Tourist scams in Egypt: the common ones and how to avoid them

Are scams common in Egypt?

Some are, mainly at busy sites and in transport. The UK government says scammers and touts sometimes target foreign nationals in tourist areas, and describes pickpocketing as rare. The Government of Canada says purse snatching and pickpocketing occur most often in tourist locations and on the metro.

Neither government page has a dedicated list of scams. The detail below comes from Wikivoyage, a community-written secondary source, so treat it as reported accounts, not official data.

How do I say no without an argument?

Politely and without stopping. Wikivoyage says a polite “la shukran”, which means no thanks, helps, and that a relaxed attitude keeps the pressure from ruining your trip. Its Giza page adds that most hustlers give up if you simply shake your head and say nothing. Keep walking, and do not take anything that is put in your hands.

Wikivoyage’s advice for Luxor goes further: assume that any statement from someone who comes up to you out of nowhere is a lie. It also says that if you are rude, people will remember you and may hassle you more later, so a calm, short refusal works better than an argument.

What happens with unofficial guides and “helpers”?

A man attaches himself to you at a site, offers help or directions, then asks for payment. Wikivoyage’s Luxor page gives the rule of thumb: if anyone shows you anything, for any amount of time, they will want a tip. It also says guards inside temples can be extremely aggressive about guiding you and then demanding a tip.

Wikivoyage’s Egypt page adds that unofficial guides often take you to a friend’s store. If you want a guide, book one in advance rather than hiring someone who approaches you at the gate. Guided options are on the day tours page.

How do camel and horse ride scams work?

The handler agrees one thing and charges another. Wikivoyage’s Giza page says to negotiate the price you want, to confirm that it covers two people or two horses, and not to feel pressured into giving extra: just walk away, because they will not follow you. It warns that these handlers will try all sorts of scams to get more money out of you.

The same page says the camel drivers at the Pyramids can be reported to the black-uniformed tourist police, but it also warns that many known scammers operate in front of the police. If you do not want a ride, say “no thank you” and keep walking.

What is the friendly-stranger trick?

Someone starts a chat, often in fluent English, German or Russian, and invites you for tea in a shop that pays him commission. Wikivoyage’s Egypt page puts it plainly: many Egyptians who start a conversation with you want your money. It adds that you should be aware when accepting small favours, because they often come at a hefty price.

Luxor has its own openers. Wikivoyage lists “I need a letter translated” and “I know you from the cruise ship”. Its general rule covers all of them: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Why do people say a site is closed?

A driver, guide or official-looking stranger claims the site is closed today or has an alternate entrance, then offers an alternative, usually a shop that pays commission. Wikivoyage describes this outside museums and at the Pyramids, and for Luxor it advises asking a local, not a taxi or horse-carriage driver. Check the opening hours yourself on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities page for the site.

Papyrus and perfume stops work the same way. Wikivoyage says being steered into a papyrus or perfume shop is a common and mostly harmless form of pressure, and that some package tours mix travel with pushed shopping stops at papyrus or oil shops. Say you would rather keep to your original plan.

How do I avoid taxi, horse-carriage and felucca overcharging?

Agree the price before you move. Wikivoyage’s Luxor page says taxis have no meters, but there are current rates that are accepted if you stay firm. It lists local-currency rates for a short trip within Luxor, for a round trip to the West Bank and from the airport (January 2026), and we do not repeat them here. It says touts at the airport charge US$10 to 20 for taxi rides, which you should ignore.

For other boats and carriages, the same page gives hourly rates for a local felucca ride and a horse carriage. For a felucca from Luxor to Aswan it says prices are wildly negotiable, with a starting price far above the usual settlement. Those figures are in the local currency, date from 2026 and move with the exchange rate, so we show none and you should treat any quote as negotiable, not as a tariff. Fix the total, the duration and whether the price is per boat or per person before boarding.

Wikivoyage also says drivers, especially from the airport, earn fees for bringing guests to particular hotels. Refuse firmly and ask to be dropped at a nearby street or landmark. Its Luxor page says hotel touts reportedly receive 25 to 40 per cent commission, which ends up added to your bill, so book your hotel before you arrive.

Are fake tickets a risk?

At the Pyramids, yes, according to Wikivoyage’s Giza page. It says never to surrender your ticket, because the entrance guards will tear it and give it back to you, and that anything else is a scam or a hustle. It says tickets can be bought at the main entrance, the eastern entrance or the entrances to the sites, and that there is no pre-booking system for the extra tickets.

Use the posted price check in the section below, buy at a ticket window, and keep the ticket until you leave the site.

What about haggling, short change and baksheesh?

Wikivoyage’s Egypt page says to settle prices beforehand, because saying “I thought it was free” afterwards leads to a vicious argument. It says taxi drivers often quote one price and settle for another at the end of a trip, and that you should pay for guided services only at the end. In Luxor’s main souq, it says a first offer can be ten or even a hundred times a reasonable price, and that many shops sell the same items, so shopping around helps.

The phrase “no hassle” can often be used in shops and markets to avoid unwanted attention. A tip, by contrast, is a thank-you for something you asked for. Our tipping guide covers who expects one and how much the sources give. Carry small notes and coins, count your change, and keep a few notes separate from your wallet for these small payments.

What do the governments say about theft?

The UK says the crime rate is generally low and that visitors should take sensible precautions as they would in the UK. Canada says petty theft occurs in Sinai resorts such as Dahab, Nuweiba and Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as in tourist locations and on the metro.

Is there a short checklist?

1. Agree the full price before any ride, boat trip or service, including the return and any stops.
2. Say “no thank you” to unsolicited gifts, photos and helpers.
3. Check opening hours yourself when someone says a site is closed.
4. Buy tickets only at official ticket windows, and never hand over your ticket.
5. Agree the taxi fare first, since taxis have no meters in Luxor.
6. Count your change.
7. Book your hotel before you arrive, so that nobody can earn commission by redirecting you.

How can you check a price before you pay?

Look up the published foreigner price before you reach the ticket window. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists ticket prices on its site pages, and a ticket seller or helper who quotes much more than the posted figure is a warning sign. The Ministry shows its figures in the local currency only and they can change, so we list none here: open the page of each site below (checked 29 October 2026) and treat it as your check rather than a quote.

Ask for a printed ticket, and keep it until you leave the site.

Are visa and booking websites a risk?

Pay only on the official portal. The Egypt e-Visa Portal FAQ, published by the Ministry of Interior, lists $30 for a single-entry tourism visa and $65 for multiple entries, paid by credit or debit card on the site. If another site asks for more, you are paying an intermediary.

The portal page does not describe fake websites, so we cannot say how common they are. The sensible check is simple: compare the fee with the official figure and type the address yourself instead of following an advertisement.

What can you do if you paid by card and were overcharged?

If you hold a US credit card, the Federal Trade Commission lays out the steps for a billing dispute. The rules differ elsewhere, so check with your own bank.

1. Write to the card issuer’s billing-inquiry address within 60 days of the first bill that shows the error.
2. Include your name, account number, a description of the error and copies of receipts.
3. Send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt.
4. Expect an acknowledgment within 30 days and a resolution within 90 days.

The FTC says you may withhold the disputed amount while the issuer investigates. Keep every receipt and photo from the trip, since the issuer will ask for them.

Which rules can cost you more than a scam?

A few local rules matter more than any tout. The UK government says it is illegal to take photos of, or near, military property, and that taking photos of children needs an Egyptian citizen’s written permission. It also says that drinking alcohol outside hotels, restaurants, private homes or certain resorts is illegal.

The same page says police check ID regularly, so carry your passport or a copy, and a copy or digital version of your visa. It advises avoiding large gatherings and demonstrations, because security forces have responded forcefully. None of this is a scam, but a tout who suggests that a photo or a drink is “fine” is not a source of advice.

What should you watch for with hotels and excursions?

Use reputable providers and keep your details to yourself. The UK government says to use reputable providers for services and excursions, and to avoid sharing personal contact or social media details. It also says not to allow hotel staff to enter your room when you are alone, and not to leave children unaccompanied.

It advises women travelling alone to take care in taxis, particularly at night, and to share the driver’s details and live location with a friend. These points are about safety rather than money, and they fit alongside the price checks above.

What evidence should you keep?

• Photos of the price you agreed, the meter, the ticket and the receipt.
• The date, time, place and name or number plate of the person involved.
• A copy of your passport and visa, kept apart from the originals, as the UK government advises.
• The police report number, because the UK government says you need a police report if your passport is stolen.

What do I do if I am scammed or threatened?

Report it. The UK government says to report crimes to the tourist police on 126 and warns that a crime not reported before you leave Egypt is difficult to prosecute later. The GOV.UK page, opened on 29 October 2026, says to phone the tourist police on 126 to report a crime, and the Experience Egypt FAQ also gives the tourism police as 126, so save the number in your phone before you go and give your hotel name and your exact location when you call. The Government of Canada says tourist police usually wear a distinctive arm band.

Do not rely on any rule or fine to stop a tout. The advice on this page is what the sources support: agree prices first, say no, and use official counters.