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Egypt is generally safe with police, tourist police and army on the alert. There is low crime rate. Egypt has been listed by Forbes as safer than USA and UK.
The populace and mostly those in the tourism sector, are accustomed to visitors who cannot speak Arabic and will speak enough English and other languages like French, Italian, Spanish, and German to fulfill the needs of most travelers.
It is safer to stick to bottled water but always ensure the seal is intact upon purchase. Water in Egypt has high chlorine levels in which can upset microbes in the stomach, resulting in diarrhoea.
Drinking bottled water can eliminate any health risks. By taking the necessary precautions, travelers can avoid sunburn or heat stroke in summer.
Malaria has not been in Egypt for well over 85 years and thus no need for any type of anti-malarial medication.
Entry Visa Regulations
Your passport must be valid for at least six month upon arrival. You need to apply to your local Egyptian Embassy or Consulate General for a pre-entry tourist visa unless you come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that are eligible for visa upon arrival as listed below.
If you hold a residence permit in the country you live in, you can apply for your visa to the Egyptian Embassy/Consulate General in that country, otherwise you have to apply to the country that issued your passport.
Entry Visa Fees
Costs 25 $ each to be bought in cash from inside the Terminal
Entry Visa Exemption
Citizens of the following 8 countries and territories may visit Egypt without a visa for 3 months:
- Bahrain
- Hong Kong
- Kuwait
- Macao
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Entry Visa On Arrival
Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at any of Egypt’s ports of entry:
- European Union countries
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Japan
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Ukraine
- United States
Entry Visa In Advance
According to the data Egyptian Government provided to IATA citizens of all countries may obtain a visa on arrival to Egypt valid for 30 days except for the citizens of the following 84 countries and territories:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bosnia
- Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- R Congo
- DR Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti, El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea, Ethiopia
- Gabon, Gambia, Ghana
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran, Iraq
- Israel
- Kenya
- DPR Korea
- R Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Vincent
- the Grenadines
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
(except those aged below 20 and above 45), Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe
A tourist visa can be extended if necessary. To do this you have to apply to Mogamma, in Tahrir Square, or to the equivalent offices in Alexandria, Luxor or Sharm El-Sheikh
Yes. Once you leave Egypt your visa will be stamped and you will require another one. If you are from a country that can get their visa upon arrival in Egypt, you can get the new one when you re-enter the country, but if you require a pre-entry visa you should apply for 2 of these, using the second one when you re-enter Egypt.
Many women do travel alone. The police, tourist police and army are always on high alert and the Egyptians do try to protect solo travellers. It is generally less safer for a solo female traveller in Egypt than places like Greece, Italy or Spain. Take the same precautions you would anywhere else and do not be tempted to walk in deserted areas alone: get a taxi back to your abode!
25% of the total price of the tour in low peak season, 50% of the total price of the tour in high peak season
Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2 round pin type that are common throughout Europe (except the UK).
Most banks have ATM’s outside or just inside the front doors, and are normally guarded by a policeman. They’re also located in shopping malls, along busy sidewalks, airports and railway stations.
Yes. Most places accept these nowadays. However, carry cash when shopping in the many street markets (souks) though the larger malls, and street shops, can accept plastic.
Accommodation for travelers ranges from world class luxury to simple hostel. Hotels have their own rating system classified on a 5-star scale. Check-in time in most hotels is around midday or 1 pm.
Modest dress is highly recommended and in some mosques, women will be asked to cover their hair, arms and legs. Both women and men will be asked to remove their shoes before entering a mosque.
When visiting sites always remember no cameras inside, cameras are okay outside.
Photography is allowed in most of the historical sites and museums, but some attract extra charges for taking in a camera.
Photography is prohibited inside tombs, the pyramids,the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, and Abu Simbel.
Photography is allowed in most of the historical sites and museums, but some attract extra charges for taking in a camera.
Photography is prohibited inside tombs, the pyramids,the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, and Abu Simbel.
Take the reliable, new white taxi’s from the Cairo Airport. They are fast, and use meters to gauge your fare. The black taxi’s don’t have meters. The metro is the fastest means of transportation within the Egyptian capital although it can get rather crowded during the rush hour.
- There is no online facility for this but you can order them by telephone. Call El Watania on +20225749474 or +20225749274, or fax them on +20225749074. You will be given a booking reference and you can pay and pick the tickets up at Cairo station at least 24 hours before departure.
It is not advisable unless you are used to the way Egyptians drive. Lane etiquette is unknown, cars will cut across you to make a turn, and the use of lights during the night is very seldom done. Though some road signs are in English and Arabic, majority are in Arabic.
- Tourists are advised not to. This journey, for tourists, is restricted to trains or flight.
It’s not been possible to use this route since the late 1990’s. Best mode of transport on this route is either flight or train.
21 years
Yes, alcohol is available in the high class hotels, restaurants and cafes, pubs, and beer gardens. It is illegal to drink alcohol in the streets in Egypt.
It is always recommended for travelers who wish to have their own supply of cigarettes and alcohol with them in Egypt to purchase them at the duty free shops in Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm El Sheikh.
In a restaurant, it is good to give between 5 and 10% directly to the waiter. For a small favor, like carrying luggage or parking a car, 5 Egyptian pounds would be appropriate. For someone tending the bathroom to keep it clean, 1 Egyptian pound is appropriate. Tipping your tour guide and vehicle driver is completely optional but should be considered if you’re provided with great service.
Car hire is available but is NOT advised for those who have never been to Egypt as they may not understand the level of driving employed by Egyptians.