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Egypt Travel Tips

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Travel Tips

 

CURRENCY: The local currency is the Egyptian Pound ( L.E.). Exchange your money at banks or at the exchange counter of your hotel. Cash amounts exceeding $500.00 per tourist have to be declared upon arrival at Cairo airport.

CLIMATE: The best season is from October through April when the temperature in Cairo is comfortable in the daytime, and cool or even cold at night. Weather in upper Egypt, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel is comfortably warm. During the summer months Cairo is hot and dry, upper Egypt is extremely hot, sightseeing should be done very early in the morning.

WHAT TO WEAR: Winter months: Bring woolen articles, sweaters, a light coat for the cool Cairo evenings. Women should bring slacks for sightseeing, long sleeved dresses and one evening dress for nightclub visits. Men should bring at least one warm jacket, ties for restaurants. Pack a bathing suit if visiting Aswan and Luxor or if taking a Nile Cruise. Summer months: Lightweight clothing. A sweater for evenings. AT ALL TIMES: Modesty in clothing should be observed, wear bathing suits and shorts at the beach or swimming pools only. A good rule is to cover your back and shoulders outside of the hotel area. Women should cover their arms when visiting mosques. Bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and walking on desert sand. Sunglasses, as well as sun visors, hats and scarves are recommended as protection against the strong sun. On a Nile Cruise dress is strictly informal, jackets and ties are out of place.

REMEMBER TO PACK: Talcum powder to help keep you cool. Towelettes for a quick freshening up. Mosquito repellent. A flashlight will come in handy for the dim light of the tombs and museums.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: Drink only bottled water with no ice! Eat in the hotel restaurants or in the leading restaurants. Be sure your food is well cooked. Peel all your fruits and eat only vegetables that have been cooked or that you can peel. In the summer months drink plenty of water, carry some with you while sightseeing. Be careful of fruit juices as they may be diluted with local water. Carry a bottle of Lomotil for upset stomachs. Pack suntan lotion with a good sunscreen agent.

HELPFUL HINTS: If you are planning to ride camels by the Pyramids, wear slacks or jeans. Do not be tempted to have pictures taken with borrowed head dress.

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50 cycles AC in Cairo and most areas except in Alexandria, in Heliopolis and in Maadi where the electricity is 110 volts AC 50 cycles. Wall plugs are the round, two pronged European type.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Make your long distance calls from your hotel. Reserve your calls in advance since facilities for direct dial from Egypt are limited. Collect calls cannot be made from Egypt. For better rate on international telephone calls, use the postal "Centrale' ".

PHOTOGRAPHY: In historical sites and Mosques, you can take photos. However there are certain fees for photographing in tombs and museums. If you would like to take pictures of some natives, you have to get there permission, because some Egyptians might feel offended if there picture is taken without there permission, especially in the countryside.

TIPPING: Tipping is customary in Egypt. Of course it is not compulsory, but it is a token of appreciation for good services rendered to you and it ensures an enthusiastic service when you appear another time.

SHOPPING: Bargaining is expected in all tourist shops, its a part of everyday life and its fun. You have to “Squeeze the seller and he’ll still be making a good profit”.

BUSINESS HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. everyday except Friday. Many businesses also remain closed on Saturdays.

SHOPS: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Most shops in the Khan El Khalili Bazaar remain open till 9:00 p.m. Most shops close on Sundays.

BANKING HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. everyday except Sunday when hours are 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Banks close on Fridays and Saturdays.

WOMEN TRAVELERS:
You can travel independently if you follow a few tips: Avoid direct eye contact with an Egyptian man unless you know him well: try not to respond to an obnoxious comment from a man - act as if you didn't hear it; be careful in crowds where you are crammed between people, as it is not unusual for crude things to happen behind you; if you’re in the countryside (off the beaten track) it’s often a good idea to wear a scarf over your hair: and, most of all, be careful about behaving in a flirtatious or suggestive manner - it could create more problems than you ever imagined.
Wear a wedding band. Generally, Egyptian men seem to have more respect for a married woman. On any stroll you take, if you decide to chat with an Egyptian man, expect many personal questions and perhaps offers of marriage... If you don’t wish to be friendly with any of the men who approach you on the street, ignore them and, if that doesn’t work, be blunt and say, “I want to be alone”. This is usually enough to leave you in peace.
It is appropriate to dress conservatively and be prepared to have modest clothing especially when visiting holy places. Swimsuits, shorts should be limited to specific beaches and hotel swimming pools. Suntanning on public areas is not recommended.

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