Egypt Tours FAQ

1- What are the formalities for entry to Egypt?
- You need a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after the end of your stay) and a visa to enter Egypt, for which a fee is payable. According to your country of origin, you can check for specific regulations and obtain your visa either from Egyptian Diplomatic Bodies abroad or at any of the Major Entry Ports When you arrive.
- Visitors entering Egypt at the overland border, to visit Gulf of Aqaba coast and St. Catherine, can be exempted from visa and granted a free residence permit for fourteen days to visit the area.

2- Is it a safe destination?
Egypt is a safe destination
- Crime in Egypt nearly does not exist. Security is good and there are specially trained Tourist Police, who can speak English and they are always nearby upon your request.
- The main Nile Valley sites are protected by the police. In Cairo, too, the police are always close at hand. In the Red Sea resorts a constant but discreet guard is maintained, and security measures have been strengthened at Sharm el-Sheikh.

3- When is the best season to go?
- Between November and March: daytime pleasantly warm; cool evenings and nights. Daytime temperatures: 20-25°C (77°F) in Cairo, 24-30°C (86°F) in Luxor, 22-32°C (89.6°F) in Aswan.
- June to September: Strong change to warm sun, very little shade. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a bottle of water are essential. Temperatures 25-35°C (95°F) in Cairo, 30-40°C (107.6°F) in Luxor, 31-40°C (107.6°F) in Aswan.
- In April/May and September/October: Mild temperatures, ideal for touring the country.
- On the Nile: December to February is the high season for cruising. In March/April and October/November, things are less busy and the temperatures are mild.
- On the Red Sea: all year round destination

4- Can credit cards be used without any difficulty?
- Credit cards and travellers' cheques are accepted in the main hotels and large stores. Most tourist shops also accept foreign currencies.

5- Currency and exchange rate
- The national currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP), known as the guineh in Arabic. It is divided into 100 piasters (irsh in Arabic). There are ATMs in the main towns and in certain hotels.
- Money exchange service is easily available through banks and certain bureau. You can also use money change service on the web.

6- What if I have a problem?
- Complaints should be made to the Tourist Police. For assistance, contact your agent, guide or hotel reception

7- Where can I get tourist information?
- Local information offices provide information, brochures and advice to tourists.
- The list of the local information offices is available on this website in: Organize your trip/ On the spot.

8- Can I use my laptop in Egypt?
- Taking a laptop on vacation to Egypt is easy.
- A lot of hotels provide free high-speed Internet access and you will find Wi-Fi hotspots in the main towns.
- Pack an Internet connection kit that contains a spare phone cord, an extra Ethernet network cable, a phone adapter and a surge protector.
- And prepare for differences in electricity. You may need an adapter to accommodate type "C" plugs in Egypt. Check the voltage capacity of transformer block on your laptop. If it cannot handle 220 to 230V, buy a new transformer.

1- Which airlines fly to Egypt?
- Various international airlines, including EgyptAir, as well as the main charter companies, fly to Egyptian airports: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, Saint Catherine, Burg el-Arab, Asyut.

2- Are internal flights safe?
- With the increase in the number of airlines operating in Egypt, safety controls have been strengthened.
- In line with directives issued by the Egyptian Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, from now until the end of 2008 all airlines, when renewing their airworthiness certificates or waiting for a new license, must meet the international safety standards published by IOSA (new IATA standards), or their licenses will be withdrawn.
- No aircraft more than 15 years old is allowed to fly.
- Charter companies sell tickets at foreign tourist offices, and have recently begun to sell direct to individual travellers.
- Also, Egypt air is now Star Alliance

3- Is it easy to rent and drive a vehicle?
- The traffic is dense in the main cities. And you need to have international license to drive. In the cities, it's best to take a taxi. For day trips, hire a car with a driver. In the desert, off-road driving is not recommended. It's better to go with a guide.

4- What is the best way to travel long distances?
- Flying is the quickest way to get to the main tourist locations.
- Egypt Air, the national carrier, has a very effective domestic flights network, which links most of the tourist cities in Egypt.
- Inter-city buses and trains are cheaper.
- You can travel by train to visit Middle Egypt (south of Cairo).
- An excellent Turbo train service can be found between Cairo and among main cities. For Long distance trip to Upper Egypt, sleeping train is recommended.
- There is also an extensive network of long distance air conditioned coaches.

5- What is the best way to get around in Cairo and other large cities?
- In town, taxis are an easy way to get around, and in Cairo there is also an underground rail system. In Sharm el-Sheikh, only by taxi.

6- What is the best way to visit the major attractions?
- Egypt boasts an assortment of magnificent monuments and historical attractions. Some of the must-sees are Cairo, the pyramids, Alexandria, Karnak temples, Luxor temple and the valley of the kings. In order to make the most of your trip, it is important to plan ahead your stay there.
- If you are not travelling as part of a group, you can organize your route when you get there with agencies in Cairo or Luxor, or else hire a car with a guide.

7- How can I avoid queues at the entrances to tourist sites?
- For group visits, by booking passes and entry tickets in advance. The best time to visit the Cairo Museum is in the afternoon.

8- What type of clothes should I wear for sightseeing?
- When sightseeing, wear light cotton clothing, and remember your hat, sunscreen and sunglasses so you can cope with the conditions. When visiting religious buildings or walking around town, dress correctly. Take off your shoes before going into mosques. Women must cover their heads, shoulders and legs.

9- Is it easy to take photos?
- Visitors can take photos freely except in some restricted areas e.g. airports and ports, military areas. Some museums and historic sites restrict photography to protect artifacts and may charge a fee. When in doubt ask.

1- What is the ideal length of an Egyptian tour?
It is impossible to make a full tour of Egypt in a single trip.
One-week tour:
- Brief visits to the main sites: Cairo, the pyramids, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, Aswan, Abu Simbel.
- Cruise on the Nile or a stay on the Red Sea coast or on the Mediterranean coast.
Two-week tour:
- Visits to the main sites, cruise for a few days on the Nile, plus seaside extension or an excursion to the oases.

2- What is the best plan for a family holiday?
- Egypt offers a variety of options: seaside holidays on the Red Sea or Mediterranean North Coast, tours mixing cultural and seaside visits, cruises, etc.
Also a very wide range of activities suitable for children and young teenagers: visiting theme parks or kids clubs in many resorts or enjoying plenty of different sporting activities (swimming, snorkeling, scuba-diving, sailing, hiking, kite surfing, windsurfing or attending special schools for golf & diving). Babysitting service is available in many hotels.
- The perfect choice is a Sun & fun Sea Side vacation Holidays on the Red Sea, in club hotels, resorts or holiday villages (all-inclusive) are becoming more and more popular
- The classic formula: 8-day/7-night Nile cruise (all-inclusive), or Lake Nasser cruise.
- Mixed cultural and seaside programs lasting 15 days/14 nights fit in well with the school holiday period.


3- What is the best plan when travelling as a group?
The classic discovery tours offer:
- Visit to Cairo and the pyramids, followed by a cruise on the Nile with visits to the temples and tombs at Luxor, temples at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, Aswan and the temple of Abu Simbel (by bus or plane)
- Lake Nasser cruise with visit to the temples at Abu Simbel.

4- What are the advantages of a cruise?
- The cruise is the excellent way to explore ancient Egypt on board of modern boat through the charming Nile. This is the best way to soak up cultural experiences in the Nile Valley.
- Cruises include transfers from Cairo to Luxor (by air), then from Luxor to Aswan (by cruise ship), with visits to the various sites: Temples of Luxor and Karnak, the necropolis at Thebes, temples at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, then Aswan and the temple of Philae. At Aswan, you can take a trip on the river in a felucca.
- Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel is usually by air, so not all tours include a visit to Abu Simbel.

5- What is the best way to discover the Nile?
The best plan is a cruise in a felucca. These large boats with their white sails are the traditional form of transport, and let you get closest to the river and its timeless banks. They offer superb views of the temples from the river, local cooking and music, etc.
- 2 hours lunch or dinner cruise in Cairo and by enjoying oriental music and typical Egyptian Food
- Mini-cruise or excursion by felucca at Luxor and Aswan.
- Felucca/camel-back tour around Aswan offering camel rides across the dunes and visits to Nubian villages.
- Day Cruise from Luxor to Dendara includes excursion & Lunch( pre-reservation is a must)

6- Planning a luxury holiday?
- The variety of ideas for luxury holidays is endless. Upmarket charm and luxury are on offer. Choose your own package with accommodation in luxury hotel deeps back in history or with the view of pyramids ,or laying on the bank of the Nile , or cruising on one of the top-of-the-range cruise ships that have been restored or built in suitably old-fashioned style, pamper yourself in one of top notch spas or sailing the red Sea on your own yacht or golfing on the shore of Sea Side

7- What program would suit a small budget?

- Egypt offers packages to suit everyone's desire and everyone's budget. You can significantly reduce costs by opting for a cruise package on the Nile with seaside extension, or an "all-inclusive" stay on the Red Sea coast.
- For a full cultural tour of 12 days or more, with guide, you should allow a larger budget.
- Your budget will also vary depending on the class of hotel you choose.
- And finally after all splendid experience you'll have in Egypt, you will definitely rethink about the real value got against your money.

8- What's a good itinerary for my first visit to Egypt?
Your first visit to Egypt should concentrate on visiting the must seen sites:
- The pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx
- Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Valley of the Kings in Luxor
- Temple of Philae in Aswan
- or choose the perfect start with traditional Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor to feel the most of ancient Egypt and then flourish your experience including Hurghada in Red Sea coast, with its scuba-diving sites and its resort hotels. Ideal for family holidays. ( 4 hours from Luxor by car )

9- What should I do on my second visit?
Go beyond the popular tour routes:
- Go north to the Mediterranean coast, to Alexandria with its museum and library, its Greek and Roman ruins, Fort Qaitbey - site of the ancient lighthouse (Pharos) of Alexandria - and nearby, the seaside resorts of Marsa Matruoh and Ras el-Hekma.
- The oases and the White Desert: Siwa (starting from Marsa Matruoh or Cairo), Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Al-Kharga.
- Fayoum and Lake Qarun to the south of Cairo.
- In Upper Egypt: travel by felucca to discover the area around Aswan, the museum and Nubian villages, the Aga Khan mausoleum, and cruise across Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel.
Take the time to visit the museums more thoroughly: the Archaeological Museum in Cairo, Mummification Museum in Luxor, and so on.

10- What's a good itinerary for exploring the northwest of Egypt?
The 430 km of Mediterranean coastline (between the city of Alexandria and the Libyan border) and the Western Desert have plenty of interesting archaeological and historical sites. This region is being fully developed for tourism.
The international airport at El Alamein, 104 km (65 miles) west of Alexandria, is driving the rapid development of the seaside complex at Sidin Abd el-Rahman, while the airport at Marsa Matruoh, 60 km (37 miles) west of Alexandria, serves this part of the Mediterranean coast.
- Seaside activities: water sports and diving (on wrecks dating back to the time of Alexander or explore the underwater monuments)
- Sightseeing: the city of Alexandria; the oases of the Western Desert, particularly Siwa Oasis; safari trips into the desert to explore the White Desert oases.

11- Where can I go for a honeymoon in Egypt?
- There are several possibilities for honeymoon in Egypt.
- Ancient Egypt is a land of endless fascination, romance and exotic charm.
- You can experience the magic of the pyramids at sunset, the awe inspiring monuments at Abu Simbel and the majesty of a cruise on the Nile.
- Take a jeep safari through desert wilderness, snorkel in the famous Red Sea, ride a balloon over the Valley of the Kings and bargain for souvenirs in bustling local markets. All this is combined with some of the finest hotels steeped in history, unique in design, and offering the best in Egyptian hospitality.

1- What accommodation is available in Egypt?
- Egypt offers a wide range of hotel accommodation that goes from deluxe, simple camping, echo lodges to budget even you can have your own property or rent villa.
- Five-star hotel chains: Hilton, Sheraton, Intercontinental...
- Historical hotels: Mena House, El Salamlek, Old Cataract...
- Nile view hotels
- Very luxury hotels: Four Seasons, Marriott...
- Boutique hotels such as Mudera in Luxor
- Echo lodge such as Basata in Red Sea
- Camps in Dahab& Newbie
- Eco-friendly resorts like El Gouna
- Resorts with Golf possibility: JW Marriott in Cairo...
- Residential Tourism in Red Sea and North Coast
- For more information or booking, visit the Egyptian Hotel Association website: www.eha.org.eg

- The Minister of Tourism has recently launched new regulations for the classification of hotel's grades. This will lead to an equitable market distribution between different grades of hotels.

2- Which are the finest luxury hotels?
Historical hotels:
In Cairo: the Marriott Hotel, a former palace built for the Empress Eugenie, converted to a luxury hotel with casino. It is considered one of the finest hotels in the world.
Also in Cairo, the 5-star hotel Mena House.

Nile view:
- In Aswan: The Old Cataract, built in 1886 in the Victorian style, is famous for its terrace overlooking the Nile. It is a 5-star Sofitel.
- In Luxor: on an island in the Nile, the Movenpick hotel "Jolie Ville". - And the Winter Palace

Red Sea Side:
- At Dahab, the 4-star Meridian Resort opened in May 2006 after renovations.
- At Taba, a seaside resort north of Dahab, the new 5-star Movenpick deluxe resort: 434 rooms, suites and bungalows with sea and mountain views, sports centre, dive centre, tennis courts and conference centre. And there are other luxury hotels in Taba Heights.
- El Gouna, north of Hurghada, is an upmarket seaside resort with a marina, 18-hole golf course, water sports and dive centers, with a number of hotels. The major international operators have opened several 5-star hotels. There are also villas available for rent.
- In Hurghada, the Sahl Hasheesh and the Cascades.
- Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam

Mediterranean hotels:
- In Alexandria: the Four Seasons, the El Salamlek Palace Hotel and the Hilton Borg El Arab

The major hotel chains have opened luxury hotels in Cairo and Luxor, and at most of the main tourist sites.

1- Where are the best diving spots in the Red Sea?
The best diving spots are found in:
- Dahab and the surrounding area: Blue Hole, the Canyon, the Islands;
- Sharm el-Sheikh and the surrounding area: End of the Road Reef;
- Ras Mohammed: Ras Ghozlani;

... and along the coast:
- Near Hurghada: Sha'ab Abu Ramada;
- Giftun islands: Carless Reef;
- Al-Quseir and the surrounding area: Green Hole, Beit Goha, Sirena Beach Home Reef.

Professional diving clubs, run by qualified instructors (PADI or CMAS), are open all year round and offer introductory or recreational dives (limited to a depth of 30 meters). You may need a medical certificate. But you can also see plenty of interesting things from the beaches, just using a mask and snorkel.

Many hotels provide dive centers run by outside contractors, who are in turn supervised by the Egyptian authorities. This is the best guarantee of safety, because in the interests of good-quality conservation of Egypt's underwater environment, the government has put a strictly regulated regime in place.

2- Where can I play golf?
If you haven't booked a golf theme holiday, you can still play golf once you arrive. The big hotels offer daily services, (including a shuttle service), which are also available to guests who aren't staying with them.

There are 17 golf courses in Egypt:
1 Alexandria Sporting Club
2 Porto Marina El Alamein
3 Katameya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort
4 Gezira Sporting Club
5 Solaimaneyah Golf City
6 Dreamland Golf & Tennis Resort
7 Mena House Golf Club
8 JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club
9 Amarante Golf City
10 Luxor Royal Valley Golf Club
11 Stella Di Mare Golf Resort
12 El Gouna Golf Club
13 Madinat Makadi Golf Resort
14 Steigenberger Al Dau Resort
15 The Cascades Golf & Country Club
16 Taba Heights Golf Resort
17 Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort

3- How can I go hiking or trekking in the desert?
- Specialized local agencies and the main hotels in Cairo, Red Sea, Sinai, organize 4 x 4 discovery excursions to Sinai and to the oases in the western desert.

4- Does anyone offer spa or golfing holidays?
- A number of luxury hotels have health spas and golf courses.
- These combined holidays are popular with a steadily growing number of tourists and cater well for business tourists.
- Worthy of particular note is the 5-star luxury resort La Residence des Cascades at Soma Bay (Hurghada), which combines a golf course with a thalassotherapy centre known as "The Cascades Hot Sea Baths".

1- What should I not miss in my cultural holiday?
* Egypt Cradle of Civilization
- Traditional Nile Cruise between Luxor & Aswan
- Giza: the pyramids the last remaining wonder of ancient word and the Sphinx. The site at Saqqara. The first building in the history
- Temples in Karnak and Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile; on the west bank: the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Nobles, the Valley of the Artisans (Deir al-Medina), the temple of Hatshepsut, the temple of Medinat Habu, the colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum.
- The valley sites: Esna, Kom Ombo, Dendara, Abydos.
- Aswan and Elephantine Island, the temple of Philae and the temples at Abu Simbel.

In Cairo:
- trip to old Cairo: the earliest Christian churches, the Coptic quarter and its museum; El Fustat Market
- the Muslim quarter, the mosques, Fatimid mausoleums, and the souk (market) of Khan el-Khalili;
- the Citadel of Saladin and the view over the city from the top of its ramparts;
- the archaeological museum in Cairo.

In Alexandria:
- the Greek and Roman ruins, Roman Theater
- explore Qaitbey fortress
- take a mysterious journey down 115ft into the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa
El Alamien Cemeteries
Monasteries of Wadi El Natrun
the Western Desert, the ruins at the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Farafra.
In Eastern Desert Sant Paoulo, Sant Antonio

In the Sinai: travel to the top of Mount Moses and St. Katherine's Monastery.

2- What should I not miss on my seaside and diving holiday?
On the Red Sea:
- Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai coast, a seaside resort renowned for the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the quality of the hotels available, and its internationally famous diving sites.
- Spend a day on a boat to Ras Mohamed National Park
- Hurghada: for its beautiful beaches, the riches of its underwater scenery and the choice of accommodation, including hotels and tourist villages equipped with superb swimming-pools. Diving in the islands just off the coast.
- Enjoy the underwater beauty with your children from glass boat
- El Gouna: a new seaside resort 25 km (25 miles) north of Hurghada, day-trips, boat trips on the canals, and so on.
-Play golf on shore of Red Sea in Taba Heights

On the Mediterranean coast:
- Marsa Matruoh, a seaside resort with pleasant summer temperatures and plenty of water sports.
- The beaches near Alexandria: diving on ancient wrecks. Take a yacht tour in Porto Marina

3- Which are the best sites to explore, apart from the traditional tour circuits?
In the west of Egypt, everybody wants to see the oases. 4x4 excursions take you on day trips to explore the oases, starting from Cairo to the nearest oases Al Bahariya , or about 5 hours from Alexandria to visit Siwa Oases. You can opt to stay there in an echo lodge or safari camp.

- The principal oases, Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Al-Kharga, are vast palm groves in the middle of the desert. They harbor numerous springs, streams, lakes and pools. Their isolation means that the Bedouin culture (e.g. at Siwa) has been preserved, along with interesting archaeological remains from the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman and Christian eras, many of which are still being excavated.

* Wonderful excursions and hikes on camel-back are available in the Jebel Uweinat and on the Gilf Kebir plateau, across the great Sea of Sand (to the southeast).
- 100 km (60 miles) south east of Cairo, the oasis of Fayoum has become known as a result of the discovery of funerary portraits painted on mummies dating from the Greco-Roman period. Many remains from the Pharaonic period can be found in this area.
- 20 km (12.5 miles) away, Lake Qarun is surrounded by a very fertile agricultural zone, well provided with facilities for welcoming tourists. Tourist villages and hotels offer starting points for excursions to the oases and waterfalls of Wadi el-Rayan. Activities: fishing and bird-watching.

4- Which locations can I visit in the Sinai?
- Moses Mountain, Saint Catherine's Monastery, the Ras Mohammed National Park, Nabq National Park, Serbat El Khadim ,Colored Canyon near Nuweiba. It is also possible to go hiking and climbing in the unspoiled mountain ranges.

5- Where are the finest beaches?
- On the Red Sea and in the Sinai.
- Along the Mediterranean coast, there are an increasing number of resorts along the Marsa Matruoh road, Porto Marina, SidiAdb El Rahman.

1- Where can you find authentic Egyptian cuisine?
- Egyptian Dishes are very delicious and moderately spiced, with a wide range of choices to suit all tastes and budgets, try; stuffed pigeon with rice, grilled meat Kebab and Kofta or Molokhaya soup with Fresh Baladi (typical Egyptian bread). " Ful" and Falafel " taameya" sandwiches are to be found everywhere. Fresh Sea food makes perfect dishes in coastal and Nile cities as well. There is a wide variety of deserts for all occasions. Vegetarians can easily find their interest too.

International Cuisine is also easily founded in Egypt.

In Alexandria: Mohammed Ahmed, Kadura, Abu Ashraf, Zephyrion (Abu Qir beach).
In Cairo: Felfella, Samakmak, Abu Sid.
In Luxor: El Soufra , Peace Abuzeid.
In Aswan: Al-Masry.
In Sharm el-Sheikh: Fish Restaurant.

2- Where can I have fun when the sun goes down?
- In the seaside resorts of Hurghada, Na'ama Bay in Sharm el-Sheikh.
In Cairo: bars in the Zamalek and Mohandissen districts and along the Mediterranean Coast in Alexandria and Agami.

3- Where are the best places in Cairo to enjoy the genuine Cairo atmosphere?
- The cafes in the small streets of the town centre: ,Fishawy, Horreya...
The old cinemas: the Metro, the Radio, Diana Palace.
Cairo stadium, during the football season (from September to May).

4- How can I book a Nile cruise once I am in Egypt?
- We offer cruises combined with tours of the main attractions, from Luxor, Aswan or Abu Simble. Possibilities include a trip in a felucca, a trip along the Nile at sunset, or a several-day cruise (minimum 5 people). You can also have two hour-Cruise to enjoy Egyptian Cuisine & Folkloric dance in Cairo

5- What souvenirs should I bring back?
- Egypt has a wide range of local handcrafts reflect the spirit of a land which is deeply steeped in history including e.g. blown glass, pottery, jewels, papyrus, carpets, leather goods, Scarves, Cotton textiles, Alabaster, perfumes and spices ,Gold and silver jewels and semi-precious stones. Bedouin embroidery from the Sinai.

6- Where are the best places to shop?
- For craft goods and clothes, go to the souks or to shops run by organizations that support traditional craftsmanship:

In Cairo, go to the town centre shopping centers, the Nomad and the Egypt Craft Center, to the fine boutiques and the "Souvenirs" souk in Khan al-Khalili street. Or El Fustat in old Cairo
Luxor souk: spices, fabrics
Aswan souk: Nubian baskets, shawls embroidered in Aswan.
In El Arish: Bedouin crafts, jewelers...
In Alexandria, El-Attarine souk, which specializes in ancient objects and antiques. (Genuine antiquities are not allowed to leave the country.)

In general, Egypt is predominantly a Muslim Country and culture. Therefore is it expected that in certain places and regions, that a specific dress code is adhered to.
Whilst in the resorts on the Red Sea is more relaxed, the bigger Cities where tourism is more minimal, codes are required.

* Nile Cruises
The Nile Cruise boats are generally a little more relaxed whilst you are sailing. However, it is not appreciated that female guests participate in topless sunbathing on the sun terrace. The Boat staff and crew are all males and generally Muslims so it is very offensive to them and can also be an embarrassment to the female guests. Shorts and T shirts for both men and women on board are acceptable, but at evening dinner, shorts are generally not accepted and guests are expected to dress in a more formal manner.

* Hotels
In general, Hotels have the same code of conduct regarding dress as do the Nile Cruise Boats with the addition that swimwear is not permitted in the Reception areas and dining rooms.

* Cities and Attractions
In the larger Cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, certain standards are also required. Whilst walking in the streets, shorts for men and women are acceptable, however, women and girls can often be stared at. Therefore, it is more advisable to wear long skirts or leggings / trousers.

* Religious attractions such as (Mosques and Churches)
have strict dress guidelines for men and women.
Women MUST cover their heads with a scarf, wear long skirts (or at least covering their legs) with non- revealing tops and remove all shoes. Men must also wear long trousers and remove all footwear.

* Red Sea Resorts
Resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have a much more relaxed code when it comes to dress, Shorts and strappy tops are normal wear in the streets. However, topless sunbathing is not encouraged as it will just bring unwanted attention to the females by local men and beach / bar attendants. Hotels have the same rules as listed above in the Hotel section.

1- Will I face any type of heath problems in Egypt?
Many travelers visiting Egypt, especially for the first time, would experience some stomach aches and disturbances. This happens due to the ingestion of some food that the stomach of the tourist is not use to or due to drinking the tab water. This is why drinking bottled water is highly recommended for tourists visiting Egypt.

2- Are the medical services in Egypt adequate?
Medical services in Cairo, and many other major cities like Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh, are adequate especially in emergency cases and especially in the private sector hospitals. A cash deposit is usually required for admissions. However, if it is a case of emergency, they will take care of the case as a priority
Moreover, the ambulance service has greatly improved lately in Egypt and they come very quickly after being called.
Pharmacies usually open from 10 in the morning till 10 at night and the pharmacists are usually highly educated, know English, and quite helpful.

3- Can I bring my pet, dog or cat for example, with me to Egypt?
Yes, this is possible. However, all animals or animal products must be declared at the point of entry from overseas. Moreover, cats and dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a veterinary certificate from their country of origin.

4- What is the time zone of Egypt?
Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. If it is 12 at noon in Cairo, it is 10 a.m. in London, 11 a.m. in Rome, 6 a.m. in New York, and 8 p.m. in Sidney.

5- What is the climate in Egypt like?
Although the Northern Coast of Egypt and the Nile Delta have a Mediterranean Climate with an annual rainfall of seven inches, it rarely rains in Cairo and further to the South. Summer days in Egypt can get very hot with the temperature reaching 100F. On the other hand, nights, either in the summer or the winter, have a pleasant weather. Overall, the best time to visit Egypt would be in the winter because of the nice weather at the time.

6- What are the business hours in Egypt?
In Egypt, there are no fixed business hours as the working hours of the public facilities are totally different than the private sector.
Banks: in general open from 8 30 in the morning till 2 at noon. Some branches of some bank would stay opened until 5 in the afternoon. A number of branches of some banks situated inside hotels may open until 8 in the evening. All banks are opened everyday except Friday, Saturday, and during the public holidays
Private shops and facilities: they usually open from 9 or 10 in the morning until 10 at night. Some shops, restaurants and cafes may still operate until the early hours of the morning and some of them are opened 24 hours. The private shops and restaurants usually open on Friday and Saturday.
Museums: open from 9 in the morning till 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Some museums, like the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities open for an evening period from 4 till 9.
Historical sites: like the pyramids and the Pharaonic temples of Luxor and Aswan open from 8 or 9 in the morning until the sunset and they are opened all days of the week.
Hairdressing, dry-cleaning, and ironing shops close on Monday

7- Is it safe for travelers to walk around the streets of Egypt?
Away from the risks of air pollution and traffic, Egypt is one of the safest countries in the world in any time in the day or the night. Mugging and aggravated assaults, which are common in the west, rarely happen in Egypt.

8- Is it easy to rent a car in Egypt?
In order to rent a self-drive car, the tourist has to be above 25 years old and has an international driving license. There are car rental services almost in every hotel in Egypt. There are also many private car rental companies in many neighborhoods in major cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Luxor.
Tourists can also hire cars with drivers all taxis by days and the prices are quite negotiable.

9- What is the traditional dish of Egypt?
Although “Ful”, the fava bean stew, is considered to be the traditional dish in Egypt, which is the equivalent to hotdogs and hamburgers in the United States and fish and chips in England, the most important item in the meal of any ordinary Egyptian household is bread, which is not called “Khobz” like all the Arabian countries but it is named “Eish” or life as a reflection of how important bread is for the Egyptians.
Away from Ful and Falafel, the most famous and popular dish in Egypt, especially for breakfast, there is also the “Koshary” which consists mainly of rice, macaroni, lentil, garlic, spices, and tomato sauce. This dish was originally brought into Egypt with the Indian soldiers during World War II. Afterwards, the Egyptian have added many components like macaroni and tomato sauce

10- Is it safe to eat street food in Egypt?
Generally speaking, it is always recommended for the tourists to ask their tour guides or hotel receptionists about the best and cleanest places to eat in Egypt. There are many famous restaurants and shops that sell traditional Egyptian food that is fresh and clean.
Like all major cities around the world, cities in Egypt like Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor offer a wide variety of street food from dawn until late at night. Many Egyptian men have their breakfast in the street before going to work and the meal usually consists of Ful, Falafel, bread, and sometimes fried eggs or potatoes.
At night, many street vendors sell the traditional Egyptian nuts; “Leb”, the roasted melon seeds, “Tirmis”, the lupin seeds, and many other nuts that are known in the west.
Many shops around major street sells different sandwiches especially the Shawerma, the Turkish meat sandwiches that are better known in the west as the doner Kebab, slices of lamb that are stacked and broiled vertically.
There is also the “Feteer”, the traditional Egyptian pies, which are filled literally with anything including sugar, cream, honey, custard, fruits, minced meat, hotdogs, and different types of cheese, Shawerma, seafood, tuna, salami, pepperoni, and many other ingredients.

11- What are the traditional drinks of Egypt?
Most Egyptians prefer to drink tea, Turkish coffee, Nescafe, and soft drinks as the most common drinks in Egypt. Moreover, the traditional drinks of the country would include traditional decoctions, which mean that the ingredients of the drink are boiled. These drinks are the same that the British used to drink beginning of the 19th century like cinnamon, Qerfa in Arabic, ginger, Ganzabeel in Arabic, fenugreek, Helba in Arabic, aniseed, Yansun in Arabic, and licorice root, Erk Sous in Arabic.
It is quite common to find many oriental cafes almost in every street in Egypt that offers all the traditional drinks and also the Shisha, the Egyptian traditional water pipes that come in many flavors.

12- Will I be able to buy alcohol from Egypt?
Many tourists prefer to get their supplies of alcohol with them from their country when they visit Egypt. Travelers are allowed to bring 4 liters of alcohol with them when they arrive in Egypt. Moreover, travelers can buy 3 liters of alcohol from the duty free shop in the Egyptian airports or purchase them from any duty free shops that are located in major cities within 24 hours upon their arrival.
A number of shops in major cities sell the locally produced alcoholic beverages. The Egyptian beer and wine are especially very good and they are exported to many countries around the world.
Imported alcoholic beverages may only be purchased from hotels and high class restaurants and they are quite expensive. There are many bars and pubs in hotels that serve all types of local and imported alcoholic beverages and cocktails.

13- Are there good nightspots in Egypt?
Many hotels and resorts in major cities have night clubs, bars, and discos. There are also many other night spots away from the hotels especially in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada that are famous for having wonderful exotic night spots.

14- Are there gambling casinos in Egypt?
In some of the larger hotels in Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, and Hurghada, there is usually a gambling casino that non Egyptians only are permitted to enter. This is why the tourist should have a passport stating that he is a foreigner and that he or she is above 18 years old to enter any of these casinos, which offer the usual games including black jack, baccarat, craps tables, roulette wheels, and slot machines

15- Is a good idea for tourists to rent bicycles in Egypt?
It would be very hard in fact to find a place to rent good bicycles in crowded cities like Cairo or Alexandria. Actually riding a bike, except in the early morning of Fridays, would never be enjoyable with the amount of traffic and the high air pollution in these cities.
In other cities like Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor, or Aswan, in the contrary, it would be quite pleasant to rent a bike and move around the city and enjoy the seaside or the riverside. Tourists would find many places to rent bikes for reasonable prices per hour or per day.

16- Is it recommended to have travel insurance before traveling to Egypt?
As traveling to anywhere else in the world, it is always preferred and recommended to have a comprehensive travel insurance scheme before traveling to Egypt that would cover all aspects of the trip.

17- Are the tour guides in Egypt highly educated, and do they speak good English?
Egypt has a faculty of tourism in the Helwan University in Cairo with a section specified for tour guiding. Moreover, in order to work in tour guiding in Egypt, the tour guide must obtain license from the Egyptian authorities approving his capabilities. This is why most of the tour guides in Egypt are university graduates, high educated, have long experience in guiding and in dealing with tourists, and speak a variety of languages

18- What are the public holidays in Egypt and is it a good time to visit the country?
Like any other country, Egypt has a number of public holidays; some of them are national while others are religious: Here is a list of the public holidays in Egypt
- The Coptic Christmas: on the 7th of January
- The Birth of the Prophet Mohamed Holiday: depends on the Islamic calendar
- The Egyptian Revolution Day: on the 25th of January
- The Easter Holiday: differs from one year to the other and usually takes place in the months of April or May
- The Sinai Liberation Day: on the 25th of April
- The Workers Day: on the 1st of May
- The Revolution Day: 23rd of July
- The first and second days of the Grand Barium: depends on the Islamic calendar
- The first and second days of the lesser Barium: depends on the Islamic calendar
- The Military Day Holiday: on the 6th of October
- Islamic New Years Eve: depends on the Islamic calendar