How Does Scams to Avoid Work in Egypt?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
Egypt has several well-known tourist scams — learn to recognise the 'closed today' redirect and the horse/camel price switch.
2What You Need to Know
The most common scams targeting tourists include: the 'closed today' redirect (a stranger tells you a site is closed and offers to take you to a cousin's shop — it is never closed); the camel or horse ride price-switch at the Pyramids (a price is agreed, then dramatically increased at the end or a return trip is demanded); fake papyrus and perfume sold as authentic; 'free' papyrus factory tours that apply intense pressure to buy; and official-looking individuals demanding fees that do not exist. These scams are persistent, professional, and aimed specifically at tourists unfamiliar with how things work.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Verify opening hours of any major site directly on the official Egyptian government tourism website before heading out
- 2For Pyramids camel and horse rides: agree on the full price (including return), get a written note if possible, and pay only at the end
- 3Genuine papyrus can be identified by its texture — real papyrus feels fibrous and slightly rough; banana-leaf fakes are smoother and cheaper-looking
Important Warning
Never follow a stranger who approaches you on the street near a tourist site with 'helpful' information about closures, special access, or a shortcut — it is almost always the opening move of a scam.
How does this compare?
Scams to Avoid rules in nearby and similar countries:
Haggling is expected at traditional souqs but scams are rare — the UAE has a very low scam culture overall.
Morocco has a well-documented range of tourist scams — the faux guide, carpet shop pressure sales, henna traps, and free spice samples are the most common.
Saudi Arabia has a low scam culture overall, but watch for overcharging at tourist-area restaurants and by unofficial taxis.
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