Traveling to Egypt

Useful Egypt Travel Tips:

1. You will need a visa that costs $15 (US) per person. You can buy this in £ sterling or US$ on arrival for stays of up to one month. Please contact the Egyptian Embassy or Egyptian Consulate nearest you.
2. Book your tour early enough through a trusted travel agency to avoid troubles in booking tickets, hotel reservation and daily tours.
3. Buy a good guide book "Egypt : Lonely Planet" and educate yourself about Egypt before visiting.
4. Pets may enter Egypt provided you provide a certificate of origin and a health certificate. There are no forms for this, but a dated, signed letter is acceptable.
5. Remember to declare your valuables when entering Egypt or they may be confiscated upon your departure. This applies especially to computers, photographic and video equipment, which must have their serial numbers recorded by customs in your passport.
6. In crowded areas keep your money, credit card and important paper in a safe pocket.
7. Remember to drink lots of cold water during your open air tours; as you can easily get dehydrated in summer.
8. Avoid public displays of affection between the genders.
9. If you're visiting a mosque or other religious sites: Take off your shoes, and cover your head if you're a woman, before going into a mosque. Don't enter during prayers (prayer times table).
10. Don't eat, drink or smoke in public during the day during the holy month of Ramadan.
11. Don't photograph bridges, canals (including the Suez Canal) or anything even remotely related to the military or government buildings.
12. Taxis are black-and-white (usSexually Fiats or Ladas) so hailing a cab is never a problem. When hailing a taxi yell out a district or landmark near your destination and if the driver is heading there he will stop for you.
13. The fair-meters in the taxis are never working so discuss the price and don’t pay till you leave the taxi. Keeping the taxi's license no. is a good idea in case you forgot something in the car.
14. You can get a private car with a driver and tour guide booked via your tour agency while going to the sightseeing. Never take a taxi to these places as they are professional in ripping you off.
15. Take the longer trips on the Cairo Metro and leave the taxis for short hops.
16. For train trips outside Cairo, it is highly recommended to book an air conditioned first class train.
17. Do be prepared for unwanted attention if you're a woman traveling alone - it's best to travel with a companion outside the main tourist areas. You'll undoubtedly be whistled at or talked to in the street. If approached, always say that you are married.
18. During sightseeing, you might face some hassling by vendors which you can simply avoid by saying thank or "laa shokran" = "No thank u" and you are going to notice that it works like magic!
19. Still it's nothing to worry about, people love foreigners they might approach you with a hand shake or ask to get photographed with you, or try to practice their English. They can show you directions too.
20. Women drive their own cars, or walk alone and find it safe. Egyptians are generally friendly and kind.
21. Tipping or "Baksheesh" is very common but not a must, adding 10-15% is ok on the bill in a restaurant. Bellmen, doormen, drivers expect a tip which you can decide yourself if they do a good service.
22. Street beggars are expected so be careful.
23. Check this links for the nearest Egyptian Restaurants.
24. Also remember to check this list of Cargo Shipping Agencies if you are relocating to Egypt.

Here are the contact information for some Egyptian Travel Agents, Nile Cruses, Air ticketing agencies, Vacation Reservations offices, Tour Guides with best offers and special rates:

• For a list of Egyptian stock broker firms click the link
• Share your life experiences and business contacts in Egypt through this discussion forum
• For a list of Shipping Companies that Ship to Egypt click the link
• for the latest Jobs in Egypt click here