Travel Documents and Visas
To enter Egypt as a tourist and an EU citizen, you need a passport valid for at least six months and with at least one empty page for the visa sticker. You can buy a visa sticker at the airport at a bank counter (the current cost is 25 $). If possible, our representative will wait for you before the immigration control to help you get the visa.
You can also arrange the visa online here.
But please note that there are known cases when e-visa was not working properly, and the system was unreliable. Therefore, we recommend you do it the old-fashioned way and buy a visa upon entry at the bank counter. For travelling only in South Sinai, a visa is not needed.
When entering (and exiting) Egypt, you need to fill in special cards, so have your documents ready during the flight. If you are on a tour, list your first accommodation name (no need for address) as your address in Egypt.
Customs
Tobacco and alcohol: Passengers entering Egypt can bring in, without paying the customs duty, up to 200 cigarettes and one litre of alcohol, items for personal use and gifts in a total worth of 200 $.
Electronics: There is an old rule that personal computers and other electronic equipment should be declared on a D form. However, in practice, nobody has been checking this for tourists, and there is no need to do it as these are considered items for personal use. However, ensure that your electronic stuff is not in the original packaging as it may be considered used for hidden sales and then taxed heavily.
Forbidden items: As in most countries, some items are not allowed to be brought in or out of Egypt (e.g., narcotics, firearms, counterfeit items, plant seeds, meat, eggs, dairy products). On the list, there is a specific mention of the possible spying equipment, including drones and binoculars, so leave those at home. Also, any informational material that violates moral norms is not allowed (e.g., pornography and materials that promote religious, ethnic, or racial hatred).
Antiquities: Anything older than 100 years is considered an antiquity. You may bring it in, but it will then be challenging to take it out. Without the special permission of the Egyptian Antiquities Authorities, no items can be carried out of Egypt, and fines can be substantial.
Sea shells and corals: These are not allowed to be carried out from Egypt. If they are found in your luggage, the fine can be as high as 1000 $. Thus, it is better to leave them on the shores no matter how attractive they look to you. By doing so, you will also help the ecosystem.
Medication: Egypt has relatively strict laws; for example, analgesics and tranquilizers are on the list of items forbidden to bring in. The best way to handle this is to take with you only as much medication to last for the duration of the trip; it is also helpful to have the prescription with you to prove that it was prescribed for you by your doctor.
Money: You can bring in any amount in any foreign currency, but be aware that you must declare amounts higher than 10,000 $. It is advisable to do so, not only because it is required by law but also because if not spent, you might be asked to show proof of origin at the departure. For local currency, the Egyptian pound, the limit to bring in is 5,000 pounds.
Duty-Free Shops
There are duty-free shops at most international airports (either before or after customs control). There are also duty-free shops in towns with international airports (Cairo, Luxor or Alexandria), and you can buy products there within 24 hours of arrival – but the rule applies that only once upon entry to Egypt can you shop in duty-free for 200 cigarettes or 1 litre of alcohol (wine or spirits). Prices in duty-free shops in Egypt usually compare favourably with European airports. However, the selection is not as great and, for example, you rarely find spirits in smaller plastic bottles, which are the most useful for travelling.
Weather
Unsurprisingly, nobody pays much attention to weather reports in Egypt as the weather is relatively stable, predictable, and mostly sunny year-round. In general, there are two main seasons: a hot and dry summer (from April to October) with temperatures above 30 °C and even from 40 to 45 °C or more in July and August, and a pleasant winter with temperatures between 18 and 25 °C, but there is also a possibility of stronger winds (from January to March), and mostly short rain falls along the Mediterranean coast and in Cairo. You can check current weather here.
Time Difference
Egypt uses Central European Time + 1 hour (GMT + 2 hours). So, when it is 12:00 in Paris or 11:00 in London, it is 13:00 in Cairo. Egypt does not have a fixed schedule to change time for Summertime, so check the recent information before you travel. If it is not changed and there is a change in your country, then in that period, the time in Egypt is the same as CET Summertime (or GMT Summer Time +1).
Money
The official currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP or, as it is used when stating prices, LE), »giné« in the Egyptian language. The Egyptian pound consists of 100 piasters (PT), but these are rarely used anymore. There are 1 pound coins (careful, they look similar to 1 euro and are often used for scamming tourists), other coins are 5, 10, 25 and 50 piastres and 1 pound and banknotes are for 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pounds. Because the banknotes are similar in size, you must be careful to distinguish between them. See the design of banknotes here.
The exchange rate is changing, so keep track of the current value here. On September 1st 2023, the rates are approximately:
1 EUR = 33 EGP, and 1 USD = 31 EGP.
Keep in mind that in most places, you can pay with euro or US dollars, which are both official currencies for transactions. In that case, it is better to keep small-value banknotes with you as you will be able to control the exchange better (if you get pounds in return). However, it is always good to have some small Egyptian notes for small things, such as using toilets and for baksheesh.
Banks are generally open from Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 to 13:00, sometimes also on Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00. Friday is the day off. You can change money at airport bank counters, in some hotels and banks or exchange offices. The exchange rates are more or less the same, usually the best in banks, and unless you plan to exchange big sums of foreign currency, it really does not matter which place you choose. Since it is difficult for Egyptians to get much desired foreign currency (due to high inflation in Egypt), there is a growing black market for currency exchange. However, there might also be more scams, so be careful when exchanging money.
The number of places that accept credit cards (mainly Visa and Mastercard) is increasing, but it is worth knowing that Egypt is still a land of cash. ATMs can be found in many public places, and most international cards are accepted. The electronic services of banks in Egypt are not always reliable, so we recommend using the machines owned by the National Bank of Egypt, Bank Misr or the Bank of Alexandria.
“Baksheesh” and Tipping
Baksheesh is expected from tourists for any kind of service, or by children even without doing anything for you, or by street beggars. Foreigners are believed to be rich and are a regular target to get something from; if not money, then a pen, sweets, or anything else will do. Many times, foreigners feel overwhelmed by all these demands for baksheesh. Use your judgment when it feels right to give baksheesh and keep small notes or Egyptian pound coins with you.
Because tipping is customary and can be a bit of a hassle, your trip price already includes tipping for usual travel services (handling luggage, hotel and restaurant services). You can always ask your tour leader/RTS representative for advice on how to tip drivers and guides. It depends, of course, on how happy you are with the services, but guides expect around 10–20 € a day, drivers 5–10 € from a small group (2–4 tourists). With our programmes, we estimate the expected tipping costs per adult traveller for the whole programme as you need to have this extra cash with you.
Personal safety
Egypt has a good safety record regarding theft and other criminal acts aimed at tourists. However, precaution is always recommended concerning where you keep your money and documents.
We recommend you make a copy of your passport and other travel documents and keep it in a separate place (keeping it in an electronic version accessible through the internet is the best option as it can be accessed almost immediately if you need it; you can also mail it to us and we will store it for you).
In most hotels, there are safe boxes for valuables, either in the room or at the reception (in this case, ask for a receipt). We strongly advise that you use them for valuable items.
You will see the presence of tourist police (armed) and checkpoints everywhere; this is put in place to ensure the safe travels of tourists. Although it may look unpleasant to see armed police all the time, it is a standard way of travelling in Egypt for tourists.
In recent years, Egypt has invested a lot of money to improve roads, and safety has increased. However, Egyptian driving culture is different, and they respect their own driving rules. RTS uses great caution in selecting vehicles and drivers to ensure the maximum possible safety of tourists.
Electricity
Electricity is 220 V, with standard European plugs with two round sticks. If you come from other countries, bring adapters with you. Since most people nowadays take photos with phones and you will be out of the room for long hours, it is best to have a power bank to charge your device when needed. Note: A power bank should be stored in hand luggage; check with the airline power limitations (they are mostly limited to 100 watt hours per battery).
Telephone
Most international mobile phone operators have contracts with Egyptian providers, but the price of calls can be very high (please check with your home provider).
Viber service works well with calls and messaging, and WhatsApp is mostly for messaging only.
The country code for Egypt is + 20.
The Internet and Computer
Free Wi-Fi is usually available in tourist places, including hotels (sometimes only in common areas and not in rooms) and restaurants. However, the connection may not always be fast or good for video calls. You can get a data sim card to use while in Egypt; a representative from the RTS agency can help you arrange that. For small groups, RTS arranges portable Wi-Fi so you can be connected throughout the tour.
Post
If you are a person who still sends postcards, postal services in Egypt are fairly reliable as concerns outgoing mail, so you can expect your postcards to arrive at the designated destination; it may just take a bit longer. When buying postcards, you have to be aware that shops try to profit from stamps, and they usually sell a few pounds postcard together with a stamp for up to 500 LE. This is overly expensive because the stamp for international airmail is for 2023 only 88 LE (about 3€). So, if you plan to write a lot of postcards, it is worth going to the post office and getting stamps (you can ask your our representative to help you with this). You will not find a lot of drop-off mailboxes, but you can leave your mail for posting at your hotel or give it to our representative, who will mail it for you.
Most post offices are open Saturdays to Thursdays, from 8:30 to 15:00.
Photography
Egypt is a paradise for photographers, and the light is magical. Make sure that your phone or camera is fully charged and that you have sufficient space on memory cards. If you still use films, bring enough (you can buy them in Egypt, but the quality is unreliable).
Taking photos or filming is prohibited at some places (bridges, dams, airports, railway stations, government buildings, military sites, checkpoints, etc.). Do not take any pictures of police or military personnel. If you are unsure if you are allowed to take a photo, it is better to ask than risk the loss of your film or camera. In museums, it is usually allowed to take photos (except in the National Museum in Cairo), but a small fee is charged for the camera, and you are not allowed to use a flash.
Before you take pictures of people, ask them for their permission. For some people (especially women), it may be offensive, and they may not want foreigners to look at their picture. Sometimes, people will encourage you to take a photo and then ask for baksheesh, so you have to be prepared to give them some small change.
Please note that it is not allowed to bring drones or binoculars into Egypt.
Clothing
- There are several recommendations regarding clothing:
Egypt is an Islamic country, especially in Upper Egypt (from Luxor to Aswan) and in the oases, life is still very traditional, and it is respectful to the local population that tourists observe their traditions. Despite the masses of tourists, some locals still find men in shorts funny and women with sleeveless tops, uncovered knees and wide-open tops indecent. Of course, in Red Sea resorts, the dress code is very casual. - Because of the strong sun (mostly all year round), it is recommended that when sightseeing, tourists wear long sleeves, wide, loose-fitting clothes from natural materials (e.g., cotton) and in bright colours. In the evenings, the temperature drops, and it is always good to have a sweater or shawl to cover yourself.
- Because temperatures change depending on the strength of the sun and wind, it is recommended that you dress in layers so you can adjust and feel comfortable at all times during the day.
- Bring comfortable shoes. There is a lot of sand and dirt on many streets, especially in big towns, so you might prefer closed shoes instead of sandals. When visiting archaeological sites, you will sometimes have to walk on slippery, uneven stones, so bring something with sturdy soles. If you plan to do some hiking, bring comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Of course, flip-flops or similar are the best for the beach.
- Sun protection, such as hats, sunglasses and sun-protection cream, is a must because the Egyptian sun is strong all year round.
Health
Egypt has no specific health risks other than the normal ones associated with any travel to a new place. You may check with your government health advice.
Many visitors to Egypt experience digestive problems, also called a “pharaonic curse”. Mostly they blame the quality of food, however, more often there are other reasons than food itself, such as dehydration, drinking ice cold drinks in hot weather and too much mixing of food. When it comes to food, avoid mayonnaise, creams and creamy salads, while the more sensitive ones should also avoid fresh fruits and vegetables you cannot peel.
Light diarrhoea usually passes quickly if you rest, eat light food and drink lemon juice and water. In more severe cases, you can try local medicine (e.g., Antinal), which is usually more effective than the one you might have with you.
Medical Services and Hospitals
Egypt has an extensive network of both private and public medical services and hospitals. Tourists in need of medical assistance due to health-related problems or injuries are usually taken to international hospitals, which are found in most tourist towns, or you can choose a private hospital where services are of a high standard and comparable to Europe or the USA, and also prices are relatively high. In case of medical issues, please ask your representative of the RTS agency for assistance.
Health Insurance
We strongly recommend arranging international health insurance (covering medical expenses and transport if needed). Private medical facilities in Egypt, which are recommended over public ones, usually require payment on the spot, and you can ask for reimbursement later.
Hygiene
There is a lot of dust everywhere in Egypt, which does not help make the place look clean. Also, locals are used to disposing of garbage anywhere on the street, and dustbins are hard to find. In any case, it is essential that you wash and clean your hands often during the time you spend outside.
We recommend that you have with you refreshing towels or disinfection spray to maintain hand hygiene, as this is most important for preventing various infections.
As locals use washing, toilet paper may not be found in public toilets, so it is helpful to always have some tissue in your pockets. In many places, it is expected not to flush the toilet paper but dispose of it in the bin because the sewage system is not made for the use of paper.
Mosquitos
Along the Nile, mosquitos are common, so it is best to have protection with you (electric plugs or sprays); you can also buy this in Egypt in most supermarkets or pharmacies. You can ask the tour leader for assistance. In some places, you may find mosquito nets in bedrooms.
Shopping
Egypt has many shopping opportunities; if you enjoy bargaining, you can find some real treasures at a reasonable price. Some of the most common shopping items are gold, silver, carpets, spices, perfumes, karkade (dry hibiscus flowers), papyrus, artefacts from basalt of alabaster, clay or wooden items, mother of pearl products, water pipes (shisha) and tobacco, jewellery from semi-precious stones, leather and textiles (traditional wear, cotton products or high fashion from some modern stores), and cosmetics from narural ingredients.
In Egypt, piracy is blooming, and you can get a fake Rolex (for about 10 €) and other types of watches, designer sunglasses, expensive perfumes and brand-name textiles and accessories. Sometimes, you will notice that it says Adidos and Aqua id Gio or similar alterations.
Some shops have fixed prices, but mostly, you will have to bargain (see next section).
When buying at a market, you have to get used to some more or less aggressive behaviour from vendors seeking to make you buy from them. Almost everybody will want to know your name and where you are from, and through this start of conversation, they hope to get you to come to their shop.
Bargaining
The main part of shopping is bargaining; sellers enjoy it and are in no hurry to make a deal. Many like talking to tourists and may offer you tea and try to develop some kind of relationship. There is no rule as to what is a reasonable price and how much below what is initially declared you may get at the end. But a start should usually be below 50% of the given price. Sellers are very skilled, and they assess your potential and then start with a price. So the best advice for a good start is not to look too wealthy when shopping (e.g., hide your expensive sunglasses or jewellery) because they are excellent observers. Then, it is up to your bargaining skills. It is worth first looking around and getting a sense of the prices. Then, decide how much you are willing to pay for something and do not go above this number. If you do not get what you want initially, it usually helps to walk away, and most of the time, you will be called back, and the price will be lowered. If you do not get something for your desired price, go to another shop.
Scams
Scams are also a part of Egyptian folklore, and, of course, for a very good price, you can get things from street vendors, such as fake papyrus (in reality, prints on dried banana leaves), artificial leather, plastic as alabaster, black painted plastic as basalt, plastic as mother of pearl, etc. Also, you can get mixed coloured pepper, which is just painted white pepper (not real green and red pepper), aromatic oil essences or perfumes mixed with water, etc.
With the 1-pound coins looking similar to a 1-euro coin, some use it to ask tourists to change euro coins for them because they say the bank only takes banknotes, and then they slip pounds in instead of euro coins when the exchange happens.
Culture and Etiquette
Egypt is a traditional Muslim country and culturally very diverse. Traditions depend upon region and class. The high and middle classes have adopted many Western lifestyle elements, such as more liberal clothing, celebrating birthdays, mixed-gender parties and dating. As a rule, Upper Egypt and some oases are the most traditional regions. While in Cairo, you may find all kinds of dressing styles, as you move more to the south or rural areas, the traditional robe “jalabiya” prevails for both men and women.
When visiting a mosque, wearing long pants or skirts and covered shoulders is expected. If you do not, they will hand you a loose cover before you enter. Also, you have to take off your shoes (it is safe to leave them on wooden shelves or carry them with you in your bags).
Men may not look into a woman’s eyes when introduced as a sign of respect.
With greetings, it is common always to ask, “How are you?” and asking about health and the family is always welcomed.
The handshake is usually soft and brief among strangers; with people they know, Egyptians typically exchange kisses and hugs.
Affectionate gestures or kissing in public are considered inappropriate, and, except for married couples, you usually see men and women (boys and girls) walking in separate groups. Sometimes,, friends of the same gender hold their hands just being friends, so do not read more into it.
Drinking alcohol is acceptable in tourist places, but mostly not in local restaurants (where they do not serve alcohol). In the Siwa Oasis, alcohol is forbidden in all public places.
It is important to know the two different functions of hands as the left hand is used for “unclean” functions, so eating with your left hand is considered unhygienic. You should use your right hand when passing things to people.
It is impolite to show the bottoms of your feet or soles of your shoe to another person, so be careful how you sit or cross your legs when you are among locals.
Time is a relative term in Egypt, and even in tourism, it may be used in a relaxed way. This does not mean that our representatives will not meet you on time, but when time is out of our hands, you may experience some delays.
People in Egypt like to talk to tourists, and you will often be asked where you are from, your name, etc. For many, this may be the start of some business; for some, it is just a polite gesture.
Egyptians have a good sense of humour, and you will find them joking and laughing a lot.
Many prefer not to talk about politics or other sensitive issues.
Language
The official language in Egypt is Arabic, and Egyptians use its colloquial form. In tourist places, you can communicate in many international languages, such as English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Egyptians seem to learn languages quickly; however, you cannot expect that most taxi drivers in Cairo speak English. Therefore, it is helpful to know some Egyptian words. If you need any help with communication in Arabic, you can always ask our representative.
Habibi (my dear) is probably the most popular Arabic word; both men and women use it as a term of endearment among friends, and you will find it in many songs.
Inshallah (God willing) is often used almost at the end of any sentence, referring to the future.
Al-hamdulilah (Thanks to God) is another word you will frequently hear.
Hello: salaam ‘alaykum or just salaam
Goodbye: masalama or just salaam
Hello/Welcome: ahlan wa sahlan
Thank you: shukran
Not at all/you’re welcome: afwan
No: la-a
Yes: aywa
OK: maashi
No problem: mish mushkila
No problems: mefish mashak
Not possible: mish mumkin
Is everything OK?: kullu tammam?
All OK: tammam
Excellent: maye maye or ashera ashera (ashera is 10, maye is 100)
Let’s go!: Yalla or Yallabina
How much does it cost?: Bee-kam?
May I look at it?: Mumkin ashuf?
For aggressive sellers:
No, thank you: la-a shukran
I don’t need it: shukran, mish awz for a man saying it and shukran, mish awza for a woman saying it.
Go away: imshi!
Stop it: khalas
What is your name?: ismak eh? (for a man) or ismik eh? (for a woman)
My name is …: Ismee …
How are you?: Izayyak? (for a man) or Izayyik? (for a woman)
Fine: kwayiss (for a man) or kwayissa (for a woman), Egyptian reply “kwayiss al-hamdulilah”
Arabic numbers are the following:
Food and Drinks
There is a great variety of food and drinks in Egypt, and you can enjoy a lot of seasonal locally grown vegetables and fruit with a rich taste. You can find international and local dishes in most hotels and restaurants.
When it comes to meat, Egyptians like it grilled, and you can find “kofta” (seasoned minced meat on sticks), “kebab” (pieces of meat on a skewer) and grilled chicken (usually half a chicken flattened) in most restaurants. On the street, you can try “shawarma”, rolled grilled meat served in bread rolls with vegetables and different sauces. A pigeon stuffed with rice is considered a real delicacy. The usual side dish is rice or mahsi – vegetables (e.g., eggplant, zucchini, and green pepper) and grape leaves stuffed with rice. Besides mixed salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley), you will find dips like tahini (from sesame paste), hummus (from chickpeas), babaganug (from eggplants) and tomeya (from garlic). There are special street shops where you can get a traditional dish, “kosheri”, a mix of macaroni, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and fried onion. Of course, you can get excellent fresh fish, shrimp and other seafood dishes at the seaside. A typical Egyptian breakfast consists of “fuul” (baked fava beans) and “tameya” (falafel – fried balls of minced fava beans and spices). If you have more of a sweet tooth, you can try pancakes with different toppings. Of course, many would say that the best food of all is Egyptian sweets such as baklava, basboussa, kunafa or umm ali.
The typical drink is “shai” (black tea), which can be served either with fresh mint leaves (shai bi nanna) or with milk (shai bi laban). Very refreshing is “karkade” (hibiscus drink), which can be either hot or cold. “Ahwa” (coffee) is strong and aromatic and served in small cups, and you are usually asked how sweet you want it. Nescafe is also available at most places, and many modern cafes serve “espresso”. There is a range of international and domestic soft drinks and natural juices. Especially good are freshly squeezed juices and juice cocktails (there are special shops in most towns, and you can get them at most restaurants). You can also try juice from sugar cane (asir asab).
Regarding alcohol, local beer is a good choice (Stella, Sakkara, or Luxor). Local wine is a little more expensive, and in general, tourists agree that red wine (brands Omar Khayyam, Jardin du Nil and Chateau des Reves) is better than white wine. Local sparkling wine is called Aida, and local spirits are usually extremely strong and do not taste so good. Of course, many tourist places have a good selection of (expensive) international alcoholic beverages. There are also special shops where you can buy alcohol; ask the tour leader for assistance if you need to locate the store.
For tourists, it is recommended to drink bottled water, which is available almost everywhere, and avoid water from the tap. The best brands are Nestle, Safy and Siwa. When buying water, be sure that it has the original seal and the top is wrapped in plastic because, on the street, they often try to sell refills to tourists.
Egypt is easy for vegetarians as many Egyptians usually eat vegetables because meat and fish are considered luxury items. Therefore, you can find vegetarian dishes on most menus and buffet-style meals. However, people are unaware of vegetarianism in Egypt, and you may have difficulty explaining what it means.
Smoking and Tobacco
Many Egyptian men (and an increasing number of women) smoke cigarettes, and many are heavy smokers. There is an array of international and local brands of cigarettes available, usually at a much lower cost than in the West. Still, generally, the same brands may taste different, mostly stronger. There are still only a few non-smoking rules applied in Egypt; however, international airports and many restaurants in tourist towns do not allow smoking in closed areas or have separate non-smoking areas. In most local places, smoking has no restrictions, and if you are easily bothered by smoke, we suggest you pick an outdoor sitting area.
The sheesha (water pipe) is famous in the Egyptian café tradition, and people can sit there for hours enjoying shai and sheesha and talking about business or general things. Sheesha is also very popular among tourists, and you can find sheesha corners in most hotels and resorts, as well as restaurants, bars and especially coffee shops. A special kind of tobacco mixed with molasses comes in many flavours, from the favourite apple to many other fruits, mint, caramel… Usually, disposable mouthpieces are provided, and the sheesha gets shared among friends.