Seven Things First-Time Visitors to Egypt Wish They'd Known
The small stuff nobody tells you before your first trip to Egypt, from tipping to timing the Pyramids.
We've hosted a lot of first trips to Egypt, and the same lessons come up again and again. None of them are dealbreakers. They're just the things people tell us they wish someone had mentioned beforehand.
1. Carry small cash for tips Tipping, known locally as baksheesh, is part of daily life here. Keep a stack of small notes for the people who help you through the day: the man who watches your shoes at the mosque, the boat crew, the restaurant staff. It's modest money and it smooths everything.
2. Get to the Pyramids early The Giza plateau is calmest and coolest right after it opens. Go first thing and you'll get your photos before the tour buses arrive and before the midday sun. By late morning it's a very different, busier place.
3. A little Arabic goes a long way You don't need to be fluent. "Shukran" (thank you) and "la shukran" (no thank you, useful with persistent sellers) will earn you smiles and make the sellers far easier to wave off politely.
4. Haggling is normal, and it's friendly In the bazaars, the first price is rarely the real price. Smile, offer well below, and meet somewhere in the middle. If you don't want to buy, a cheerful "la shukran" and keep walking is completely fine.
5. Dress a bit more covered than you'd expect Egypt is relaxed at the beach resorts but more conservative elsewhere. For the sites and especially mosques, shoulders and knees covered keeps things comfortable and respectful. Bring a scarf; it's useful for sun and for covering up.
6. Don't try to see everything in one trip Egypt is bigger and richer than people plan for. Cramming Cairo, the Nile, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea into a few days leaves you exhausted. Pick a focus. Our guide on <a href="/blog/how-many-days-in-egypt">how many days you need</a> helps you scope it.
7. A good guide changes the whole trip This is the one we hear most after the fact. With a private Egyptologist, the hassle disappears, the history comes alive, and you stop worrying about logistics. It's the difference between seeing Egypt and understanding it.
If you'd rather skip the trial and error, that's exactly what we do. Have a look at our Egypt tours or just tell us what you're hoping for.