Best known for the temples and other historical sites related to the Egyptian civilization, this country has become one of the most visited territories of the World until the 2011 revolution, which led to an abrupt downturn in tourism. The more recent counter-revolution has led to a decrease in crime rate secondary to a more authoritarian government, and things have actually been looking brighter if you’re planning to visit the country.
For more information, don’t forget to check our 16-day itinerary on this amazing country by clicking here.
We also wrote detailed guides for some cities such as Aswan, Luxor, Cairo, and Siwa.
- Capital: Cairo
- Population: 103M (as of 2020)
- Language: Egyptian Arabic (English widely understood)
- Religion: 90% Muslim / 9% Coptic Christians / 1% others
- Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP or LE). As of December 2021:
- 1 EUR = 17,8 EGP
- 1 USD = 15,7 EGP
- Plugs: type C and F sockets (compatible with plugs of continental Europe)
When to go
The climate is more chill from October to April. We went in early October and the weather was pleasant in Alexandria, Siwa, and Cairo but still caught 35ºC (95ºF) in Aswan and Luxor.
Visa policy (simplified)
Most countries in the Americas and Europe are eligible to an e-Visa before arrival, which costs $25 (single-entry visa, 30 days). If you’re a national from these countries, a visa on arrival is also possible at the airport ($25).
COVID-19 entry requirements (simplified)
As of January 2022 you only need one of the following:
- valid vaccination certificate issued >14 days before arrival, or
- PCR test taken no more than 72h before departure (unless you’re flying to Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheik, Marsa Alam or Taba, where you can take the test on arrival)
Revolut and other pre-paid cards
We took ours, but Egypt is mainly a cash society. It can be useful to pay in some restaurants and hotels but make sure to always carry some physical money with you. Exchange offices usually apply fair rates.
SIM cards
At the Cairo International Airport you can find cell phone operators’ kiosks that can provide SIM cards.
What to wear
Egyptians are generally conservative and many are religious. They can however bear with tourists wearing Western clothes as it has been a tourist hotspot for decades.
In general, you may wear light clothes but not provocative – common sense applies here. In Siwa, women should cover their shoulders in the city, although everyone can swim in the desert hot springs or in Cleopatra spring.
Safety
Tourism is a big industry in Egypt, and everything is being made for tourists to feel safe. Pickpocketing can be an issue in a big city like Cairo, but violent crime is really uncommon. While it is unlikely to be robbed, you should keep your eyes peeled for scams, which really are the main concern in Egypt.
The odds of being victim of a terrorist attack are very low, but until recently ISIS was present in some rural areas of the Sinai Peninsula. However, desert roads are often patrolled by army officials. There’s also the occasional military checkpoint from time to time.
Tipping
Tipping is always optional, but there will be a lot of occasions where you’re expected to tip.
One of these situations is when someone offers himself to take a picture of you somewhere: after the photo, you’re expected to give something back. The same applies to photos with camels or horses. 5-10 EGP are usually enough in these situations.
After taxi rides, sometimes the driver asks for an extra tip – even if the amount to be paid is agreed beforehand. Tipping is not usually expected in restaurants, unless you’re a tourist. If you enjoyed a service and voluntarily want to tip, anything from 5-10% of the total price is customary.
Accomodation
From hostels and guesthouses to luxury hotels, there’s a wide array of accommodation that fits every pocket, mainly in the most touristic sites. It’s very possible to find a double room in a decent guesthouse for 15-30€/night.