How not to overpay in Egypt on taxis, excursions, shopping and currency exchange? Most extra costs appear not because of high prices but because of haste, a lack of small money and an unwillingness to compare conditions in advance.
A holiday in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh can cost noticeably less if you know a few simple rules and at the same time do not skimp on safety.
The main rule of saving: to understand how not to overpay in Egypt, first check the final price and what the service includes, and only then agree. This works with taxis, excursions, souvenirs, telecom shops, restaurants and extra hotel services.
1. Use Egyptian pounds
The official currency of the country is the Egyptian pound, denoted EGP or LE. In tourist places dollars and euros may be accepted, but the seller's conversion is not always favorable. For small everyday purchases it is more convenient to have local currency.
Where to get cash
- in banks and official exchange offices;
- at ATMs of large banks;
- do not change money with random people;
- keep the receipt for a large transaction.
What to check at an ATM
- the Egyptian bank's fee;
- your own bank's fee;
- the limit per transaction;
- the currency conversion offered.
If a terminal or ATM offers to charge the amount immediately in your card's currency, compare the rate. Such automatic conversion often turns out less favorable than settlement in Egyptian pounds at your card issuer's bank rate.
2. Prepare small bills
Small banknotes are handy for water, minibuses, tips and inexpensive purchases. If you pay with a large bill, the seller or driver may "have no" change.
Count your change right away, without leaving the counter. Do not hand over a large sum until you are sure you understood the price and currency correctly. Be especially careful to tell similar banknotes apart and do not agree to replace pounds with dollars at a verbally stated rate.
3. Haggle where it is customary
In markets, souvenir shops and small tourist stores the first price named is often not final. Calm haggling is a normal part of a purchase.
- First find out the price of a similar item in several places.
- Name an amount you are really ready to pay.
- Do not start haggling if you do not intend to buy.
- Do not be afraid to politely walk away if the price does not suit you.
- Before paying, check whether the price is for one item or a set.
In supermarkets, pharmacies, chain stores, museum ticket offices and places with a fixed menu people usually do not haggle. Demanding a discount everywhere is not saving but an unnecessary conflict.
4. Do not buy everything near the hotel
Water, fruit, sweets, sun products and simple souvenirs near the first line often cost more. Compare the price in an ordinary supermarket, a shopping center or a store with price tags.
But take transport into account: a trip across half the city for a small saving does not always make sense. It is better to buy the main small things in advance during one walk and not go back for every bottle of water separately.
5. Order a taxi through an app
If you are deciding how not to overpay in Egypt for transport, use an available app: it helps you see the route, the car details and a guide to the price. At the time this article was prepared, Uber officially states that it operates in Hurghada but not in Sharm El Sheikh. inDrive states availability in both Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. The list of cities may change, so check the app directly before the trip.
The current Uber cities are published on the service's official page, and the inDrive list is available in the app description.
- Check the car number and the driver's name.
- Do not move an order from the app into a private deal without need.
- In inDrive check the agreed final price before getting in.
- Mark the pickup point at the hotel entrance, not in the middle of a big territory.
- If traveling without an app, agree the price and currency in advance.
6. Compare excursions, not only the price
To understand how not to overpay in Egypt for excursions, you do not have to buy a trip from the first seller or right at a meeting with the hotel guide. First compare the program, duration, transport, group size and included services.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Route | The same name does not guarantee the same stops and duration. |
| Entrance tickets | A cheap program may not include important sites or additional tombs. |
| Transfer | An extra charge is possible for remote areas; the pickup time affects the length of the day. |
| Group and transport | A mini-group is usually more convenient but costs more than a big bus. |
| Meals and drinks | Check what the lunch includes and whether drinks are paid separately. |
| Additional stops | Shops may take up time you expected to spend at the sights. |
A detailed review is in the article "How to Avoid Overpaying for Excursions in Hurghada". You can compare current programs in the catalogs of excursions from Hurghada and excursions from Sharm El Sheikh.
7. Buy a SIM card at an official outlet
Mobile internet helps you use maps, taxi apps and contact with organizers. Buy a SIM card at an operator's counter or an official shop, not from someone on the street.
- Check the volume of actual internet traffic, not advertising "units".
- Ask for the card to be activated in front of you.
- Check the internet before leaving the counter.
- Keep the packaging, the phone number and the receipt.
- Compare the cost of a local SIM card with roaming and with an eSIM for Egyptthat you can install while still at home.
If you do not want to look for a telecom shop after landing, an eSIM is more convenient: it is installed in advance by QR code and starts working right after landing. Suitable for phones that support eSIM.
8. Check the menu and the bill in cafes
Before ordering, see whether prices, currency, taxes and service charge are stated. In tourist venues the final bill sometimes differs from the sum of the dishes on the menu because of additional charges.
Check the price of fish and seafood: it may be given per weight and not for the whole dish. Do not treat appetizers brought without an order as free until the staff confirms it.
9. Check paid hotel services
Even with all inclusive some services remain paid. Before using, check the cost of:
- the minibar and imported drinks;
- laundry, SPA and beauty salon;
- late check-out and early check-in;
- à la carte restaurants;
- water entertainment and equipment rental;
- a transfer to the center or beach.
The phrase "the service exists at the hotel" does not yet mean it is included in the price of the tour.
10. Do not overpay visa intermediaries
If you are getting an electronic visa, use only the official Egypt e-Visa portal. Intermediary sites may look like government ones and charge an additional fee.
The rules and available ways of getting a visa depend on citizenship and the point of entry. First check the official requirements, and only then pay for a service. Do not buy "expedited processing" if the usual procedure fully suits your trip.
11. Plan expenses before the trip
Divide the budget into categories: transport, excursions, meals outside the hotel, shopping, connection and a reserve. If you choose two or three excursions in advance and set a limit for souvenirs, it will be easier to make decisions on the spot.
If the trip is not yet bought, compare prices in one place: tour search for Egypt shows offers from different tour operators in Moscow.
Write down an approximate amount in Egyptian pounds and in your card's currency. The exchange rate changes, so use articles with old prices only to understand the order of expenses, not as an exact price list.
12. What not to skimp on
- Insurance: choose coverage for the planned activities and read the exclusions carefully. Compare insurance for a trip to Egypt in the online calculator.
- Safe transport: a low price does not justify a dubious car or driver.
- Diving and the sea: check the briefing, the equipment and the crew's work.
- Water and sun protection: saving on basic needs quickly spoils a holiday.
- Official tickets: do not buy documents and permits from random intermediaries.
Good saving reduces unnecessary costs, not the level of safety.
A tourist's short checklist
Save this list: it briefly reminds you how not to overpay in Egypt without skimping on safety.
- Have some Egyptian pounds and small bills.
- Check the ATM fee and the currency of the charge.
- Haggle only where there are no fixed prices.
- Order a taxi through an available app.
- Compare the full contents of an excursion.
- Buy a SIM card from the operator and check activation.
- Check restaurant charges and paid hotel services.
- Use the official visa portal.
- Leave a reserve for unforeseen expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Which currency is better to pay in Egypt?
For everyday purchases Egyptian pounds are usually more convenient. When paying in dollars or euros the seller uses their own rate. Large hotels and shops accept cards, but cash will still come in handy.
Do you need to haggle in Egypt?
In markets and souvenir shops haggling is appropriate. In supermarkets, pharmacies, chain stores and places with fixed prices people usually pay the price tag.
Does Uber work in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh?
Uber officially lists Hurghada among its cities of operation in Egypt but does not list Sharm El Sheikh. inDrive currently states it works in both resorts. Check availability in the app for your travel date.
Where is it cheaper to buy excursions?
Compare several offers and the full contents of the program. The cheapest option is not always better value if entrance tickets, transfer, equipment or meals are paid separately.
Can you manage without cash?
Large hotels and shops often accept cards, but for a market, tips, a small cafe, a minibus or a temporarily unavailable terminal it is better to have a reserve of cash pounds.
How not to overpay in Egypt for a visa?
First check the requirements for your citizenship and use the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg or the official procedure provided at the point of entry. Intermediaries charge an additional fee.
Compare excursions in advance
Look at the programs, included services and possible extra charges, and you can book after choosing a suitable option.
