Egypt Travel Tips

Climate
Four types of climates characterize Egypt: Mediterranean on the coast of Alexandria, semi-desert in the region of Cairo, moderate along the valley of the desert Nile and desert in the South of the country.

From end September to the end of November: mild heat (25 to 35 °C from the North to the South). Mid-December at mid-March: fresh in the North of the country, pleasant on the Red Sea. From June to September: hot and dry season, 25 to 40°.

Clothing
Light cotton clothing, a cap, sun lotion and sunglasses.  Also foresee a woollen pullover for the fresh evenings.

Credit cards 

Credit cards, travellers' cheques are accepted in most of the hotels and the important shops.

Currency
The national currency is the Egyptian pound (LE), called ‘pound’ in English and ‘Guineh’ in Arabic. It is divided into 100 piastres.

Geography
With a surface of approximately one million km², Egypt is covered in majority by the desert (97 %). 95% of the inhabitants live therefore on only 4% of the territory. Crossed from the South to the North, Egypt is cut out in 26 administrative provinces. The capital is Cairo and the principal cities are Alexandria, Port-Said and Aswan.

Guides
Only Egyptian guides can guide on the places of interest and in the museums. They are all graduates of the Egyptology Institute

Internet
Numerous cybercafés in the majority of the agglomerations of the country. Tariffs range between 5 and 20 LE per hour.

Language
Official language is Arabic. English and French are rather widespread, especially in the tourist cities. German and Italian are spoken in numerous hotels of the Red Sea.

Mail
Purchase of stamps at the post offices or at the reception of your hotel. A letter for Europe is charged 1,3 LE. The post offices are closed on Friday.

Opening Schedules

Administrations are generally continuously open daily from 9 to 14 h, except Friday and public holidays. Banks are closed Fridays and Saturdays. Most shops are open from 10. to 21 h. every day, except Sunday.

Note: during the Ramadan, all the schedules are modified.

Population
Egypt comprises 72 million inhabitants. The population is urban with 45 %. Cairo: more than 17 million inhabitants, Alexandria: more than 4 million.

Telephone
The public phones with coins or cards are present in all the country (cards are on sale in small shops often installed nearby the cabins).

Time zone

Egypt is in 2-hour ahead of the GMT time.

Tipping
Very widespread in Egypt, "bakchich" is a genuine institution. Any person making a service, even tiny, awaits a tip in return. It is for example of use in restaurants (even if the service is included) to leave a small complement.

Vaccination
No vaccine is required for the travellers from Europe. Vaccination against hepatitis A-B, Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria are strongly recommended.

Visa
A paying visa is obligatory to enter to Egypt. Delivered by the Consulate or at the airport upon arrival in the country. Valid passport, 6 months after the end of your stay.

Women
Women can travel alone to Egypt. Adopt correct behaviours