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Travel Tips |
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The following Travel tips and information are for general guidance. Tourist Travel Advisors experts can answer individual enquiries. Please contact us for more inquires. |
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Visa Requirements
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Visas are available on spot and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay, for most nationalities in most airports and ports.
Many can get visa upon arrival at International Airports in Egypt while others need to get it before going to Egypt. If you are not sure what is valid for your country, send us an email and we will come back with updated information.
You should have a full, current passport valid for at least six months. A visa will be required which can be obtained on entry to the country at a cost of $15. |
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Credit Cards
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Credit Cards are only accepted at a very few major hotels, airlines and some international shops and restaurants. We suggest bringing a sufficient amount of cash for personal expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Friday, Saturdays and all public holidays. |
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Money
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Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is the local currency in Egypt.
Major Currencies can be changed nearly everywhere. Banks are in all cities as in most top end hotels. Automats for credit cards are found in most banks and mentioned hotels. Please note that most hotel and service contracts are given travel agents and tour operators in US$ or Euro and then payment must normally be in same currency.
Check the currency with this online Currency Converter. |
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Voltage
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Electric current in Egypt is 220 volts; also the outlets require a two-pronged rounded plug, not flat. So please if you have 110 volts appliance, do not forget your adapter. |
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Time
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Cairo time = GMT + 2 hrs. USA EST + 7 hrs.
Daylight saving time = First of May and September.
Official working hours in Egypt are 8:30 AM to 1 PM for banks and 9 AM to 3 PM and from 5 PM to 9:30 PM for shops.
Working days are Sunday to Thursday for banks and Monday to Saturday for shops. |
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Weather
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Egypt`s climate is characterized by a hot season from May to September; summers are hot at mid-day, but cool-off at night with a constant desert breeze. The best season is from October to April when the temperature is comfortable by day and cool by night, on average 14 C ( 57 F )
You can find our weather page where we list the whole year approximate temperature. |
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Health Requirement
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Vaccination is not obligatory for most tourists, and there are no major epidemics that are transmitted in Egypt.
Also check with your own country`s health guidelines for travelers to Egypt. For general health information we advise to look at WHO, UN`s World Health Organization`s travel and health information for Egypt. |
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Customs
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Video Cameras are the only machines you have to register upon entry; however, you should ask the custom officer for any changes. |
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What to Pack
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Breathe ability is the key to successful travel clothing. With casual, comfortable and loose-fitting garments that can be added or subtracted in layers you can easily move from sweltering day to chilly evenings. Wash and wear clothing is a great benefit and while the large hotels all provide laundry service you may only wish to wash a single shirt or top…and may find it’s much easier to do it yourself in the bathroom sink. Modest clothing, for both men and women, should always be worn: keep shoulders and upper arms covered, skirts below the knee and shorts for both sexes are frown upon. For women a one-piece bathing suit is a better choice than even a less-revealing two-piece style. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as is a hat, umbrella, sunscreen and lip balm as the Egyptian sun can be ferocious. Travel as lightly as possible as you’ll be on the move a lot. Besides camera and lots of film, lightweight binoculars are useful as well as a small flashlight for the less-well-lit tombs. |
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Safety
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Cairo is safer than any large Western city, but as in any country (including your own) common sense and precautions should be used. Wandering alone is not recommended and we strongly recommend against our women clients traveling alone or even in pairs in certain areas without an able-bodied male escort. |
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Car rental
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Roads are hazardous and local driving skills leave a great deal to be desired -- roadside heaps of post-accident scrap metal constantly bear witness to this.
Visitors are strongly advised against hiring a car themselves, although there are plenty of rental agencies in all major cities. Driving at night is particularly dangerous, as many drivers do not use headlights. |
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Cost of Living
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By international (and certainly British Delete words) standards, Egypt represents good value for money, particularly for travelers carrying pound sterling and $US Dollars, (and visiting from the UK) eating and drinking is considerably cheaper and you are able to eat well for less than USD$ 15 a day. Bottled mineral water is widely available at around 60 cents a bottle. See `alcohol` for details regarding alcoholic beverages. |
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Shopping
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This is a virtual Aladdin’s cave. khan al-khalill bazaar in Cairo is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. souks and bazaars abound in other towns, too. |
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Egyptian cuisine
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Egyptian cuisine is similar to some of the cuisines found in Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. the basic staple diet canters on pulses- fuul mezdames (fava beans) and ta`amiya (chickpea patties). These tends to be the centerpiece of a meal thaty will normaly include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats.
Tahini: Sesame seed paste, mixed with garlic, spices and some olive oil, and served as a dip with bread..
Baba ghannough: A dip made from tahini and mashed aubergines..
Falafel: A type of fried pate made from broad beans, chick peas, parsley and spices. Stuffed vine leaves: Rice and minced meat wrapped in vine leaves.
Karkade A local drink made from hibiscus petals. It is burgundy in colour and very thirst- quenching. It can be served hot or cold and sweetened to taste. Sweetened with 7-up, it makes a long, cool drink.
Fruit juices: Freshly squeezed juices such as orange, mango are widely available. The local speciality is sugar cane juice. |
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Taxis
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Local taxis are readily available and inexpensive, but agree the fare before embarking on your journey, and don’t pay until the end of your journey. The same goes for caleches, or horse and carriage, rides. |
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Telephones
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It is expensive to telephone home from hotels. Phone cards cost 20L.E. or 30L.E. for a approx. 3-4 minute call to the any where in the world. Ask your representative for further advice. |
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Tipping
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Tipping, or baksheesh as it is called in Egypt, is a way of life, and porters, waiters, temple guardians etc expect a small tip, around E£1 for a porter, 2L.E. coach driver, 15L.E. cleaner if staying in a hotel. Tip around 15 per cent on a restaurant bill.
However, on a Nile cruise, you will be asked to pay a sum of money at the start of your cruise from which your guide will pay all tipping outside the boat for you throughout your holiday. Then it is customary on a Nile Cruise to trip the crew collectively at the end of your holiday so all staff get something – about L.E. 3 per person per day is the normal, plus a similar amount for your Egyptologist guide handed to him or her personally. |
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Water
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Remember to drink plenty of water while in Egypt, particularly during the summer months, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration. Drink only bottled water. |
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Beer
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The choice is somewhat limited, but local beer is good and of better value than that designated as export, which is generally in smaller bottles and more expensive. Imported beers, such as Heineken, are available in cans in hotel bars but are expensive. |
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Coffee and tea
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Unless you want Turkish style coffee, ask for a Nescafe. More hotels now have coffee machines so it is possible to order cappuccino, espressos, etc, but such machines are far from universal.
Outside the hotels, tea is usually served in a glass, without milk (but plenty of sugar) and quite often flavored with mint.
Tip: Egyptian beverages are usually enjoyed without milk and with loads of sugar. Remember to ask for milk if you want it, as it often does not come automatically. |
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Medicines
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Most of the larger hotels can supply common medicines, but, of course, bring your own prescription medicine with you, as although it may be available in Egyptian drug stores, it may be called a different name. Stomach upsets can occur due to the heat and change of diet, so don’t forget your Imodium or other anti-diarrheic. |
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Banks
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8.30am to 2pm daily, closed Fridays, Saturdays and most holidays. |
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Cameras and video cameras
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Some museums and historical sites may not allow photography while others may charge a fee, usually around E£5-E£10. While you may usually take pictures as you like from the outside of most monuments, many demand that you do not use a flash when taking pictures inside. The use of video cameras is restricted, and a larger, additional fee is payable. Photography is strictly prohibited at military installations, public works and government buildings. Always ask permission before taking photographs of local Egyptians, and expect to be asked for a tip in return.
Tip: Wait until you get to Egypt to buy your film – it’s much cheaper, and you can also bargain for a discount if you buy two or more films. |
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Clothing
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It gets very hot in summer throughout Egypt, so loose, light cotton clothing is the most comfortable. Take sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes and a good sunhat. You should dress conservatively – women should not have bare shoulders or wear revealing tops or shorts – in town, especially when visiting mosques and churches or you will risk causing offence. |
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Courtesy and customs
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Egypt is a Moslem country and Egyptians do not appreciate seeing flesh on show. While Luxor is more used to seeing Western holidaymakers in little clothing, short shorts and swimwear is OK around the pool or sundeck but nowhere else. It is not acceptable for men to go bare-chested except by the pool.
You will see Egyptian male friends greeting each other with a hug and kiss on both cheeks, but not friends of the opposite sex. As foreigners, it is best to stick to a hand shake. |
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Currency
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Egyptian pounds (E£), around 9 to £1 sterling (September 2003). The Egyptian pound is made up of 100 piaster, and notes range from 25 piaster upwards. You are most likely to be dealing with E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50 and E£100 notes. Some of the notes look very similar on first glance, so when buying souvenirs, be absolutely sure which note you’re handing over – 50 piaster or 50 Egyptian pounds.
Credit cards and travelers cheques are widely accepted, but credit cards cannot be used to settle bills on the cruise boats. An official receipt will be given when exchanging money, which should be kept for inspection. There are a few cash machines in Luxor. |
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