Egypt is a very safe country to travel to, and you always feel secure because of how visible the police, tourist police, and army are. Egypt takes pride in the high level of safety it offers travellers, and the best way to ensure safety in Egypt is to read the recent visitor evaluations posted by actual recent guests on the most reliable travel website, TripAdvisor.
However, if you are from North America, Western Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil/Argentina, Hong Kong/Japan/Macau/Malaysia or Singapore, you can obtain your tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt. Normally, you must apply for a pre-entry tourist visa at your local Egyptian Embassy or Consulate General.
You can apply to the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate General in your place of residency if you have a residence permit; otherwise, you must go through the nation that granted your passport.
A full tourist visa is necessary if you travel to any part of Egypt that is located to the west of the Red Sea/Suez Canal, despite the fact that numerous nationalities are excluded.
Although many nationalities do not need a visa to enter Hurghada, a full tourist visa is necessary once you exit the city limits.
Yes, your visa will be stamped as soon as you depart Egypt, necessitating the need for a new one. If you are from a nation where you may obtain your visa upon arrival in Egypt, you can do it again. However, if you need a pre-entry visa, you should apply for two of them and enter the country with the second one.
If necessary, a tourist visa may be extended. To do this, you must submit an application to Mogamma in Tahrir Square or to the offices that are similar there in Alexandria, Luxor, or Sharm El-Sheikh.
The facilities and overall standard of the accommodations improve as the star ratings rise, making it simpler to think of 5 star deluxe (or any suffix appended to 5 star) as being 6 star; something those who determine the star ratings appear to be afraid to use.
It is much simpler for you to view the sights if you have a base in Giza and are just in Cairo for a short period of time. If you want a full day of activities, you should get up early, especially if you want to access the Great Pyramid, which requires that you be at the plateau before 8 a.m. because of the traffic from downtown to the pyramids, which may make the trip take over an hour.
The hotels at the Pyramids are all resort-style establishments built in acres of land with outdoor swimming pools and relaxation places, something that Downtown hotels truly can’t offer if you’re staying in Cairo for a while. In contrast to the Giza Pyramid hotels, which are lower in height but cover more area, the Downtown hotels are typically constructed like towers, making them very tall and narrow.
A factor to consider is price, as a straightforward 4 star hotel in the Downtown region is frequently much more expensive than a 5 star resort in the Pyramids area. Cairo is similar to most large cities in the globe in this way because property in the city centre is significantly more expensive. Even though it might seem like Downtown hotels have the luxury of allowing guests to wander the area for dining, shopping, and other activities, most Pyramid hotels provide complimentary shuttle services to let you do the same. Additionally, taxis are not expensive and will still be less expensive overall.
Only breakfast is included in the “bed and breakfast” arrangement.
Half board entails receiving both breakfast and dinner.
All meals are included with a full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
All-inclusive refers to a package that includes all meals, beverages, and in some cases’ alcohol. When making the reservation, the latter point should be examined.
Absolutely not, and we would advise you to explore and take in Egyptian culture instead. The majority of packages include full board, which tends to give people the impression that they must remain confined to their hotel, but the sights and sounds of Cairo, in particular, are just too amazing to miss. Why stay in the same hotel, with the same faces, when you might go out and have your dinner on a cruise boat going around Zamalek Island, accompanied by either a belly dancer or a Whirling Dervish; or perhaps both. Enjoy every second of your vacation and go on an adventure.
There are safety deposit boxes in every hotel and on every ship, sometimes even in your room or cabin. Simply inquire at the front desk, and they will either provide you with instructions on how to use them or securely store your valuables until you need them.
The primary bus terminal, known as Cairo Gateway (El Torgoman) bus station, is located just outside of the city’s core. You can get there in a cab of your choosing.
Luxor’s bus terminal is located behind the Luxor Temple.
The bus terminal is located in the heart of Hurghada.
On Freedom Road, on the town’s edge, is where you’ll find the bus terminal. Although many hotels have shuttle buses that can make the trip, you will still need to take a taxi to get there.
There is no online ordering option for this, but you can place a telephone order instead. Dial 201211843479+
201211831987+to reach El Watania by phone or fax. You will receive a booking reference, and at least 24 hours prior to departure, you can pay and pick up the tickets at Cairo station.
Many travel guides note the bus and road connections between these two towns, although tourists are not advised to use them, and the buses frequently turn them down. It is suggested to take a bus to Luxor and then a rail to Aswan.
Tourists are warned not to take these buses, despite the fact that they are air-conditioned and reliable. They will also have to be extremely lucky to either get a ticket or even be permitted to board the vehicle. Tourists can only travel on trains or by plane for this trip.
You can, but it is recommended that you purchase your tickets at least 24 hours before departure. If you wait until the last minute, you might discover that there are no seats available that are close to one another, or that there are only seats available at different ends of the bus. Not a good idea if you’re travelling with little children.
There are numerous large automobile rental businesses in Cairo, and car rentals are accessible. Those who have never been to Egypt and do not understand the standard of driving practised by Egyptians are NOT recommended to rent a car.
It is not advisable to try this unless you are accustomed to the way Egyptians drive. Cars will cut you off to make a turn, there is no such thing as proper lane etiquette, and using lights at night is quite rare. There aren’t many reliable road maps, particularly local ones, and although though some road signs are in both Arabic and English, the bulk are only in Arabic.
NO!! If you were to do this, you might end up paying more for the trip than you would have by bus or rail.
Yes, there are a lot of places that might allow this, but before you do, please remember:
1. As the day goes on, the temperature rises, becoming unbearably hot by early afternoon. Do you really want to pedal for kilometres in this with such little chance of shade? Because there are no bike lanes, you must share the road with all other types of automobile traffic, which is not ideal. Many bicyclists have been hurt because other automobiles failed to notice them. ucial for children who, as a result of the heat, will fatigue easily throughout the day.
2.You must share the road with all other types of automotive traffic because there are no cycle lanes, which is not the ideal situation. Numerous bikers have suffered injuries as a result of other drivers not seeing them.
Sadly, the ongoing issues in Palestine and Israel prevent connections between Alexandria (and Port Said) and other Mediterranean ports at this time. In the not too distant future, it is hoped that these will restart. There are passenger-carrying commercial ferries available, but you would need to speak with the local port administration to learn more about them.
The fastest and most convenient way to go to Abu Simbel is by plane, which takes about 4 hours for the round trip and visit. There are also two police-controlled bus convoys that depart Aswan at 0400 and 1130 and travel to Abu Simbel in about 9 hours.
You can get to either of these locations by train, getting out at the appropriate station, and then taking a taxi, or you can arrange for a taxi or private vehicle to transport you there (from Luxor or Aswan).
Despite the fact that this cruise is shown in films like “Death on the Nile,” this route has been impassable since the late 1990s. Nowadays, the only options to go from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan are by plane or rail.
Yes, but only 300 persons each day are allowed to purchase tickets for this; 150 at 8:00 a.m. and the remaining 150 at 3:00 p.m. Only at the main entrance, not the one near to the Sphinx, can tickets for this be purchased. Buses will arrive at the office at opening hours and they typically end up with the majority of the tickets because tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. If you have the time, try to get the tickets in the morning; if not, be the first .
These sales are allowed, but only one is allowed to be open at a time. They are changed to allow for breathing, which disperses the high levels of carbon dioxide that tend to build up inside. The site’s main entrance is where you may purchase tickets.
No, it is strictly prohibited to take photographs inside tombs, including those at the Pyramids and Abu Simbel, which is why the Valley of the Kings has banned all cameras (you have to leave all cameras at the x-ray point at the second entrance). Because individuals break the regulations, stringent precautions have been put in place to protect these ancient pieces of art because excessive flash ruins the paintwork within the tombs. When visiting places, the straightforward rule of thumb is: no cameras inside, cameras are fine outside.
I have noticed that the same sites appear to be repeated in every package tour programme I see.
Even though the majority of businesses will choose the same locations for their packages, this is mostly because these are the “must see” locations for people who are visiting Egypt for the first time. There are literally hundreds of historic sites in Egypt that may be visited, and doing so merely requires making a request.
NO!! Egypt has been free of malaria for more than 85 years, and no anti-malarial drugs are necessary. Since adverse effects from any anti-malaria drug can truly ruin your vacation, it is actually exactly the opposite. Malaria does not necessarily exist in Egypt just because it is an African country.
Yes, but please make sure that you just pack what you’ll need for your stay, plus a few days’ worth of supplies more. It would also be beneficial if you could bring the prescription with you, either as proof or to supplement (there are many pharmacies in Egypt that can do this for you). Please make sure you have the prescription as verification if you are travelling further from Egypt and have more of your prescribed medication with you.
Yes, but it’s not advisable! Egyptian water has a lot of chlorine, which might upset your stomach’s microbial balance and result in diarrhoea. Stick with bottled water for drinking purposes, making sure the seal is unbroken before consuming.
This can be done with complete safety because Egyptian water is heavily chlorinated but not harmful. When taking a shower or swimming, you frequently ingest small amounts of water without experiencing any issues. So why should brushing your teeth be any different?
In accordance with protocol, males should wear long pants rather than shorts, but since this is the norm in Egypt, people rarely comment when it happens.
Women are expected to cover their bare flesh as much as possible according to protocol, thus it is especially important to cover the shoulders. A simple scarf will do. Again, it is recommended to wear long skirts or pants because your legs should be protected. Despite what some guidebooks claim, covering your head is not required, though it is considered respectful to do so.
On the ship, you are free to wear whatever you choose, but you must dress for dinner. You don’t need to dress formally; being casual but presentable is acceptable. Swimwear is inappropriate.
Wear clothing appropriate for a hot summer day at home when exploring the towns. The majority of natives actually dress in shorts and t-shirts.
This largely relies on the website you are visiting and the time of day that you are doing so. You should be careful not to expose too much skin to the sun because some provide minimal shade (the Giza Pyramids, in the afternoon, is a prime example of this). Since temples are well-shaded, you do not need to cover yourself up as much. However, keep in mind that despite their good shading, tombs still tend to heat up from the sun and the numerous tourists, so try to wear light clothing, especially made of cotton. Please be aware that many of the flooring are extremely uneven, even though many people prefer to wear open-toed sandals.Please be aware that many of the flooring are rather uneven, making it simple to step on your toes. Ladies, please refrain from wearing high heels since not only can you easily break them, but they can also get caught in the big stones in the flooring and cause you to fall over. Sand with high heels are not the best combination since the heels will sink in (you may laugh, but many ladies do insist in wearing high heels).
Many women who travel alone report feeling safe the entire time. In addition to the army, police, and tourist police that are usually nearby, Egyptians themselves are mostly safe and will work to safeguard single travellers. Overall, Egypt is less safe for a female traveller alone than countries like Greece, Italy, or Spain.
Although the likelihood of being confronted is almost nonexistent, please make sure you exercise the same caution you would anyplace else and resist the urge to wander alone in empty regions; instead, take a taxi back to your house! Do not accept any invitations from strangers, even if they seem innocent on the surface.
This is a fallacy from the guidebook. Women are free to stroll through these communities just as they would in the summertime in their own hometowns. You’ll be surprised by how many local ladies dress similarly, making them appear more like tourists than Egyptians.
Yes. Nowadays, most locations accept them, including all respectable hotels and cruises. It is advisable to have cash on hand when shopping in the many street marketplaces (souks), even though most street businesses and larger malls take plastic.
Nearly every bank has an ATM outside or just inside the entrance, and they are typically watched over by a police officer. Stand-alone ATMs are available in many malls, and you can also find them near busy sidewalks or where two busy sidewalks converge. ATMs can be found in larger tour company offices as well as in airports and train stations.
Egypt uses a 220 volt supply, and its plugs are the standard two round pin kind seen across Europe (except the UK).
Yes, alcohol is sold in Egypt in upscale hotels, fine dining establishments, coffee shops, bars, and beer gardens. Additionally, off-licenses are available. However, keep in mind that it is prohibited to consume alcohol on the streets of Egypt, so avoid wandering around with a can of your preferred beverage.
You are only permitted to carry in 2 litres of liquid.You are only permitted to carry in 2 litres of liquid.
The drinking age limit is 21.
In Egypt, tips are only a way to express gratitude for a job well done; they are not required. Giving a gratuity, even for small services, is a significant and widely recognised aspect of Egyptian society. Tipping is an everyday occurrence for Egyptians as well, not only for visitors. Keep in mind that tips are a crucial and vital addition to the population’s meagre income. The ratio between the tip and the pay might occasionally seem exaggerated, making tipping challenging to explain. It is challenging to establish precise tipping rules because they vary depending on the services rendered, the length of the expedition, the distance travelled, the number of people in the party, etc.