Camera/Video Tax, Cairo

There are two things to be aware of: one, people, including police officers and site officals, will offer to take your photo and then will not give you back your camera until they get a tip. The more expensive the Camera the more the tip required to get your camera back. Also, they were targeting expensive cameras. Officals taking them for taking photos in areas not allowed and then fining $100 to get camera back. You could offer to pay less to offical taking you to the office and get your camera back for substantially less...they do not consider this bribery but a day of doing business.

Unique Suggestions: Hold on to your camera. Do not let anyone take photos of you, except someone in your travel party. Note, the more expensive the camera equipment the higher target you become for scams.

Before traveling to Cairo, I read all over V.T that be careful because where ever you went you had to either surrender your camera or pay a camera ticket ????

I am sorry to say those who paid a camera ticket were scamed.....not once were we asked to pay an additional fee for our camera's, at the Egyptian musuems, there is a clear sign in English, French, German saying "NO CAMERA'S ALLOWED" no matter what so don't head out to the musuem with your camera, there is the only place that you must surrender your camera.....other than the musuem, just be careful, so you won't get scamed !!!!!!

Dont be afraid to take photos in Cairo, its not a problem but in the pyramid areas you will notice that if you do take any photos of men on camels then they expect a tip from you. Its good to give them a small tip maybe 1-2 Egyptian Pounds & only give them more if your feeling generous.
You will often here them say "You want photo with the camel" you dont have to have one if you dont want to so just say "La Schukran" which means No thankyou.

Also in the Egyptian Museum you can take photos but make sure you turn off the flash as this is forbidden. Be careful when using a video camera too as you may have to pay tax to use it.

Fun Alternatives: Its always best to ask someone first if you want to take a photo of them with your camera & they love it when they get a small tip. They are very grateful. The Egyptians are proud of there Country & will always help you out when taking photos.

You'll have to buy a ticket to enter any museum. If you want to see the real mummies inside the museum you'll have to pay a $10 ticket if you're not egyptian. Also, if you want to take your still photos camera inside the museum, you'll have to buy it a ticket!! If you want to take your video camera, you'll need to buy a $20 ticket!!!!

When you get into the Pyramid, you will have to pay for entrance. This is only to enter the Pyramids area. If you want to get inside any of the Pyramids, you will also have to pay a double-price ticket for each pyramid alone. You will also need to buy a ticket for your camera in order to be able to take it inside with you!!

Unique Suggestions: Leave your camera at home if you don't want to buy it a ticket!!

When visiting the Egyprtian Museum, you will have the option of bringing your camera in for a fee of about 10 Egyptian Pounds. What they don't tell you is that you cannot use the flash inside, and without the flash, almost none of your pictures will come out.
When I took this picture I left the flash on by accident, the security guards came over and almost took my camera away! It would cost £50 Egyptian to get it back. So don't bother taking your camera inside and save your money.

Photo and video are strictly forbidden in the Egyptian Museum! More than that - you should left your cameras in the cloak-room before entering the Museum.

We wanted to have video tape of Egypt and we bought it in the Museum. We paid 100 Egyptian Pounds (7 E.P. = 1 Euro). When we came back, we found that the quality of record is terrible.