8 tourist scams in Egypt

Tourist scams in Egypt are quite common. It’s essential to be aware of potential tourist scams. Stay vigilant and cautious when encountering offers of unlicensed tour guides, overpriced souvenirs, or unauthorized ticket vendors at popular attractions. Familiarize yourself with common scams to protect yourself and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience exploring Egypt’s rich history and cultural treasures. Here are bitter experiences about our recent travel to Giza and Luxor in Egypt. We are expressing our honest learning, however, experiences may vary from person to person. Popular tourist scams in Egypt are always present in bigger cities like Cairo or Luxor.  These travel scams are quite common and it is your responsibility to be extra cautious.

8 common tourist scams in Egypt

1. Cairo Airport to downtown

It was ~2.00 am when we arrived at Cairo International Airport. Many taxi drivers approached offering a ride to the city. Since we had already decided to use Uber, we politely denied them. But they constantly approached us and tried to initiate a conversation by saying ‘The same price as Uber’, and ‘Welcome to Cairo, sir’. This was an unpleasant experience as it was midnight and there were hardly any people. We strongly recommend using Uber to avoid unnecessary price negotiations. Avoid using a taxi at the airport as many tourists on TripAdvisor have posted on how the drivers quickly change the local note and deny giving back any change.

2. Scammers at the Great Pyramid

Avoiding scams in Egyptian tourist spots like the Pyramids of Giza can be hard. We fell short of Egyptian pounds (EGP) at the Pyramid entrance. So we walked to the Marriott Hotel to exchange currency which was just 200 meters from the main entrance. On our way back, the camel riders realized that we were not localities so they tried to misguide us by saying, ‘The entrance is on the other side’ and offered a camel ride to reach there. As we knew what they were up to, we turned down the offer. We suggest you do basic research on all the locations before your journey. Later we came to know that there are two entrances to the Pyramids. So the scammers always try to get you from one end to the other end by saying ‘This entrance is not yet open’

3. Accommodation issue at Giza

Mondy Pyramid View review

We booked “Monday Pyramid View” on booking.com as it had the best reviews and an 8+ rating. It was on the 5th floor and the entrance to the apartment was very ugly with no lights. The balcony did not have a lock and the windows were broken.

Insecure feeling

The main door was so fragile that a nudge would have broken it. It was easy for anyone to enter. It seemed like a haunted house to me. 

The surroundings were dirty because it was surrounded by camel and horse stables. Our apartment was in the interiors, away from the main street and we had to pass through all the small lanes. It was difficult to navigate through them. 

4. Discomfort with Camel/Horse riders

We booked our Uber early in the morning and were waiting downstairs. While waiting, we were swarmed by the camel riders within a fraction of a second. They started asking us about the travel plan and kept forcing us to take a ride, but we kept declining. They bombarded us with too many questions which we didn’t like. Our Uber arrived, and the camel riders started speaking to our driver in Arabic and got to know the location where we were heading.  They stared at us as if we had done something wrong or we were going to commit one. 

5. Taxi scam in Cairo

One of the common scams in Egypt for travelers is the taxi scam. After touring the Pyramids (~ 16.30), we booked an Uber back home.  The app clearly showed the final price to be between 15-21 EGP. Upon reaching the destination, the driver showed us his mobile. The price was in Arabic and he did not know how to read out the final price in English. When we were trying to figure things out, a localite intervened and assumed he would help us. As expected, they spoke something in Arabic and made a deal between themselves. And of a sudden, the cost went up to 35 EGP.

Complete chaos

We were irritated so we argued which gathered the attention of many people. Finally, we paid 35EGP and left the place. We could have avoided this mess if we had known Arabic numbers.

Once the localite knew that his efforts to flee money went in vain, he followed us to our apartment and saw which floor we were heading to. I was scared and didn’t want to stay in that apartment anymore. We booked the Lotus Hotel in Cairo and vacated immediately.

The host suddenly canceled our booking on Booking.com

On our way to the hotel, we informed our host about the whole incident. Assuming we would spoil his reputation and rating, the host canceled our booking on the website. After cancellation, booking.com sent us an e-mail asking whether we stayed at the apartment and wanted to know what had happened. We narrated the entire incident and they compensated us with a 15€ voucher. For some time, Booking.com removed his home from their site, but again they added him. I guess Mondy Pyramids has more paid reviews than actual ones.

6. Horse-drawn carriage scam

In Luxor, we wanted to visit a market. The coachman of the horse-drawn carriage near the Luxor temple said that he knew the market and he quoted ‘Just 5 pounds Sir’. I knew this scam and again we asked ‘Is it 5 Egyptian pounds?’. His answer was, ‘Yes, just 5 pounds Sir’. Unfortunately, this Egypt travel fraud was unavoidable. He had no idea about the market and intentionally took us to a shopping complex where he would get a commission if we made a purchase. We were quite annoyed by this behavior and asked him to go back to the starting point. In the end, his question was, ‘In which currency are you going to pay’. When I gave him 5 EGP, he said, ‘We agreed on 5 British pounds’. After a good debate, I gave him 20 EGP as we didn’t want to extend the argument. Next time, I will either make a video or show them the currency and then come to an agreement.

7. Underpriced souvenirs to attract tourists to their shop

This one is among the famous Egypt travel scams. We were walking along the souvenir shops at Valley of the Kings. A few kids came behind us showing magnets and saying ‘Only 50 pounds’. This price is roughly one euro. We wanted to help them and the kids said ‘Yes, please come to our shop’. As soon as we went, the price quickly elevated to 500 pounds ~ 10€. It was a trick to bring you to their store. Stay safe from scams in Egypt.

8. Tip for showing directions

There are many tombs at Valley of the Kings and our ticket includes entrance to any three of them. So we weren’t sure which ones to choose. One Security personnel before the ticket counter said ‘Sir, I can help you with the best tombs’. He gave us an overview of the best tombs, and directions to reach them. In the end, he expected a cash tip in return. His explanation was hardly two minutes. I gave him 5 pounds. He wasn’t happy and demanded more. I ignored him and went to the ticket counter. After you buy tickets, by default, the controller explains to you the best tombs to visit.

Avoiding Scams – Safety tips for tourists in Egypt

Being prepared is the only way to protect against tourist scams in Egypt. Here are some tips on How to stay safe from scams in Egypt and avoid tourist traps:

1. Don’t believe the horse/camel riders near the Pyramids area. They often mislead you in the wrong direction.
2. If someone helps you with directions or lifting weights, they expect a tip. Five to ten EGP is a good tip. Scammers use this opportunity and expect more.
3. Negotiate the price beforehand with the taxi/horse carriage/camel riders. If necessary, show them the currency and confirm. Always pay the money after completing the trip. Some may ask during the start but give them a clear NO.
4. If someone voluntarily offers you direction, he may expect a hefty tip. Don’t give him more than 5-10 EGP.
5. Never take a horse ride impulsively. The coachman always says ‘Yes sir, I know the place’ and then takes you to some random shop where he gets a commission.
6. Regarding your accommodation especially in Giza, double-check if the place has good reviews in various online portals like Google reviews, TripAdvisor, or Booking.com. Read all the guest reviews.
7. At the airport, you better use taxi apps like Uber or arrange a taxi from your accommodation. Have a plan before landing. Just imagine being scammed as soon as you land at the airport. Your trip is never going to be pleasant. Isn’t?
8. Give the exact change (local notes) to the driver. If you don’t have it, exchange it in the nearby shop. The drivers are known to be notorious for quickly switching currency and acting as if it were your mistake.
9. If the driver at the end quotes a hefty price than the agreed one, be strong. Just pay the agreed amount and start walking off.

Scam-proof your Egypt vacation by following the above steps.

Are these tourist scams in Egypt dangerous?

Tourist scams in Egypt can change your mood and perspective about the country. We hope these tips help to ensure tourist safety in Egypt. Recognizing and avoiding scams in Egypt can’t be a hundred percent.  Though we saw many tourist scams in Egypt, our impression of the country would change during upcoming visits. We expected the same in Morocco. But to our surprise, Morocco was completed the opposite. Egypt is a great country to visit. Do your basic research to overcome these travel frauds and scams, and carry our experience as learning. Immerse yourself in the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of Egypt, from awe-inspiring ancient wonders such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx to vibrant markets, breathtaking Nile cruises, and warm hospitality. Discover a destination that will leave you with lifelong memories and a deep appreciation for its rich heritage.

”Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind.” – Sene