Egypt’s wealthy historical past reverberates by way of its modern-day tradition. There’s lots to have interaction all of your senses, from majestic historic sights to full of life streets rife with fragrant meals, and the colourful and eclectic nightlife.
To totally take pleasure in all the joy, there are some issues you must take into account, together with the nation’s cultural traditions. However fear not: all it’s good to hop on a aircraft is your passport and sunscreen, plus the appropriate expectations and this nifty checklist that will help you mix in with the locals.
Planning your journey to Egypt
Getting your visa
Luggage in a single hand and paperwork within the different is all it’s good to get on a aircraft and fly to Egypt. If you’re eligible, you may get a renewable single-entry vacationer visa on arrival for USD$25, legitimate for 30 days. Nonetheless, should you’re lacking any paperwork or if there’s an issue processing your visa on arrival, it’s possible you’ll be denied entry.
In case you choose a multiple-entry visa, you’ll have to use for it beforehand. Apply for an e-Visa by way of the official authorities portal to keep away from any entry points or delays. The method is straightforward and you may apply for the visa entry sort you like.
Put together a tough itinerary
There’s a lot extra to Egypt than the pyramids, and planning forward will allow you to keep away from a logistical nightmare. Plan your days by space (particularly in main cities the place visitors is each intense and unpredictable) so it’s simpler to maneuver round between areas.
In case you’re a seashore lover, there are many locations on the North Coast or Naama Bay for diving or snorkeling journeys. In case you’re an avid explorer and like one thing off the overwhelmed observe Egypt’s lesser-known gems – just like the gorgeous Siwa Oasis – are completely definitely worth the journey.
Egypt really caters to each sort of traveler, and the easiest way to create a customized expertise is to concentrate on what’s vital to you and plan accordingly.
Brush up on primary Arabic phrases
Whipping out Google Translate for fast questions on instructions might be useful, however natural responses to primary niceties will show helpful.
Most Egyptians are keen to assist when requested, however you would possibly have to tie up a couple of odds and ends in Arabic with unilingual locals. Additionally they come in useful if it’s good to fend off hustlers or persistent retailers. Learning a few words and phrases like “al salam alaykom” (whats up), “shukran” (thanks), “aywa” (sure), “la’a” (no), and “ma’ al-salama” (goodbye) will go a great distance.
Don’t underestimate Egypt’s excessive climate – each cold and warm
Sunscreen is essential should you don’t wish to spend the higher half of your trip huddled up with ice packs. That is very true should you’re visiting in the course of the summer season, however holds up all year long.
July is the most popular month, with temperatures ranging anyplace from 34.7 levels C (94.5 levels F) to a scorching 43.3 levels C (109.9 levels F). But, regardless of its year-round sunny skies, Egypt’s total desert local weather makes winters particularly chilly – the sort of chilly that creeps beneath your garments and offers you chills proper right down to your bones.
It doesn’t assist that the poorly insulated buildings barely hold the freezing climate at bay, so you must discuss your self into going outdoors as a result of it’s hotter outdoor than it’s indoors. Temperatures drop as little as 10 levels C (50 levels F) at occasions, so should you’re visiting between October and March, ensure to pack some thermals alongside together with your sunscreen.
Pack for the warmth, however hold it conservative
Egypt is thought for its cotton, and what higher place to put on cotton than right here. Pack ethereal breathable garments, and get away all of the pastels and vibrant colours in your closet.
Most individuals in main cities gown casually and embrace consolation over trend. However keep in mind that tradition is king in Egypt, a rustic with primarily conservative locals.
You’ll be able to’t go incorrect with unfastened clothes, and exposing an excessive amount of pores and skin is usually frowned upon. Males can sport tank tops in the event that they’re snug with a couple of further stares, however brief shorts should not advisable, and ladies ought to keep away from low-cut tops, brief shorts or revealing attire.
Seashore locations bend these unstated guidelines, and locals are accommodating to guests, so don’t go away all of your shorts and sundresses behind.
Preserve transportation in thoughts when reserving lodging
Whereas reserving your lodgings, look into modes of transport within the surrounding space. In case you’re planning a brief go to, go for lodgings central to the sights in your itinerary or near a metro station so that you don’t waste an excessive amount of time in visitors.
In case you’ve acquired extra time, you’ll be able to go for one thing rather less central however nonetheless accessible – simply be sure to consider journey occasions.
Cairo and Giza are principally accessible utilizing the metro system, and should you’re a feminine traveler we suggest you search out the carriages reserved for girls.
Some locations would require additional planning, and white taxis and Uber rides are your finest wager. In case you go for a white taxi, all the time ensure the meter’s operating earlier than you hop in, and hail it a couple of meters away out of your lodge for a less expensive experience. Keep away from taxis that don’t use meters and aren’t very tourist-friendly.
Lengthy-distance buses and home flights are an choice too, relying in your finances.
Etiquette in Egypt
Be aware of your environment
It’s vital to not simply gown appropriately however to even be aware of native etiquette particularly at sure sights.
Visiting a mosque? Take off your footwear earlier than coming into and, should you’re a feminine traveler, cowl your head.
At a historic web site? Don’t contact the antiquities and all the time use cameras with out the flash.
On the seashore? Sure you’ll be able to sport your finest swimsuit and loosen up however like each place on the planet, there’s all the time a code of conduct. Be observant and observe the locals to keep away from pointless problem.
Professional tip: Pictures is inspired at vacationer websites, however don’t {photograph} individuals with out their consent, and do not take pictures the place it’s explicitly prohibited.
Restrict PDAs (public shows of affection)
We’ve established that Egypt leans towards conservative, and this extends to public shows of affection. Whereas holding arms together with your associate received’t garner a lot consideration, restrict your public bodily interactions to what could be thought-about gentle and correct.
Platonic kisses on the cheek are a typical greeting between buddies in Egypt however, relying in your environment, must be restricted to members of the identical intercourse.
Tipping tradition is alive and nicely
Tipping in Egypt remains to be customary apply, particularly within the service trade. Suggestions, or baksheesh, can vary from 5 EGP (<$0.50) to 100 EGP ($5.50), relying on who you might be paying and the place.
Eating places and cafes are simpler to determine, with 10-15% of the invoice being customary, and unfastened change is the norm for meals purchases from road distributors. Greater suggestions are often reserved for individuals who offer you long-term companies, akin to drivers and tour guides.
When you’re not required to tip supply companies, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, you’ll be able to spherical up the invoice should you’ve had a satisfying expertise.
Professional tip: Egypt is basically cash-oriented, so choose up each massive and small payments while you’re exchanging forex to make funds and tipping simpler.
Haggling is an artwork, don’t be afraid to strive it
From papyrus papers and conventional souvenirs to rigorously crafted silverware and painted by hand ceramics, markets in Egypt are a treasure trove. However should you really feel like one thing is overpriced, don’t draw back from haggling.
Whereas distributors aren’t significantly keen on the back-and-forth, it’s all a part of the expertise and it doesn’t matter what you pay ultimately you’ll be able to persuade your self it was an awesome deal.
Don’t try and haggle in greater retailers in or outdoors vacationer sights, and if there’s an official value posted on the product, it’s often non-negotiable.
Professional tip: Preserve your eyes and ears open and gauge the value vary of comparable gadgets in close by shops so you’ll be able to inform should you’re being overcharged. Haggling is especially confined to memento spots, souks (markets) and fewer formal promoting areas.
Well being and security in Egypt
Do not drink the faucet water
To dodge any abdomen bugs that may spoil your Egyptian journey, keep away from ingesting faucet water except it’s filtered, particularly you probably have a delicate abdomen. Pack a great water-filtering system or do just like the locals and use bottled water.
Whereas Egyptian delicacies is among the nation’s finest belongings, and the temptation to pattern it each probability you get is comprehensible, some carts improperly retailer their meals. It may be troublesome to inform as a customer, so it could be clever to go for native retailers as an alternative. They usually provide comparable meals however are usually safer to indulge to your coronary heart’s content material.
Preserve abreast of flooding alerts
Flooding is a matter in Egypt, but it surely’s often gentle and principally restricted to some coastal areas. It’s all the time a good suggestion to activate information alerts in your telephone anyway and keep watch over the native information.
The floods are often simple to handle, however roads might be impacted throughout flooding season (June to September), particularly in some areas in South Sinai.
Suggestions for solo feminine vacationers
In case you’re a lady touring by yourself, hold an eye fixed out for harassers, scammers and hustlers who could also be pushy and chronic. Assured interactions are sometimes key to driving them away, however calling out for help or asserting you’ll contain the police is usually a good deterrent as nicely.
As a rule of thumb, attempt to keep away from interactions with people in suspicious settings, like quiet alleyways, darkish road corners, and empty spots, and search for crowds with ladies and kids should you really feel unsafe. By no means get right into a taxi or Uber with anybody however the driver. And, as is unfortunately the case in a lot of the world, keep away from strolling alone late at evening.
Egyptian emergency numbers
Egypt is usually thought-about secure to go to, however should you face any points that you just consider require regulation enforcement interference, search for cops with a tourism police badge on their shoulders – it’s a navy blue half sleeve with a gold eagle within the center, and “Tourism and Antiquities Police” written on the backside. They’re stationed at each vacationer vacation spot in Egypt and can be reached by dialing 126 from any Egyptian cell quantity.
In case you’d reasonably file a grievance later, you’ll be able to dial 19654 and talk straight with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. It is also a good suggestion to maintain the variety of your private home embassy or consulate helpful.
Professional tip: Put money into an Egyptian SIM card upon arrival. They’re low cost and can make native interactions a lot simpler for you. Vodafone, Etisalat, Orange and WE are Egypt’s high cell service suppliers; yow will discover their cubicles within the last corridor in your approach out of Cairo Worldwide Airport.
