Hiring A Guide In Egypt - Pros & Cons

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Ajitsa K.

Last updated : Mar 07, 20239 min read

It's like swimming against the Nile's current, isn't it? With each hour spent deciding if a private guide is the best way to explore the Land of Pharaohs, the dream of a carefree Egypt Adventure slips away. We’re here to end that back and forth.

Whether you're freaking out over the horror stories you've heard about touring Egypt or trying to figure out how to fit the country's greatest hits into your limited itinerary, you've come to the right place. Do you need a tour guide in Egypt? By the end of this article, you'll be able to confidently make that decision, so let's break down the good, bad, and everything in between. 

 

The Good 

Should you get a guide for Egypt? This is why we say yes. 

1. You’ll Stay Safe - Let's address the camel-shaped elephant in the room. You've probably encountered some worrying information while doing research for your Egypt trip. From scams and tourist haggling to harassment and terrorism, Egypt has some of the same struggles other developing nations face.  So Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Yes. If you've got a trusted local guide by your side you'll avoid; 

  • Safety & terrorism red zones
  • Popular counterfeit goods such as gold and papyrus 
  • Harassment from idle locals 
  • Areas with heightened political unrest

2. No Time Wasted - Who wants to get lost in the middle of Cairo? Or spend hours in traffic from one monument to the next? Nobody. With a guide, you bypass time-wasting elements like;

  • Transport - Getting around Cairo and Egypt's major cities is difficult. A guide can organize private transport. So no long negotiation processes with taxi drivers. 
  • Navigating The Cities - The sights, sounds, and smells of a major metropolitan city like Cairo can be overwhelming for first-timers. Your attention will be pulled in several directions. Stick to the important stuff and avoid getting derailed by hiring a local resident. 
  • Creating A Sightseeing Schedule - You want to hit the Giza Plateau, Valley of the Kings, and the Egyptian Museum, but it's taking just as long to plan it all? Our guides are experts at creating customizable tour plans that fit your schedule, personal needs, and interests. 

3. You’ll Know It All - Reading up on your destination’s customs and rules is one thing, but having a local with knowledge about the lay of the land unlocks a level of information you wouldn't have known. Guides act as translators, encyclopedias, negotiators, and food critics rolled into one. Their knowledge will paint an authentic picture of Egypt. 

4. You’ll Save Money - The phrase "private guided tour" isn't often associated with saving money, but in Egypt, private guides are a budget's best friend. The tipping culture can be excessive, with some demanding tips for lifting your bag or opening the door. Guides can negotiate general prices and prevent the demand for unnecessary tips. 

5. You’ll Stay Photo Ready - There’s a bit of a photography problem here. Street photography was forbidden for years, but things have eased up. Still, a guide is the best way to ensure you're not taking pictures where you shouldn't be. They'll also be the perfect camera person should you decide to strike a pose. 

 

The Not So Good 

Here’s why a guide might not be the best for you. 

  1. The Freedom Factor - though GWG tours are as flexible as they come, tour guides would hinder your fluid plans if you need to cancel plans or want to try something on a whim. 
  2. Missing Out on The 360°Egypt Experience - While guides offer an authentic view of Egypt, those looking to experience all sides of the country, good, bad, and in-between, would miss out. Certain city areas carry security risks, so guides may avoid them, limiting your perspective on the country as a whole. 

 

Hire A Guide If…

If this sounds like you, a GWG Guide is in your near future. 

  1. It’s your first time in Egypt. There's a learning curve, so your Egypt journey will be more enjoyable with a trusted companion. First-timers will appreciate the friendship and trust a guide brings. 
  2. You're worried about cultural differences. Egypt is a Muslim nation, so its culture has strong roots in the religion. That comes with customs and daily practices that you should keep in mind. Guides will help you navigate food, clothing, greeting customs and so much more. 
  3. You hate haggling/negotiating. There's a lot of that here. One of the most common complaints from tourists is the haggling and persistence from vendors, taxi and motorbike drivers, and salespeople. Walking with a local guide will discourage such behavior. 
  4. You don’t want to plan too much. Luxor, Alexandria, Cairo, and Aswan have much to offer, and you want to spend time seeing instead of planning. Leave the complicated stuff to the local expert. 
  5. You’re a woman traveling solo. It’s frustrating, but in Egyptian society, women can be the target of some uncomfortable catcalling and staring. They’re also seen as easier targets for scammers and aggressive vendors. A qualified guide will scare off the idle commenter or forceful salesman, especially at major tourist attractions. 

 

Skip The Guide If You’re…

  1. The Egypt Expert - You've been to the country several times and you're confident in your navigation skills. From the pyramids and downtown Cairo, you can expertly tackle any issues that arise. Egypt is basically your backyard. 
  2. The Bold Type - You cringe at the thought of following set plans. You'd rather pull up Google Maps, pick a random spot and head out. Your inner adventurer won't work well with a co-pilot. Even if some encounters are negative, you want to have them, knowing they will enrich your trip. 
  3. The Social Butterfly - You travel to meet new people and gain unfiltered, human-centered experiences. You would hate to be limited, and you'd prefer learning some key Arabic phrases and interacting with everyday Egyptians than having a guide act as the go-between. 

 

Conclusion

What if you fall somewhere in the middle and want the best of both worlds? We've got you. Explore on your own, and reserve your guided trips for Egypt's in-demand sites, where large crowds and aggressive vendors are plenty. Our most popular Egypt tours range from a few hours to a day. 

  • Desert Day of Sakkara, Giza, and The Sphinx - There's no better way to kick off your Egypt adventure than with an extensive tour of the archaeological marvels that made this country famous. Spend 9 hours soaking up the stories behind each structure, and tasting some authentic Egyptian food. 
  • Fall In Love With Luxor Full Day Tour - Spend a day in the world's grandest open-air museum, where you'll explore Hatshepsut's temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Luxor Temple, and so much more. When you get hungry, there are plenty of Egyptian cuisines to satisfy your taste buds. 
  • Cairo Highlights Day Tour - Fall in love with the capital city and its perfectly preserved history. This tour highlights institutions like the Egyptian Museum and the NMEC Civilization collection. You'll also get an in-depth lesson on the story of the Saladin Citadel, a fortification with a history dating back to the Crusades. 
  • Full-Day Alexandria Exploration - Take on the former capital city born from Greek and Roman conquests. From the 2nd Century catacombs and the Qaitbay fortress to the impressive Alexandria library, there won't be a dull moment in your day. 

With a GoWithGuide tour, the only thing you'll be breaking a sweat over in Egypt is the heat. No anxiety over safety. No overpriced trinkets and low-quality experiences. No time wasted calling venues to check availability. Just time well spent in a breathtaking country. Ready to get started? Check out our Egypt private tour guides and create your customizable dream tour. 

 

 

 

Image Links 
Al Giza Desert, Egypt
Cairo Street View, Egypt 
Kom-Ombo Temple, Egypt
Sailing In Aswan, Egypt
Valley Of Kings, Egypt 
Cairo Market, Egypt   
Hurghada, Egypt
Cairo Souk, Egypt 
The Red Sea, Egypt 
Cairo Aerial, Egypt

Source Links 
Challenges Facing Tour Guide Profession and Their Impact On The Egyptian Guide’s Performance
Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities: Discover Egypt
Egyptian Tourism Authority 
Egypt: Prime Minister Issues New Rules on Personal Photography in Public Places | Library of Congress
 

Ayman A.

Egypt

I am Agyptologist and Tourguide in Luxor it was my study for 6 years, and experince for 19 years in Tourism and guidance .I like my job and happy to show tourists my city and our human civilization.                                                                                                                                 

Mahmoud A.

Egypt

We are Experts: 20 Years Experience in The Tourism industry.Excellent Service: Delivering you with a First Class Service in order to enhance your satisfaction and make your trip in Egypt memorable.Multilingual Guides: We speak your language, you will be escorted by oneof our licensed Professional Egyptologist (English, German, Spanish,Russian, Portuguese and Italian) speaking GuidesProfessional Tour Customer Service                                                                                                                                 

Mahmoud O.

Egypt

I am an English speaking tour guide. I was born and raised in Luxor,Egypt and I am passionate about sharing my hometown with visitors.I work primarily in Luxor and Upper Egypt,but I also travel throughout Egypt.I believe that the best sites in Egypt are right here in Luxor,and love to share the history and culture of my country.I am a licensed tour guide and Egyptologist I enjoy working as a tour guide Egyptologist .I enjoy meeting new people but also it is excited for me to connect with Egyptian archeology and connect with civilization,show the real life in Egypt,and share others with my experience. I can arrange tailor-made trips for groups or individuals based on your own interests and budget.I travel with my guests whenever possible.If another guide is necessary,I refer only to guides with similar credentials and excellent standards.                                                                                                                                 

Maryam K.

Egypt

Hello, and welcome to Egypt! I'm Maryam graduated from Faculty of tourism and hotel. I'm working as a free lancer Egyptologist Tour Guide It's my pleasure to guide you in my city Giza as was born here, lived all my life in Giza. My ten years of experience made me love what I am doing and understand travelers' requirements which will let us choose together what is best for you and your length of stay. We will walk together in medieval Cairo where you will enjoy the difference in architecture and art while describing the history and daily life stories and meeting locals in all areas, eating local food and take the best photos ever. I will be glad to show our ancient arts and the ideas of building the oldest construction ever. Meeting different nationalities every day makes me happy as if I travel away everyday which increased my experience: Private tours are my favorite as I offer private excursions in order to give you all the attention and care. I will show you all the city attractions and highlights, Egypt has a lot to offer from ancient architecture to museums and medieval art. Come and join me and lets explore together. I do tours all around Egypt, not only Cairo, like Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simble, Fayoum, Alexandria. I am available also to customize all my tours to accommodate any request you might have, so please feel free to contact me anytime .                                                                                                                                 

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