Price guide
How much does a trip to Egypt cost
A mid-range 10-day trip to Egypt typically costs between $1,200 and $1,800 USD per person, excluding international flights. However, your actual spend depends heavily on how well you handle aggressive pricing markups, Giza camel hustles, and taxi negotiations. Knowing the fair local price versus the inflated tourist rate can easily save you hundreds of dollars.
Egypt is one of those bucket-list destinations where the gap between what things actually cost and what tourists are asked to pay is incredibly wide. I built TruePrice because I got tired of seeing travelers get ripped off simply because they did not have access to real, boots-on-the-ground price data.
In Egypt, this gap is not just a few cents: it can be a 500% markup on everything from a short taxi ride in Cairo to a sunset sail on the Nile. Let’s break down the real numbers so you can plan your budget without getting taken for a ride.
What is the baseline cost for 10 days in Egypt?
To give you a realistic starting point, let’s look at what a 10-day itinerary covering Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan actually costs. If you backpack and stay in local hostels, you can get by on a shoestring. If you want comfort, air conditioning, and decent hotels, you will fall into the mid-range bracket.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to spend based on your travel style:
| Budget Category | Daily Cost (USD) | 10-Day Total (USD) | What it Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget / Backpacker | $35 - $50 | $350 - $500 | Hostels, local street food (koshary), trains, self-guided monument tours |
| Mid-range | $120 - $180 | $1,200 - $1,800 | 3-star to 4-star hotels, domestic flights, occasional private drivers, sit-down meals |
| Luxury | $350 - $600+ | $3,500 - $6,000+ | 5-star historic hotels, private Egyptologist guides, luxury Nile cruise, private transfers |
How much should you actually pay at the Giza Pyramids?
The Giza Plateau is the epicenter of Egyptian tourism, and unfortunately, it is also the epicenter of aggressive pricing. The official adult entry ticket to the Pyramids area is 540 EGP (about $11 USD). If you want to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, that is an extra 900 EGP (about $18 USD). These tickets must be bought at the official government ticket office or online. Do not buy them from anyone standing on the road leading up to the gates.
Then there are the camel rides. The Ministry of Tourism has set an official price for camel and horse rides at Giza: it is 500 EGP (about $10 USD) per hour. However, when you arrive, handlers will confidently tell you that the price is $50 USD, $100 USD, or even more. They might show you laminated “official” price sheets they printed themselves.
If you want a camel ride, state the official price clearly: “500 EGP per hour.” If they refuse, walk away. There are dozens of other handlers who will eventually agree to the fair rate when they see you walking toward the exit. Also, agree on whether the tip (baksheesh) is included before you get on the animal.
What are the fair rates for Nile cruises and feluccas?
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailboat, and taking one at sunset in Luxor or Aswan is an incredible experience. However, the pricing is completely unregulated, which means you have to haggle.
A fair price for a private felucca ride is 300 to 400 EGP (about $6 to $8 USD) per hour for the entire boat, not per person. If a captain tells you it is 1,000 EGP per person, they are testing your limits.
For multi-day Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan, booking online in advance through global travel agencies is usually much more expensive than booking through a local agent in Cairo or directly at the docks in Luxor. A standard 3-night or 4-night cruise on a decent mid-range boat should cost between $80 and $150 USD per person, per night, including all meals and basic sightseeing. If you are quoted more than $300 USD per night for a non-luxury vessel, you are paying a heavy middleman markup.
How do you handle Egyptian taxis and Uber?
Transportation can easily eat up your budget if you rely on white taxis without meters (or with rigged meters). In Cairo, the absolute best way to travel is by using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem. The prices are fixed, tracked by GPS, and incredibly cheap. A 30-minute Uber ride across Cairo rarely costs more than 150 to 200 EGP ($3 to $4 USD).
If you land at Cairo International Airport (CAI), taxi drivers will swarm you offering rides to downtown for $30 to $50 USD (1,500 to 2,500 EGP). Do not do this. Use the airport Wi-Fi to order an Uber. The fair price for an Uber from Cairo airport to downtown or Zamalek is around 250 to 350 EGP ($5 to $7 USD), plus a small airport parking fee of about 30 EGP.
In places like Luxor and Aswan where Uber is not widely available, you will have to negotiate with local taxi drivers. Always agree on the final price in Egyptian Pounds (not US Dollars or Euros) before you open the car door. If you want a driver for a full day of sightseeing on the West Bank of Luxor, a fair rate is between 800 and 1,200 EGP ($16 to $24 USD).
What is the deal with baksheesh and tipping?
Tipping, known locally as baksheesh, is deeply woven into the fabric of Egyptian society. It is not just a reward for exceptional service: it is a vital supplement to low wages. However, tourists are often guilted into paying exorbitant amounts.
Here is a quick reference guide to fair baksheesh amounts in Egyptian Pounds:
- Restroom attendants: 5 to 10 EGP.
- Hotel bellhops: 20 to 50 EGP for carrying bags.
- Restaurant staff: 10% of the bill (even if a service charge is included, that money rarely goes to the waiter).
- Temple guards who point things out or offer to take your photo: 20 to 50 EGP (only pay if you actually wanted their help).
- Tour drivers (full day): 200 to 300 EGP.
- Private tour guides (full day): 400 to 600 EGP.
Keep a large stack of small bills (5, 10, and 20 EGP notes) in an easily accessible pocket so you do not have to pull out a thick wallet of 200 EGP notes every time you need to tip.
How to avoid the most common Egypt budget traps
Your tour guide or driver will almost certainly offer to take you to a “traditional” papyrus museum, perfume palace, or alabaster workshop. They will frame this as an educational stop. In reality, these are high-pressure sales environments where products are marked up by 1,000%. Your guide receives a massive commission (often 30% to 50%) on anything you buy. If you want to buy souvenirs, visit local souks like Khan el-Khalili in Cairo, but prepare to cut the initial asking price by at least half.
Another common trap is the “free” gift. A vendor might hand you a small scarab beetle or place a headscarf on your head, saying it is a gift because they “love your country.” Once you accept it, they will demand a tip or a donation. Politely but firmly refuse, hand the item back, and keep walking.
Knowing the fair local prices before you step out of your hotel room is the single best way to protect your wallet and enjoy Egypt without the stress of constant haggling.
To make sure you never pay the tourist-trap price for meals, rides, or souvenirs, download TruePrice free before your trip: https://truepriceapp.com
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to carry cash in Egypt?
Yes, cash is king in Egypt. While high-end hotels and official monument ticket offices accept credit cards, you will need cash in Egyptian Pounds for tipping, taxis, local street food, and souk purchases.
Is Uber safe and cheap in Cairo?
Yes, Uber is highly recommended in Cairo. It is very safe, eliminates the need to negotiate with aggressive taxi drivers, and typically costs under $5 USD for most cross-city trips.
How much does a typical meal cost in Egypt?
A hearty local meal like koshary or falafel at a local spot costs between $1 and $2 USD. A sit-down dinner at a mid-range restaurant costs around $6 to $12 USD per person.
Can I use US Dollars to pay for things in Egypt?
While some tour operators, hoteliers, and camel handlers accept USD, you will get a much worse exchange rate on the street. It is always better to pay in Egyptian Pounds for daily expenses.
What is the official entry fee for the Valley of the Kings?
The main entry ticket for the Valley of the Kings in Luxor costs 600 EGP (about $12 USD), which allows you to visit three standard tombs. Special tombs like Tutankhamun require an additional ticket.
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