Travel Tips

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to be in possession of a valid passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from date of travel. Entry visas can be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate in your country however, visitors from many countries may obtain an entry visa upon arrival in Egypt. Upon entering the airport in Egypt proceed to the bank tellers and ask for an entry visa (approx $15 USD or £10). Once you have this stamp on your passport you may proceed to Passport Control. Your visa is valid for 30 days.

Please check with your nearest Egyptian Consulate for more details concerning visa regulations applying to your citizenship if you are not a holder of an American or Canadian passport or passport from the United Kingdom.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

We suggest that you may want to bring the following items with you on your journey:

  • Hat/head covering for the sun

  • Sun block

  • Sunglasses

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Camera

  • Travel alarm

  • Personal toiletries

  • Small bag/pack for daytime sightseeing

  • Sewing Kit

  • Power adapters – Egypt uses 220 volts, and you can use the same two prong Plug Adapter used throughout most of Europe. Many appliances, such as hair dryers and curling irons usually require a Plug Adapter and a Voltage Converter. Some appliances and/or electronics, such as laptops and many battery chargers only require the plug adapter. Please check your appliances directly for their specific requirements.

 

 

 

 

  • Medications – you should bring adequate medication for your entire trip with a prescription slip or doctor’s letter explaining why you need this medicine in case you need further medication.

  • Journal and/or Note Pad

  • Snack items, such as energy bars, dried fruit or nuts.

  • Water bottle with a sprayer and/or with a battery-operated fan attached, if you are sensitive to the warmer weather, especially during the summer months (May-September)

  • An Extra (collapsible) Bag- if you plan to do any shopping. A bag, preferably soft, which can be crunched up and carried into Egypt in another bag will be handy for most people.

  • No Jet Lag—a homeopathic remedy that can help assuage the effects of jet lag from long flights.

SAFETY

Egypt is very safe to travel to and tourist safety is a priority for the government. You should take normal safety precautions, the same as you would when travelling to any other country. Be mindful of your bags, your money and your passport and never leave your bags or your belongings unattended. You will see a strong government security presence whilst travelling in Egypt. This does not reflect anything other than the Egyptian government’s commitment to the safety and protection of visitors

WEATHER

It is always sunny in Egypt! Well…almost always! It only rains on rare occasions, and mostly during the winter months.

Egypt does experience seasonal changes in temperature, and wind conditions. You can consult this link for updates on current weather conditions:  http://www.weatherforecastmap.com/egypt/

CLOTHING

Dress comfortably, loose cotton clothes are preferable – t-shirt, cotton pullover and cotton trousers, track pants or baggy jeans. Dress code is mostly casual, but you may want to bring something dressier for evenings if you wish. Bring a jacket or a warm sweater for the cooler evenings. During the winter months it is cooler during the day, and much chillier in the evening. Layering of clothing is suggested for your daily wear. Please be sure to bring comfortable flat shoes for daytime, preferably with closed-in toes for walking through sand and stones on the Giza Plateau, and at the temples. Sneakers and socks are a good choice for our desert treks.

Egypt is primarily Muslim country and we recommend that you dress conservatively outside the hotels, cruise boat and swimming pool areas. Revealing clothing such as short shorts, or very low necklines on clothing worn by women can be highly frowned upon and invite unwanted attention.

MONEY

US dollars, Euros and Sterling are all accepted forms of currency at many venues. You will need to convert some money into Egyptian Pounds. It is best to wait until you arrive in Egypt to convert your money, as the exchange rates are much better here than in most other countries. This can be achieved upon arrival at the airport, at most Hotels , and at Banks and Exchange Vendors that are found everywhere throughout all main towns and cities. Please note that many shops in Egypt do not accept credit cards.

We also suggest that you carry a supply of US dollar bills, or Egyptian 1 LE notes or coins for tipping.

Current Conversion Rate for USD to Egyptian LE: 1.00 USD = 7.15 EGP  (August 2, 2014)

For up to date currency rates visit: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/africa/egypt/currency/index.htm

LANGUAGE

Arabic is the official language in Egypt. Egyptians have an amazing ear for languages and most people who come into contact with tourists will speak English and/or several other languages.

COMMUNICATIONS

If your mobile is equipped with ‘roaming’ then you will have no problem using it in Egypt, however please note that international calls are expensive. If you feel you will need to make a large number of phone calls, either local or international, while you are in Egypt, it is best to purchase a local Egyptian SIM card from a Vodafone, Mobinil or Etisalat shop upon arrival in Egypt. You can then use your phone just as you would a pre-paid phone. To do this you must ensure your mobile is ‘unlocked’ and this must be done from your home country. Recharge cards are easily available. Please remember to bring your phone charger with you and an adapter.

WiFi is availablse in most Hotels.  Sometimes it is free and sometimes it is chargeable. 

Internet Flash Drives (obtained through mobile phone companies) loaded with up to 10 GB of uploading and downloading space are available for $30.00 USD.

FOOD & WATER

Drink only well-sealed bottles of bought water – Although Egypt’s tap water is officially safe to drink, it is often heavily chlorinated, and the change in water content alone can be enough to upset a sensitive stomach.Avoid drinks with ice cubes. Hotels and restaurants serve a variety of Egyptian and Western dishes with plenty of vegetarian options. Food is generally safe to eat, and is usually of a good quality. It is also suggested that you do not eat unpeeled fruit or vegetables when you are not eating at Hotel or Tourist friendly venues during the first few days. You may want to bring along your own remedies for stomach ailments such as Imodium—and/or natural remedies like raw ginger, or ginger tea.

HEALTH

No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Egypt. Consult with your health care provider before traveling. For further information regarding vaccinations please visit this website:  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/egypt.htm

ALCOHOL

As Egypt is a Muslim country, alcohol is not widely available. However, to cater to tourists it is available in most hotels and on cruise boats. They offer both local and international brands. It is also permitted for you to bring your duty free allowance into Egypt. If you have additional requirements, please ask for assistance.

TIPPING – ‘BAKSHEESH’

Tipping is a part of life in Egypt. Salaries are very low so most workers rely on tips to increase their earnings. Like in the West, tipping should be given for a service that you are happy with. As a guideline you should give small but regular tips of up to 5 LE (Egyptian Pound) or 1.00 USD to cleaners, bell boys etc. For waiters, drivers etc, typically receive about 10%. It is customary to tip the cruise crew as well. Toilet Facilities throughout Egypt will suggest or even require a 1-3 Egyptian LE Tip to the attendants. Tips for our motor coach drivers and cruise staff are included in your tour fee! Follow your own guidance for tipping if you feel that you received special service from anyone along your journey.

SHOPPING

Popular shopping and gift items in Egypt are papyrus, statues and items made from marble, basalt and alabaster, perfumes & oils, sheesha pipes, musical instruments, scarves and gallabeyas, gold and silver and of course – Egyptian cotton! Although bargaining is a common practice here, we recommend that you have a fair price in mind when you see an item that you like and stay within what you decide is a fair price range. Please ask for assistance when you are unsure!

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is recommended for you to have travel insurance. Please check your policy thoroughly to ensure it will cover all activities you may wish to do during your holiday.