What You Need to Know Before Your Trip to Egypt

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 answer the question “What do I need to know before going to Egypt?”:

 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:

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.

⇒ While planning for your trip to Egypt, you will also need to know about the tours packages, whether it’s Budget Tours, Classical Tours, Luxury Tours or even a Tailored Tours.

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:

• Compute the exchange rate and thoroughly review credit card receipts before
• Take your purchases home with you whenever possible. Airfreight can take many months and actual shipping charges can be excessive. Customs delays, fees, and regulations can further complicate the issue. If you choose to ship purchases, we suggest taking a picture of the item(s) and/or marking them in some way to ensure you receive what you purchased. For example, you could write your name on the backside of a rug. Determine if your shipment will deliver door-to-door or to the nearest customs facility, as is often the case. Most goods shipped from other countries to the United States are subject to Customs
• Duty taxes, if applicable paid as you re-enter the United States. Regardless of assurances by merchants, these cannot prepay on your behalf. Currently, each person entitled to an $800 duty-free exemption, however, may only bring one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars
• Keep all sales receipts for items purchased throughout your trip and try to pack all items that you will need to declare together. This will ease the Customs process upon re-entry into the U.S.

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.