Planning a trip to Egypt? These practical tips from our Cairo team will help you arrive prepared and make the most of every day.
Most visitors need a visa. Many nationalities can apply online for an e-Visa at the official site visa2egypt.gov.eg or buy a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Rules depend on your nationality, so check before you travel.
October to April is ideal for sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, with warm days and cool evenings. Summer is very hot inland, so plan visits for early morning. The Red Sea resorts of Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are good all year round.
The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops, and ATMs are easy to find in cities and resorts. Carry some cash in small notes for taxis, markets, toilets and tips.
Tipping (baksheesh) is part of daily life in Egypt. It is customary to tip guides, drivers, boat crews, hotel staff and restaurant waiters for good service. Keep small notes handy for this.
Pack light, breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes for temples and archaeological sites. Dress modestly in towns and at religious sites: cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf to cover their hair in mosques.
Drink bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere, and use sunscreen generously. Bring any medicines you need, with prescriptions. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical expenses.
Book a private airport transfer so your driver is waiting when you land. For sightseeing, a guided tour with transport saves time and hassle. Domestic flights, trains and Nile cruises connect Cairo with Luxor and Aswan.
Photos are allowed at most sites, though some tombs and museums charge a camera ticket or don’t allow photos inside. Drones are not allowed without a permit. Always ask before photographing people.
Local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to get at the airport or in phone shops, with your passport. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and many cafés. Plugs are type C and F (European two-pin), 220 V.
Egyptians are famously welcoming. Friday is the main day of prayer, and some sites and shops keep shorter hours. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during the day out of respect. A few words of Arabic, like “shukran” (thank you), go a long way.
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