticket is 240 pounds ($8). Avoid tour operators who charge $50+ for the same thing.

How to travel Egypt on a tight budget

Egypt can be traveled comfortably on $25-35 per day by staying in hostels, eating local street food, using public transport, and booking attractions directly. Avoid tourist restaurants and hotel booking services - they triple your costs.

Book flights strategically. Fly into Cairo, not resort towns like Sharm El Sheikh. Budget airlines like FlyEgypt and Air Arabia Egypt offer domestic connections for $40-80. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best international prices.
Stay in hostels and budget hotels. Hostels cost $8-15 per night in Cairo and Luxor. Family-run hotels in downtown areas charge $15-25 for private rooms. Book directly or walk in - online booking fees add 20-30%.
Eat where locals eat. Street food costs $1-3 per meal. Look for busy stalls with high turnover. Kushari, ful medames, and falafel are filling and cheap. Avoid restaurants near major tourist sites - they charge 5x local prices.
Use public transport. Metro in Cairo costs $0.25 per ride. Local buses are $0.10-0.50. Share taxis (service taxis) between cities cost $2-8 and leave when full. Uber is available but 3x more expensive than local options.
Buy attraction tickets directly. Purchase tickets at site entrances, not through hotels or tour operators. Giza Pyramids cost $8, Egyptian Museum $5, Valley of Kings $13. Student discounts available with valid ID.
Negotiate everything. Start at 30% of asking price for souvenirs, taxi rides, and tour services. Walk away if they won't budge - they'll usually call you back with a better offer.

Is it safe to eat street food in Egypt?: Yes, if you choose busy stalls with high turnover and hot, freshly cooked food. Avoid salads and anything that's been sitting out. Stick to fried or grilled items served immediately.
How much should I tip in Egypt?: Tip 10-15% at sit-down restaurants, 5-10 Egyptian pounds for hotel staff, 20-50 pounds for day tour guides. Small services like bathroom attendants expect 2-5 pounds.
Can I drink tap water in Egypt?: No, stick to bottled water or use purification tablets. Bottled water costs 3-5 pounds ($0.20-0.30) at local shops. Ice in drinks is usually made from purified water at established places.
What's the cheapest way to see the Pyramids?: Take the metro to Giza station (3 pounds), then a local bus or shared taxi to the pyramids (5-10 pounds). Entry ticket is 240 pounds ($8). Avoid tour operators who charge $50+ for the same thing.