These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Ehipto, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Paano ito gumagana: Most Alexandria taxis do not use a meter, so a driver may quote a high flat fare once he sees you are a tourist, or claim a much larger price on arrival than was agreed, leaving you to pay several times the real cost.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree the fare clearly before you get in, or use Uber or Careem, which fix the price in the app and remove the argument. Know roughly what a trip should cost, run the number in Egyptian pounds and carry small notes to pay the exact amount.
Seafood weight and price padding
Paano ito gumagana: Because fish is sold by weight, some restaurants quietly add extra fish, quote a vague price per kilo, or inflate the weight, so the final bill comes as an unpleasant surprise after you have eaten.
Paano ito iwasan: Ask the price per kilo up front, watch your fish being weighed, and confirm the total weight and cost before it is cooked. Check what is included and what costs extra, and choose busy, well-reviewed places over quiet tourist-facing ones.
Inflated airport taxi fare
Paano ito gumagana: Drivers at Borg El Arab sometimes approach arrivals inside the terminal or quote well above the normal rate for the long ride into the city, knowing new arrivals may not know local prices.
Paano ito iwasan: Use a ride-hailing app if you have data or airport wifi, or agree a fair fixed fare at the official rank before leaving. Never accept a ride from someone touting inside the building, and have small notes ready rather than a single large one.
Unofficial guides at the sites
Paano ito gumagana: At the Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar or the Citadel, a friendly local or a guard may attach himself to you, offer to show a 'special' spot or take your photo, then demand a tip or a steep fee afterwards.
Paano ito iwasan: Decide in advance whether you want a licensed guide and settle the price clearly before starting. A polite, firm 'no thank you' is enough to decline, and you are not obliged to hand over money for unrequested help or photos.
Change and note confusion
Paano ito gumagana: A vendor or driver may claim to have no change for a large note, keep it while 'searching' for coins that never appear, or hand back less than they should, hoping newcomers will not check.
Paano ito iwasan: Carry a stack of small notes and coins, especially on arrival day, and count your change before stepping away. Agree the price out loud beforehand, and paying the exact amount whenever you can avoids almost all confusion.
Paano ito gumagana: A captain agrees an hourly price, then cuts the sail short, claims the price only covered part of the trip, or pressures you for more once you're on the water and cannot easily leave.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree the total price and the exact duration out loud, with a witness, before boarding. Pay only the agreed amount at the end, and choose captains recommended by your hotel where possible.
Nubian village tea-then-hard-sell
Paano ito gumagana: A warm welcome and a glass of tea in a Nubian house leads into a high-pressure souvenir pitch, with starting prices reported at several times a fair value and little room given to simply say no.
Paano ito iwasan: Enjoy the hospitality without feeling obliged to buy. If you do want a souvenir, research typical prices first, start well below the asking price, and be ready to walk away.
Extra 'tickets' at Abu Simbel
Paano ito gumagana: Beyond the official site entry ticket, some visitors are asked to pay for additional unofficial passes, such as a 'guiding ticket' or a fee for 'keeping the city clean'.
Paano ito iwasan: Only the official entrance ticket, bought at the gate or online, is required. Politely decline requests for any other 'ticket' and pay tips only for services you actually wanted.
No-meter taxi overcharge
Paano ito gumagana: Street and airport taxis in Aswan rarely use a meter, and drivers may quote a heavily inflated fare, especially to visitors arriving for the first time.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree the fare before you get in, know the rough going rate, or book a transfer or ride-hailing option in advance where available.
Paano ito gumagana: A driver, guide or friendly stranger insists on stopping at a 'government papyrus museum' or 'perfume institute', which is really a shop paying them commission on hard-sell prices.
Paano ito iwasan: Say clearly you do not want shopping stops. Buy papyrus or perfume only if you genuinely want it, compare prices elsewhere first, and never feel obliged after a 'free' tour of the workshop.
Fake official and baksheesh pressure
Paano ito gumagana: Someone posing as a guard or attendant unlocks a 'special' area, offers to take your photo or points the way, then demands a large tip, or a real attendant pressures you for baksheesh.
Paano ito iwasan: A small tip is normal for genuine help, but you are not obliged to pay for unrequested services. Keep small notes for modest tips and decline firmly if pressured for more.
No-meter taxi overcharge
Paano ito gumagana: A street taxi driver claims the meter is broken or simply does not use one, then demands a heavily inflated fare at the destination, especially from the airport or near big sights.
Paano ito iwasan: Use a ride-hailing app for an upfront price. If you must take a street taxi, agree the fare before departing, know the rough rate, and pay with small notes.
Unsolicited help then a tip demand
Paano ito gumagana: A stranger 'helps' by pointing you to a monument entrance, adjusting your headscarf for a photo or leading you somewhere, then demands payment.
Paano ito iwasan: Politely decline help you did not ask for. If you accept genuine assistance, a very small tip is enough. Do not follow strangers away from where you meant to go.
Paano ito gumagana: Drivers often quote inflated fares to tourists, especially for longer runs between Dahab, the Blue Hole and Sharm El Sheikh, assuming visitors do not know the going rate.
Paano ito iwasan: Ask your guesthouse for the normal price for your route, then agree the fare clearly before getting in. For airport runs, book a fixed-price transfer in advance, and consider sharing a car with other travellers to split the cost.
Camel-ride price holdout
Paano ito gumagana: On trips toward the Blue Lagoon or Abu Galum, a camel owner may advertise a cheap ride, then refuse to let you dismount or turn back until you pay more than the agreed amount.
Paano ito iwasan: Settle the total price, the route and the return before you climb on, ideally with a Bedouin guide arranged through your camp or dive centre. Keep the agreement simple and pay only at the end, as agreed.
Cheap dive shops cutting corners
Paano ito gumagana: Some centres advertise unusually cheap dives or courses, then cut corners with poorly maintained gear, overloaded groups or under-qualified guides, which matters a lot at a site as serious as the Blue Hole.
Paano ito iwasan: Choose a well-reviewed, properly certified centre (look for PADI, SSI or CMAS) over the lowest price. Check the gear yourself, ask about group sizes and instructor ratios, and never feel pressured to dive beyond your training.
Souvenir and 'papyrus' markups
Paano ito gumagana: Shops near the promenade may open with very high prices, present machine-printed 'papyrus' or ordinary trinkets as special, or push overpriced goods on visitors who do not haggle.
Paano ito iwasan: Haggling is expected; start well below the first price and be ready to walk away. Compare a few shops, treat genuine-antique or hand-made claims with scepticism, and only buy what you actually like at a price you are happy with.
Bill padding and change confusion
Paano ito gumagana: A few restaurants add items you did not order or an unexplained service charge, and with newer and older Egyptian pound notes in circulation, incorrect change can slip through.
Paano ito iwasan: Check the menu prices, glance over the bill before paying, and question anything unexpected politely. Learn the note values on arrival, count your change, and carry small denominations for stalls and taxis.
Paano ito gumagana: A handler offers a cheap or 'free' camel or horse ride, walks you far out onto the plateau, then demands a large sum to bring you back down or to return you to the entrance.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree the full price, route and time clearly before you mount, in writing if you can. Prefer official rides, keep your phone and ticket on you, and decline unsolicited offers firmly. If pressured, stay calm and head back toward staff and crowds.
The 'pyramids are closed' guide
Paano ito gumagana: A tout near the entrance or a driver claims the main gate or a monument is closed for a holiday, prayer or repairs, and offers to take you to a 'special' entrance, viewpoint or shop instead.
Paano ito iwasan: Verify opening and closures only at the official ticket office. The site rarely closes to visitors. Ignore anyone intercepting you before the gate and walk straight to the official entrance.
'Free gift' then payment demand
Paano ito gumagana: Someone presses a headscarf, small souvenir or trinket into your hand as a 'gift' or 'welcome to Egypt', then aggressively demands money for it.
Paano ito iwasan: Do not accept unsolicited items. Keep your hands to yourself, say no clearly, and walk on. You owe nothing for something you did not ask for or agree to buy.
Fake ticket sellers
Paano ito gumagana: People outside the plateau offer to sell you entry tickets, skip-the-queue passes or 'combined' tickets that are overpriced, invalid or simply pocketed.
Paano ito iwasan: Buy tickets only at the official ticket office or recognised online channel. Ignore anyone selling tickets in the car park or on the approach road, however official they appear.
Paano ito gumagana: Hurghada taxis do not use meters, and drivers routinely quote tourists several times the fair fare, especially at the airport, outside hotels and late at night, sometimes changing the price on arrival.
Paano ito iwasan: Always agree the fare before getting in, know the rough local rate, and have small change ready. Booking a hotel transfer or a fixed-price private car for the airport removes the argument entirely.
Fake papyrus and perfume
Paano ito gumagana: Shops sell 'genuine' papyrus that is really cheap banana-leaf paper, and 'pure' essential oils or perfumes that are heavily diluted, often with a hard-sell story about authenticity and a special price for you.
Paano ito iwasan: Treat authenticity claims with scepticism and never feel obliged to buy after a demonstration. If you want a souvenir, compare a few shops, pay only what it is worth to you, and buy from established stores rather than street touts.
The 'free gift' bazaar trick
Paano ito gumagana: A vendor presses a scarf, bracelet, papyrus or trinket into your hand as a 'gift' or 'just to look', then blocks your way and demands payment once you are holding it.
Paano ito iwasan: Keep your hands to yourself and do not accept anything handed to you. A firm 'no thank you' and walking on works; if something is placed in your hand, hand it straight back and keep moving.
Too-cheap street excursions
Paano ito gumagana: Street agents and hotel touts sell boat trips, safaris and day tours at prices that seem unbeatable, then deliver overcrowded boats, rushed stops, unexpected marine-park or entry fees, or heavy pressure to buy extras.
Paano ito iwasan: Book excursions through your hotel or a well-reviewed operator and get the inclusions in writing. Ask whether park fees, lunch and equipment are covered, and be wary of any price that is far below everyone else's.
Photo and baksheesh requests
Paano ito gumagana: Someone offers to take your photo, poses you with a camel or falcon, or 'helps' you at a site, then demands a tip (baksheesh) far larger than expected, sometimes following you until you pay.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree any tip or photo fee in advance, or politely decline unsolicited help. Small tips for genuine service are normal in Egypt, but you decide the amount, and a calm, firm refusal is enough to end pushier requests.
Paano ito gumagana: Men in traditional dress hang around tomb entrances in the Valley of the Kings and elsewhere, offering to point out reliefs or 'explain' a tomb, then expect a tip afterwards even though they are not licensed guides.
Paano ito iwasan: A polite but firm 'no, thank you' before they start talking works best. If you want expert commentary, hire a licensed Egyptologist guide in advance instead.
'This tomb is closed' shop detour
Paano ito gumagana: A driver, guide or stranger claims a temple or tomb you want to see is closed, then offers to take you somewhere else instead - usually an alabaster, perfume or papyrus shop paying them commission.
Paano ito iwasan: Check opening status yourself in advance or ask at the official ticket office, not a driver. Decline shop detours firmly and stick to your planned itinerary.
Caleche and felucca price disputes
Paano ito gumagana: You agree a price for a carriage or boat ride, then are told at the end that the rate was per person or per short segment rather than the total you understood.
Paano ito iwasan: State and confirm the total price for the whole group and the full duration before you get in or board, ideally repeating it back clearly.
Tomb guardian baksheesh pressure
Paano ito gumagana: Site guardians sometimes unlock a side chamber, point a flashlight at a painted ceiling, or offer to take your photo, then press for a disproportionate tip.
Paano ito iwasan: A small note is a normal thank-you for genuine help, but you are not obliged to pay more than that. Keep small denominations handy and decline firmly if pushed.
Paano ito gumagana: Very cheap dive deals sometimes come from operators without proper PADI/SSI affiliation, insurance or well-maintained equipment, especially for the beginner Discover Scuba experience.
Paano ito iwasan: Book with an established, PADI- or SSI-affiliated dive center. Confirm your travel insurance covers diving, and don't choose a dive operator on price alone.
'Free' boat trip or gift in exchange for a presentation
Paano ito gumagana: A friendly promoter offers a free excursion, meal or gift if you attend a short '45-minute' presentation, which turns into a high-pressure, multi-hour timeshare or holiday-club sales pitch that's hard to leave.
Paano ito iwasan: Politely decline any offer that requires sitting through a sales presentation, however small the ask sounds. A genuinely free trip does not come with strings attached.
No-meter taxi overcharge
Paano ito gumagana: Local taxis between Naama Bay, the airport, the Old Market and hotels rarely use their meters, and drivers can quote foreigners three to five times the fare an Egyptian would pay for the same trip.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree the fare before getting in, ask your hotel what a fair price looks like, or book a fixed-price transfer in advance.
Aggressive touts in the Old Market
Paano ito gumagana: Some shopkeepers physically usher shoppers into stores, block the doorway or use guilt and persistence to pressure a sale, and opening prices are set high expecting heavy bargaining.
Paano ito iwasan: Browse with a firm but polite 'no thank you', keep walking if you're not interested, and always negotiate hard on any price you're quoted.
Currency exchange shortchanging
Paano ito gumagana: Informal exchange booths in the Old Market or along the Naama Bay strip may offer an attractive rate, then miscount the pounds handed back, or slip in a mix of torn or high-value notes.
Paano ito iwasan: Exchange money at a bank or an ATM from a recognized bank rather than a street booth, and count any cash you receive in full before walking away.
Snorkel gear rental overcharge
Paano ito gumagana: Some independent stalls near the beach rent masks, fins and snorkels at inflated daily rates compared to what dive centers or your hotel charge, especially to visitors who haven't asked around first.
Paano ito iwasan: Check whether your hotel or tour boat includes gear before paying separately, and compare a couple of rental prices before committing.