Egypt: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

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Egypt: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

About Egypt

Overview

Ancient wonders, infinite desert and the mighty Nile! Egypt may seem like it's from another place in time, when you are exploring the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, sailing into the sunset on the Nile or riding a camel into the absolute silence of the desert. Welcome to Egypt.

 

Capital City: Cairo

Population: 102.3 million (2020 est.)

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Time Zone: Eastern European Time - (UTC/GMT +2)

Language: Modern Standard Arabic

Emergency Number: 122

Outlet: Type C/F

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Packing List

Speak the Language

Language: The official language of Egypt is  Modern Standard Arabic.

 

  • Hello / Good morning - Salam Alekum
  • Goodbye - Mae alsalama
  • How are you? - Kayf halikm?
  • Thank you - Choukran
  • My name is… - Aismi hu?
  • Yes - Nem
  • No - La
  • How much? - Kam Thuman?
  • Where is ... ? - Ayn hu ... ?

 

Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click here 

Nile-River Egypt

Weather

CAIRO WEATHER

Culture Notes

  • As a Muslim-majority country, Islam is practiced by about 90% of Egyptians. Because of this, it also plays a large role in every aspect of society, setting the tone for other cultural practices including honor, family values, and marriage.
  • Friday is the designated holy day. On the day of the main congregational prayer, most shops remain closed. 
  • Conservative dress is essential for all genders. Pack clothing that covers both shoulders and knees; women in particular should take care to cover cleavage and wear loose-fitting clothing, like long flowing skirts or maxi dresses, rather than figure-hugging attire. It’s a good idea to pack a scarf/wrap or light cardigan to cover your shoulders (and hair if entering a mosque).
  • For information on LGBTQ+ travel safety and tips, this LGBTQ+ Egypt Travel Guide has been put together in partnership with EveryQueer to help you stay safe on your trip and enjoy the country to its fullest.
  • It’s polite to leave a little bit of food on your plate when you’ve finished eating to indicate you’ve been well-fed and aren’t still hungry.
  • Pointing can also be considered rude, so gesture with your open hand if needed.
  • When shopping, bring your best bargaining skills as just about everything is negotiable and haggling is expected.
  • Your felucca captain may suggest swimming in the Nile. Whilst we recognize that our captains know the best and safest spots to swim, this activity is not recommended because of the risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections.
  • If you are taking overnight trains, then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when traveling on public transportation.

Tipping

Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them.

Guides USD $10-15 /person/day
Drivers USD $5-10 person/day (ex: $35-70 for 7 days)
Restaurants(full service)  10% of total bill

 

FAQ

Where can I find information on travel safety? Check out the US Department of State's website for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling.

To minimize the risk of pickpocketing it is recommended to be discreet: don’t flash anything of value, keep a firm hand on your camera, and carry shoulder bags slung across your body. Overall it’s a good idea to avoid badly lit areas completely at night and deserted inner-city areas by day.

 

Is the water safe to drink? Tap water should be avoided by travelers. You should also avoid brushing your teeth with tap water when possible. For drinking water, make sure to drink treated water which can be found at all lodging accommodations.

 

Do I need a Visa? For Visa information, click here. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.

 

What about vaccines? For vaccination information, click here.

 

Do you recommend travel insurance? While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! 

 

How much should I pack? As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.

 

What does public transportation look like?  Cairo has a metro system with many stations in the city, as well as a bus system.

 

Is Uber or Lyft available? Uber is available, as are taxis. For arrivals at the airport, we strongly recommend using Uber to avoid any hassle or you can arrange the transfer in advance with the hotel to pick you up.

 

What about Wifi? There are internet facilities throughout your trip in hotels, but they are often only available in the lobby and can be unreliable. We suggest grabbing a local sim card upon your arrival in Cairo. 

Luggage Restrictions

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