Visa are available on spot and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay, for most nationalities in most airports and ports. Many can get visa upon arrival at International Airports in Egypt while others need to get it before going to Egypt. If you are not sure what is valid for your country, send us an email and we will come back with updated information. You should have a full, current passport valid for at least six months. A visa will be required which can be obtained on entry to the country at a cost of $15.

Credit Cards are only accepted at a very few major hotels, airlines and some international shops and restaurants. We suggest to bring a sufficient amount of cash for personal expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Friday, Saturdays and all public holidays.

Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is the local currency in Egypt. Major Currencies can be changed nearly everywhere. Banks are in all cities as in most top end hotels. Automats for credit cards are found in most banks and mentioned hotels. Please note that most hotel and service contracts are given travel agents and tour operators in US$ or Euro and then payment must normally be in same currency. Check the currency with this online Currency Converter.

Electric current in Egypt is 220 volts, also the outlets require a two-pronged rounded plug, not flat. So please if you have 110 volts appliance, do not forget your adapter.

Cairo time = GMT + 2 hrs. USA EST + 7 hrs. Daylight saving time = First of May and September. Official working hours in Egypt are 8:30 AM to 1 PM for banks and 9 AM to 3 PM and from 5 PM to 9:30 PM for shops. Working days are Sunday to Thursday for banks and Monday to Saturday for shops.

Cairo is safer than any large Western city, but as in any country (including your own) common sense and precautions should be used. Wandering alone is not recommended and we strongly recommend against our women clients traveling alone or even in pairs in certain areas without an able-bodied male escort.

Roads are hazardous and local driving skills leave a great deal to be desired -- roadside heaps of post-accident scrap metal constantly bear witness to this. Visitors are strongly advised against hiring a car themselves, although there are plenty of rental agencies in all major cities. Driving at night is particularly dangerous, as many drivers do not use headlights.

By international ( and certainly British Delete words ) standards, Egypt represents good value for money, particularly for travelers carrying pound sterling and $US Dollars, (and visiting from the UK ) eating and drinking is considerably cheaper and you are able to eat well for less than USD$ 15 a day. Bottled mineral water is widely available at around 60 cents a bottle. See 'alcohol' for details regarding alcoholic beverages.

This is a virtual aladdin's cave. khan al-khalill bazaar in Cairo is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. souks and bazaars abound in other towns, too.

Guidebooks
Lonely planet
Rough guide
Globaltrotter
For more information and variety please visit your local bookshop.

Egyptian cuisine is similar to some of the cuisines found in Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. the basic staple diet canters on pulses- fuul mezdames (fava beans) and ta'amiya (chickpea patties). These tends to be the centerpiece of a meal thaty will normaly include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats.

Local taxis are readily available and inexpensive, but agree the fare before embarking on your journey, and don’t pay until the end of your journey. The same goes for caleches, or horse and carriage, rides.

It is expensive to telephone home from hotels. Phone cards cost 20L.E. or 30L.E. for a approx. 3-4 minute call to the any where in the world. Ask your representative for further advice.

Tipping, or baksheesh as it is called in Egypt, is a way of life, and porters, waiters, temple guardians etc expect a small tip, around E£1 for a porter, 2L.E. coach driver, 15L.E. cleaner if staying in a hotel. Tip around 15 per cent on a restaurant bill. However, on a Nile cruise, you will be asked to pay a sum of money at the start of your cruise from which your guide will pay all tipping outside the boat for you throughout your holiday. Then it is customary on a Nile Cruise to trip the crew collectively at the end of your holiday so all staff get something – about L.E. 3 per person per day is the normal, plus a similar amount for your Egyptologist guide handed to him or her personally.

Remember to drink plenty of water while in Egypt, particularly during the summer months, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration. Drink only bottled water.

The choice is somewhat limited, but local beer is good and of better value than that designated as export, which is generally in smaller bottles and more expensive. Imported beer, such as Heineken, are available in cans in hotel bars but is expensive.

Most of the larger hotels can supply common medicines, but, of course, bring your own prescription medicine with you, as although it may be available in Egyptian drug stores, it may be called a different name. Stomach upsets can occur due to the heat and change of diet, so don’t forget your Imodium or other anti-diarrheic.