Egypt Money Saving Tips
If you’re travelling with Sterling, Dollars, or Euros you will likely find Egypt a very cheap country in which to travel. Food, drinks, transport and accommodation can all be acquired at a fraction of the price one would expect to pay in the US or Western Europe.
Yet how much you spend on your Egyptian vacation can vary greatly depending on where you choose to spend your money, and how travel savvy you are. Below are a few Egypt Money Saving Tips to help you get the most from your vacation budget.
1) Flights
Package holidays to Egypt including flights and accommodation for a week are often cheaper than direct flights Cairo . These charter flights usually land in Hurgharda or in Sharm El Sheikh. Why not save money by booking a cheap flight to one of these resorts. You can the use it as the place from which to start/end your vacation, or as base from which to explore the surrounding areas.
2) Eat Like a Local
It is perfectly plausible to eat a healthy, delicious, and authentic Egyptian meal for under a dollar. Look out for Kosheri restaurants. Kosheri is a mixture of lentils, pastas, chickpeas, noodles, tomatoes and chillie. Kosheri restaurants have just three items on the menu, large, medium and small and all go for less than a buck. Likewise there are a number of foul (fava beans) and falafel outlets serving up equally cheap and sumptuous grub. Just ask a local.
3) Haggle
In shops and at markets you should be prepared to haggle to get as much as 50% off the price of the item in question. Start low, and always let the shop keeper offer the price first. Take it in turns to offer a revised price and keep a smile on your face at all times. Some basic Arabic will help as well. Usually the best bargains are achieved when you walk away. You can always say ‘no’ and then come back later. Read the full Guide to Haggling in Egypt.
4) Shop Around when Booking Excursions
You tend to find a number of outlets offering very similar sorts of excursion in any one city. However prices can vary massively. Take the time to speak to a number of providers, find out exactly what’s involved and make an informed decision that way.
5) Visas
Most EU passport holder can purchase a visa on arrival in Egypt . This tends to be cheaper and less time consuming than sending your passport off to the Egyptian embassy in your country of residence. Of course this varies so please check with you local Egyptian embassy for more details. Read more about Egyptian Visas.
6) Spend Egyptian Pounds
In recent years Egyptian traders have started quoting prices for items in dollars and Euros. They do this for two reasons. One, it sounds cheaper to say “only ten Euros” than “only one hundred Egyptian pounds”; and two because they can round the price up to the nearest whole number. You will save money if you change your cash in to Egyptian pounds and use this currency when shopping. See current exchange rates.
7) Avoid Touts and Hawkers
Touts and Hawkers selling postcards, trinkets and camel rides around the pyramids are notoriously unscrupulous and are best avoided. It may only cost you ten Egyptian pounds to ride the camel but it will cost you a whole lot more to get down. As a rule of thumb do not buy anything from anyone around the Pyramids. The Egyptian government are trying to eliminate the practice by securing the area and opening a visitors centre through which all must enter. Read more>
8) Stop Taxis on the Streets
English speaking taxi drivers loiter around Cairo’s large hotels in the hope of catching a ‘big fish’ and becoming their unofficial chauffeur for the day. They’re not all bad by any means and some are worth paying extra for their language skills and English commentary. However if you are on a budget, you will find it cheaper to walk around the corner and hail a taxi driving by. Read about Taxis in Egypt
9) Hotels
Book hotels independently through our affiliate booking site Hostel Bookers. Hotels in Egypt start from as low as 5 Euros per night. Read on>
10) Book excursions through a private Guide
Rather than using a travel agency to book your excursions, why not try the services of a freelance private guide. Although it's best to shop around, this is often a cheaper option as individual guides typically have less overheads than an agency and can offer better prices while still making a profit. You can find private egyptian tour guides here.
11) Call Me for a Consultation
I do offer a consultative service which will invariably save you time, money and effort in the long run when planning your trip. This service is available in person, via email or via the telephone.
