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Some scams

Northern Africa

Tourist scams in Egypt

Tourist scams and persistent sales pressure are common in Egypt, especially in Luxor and busy tourist areas in Cairo. The main problems are inflated fares, shop diversions, misleading sales claims and demands for payment after unwanted help. Pickpocketing also happens, while reports of drink spiking in budget accommodation deserve particular care.
  1. 1 TaxisVery commonInflated taxi fares and unused metersDrivers may leave the meter off, claim it is broken or demand a high fare after departure. In Alexandria, drivers routinely refuse meters. Luxor taxis have no meters. In Hurghada, a vague quote can lead to arguments about the currency or whether the price covers the whole car or each passenger. Cairo drivers may also ask for more for extra passengers or a large-hotel destination.Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh 2Read
  2. 2 On the streetVery commonFriendly conversation that leads to a shopSomeone starts a friendly conversation, offers tea or promises to show you a nearby shop. The shop may keep moving to the next corner. Other openers include asking for help translating or writing a letter, claiming to know you from a cruise ship, asking your nationality or offering flattering comments. The aim is to lead you into a shop and earn a commission or pressure you to buy. This is especially persistent in Luxor.Tourist streets, markets, outside museums and near cruise ships. 2Read
  3. 3 ShoppingVery commonLarge tourist markups in marketsSellers quote foreigners much higher prices and use persistent bargaining to make a poor deal feel like a discount. In Luxor, an opening quote can be ten or even a hundred times a reasonable price. A printed price does not always protect you from a tourist markup.Markets, souvenir shops and street stalls, especially Luxor's main Souq and Cairo's Khan El-Khalili. 2Read
  4. 4 Tours and guidesCommonThe attraction is supposedly closedA driver or stranger says your museum, temple or other destination is closed. They then offer a tour or lead you to a shop instead. In Luxor, individual tomb closures can be real, so check the entrance notice rather than trusting a street approach.Cairo, Luxor 3Read
  5. 5 Hotels and roomsCommonTaxi or station tout diverts you to a hotelA driver or tout pushes you towards a hotel that pays them a commission. Airport taxi drivers are especially associated with this trick. Travellers without a clear accommodation plan are easier to pressure.Airports and arrival points; accommodation touts also approach travellers at Luxor station. 2Read
  6. 6 Tours and guidesCommonUnwanted guiding followed by a payment demandSomeone explains a sight or starts guiding without a clear agreement, then expects a tip or extra payment. Taxi drivers may charge extra for commentary you did not request. Inside Luxor temples, legitimate government guides can also push their services and demand tips.Tourist sites, inside Luxor temples and during taxi rides. 2Read
  7. 7 ShoppingCommonPapyrus museums, inflated discounts and imitation papyrusA shop gives a papyrus demonstration, warns against cheaper competitors and offers a large apparent discount on an inflated price. Much of the papyrus sold is made from other reeds. Guides, taxi drivers and hotel staff may receive a commission for bringing you in. This trick is specifically described in Cairo and Luxor.Papyrus shops presented as museums, galleries, factories or workshops. 2Read
  8. 8 TheftCommonScarf or merchandise used to hide pickpocketingA seller holds up a scarf, shirt or papyrus to attract your attention or hide their hand. They use the other hand to reach into your pocket.Aswan, Luxor 1Read
  9. 9 Buses and trainsCommonBoat and ferry overchargingBoat and felucca operators try to charge tourists too much. An unclear quote can leave you bargaining after you have already committed to the trip.Aswan 1Read
  10. 10 Buses and trainsCommonHorse-carriage fare changes at the destinationThe driver does not honour the price you understood and expects more when you arrive.Aswan 1Read
  11. 11 Buses and trainsCommonExtra charge pocketed by a bus ticket sellerThe onboard ticket seller raises the fare for a foreign passenger and keeps the extra money.Aswan, HurghadaRead
  12. 12 TaxisOccasionalNo-change taxi trickA driver says they have no change and leaves with more than the agreed fare. Small change is genuinely scarce, so preparation helps avoid both tricks and ordinary disputes.Taxi journeys, especially when paying with a large note. 1Read
  13. 13 TaxisOccasionalFake taxisA vehicle is presented as a taxi without the expected official identification. No specific payment trick is described.City streets. 2Read
  14. 14 TaxisOccasionalA cheap taxi ride becomes an expensive tourA driver pressures you to take a costly sightseeing tour instead of the simple ride you requested.CairoRead
  15. 15 TaxisOccasionalRide-hailing driver demands more than the app quoteAn Uber driver messages before arrival to negotiate a higher price than the fare shown in the app.Aswan 3Read
  16. 16 On the streetOccasionalUnsolicited help crossing the streetA stranger offers to help you cross the road as an opening for a scam or unwanted interaction. No specific later demand is described.Cairo 2Read
  17. 17 Tours and guidesOccasionalMosque rooftop visit with a hidden markupA new acquaintance promises directions to a mosque and says there is no tip. They then ask for an entrance and rooftop payment, give a smaller amount to the guardian and keep the rest.Cairo 1Read
  18. 18 ShoppingOccasionalMarket price changed from per kilo to per half-kiloA sign gives a price in piastres per kilogram, but the seller tells a tourist that it applies to half a kilogram. This doubles the apparent price for the same weight.Fruit and vegetable market stalls.Read
  19. 19 ShoppingOccasionalTea used to pressure a perfume purchaseStaff invite you inside, offer tea or another drink and show you perfumes. They then use your acceptance of the drink to pressure you into buying.Hurghada 2Read
  20. 20 ShoppingOccasionalPerfume quality or contents misrepresentedPerfume may not be natural or original as claimed, or may contain alcohol when sold on a different basis.Souvenir and perfume shops, including those in Hurghada. 2Read
  21. 21 ShoppingCommonFake branded clothingClothing is sold under well-known brand banners even though the goods are often counterfeit.Hurghada 1Read
  22. 22 ShoppingOccasionalAlabaster factory and stone-origin claimsA factory presentation suggests goods are made locally or on site, although much alabaster is imported and hardly made there. Other stones, including much jade, are imported from China and India.Luxor 2Read
  23. 23 ShoppingOccasionalCounterfeit antiquesAn object is offered as an antique even though it is counterfeit.Shops selling older objects. 2Read
  24. 24 Changing moneyOccasionalPoor-rate hotel currency conversionA hotel accepts dollars or euros but uses a poor conversion rate compared with paying in Egyptian pounds. This is a pricing trap rather than proof of fraud.Higher-end hotels accepting foreign-currency payments. 1Read
  25. 25 TheftOccasionalPickpocketing in crowded placesA thief takes money or valuables from a pocket or bag, often where crowds make close contact easy. Greater Cairo has a history of pickpocketing, and visitors are also warned about it in Alexandria.Cairo, Alexandria 2Read
  26. 26 Buses and trainsOccasionalFalse claim that tourists cannot buy daytime train ticketsTicket staff have told tourists that they can only use overnight trains and refused to sell daytime tickets. This is described as a false restriction in reports from 2017–2018, rather than a confirmed current practice.Cairo 1Read
  27. 27 Hotels and roomsOccasionalDrink spiking by accommodation touts or staffThere have been reports of women being given spiked drinks by hotel touts or staff and then sexually assaulted.Luxor 1Read
  28. 28 Other tricksOccasionalEntrapment linked to offers of sexAn offer of sex can be part of an entrapment scheme. Gay men are specifically identified as having been targeted. The exact setup is not described.Luxor's street-approach warnings also describe a wider risk in Egypt. 1Read

Where to stay alert

  • Luxor main SouqIntense touting, flattering conversation openers and aggressive sales pressure.
  • Older market near Luxor TemplePersistent bargaining and very high opening prices.
  • Luxor railway stationAccommodation touts target arriving travellers who have no clear hotel plan.
  • Temples in LuxorUnwanted guiding followed by tip demands, including from legitimate government guides.
  • Khan El-Khalili, CairoSkilled hard selling and pressure to buy.
  • Midan Ataba, CairoCrowded markets make pickpocketing easier.
  • Cairo Ramses railway stationOlder reports describe false claims that tourists could not buy daytime train tickets.
  • Sharia as-Souq, AswanSellers may use scarves, shirts or papyrus to distract you while reaching into your pockets.
  • Hurghada International Airport arrivals areaHigh taxi quotes and possible disputes over the total, currency or price per passenger.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Use a working meter where expected. Otherwise agree the full fare before departure.
  • Confirm the currency, destination and whether the amount covers the whole car.
  • Keep small notes ready and collect all belongings before paying.
  • Keep your chosen destination firm when a driver suggests hotels, shops or tours.
  • Leave an unsafe ride at a busy, safe place.

Money

  • Use banks or exchange offices rather than street moneychangers.
  • Keep small notes for transport and everyday purchases.
  • Learn Eastern Arabic numerals to check prices, weights and bills.
  • Compare prices in Egyptian pounds before accepting a foreign-currency total.
  • Check prices locally; older quoted prices can be unreliable.

Cards and ATMs

  • Use a bank ATM or one in a secure location. Cairo's five-star hotel ATMs are described as a more secure option.
  • Avoid Euronet ATMs.
  • Let your home bank handle currency conversion rather than accepting the ATM's conversion.
  • Cover your PIN and keep your card in sight when paying.
  • Enable transaction alerts and keep your card issuer's contact details available.

Your belongings

  • Use closed pockets or a securely closed bag for valuables.
  • Keep your bag in front of you in crowded markets.
  • Step back when sellers hold scarves or other goods close to your body.
  • Split essential money and cards between secure places.
  • Do not chase a thief.

Where you stay

  • Know your accommodation's name and location before arriving.
  • Choose accommodation yourself rather than following a station or airport tout.
  • Check your room's lock and look for suspicious viewing holes.
  • Keep control of drinks offered by touts or staff.
  • Ask for a clear bill and conversion rate before paying in foreign currency.

Tours and guides

  • Verify closures at the attraction's official entrance or ticket office.
  • Agree prices before accepting guiding, demonstrations or other services.
  • Decline unwanted help early and keep control of your route.
  • Treat shop visits arranged by guides, drivers or hotel staff as sales visits.
  • Compare goods and prices before buying; a large discount does not prove good value.

Police and officials

  • Ask police or security officers for directions when you are lost.
  • Use a Tourism Police kiosk to report crime in a tourist area.
  • Remember that a legitimate government guide may still expect payment for guiding.
  • Describe incidents calmly and keep receipts, messages and identifying details.

What travellers say about Egypt

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

How worried should I be about scams in Egypt?

Expect sales pressure and attempts to overcharge, especially in Luxor and Cairo's tourist areas. Most described problems involve money or unwanted attention. Violent crime against tourists is described as rare, but theft and more serious incidents can happen.

How do I avoid a taxi fare argument?

Use a working meter where expected. Otherwise agree the full fare before getting in. Confirm the currency and that the amount covers all passengers. Carry the exact amount and collect your belongings before paying.

What if someone says my museum or temple is closed?

Check at the official entrance or ticket office. Do not accept a replacement tour or shop visit just because a stranger or driver claims there is a closure. At the Valley of the Kings, check the sign listing open tombs.

Is an invitation for tea always a scam?

No. But an unsolicited invitation can lead to a commission-paying shop or pressure to buy. In Hurghada perfume shops, a drink may be used to create a sense of obligation. Decline if you do not want the sales visit.

Can I trust a papyrus museum or factory demonstration?

Treat it as a shop visit. A demonstration, guide recommendation or large discount does not establish authenticity or value. Compare other shops and remember that much papyrus sold is made from other reeds.

How do pickpockets use scarves?

A seller holds a scarf or other item close to you to hide their hand while reaching into your pocket. This is described in Aswan and Luxor. Step back and keep valuables securely closed away.

Where should I exchange money or use an ATM?

Use a bank or exchange office rather than a street moneychanger. Choose an ATM in a secure location, avoid Euronet and let your home bank handle conversion. Compare hotel foreign-currency payments with the price in Egyptian pounds.

How can I reduce risks when choosing accommodation?

Choose your accommodation before arrival and resist hotel diversions by drivers or touts. Check the room lock and look for suspicious viewing holes. Keep control of drinks, especially given reports of drink spiking involving budget accommodation touts or staff in Luxor.

What should I do when someone starts guiding me without asking?

Say early that you want to explore alone. If you want a guide, agree the price first. Even a short explanation can lead to a tip demand, including from legitimate guides inside Luxor temples.

Who can help if I am scammed or robbed?

Go to police or a Tourism Police kiosk in a tourist area. Call 122 for urgent police help. Block missing cards promptly, save evidence and contact your insurer. Your embassy or consulate can advise on a lost passport or serious incident.

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