Practical Travel Information

Good to know before you travel.

Visa Requirements
Health Requirements
Time
Money / Currency
Travel Seasons
Climate - When to Go
Humidity and temperature
Food and drink
Dress code
Tips



Visa Requirements
Visa is required for Egypt. For many, visa can be obtained at the international Airport in Egypt. For citizens of other countries, one will have to obtain the visa before departure to Egypt. If you are not sure what is valid for your country, send us a mail and we will come back with updated information.

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Health Requirements
Check with your own country's health guidelines for travelers to Egypt. For general health information we advise to look at WHO, UN's World Health Organization's travel and health information for Egypt.

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Time
GMT + 2 hours
Summertime (GMT + 1 hour) observed from late April until end of September.

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Money:
Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is the local currency in Egypt.
Major Currencies can be changed nearly everywhere. Most banks and top end hotels with their banks, normally also got automats for credit cards. As most hotel contracts are given to agents and tour operators in US$, these services are normally paid for in same currency. For a fast updated online currency converter, its easy to use www.xe.com, and for those who have window operating system, we strongly recommend A. Belgraver's free Currency Converter (software).

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Travel Seasons
Top season in Egypt is the "Winter Season" that for the travel industry starts 1st of October and lasts until end of April. "Summer Season" is from 1st of May until 31st of September. Peaks periods are Christmas and New Year that normally last from 20th of December until 10th of January. Second peak season is Easter - dates here vary from year to year. During summer there can be some places as Alexandria and Al Arish on the North Coast that got peak season due to the Egyptian summer holiday and summer guests from Arab countries.

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When to go: Climate (winter and summer):
Lower temperatures in Egypt are in the winter season, normally defined from 1st of October until end of April. Summer season have the highest temperatures, but note that humidity are so low many places in Egypt that the temperatures can not directly be compared to similar temperatures in most other countries. Find month by month temperatures for Cairo, Luxor and Farafra Oasis here.

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Humidity and temperature "reading":
Note that the climate is dry in Egypt, and in many places the humidity are extremly low. Last goes for destinations as Luxor and Aswan, and of course especially the Desert. On a hot summer day in Cairo you can actually have a more pleasant time in a desert oasis, even if the temperature are lower in Cairo. Such phenomena is directly related to the near to zero amount of humidity in the desert.
Day and Night temperatures:
Second part to be aware of is that most of the climate in Egypt are more or less a desert climate with higher temperatures during the day and much lower temperatures during evening and night. So for winter time its advisable to bring some warm clothes for the evening, as the evenings can become cold even if its good and warm weather during the day.

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Food and drink:
As Egypt is a meeting point between Africa, Europe and Asia, same is clearly reflected in her different dishes. The last few hundred years influenced by Turkish cuisine due to the Turkish presence in Egypt - and yes McDonalds and KFC more recently. Still there is something Egyptian going though the line of diversity in the Egyptian food, much which come in different ways from the Ancient Egyptian cuisine. In the villages in Luxor area you will soon see the traditional round sun breads - go inside a noble or royal tomb and you will find the same bread painted on the wall. In Ancient Egypt beer was as basic as the bread, and the good beer of today will most likely surprise many. Egyptian wine was famous in Greek time and a favorite wine throughout the Roman Empire. Quality of wine in today's Egypt has been of a lesser standard than its good beer - but this is also in the process of changes. So do try a good Egyptian wine, a good restaurant will help you to find the best. Yes, Egyptian food can be "hot" - but not like many other cuisines where all the dishes are hot. There is normally a lot to dip into, and all parts got their special taste. One of the most unique meals one can get in Egypt is found at Estorile Restaurant and bar (located close to Talaat Harb Square in downtown Cairo). Just order something to drink and let them come with their full set of popular local salad "dips", and you will understand. In general Egyptian food are a pleasant surprise for most visitors, and along with local cuisine you will find restaurants with nearly anything of international cuisine.

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Dress code:
Here its important to "balance" - meaning, do know the basic but don't think you are going to another planet either. In part of the big cities you will find Egyptians in the last fashion from Europe or North America, while other places you will find dress customs and scenes most will define as "biblical". In modern city areas, hotels and more "tourist" places - go as you please. If going to different areas in same city or the countryside, the tradition will be more conservative. It is appreciated if you think about this while visiting these areas. For men, don't go without t-shirt in such areas, and for women - have a dress with around knee length and a upper part that cover your shoulders. Apart from going inside a mosque, there is no place a woman is expected to wear headscarf. To go inside a mosque, both sexes will have to remove their footwear. Note that in churches its also appreciated if women wear head scarf - and for man and women, no shorts in Churches and Mosques. Again, please remember - you are not coming to another planet, but Egypt with her millenniums of history and culture. Use your logic with above in mind, and you as visitor and Egyptians as your hosts - will enjoy your stay!

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What about tips?
For tours, guide and driver gratuities are left entirely to your discretion. Basic tips are included in the price if the tour is arranged by UPT!
Tips are main part of income for many Egyptians and for most working within tourism, the main income. While any amount is appreciated, tips often range from 5% to 10% of meals or trip costs - to be split among those involved.
We often recommend when asked, to use following "thumb rule": If any service is done well and to your appreciation, tips is a nice way to show gratitude for this. On the other hand, if service on lets say a restaurant is not good, then save the tips for someone who deserve it.

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