Planning for a
tour to Egypt and you have no idea from where to start? Then this blog is for
you, as it contains everything you need to know like Passport Visa, Currency, Time
zone, what to pack…etc.
At this blog,
you will find all that you are looking for, and without any further ado, let's
begin:
PASSPORT AND VISA
INFORMATION
In order to
enter Egypt, you will need:
A signed,
valid passport and a tourist visa*. Your passport must remain valid for at
least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip.
It is also
imperative that your passport has enough blank visa pages available for entry
and exit stamps.
Tourist visas
for Egypt can be purchased either on arrival or by applying in advance through
a visa processing service. While there are additional costs involved in using
these services, we encourage you to obtain your visa ahead of time, as long
lines can be common. The current cost of obtaining a single-entry visa for
Egypt is USD $25 (subject to change without notice).
For those
planning to obtain their visas in advance, it is recommended that you apply no
sooner than 30 days prior to departure. For those planning on obtaining their
visa upon arrival, the visa fee must be paid in cash and can be paid in U.S.
currency.
Please also be
aware that you need a valid visa before going on your trip to Egypt. Therefore,
if your itinerary has you entering/leaving/re-entering Egypt, you will need to
obtain a multiple entry visa.
CURRENCY
Egyptian unit
of currency is the Egyptian Pound.
Exchange money
only at authorized outlets such as currency exchange kiosks, banks, and hotels.
Only exchange what you feel you will need while visiting. Save all receipts
from any currency transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit
the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.
We suggest
traveling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at
least two major credit cards. US dollars are widely accepted. Major credit
cards are generally accepted in shops, hotels, and restaurants. If you have a
“Chip and PIN” card, be careful to shield your number from view while entering
it on a keypad; never disclose your PIN verbally. Notify your credit card
company of your travel plans prior to your departure to avoid any fraud concerns.
We do not
recommend traveler’s checks as they are not as widely accepted as in previous
years, and are only accepted at some banks and international hotels.
WEATHER
Egypt is
largely a desert, an extension of the great Sahara that bands North Africa.
Save for the thin strip of watered land along the Nile rivers , very
little could survive here. Generally, the summers are hot and dry and the
winters, moderate. Alexandria gets the most rainfall, while there is very
little rainfall in the Nile Valley.
WHAT TO PACK
Bring
materials that breathe; wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of
the day and put back on for cool evenings.
Conservative
clothing such as lightweight pants, loose shorts, long skirts or trousers and
at least short-sleeved shirts are recommended for both sexes when sightseeing
in towns.
Somewhat
smarter clothing is appropriate for evening dining in city restaurants and
aboard your Nile Cruise vessel.
Getting a pair
of socks is very important especially when entering the religious buildings
where you have to remove the shoes.
Women should
pack a scarf large enough to cover bare neck and shoulders. An umbrella – to
use as a sunshade.
Pack a
swimming suit; many local hotels have swimming pools.
Carry a
sweater or lightweight jacket for evenings and fiercely air-conditioned
interiors.
Pack
comfortable, walking shoes. Sandals may not be appropriate for some sightseeing
activities. Shoes with crepe or rubber soles are best for walking in the desert
and temple sites.
Sunglasses,
sunblock, and a sunhat. Collapsible walking stick.
A small
flashlight is useful in case of a local power failure.
If you wear
eyeglasses or contact lenses, be sure to pack an extra pair(s).
Simple
first-aid kit. Prescriptions and medications (We recommend you carry these in
their original bottles and/or packaging.)
Charging
cables for electronics. Voltage converter and adapter plugs.
Laundry
Service is available at most hotels and on Nile Cruise vessels. Dry cleaning is
available in larger cities.
Baggage Restrictions
One piece of
checked baggage and one piece of carry-on luggage per person are permitted on
flights within Egypt. Checked baggage may not exceed 50 lbs. and carry-on luggage
may not exceed 17 lbs. These limitations are strictly enforced.
As a
preventative measure, it is recommended that all luggage be secured with a TSA
approved lock.
What You Need
to Know When You Arrive
TIME ZONES
Egypt operates
on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) + 2 hours. At 9:00 a.m. in Egypt, it is:
|
EST |
2:00 a.m. the same day |
|
CST |
1:00 a.m. the same day |
|
MST |
12:00 a.m. the same day |
|
PST |
11:00 p.m. the previous
day |
LANGUAGE
The official
language of Egypt is Arabic, although many Egyptians with whom you will come
into contact speak and understand English, as well as many other European
languages.
Please consult
with your guide on translations, if needed.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
At
international airports in Egypt, you are met by a "Delta Egypt" Tour
Coordinator who will assist you through immigration formalities and remain with
you while you clear customs. Look for the person holding the distinctive Your
Egypt Tours signboard.
PROTECTION AND PRECAUTIONS
Use a safe
where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables, especially
passports, medications, jewelry, money, and electronics. If you must carry
valuables, keep them on your person at all times. Be mindful of your
surroundings and take extra caution in crowds.
Photocopy the
personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy with a family
member or friend and pack another separately from the passport itself. You may
want to scan and email a copy to yourself for easy, online access. This will
help you to quickly secure a replacement should the need arise.
ETIQUETTE & PHOTOGRAPHY
Unless you are
shooting a crowded public scene, it is considered courteous to ask permission
before taking pictures of local people, especially small children. Please be
respectful of local people who would not like to be photographed.
Still, camera
and video camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums. Local people
may compensate if you include them in a photograph. It’s best to determine if
your intended subject expects to pay before taking a photo.
Photography
does not permit at some locations, which may include government buildings,
museums, art galleries, private houses, etc. Photography in Egypt restricts at
certain sites to preserve antiquities which can damage by flash photography.
These areas usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask; this will avoid
having your camera confiscated. Flash photography is prohibited in some
situations.
Be sure to
pack ample amounts of batteries and memory cards or film for your camera and
video equipment, along with the appropriate charging cables. A dust-proof case
or seal-able plastic bags and lens brush also recommended.
FOOD AND DRINK
Do not use tap
water for drinking or brushing teeth. Even “purified” water in open containers
should avoid. It is always preferable and safer to use only bottled water.
Regardless of
precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and
nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked
vegetables, peeled fruit, unpasteurized milk and milk products. Beware of any
food or drink sold by street vendors.
SHOPPING
Many of our
guests enjoy the chance to purchase items that reflect their destination, the
decision to shop while traveling is a personal choice and shopping is never
compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or
make purchases.
To avoid
disappointment, we suggest the following guidelines:
TIPPING GUIDELINES
Gratuities/Tipping
(recommended). In Egypt, tipping is not an obligation but it is a sign of
appreciation for good service. The average tip is $10-$20 US dollars per
day—this amount covers everyone. So you need to carry change. If you don’t want
to deal with the tipping, you can give your guide a total sum in advance of all
tipping requirements for your trip that the guide would dispense.