Egypt Ultimate Travel Guide (2024)

Temperature in Cairo

Water temperature of the Red Sea

Rainy days in Cairo

Egypt e-Visas are available as single-entry or multiple-entry visas. While the single-entry Egypt e-visa allows for a single 30-day stay during a three-month period, the multiple-entry Egypt visa enables the user to enter and exit Egypt several times throughout the six-month validity period.

Visitors visiting Egypt must get a visa from one of the Egyptian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country or a visa-on-arrival country. Citizens of the following countries and territories are permitted to visit Egypt without a visa for a period of three months. Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Kuwait are among the countries represented.

Source: https://www.visa-egypt.com/egypt-tourist-visa

Updated: October 2022

Type F and C plugs

Dollars and other major currencies may be exchanged at banks, exchanges, and large hotels. The vast majority of ATMs in large cities accept cash withdrawals in either Egyptian pounds (EGP) or US dollars (USD).

Exchange Rate Converter

As much as ATMs are found all over the major cities in Egypt, it is hard to find them in smaller towns. Moreover, it is highly unlikely to get free cash withdrawals in Egypt.

Recently, the Central Bank of Egypt reinstated fees on ATM withdrawals with the maximum fee of the transaction being $ 0.26.

With this Ultimate Travel Guide, get tips to help cut costs while using ATMs:

• Pay for most of the services using the Egyptian pound.
• ATMs around hotels or airports have higher exchange rates, avoid them.
• It is ideal to withdraw larger amounts at once to save on transaction fees.
• Look into your bank’s services, there might be agreements with international banks that favor your ATM usage.
• With several debit cards, one can have a greater chance of having one that costs less abroad, it is recommended to carry out some research before departing to the destination. I would recommend using online banks like Wise, which allows you to take money from ATM abroad without commission (2 times per month) and has one of the best conversion rates.

*Note, if ATM is asking for a conversion rate, use the local currency, as your bank probably would provide a better conversion rate, than ATM.

We are all opposed to overpaying. I attempted to compile a pricing list for the most frequent items to use when visiting/living in Egypt.

Prices in other areas may differ

I would advise to buy a local SIM card in Egypt to avoid roaming charges.

Egypt has three major telecommunications providers: Orange, Vodafone, and Etisalat, and you may purchase a SIM card straight at the airport or from one of their kiosks or stores. They may ask for passport and address confirmation before allowing you to connect your phone.

Another option is to use eSim like Airalo.

There are two possibilities for Cairo airport transportation.

Taxi: Would cost you around €8 (150 EGP) and takes around 26min to get to the downtown.

Bus: Taking the bus is the cheapest option. Takes at least 50 minutes to reach the city center and costs just $0.50 (5.00 EGP) for a one-way ticket.

How do you go from Cairo International Airport to the Giza Pyramids?

To reach there, take a cab (taxi) from Cairo airport which takes 60 minutes, or a bus which takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. However, there is no direct bus, so take the bus to Ramses Train Station, change to the Metro Line 2 train to Sadaki Mekki, and then another public bus to the Pyramids.

*Uber is also working in some areas of Egypt

Is Egypt safe? Some years after the revolution it wasn’t. Now, it’s getting back, there is still a lot of militaries around, but I would rather say it’s relatively safe.

The biggest problem for me was the street vendors and tourist agents that try to overcharge. Also, it might be more dangerous for solo female travelers.

Tourist police (add some info about it)

If you are traveling, I would say insurance is a must. I saw so many times when people get injuries and health problems, and their relatives/friends are organizing fundraising campaigns for the treatments.

The health system here is very expensive. So it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it.

I personally buy for EUR 42/month (can have a daily option) SafetyWings travel insurance. That gives me peace of mind. It has $250 deductible, with $250 000 max limit. I had 2 claims, and both of them got covered.

*This is an affiliate link. This means I will get a commission if you use it. But as I mentioned before I am using this insurance myself.

Cairo

Masar space (Co-working)

Woork Hub (Co-working)

KAPITALIZE (Co-working)

Somewheredifferent (Co-working & Coliving)

Giza

Vienna WorkSpace (Co-working)

Maze Coworking Space (Co-working)

Alexandria

Flux Coworking Space

FB Groups

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Ancient Egypt

EGYPT 🇪🇬 Travel Community

Visit Egypt

🌞🐬🐫 Amazing Egypt 🇪🇬🌴🌞

Travel Egypt

Cairo is a very large metropolis, and it’s crucial to remember that it’s divided into two parts: Central Cairo and Greater Cairo.

• I would personally suggest staying either in Zamalek (a nice and safe neighborhood), or downtown next to Tahrir Square (close to museums and a central location).

Giza – Another recommendation would be to stay in Giza (for 1-2 days), in one of the hotels/hostels in front of the Pyramids. So it’s convenient to go there straight from your accommodation, as well as enjoy the Pyramids view while having breakfast or dinner. But wouldn’t stay there for more than 1-2 days, as all the other attractions are located far from Giza.

Luxor – With the high number of temples in the area, this city is dubbed The City of a Thousand Gates. Below is the list of places I recommend for staying:

• East Bank – this is the best area for tourists as this is close to the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, and City Center.
• West Bank of the Nile – this is the home of attractions such as Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Colossi of Memnon.

Alexandria – the second largest city in Egypt. Below is the list of places I recommend for staying:

• Smouha – this is the largest neighborhood in Alexandria but it is fairly quiet.
• Kafr Abdo – this area offers the finest restaurants, cafes, and shops.
• Sidi Gaber – this neighborhood also offers attractions such as the Alexandria Museum and Stadium.

Aswan – an area of peace, history, and the view of the alluring Nile River Valley. Below is the list of places I recommend for staying:

• Elephantine Island – is the most perfect area to stay in because of the easy access to attractions.
• Corniche – this is the area where the famous Old Cataract Hotel is situated.

Here is the list of things you can do in Egypt:

Discover real Egypt. Go down to Aswan, sail the Nile River, stop at Luxor Temple, fly a hot air balloon in the Valley of the Kings, visit Cairo and its museum, sleep in the White Desert and enjoy the sun and chill vibes around the Red Sea.

Here is a fantastic itinerary to help you plan your trip to Egypt.

Day 1. Arrive & explore Cairo and its museums.

Day 2. See the Great Pyramids of Giza and stay in one of the hotels in front of it (can be done on a budget).

Day 3-4. Go on 2 days / 1night White Desert tour from Cairo (one of the hidden gems of Egypt). Come back and head to Luxor.

Day 5. Fly a hot air balloon in the Valley of the Kings, and explore the tombs. Go to Karnak and the Luxor temple in the evening.

Day 6-7. Take Luxor Temple Cruis to Aswan. Visit the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way.

Day 8. Visit Aswan and the Philae Temple. Stay overnight on Elephantine Island in a Nubian village.

Day 9. Wake up early and go to Abu Simbel temple. Come back and sail on a traditional boat Felucca. Visit Aswan Botanical Garden and other colorful Nubian Villages (Sio and Koti).

Day 10. Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh airport, and take a bus to Da Hab.

Day 11. Take a tour and hike in Sinai Colored Canyon.

Day 12. Take a safari tour and dine with a Bedouin.

Day 13. Dive the Blue Hole and chill in Da Hab.

Day 14. Come back to Cairo or Sharm el-Sheikh. Get ready for your next destination or way home.

Passengers flying to Egypt are not obliged to take the COVID-19 exam. On June 17, 2022, the government lifted the limitations on COVID-19.

Travelers who did not have a valid immunization certificate had to perform a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test before traveling previously.

On admission, no printed negative test result certificate should be sought. International passengers, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, now face the same entry requirements.

Source: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/egypt/

• Learn basic Arabic (see the section below).
• There will be a lot of hustle from street vendors, taxi drivers, etc. Be ready!
• Hire a guide in the Giza Pyramids, which will allow you to enjoy the tour without being constantly approached by vendors and other guides.
• If you want to buy something on the market, prepare to bargain. Prices for most of the things and services are a few times more expensive than they really are.
• Only drink bottled water.
• Crossing the street in big cities should be done with caution.
• Contrary to popular belief, Egypt is surprisingly free of violent crime.
• Dress correctly and with respect for the culture.
• Tipping is expected.

Salaam Alekom – Hello

Ahlan – Welcome

Laa – No

Laa shukran – No, thank you

Shukran – Thank you

khallaS! – Stop/Enough (I’m done)

Yalla – Come On (Let’s go)

Saedni – Help me

Habiby – My Love (darling)

Bekam? – How much?