Major Airports in Egypt
The main airports in Egypt are Cairo International Airport and Luxor International Airport.

Banking in Egypt
Banks in Egypt are usually open Sunday to Thursday from 0830 hours to 1400 hours
Cairo branches of the Egyptian British Bank and Banque Misr now have Automatic Teller Machines. The machines accept Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus and are quite common in the main tourist areas.

For those who may wish to travel to tourist areas outside major cities like Cairo, Luxor, the best currencies to have in cash are US dollars and Pounds Sterling.

Climate of Egypt
The climate of Egypt can be described as mild, with temperatures increasing as one travels southwards from Cairo. Cairo gets cold and chilly from December all the way to February, and gets hotter from June to September. The northerly breeze however relieves this heat making it bearable. The temperatures drop drastically at night.

In summary the north coast and Delta regions of Egypt, including the cities of Cairo and Alexandria, are influenced by the Mediterranean climatic conditions. The rest of Egypt has a subtropical climate.

The hottest months in upper Egypt run from May to October, with temperatures running up to 100 degrees F. Humidity is however very low and rainfall is minimal.

The capital City Cairo is very hot between may and October with warm nights and cool nights. November to April is mid winter. Cairo occasionally experiences dust storms brought about by hot winds. This happens in the month of April

Clothing for Egypt Vacation
Visitors to Egypt should dress in a conservative manner in line with the country’s general attitude. Nude bathing and top-revealing clothing is NOT permitted.

If you are traveling during the hot months – May to October , bring along clothing materials that are suitable. Wear cotton in the hot months to beat the heat. In the cooler months – November to April, bring along layers that you can take off when it is hot and put back on in the evenings.

Wear flowing and loose garments. These are not only modest and conservative enough but also practical in a hot climate. Copy the Bedouin style of wearing flowing robes that create a natural ventilation system for the body. Wear a hat to protect yourself against the sun. Bring along comfortable shoes if you intend to tour the temples as you will need to walk a lot.

Use of Credit Cards in Egypt
You can use your credit card to withdraw money from the local Egyptian banks or the Automatic Teller Machines.

Quite a number of hotels in Egypt, the mid and high end category accepts the major credit cards, with Mastercard and Visa having the widest acceptance level. Amex is less commonly accepted. Diners Card is rarely accepted in Egypt. Shops and restaurants prefer cash

Currency of Egypt
The unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). It is divided into 100 piastres. Banks are usually closed on Friday and Saturday, but private exchange bureaux, called 'Forex', are open daily and banks in major hotels are open 24 hours.

Visa and Passport Requirements for Egypt Travel:

Passport Note
Visitors to Egypt, from all countries except the EU and the USA must register with the local police within one week of arrival into Egypt. This service is however normally undertaken by the hotel. Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Egypt is required.

Visas
Required by all nationals except the following:
European Union nationals traveling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Newiba or Taba resorts for up to 14 days. They will receive an entry permission stamp upon arrival; Visitors continuing their journey to a third country within 24 hours, provided the are holding confirmed tickets.

Cruise ship passengers entering Egypt, at any port, staying in Egypt for a maximum of 3 days.

Tourists can obtain a renewable thirty-day tourist visa on arrival at an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee, payable in U.S. dollars. Visitors arriving overland and/or those who previously experienced difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival. Travelers arriving from Israel at the Taba border crossing are advised to obtain a visa prior to their arrival, otherwise they are granted either a no-fee, fourteen-day visa valid for travel within Sinai only, or they may buy a thirty-day tourist visa for $15 upon submission of a travel agency support letter. The letters are obtainable from travel agents at the border; however, their fees for providing this service vary.

Customs and Excise regulations in Egypt
Travelers to Egypt are allowed to bring 250 grams of tobacco, two cartons of cigarettes, one litre of alcohol and personal items. Travelers planning to bring own pets, must make sure they have a veterinary health certificate, which should include a valid rabies certificate.

Drinking Water in Egypt
Avoid drinking tap water! Use to shower and bath. Bottled water is available in plenty and is affordable. Drink a lot of water while traveling in Egypt. This way you will avoid dehydration. It is much cheaper to buy your water from the shops outside your hotel and cruise boat.

Driving and Road Travel in Egypt
In Egypt, driving is on the RIGHT. Take note. When crossing the roads, take extra precautions, especially while in Cairo. Cairo has a lot of traffic as compared to the other lesser cities.

Electricity current in Egypt
The electricity current is 220 volts, 50 Hz, and uses round-pronged plugs. Non 220-volt users are advised to bring a converter or an adaptor for your plugs.

Emergency Numbers
For the Police, call 122. For the Ambulance call, 123

Foreign Exchange
The importation of foreign currency into Egypt is NOT limited. The exportation of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount imported and declared at the time of entering Egypt. The importation and exportation of local currency is limited to 100 Egyptian pounds for non-residents.

Medical Facilities in Egypt
Hospitals in Egypt do not measure up to the standards of most of the western countries.
Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but some employ a medical practitioner of uncertain qualification. Hospital facilities in Luxor and Aswan are inadequate, and are nearly nonexistent at most other lesser towns and ports.

Beaches on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea are generally un-polluted. However, it is advisable not to swim or walk in the Nile and its canal, not to walk barefoot in any stagnant water and not to drink water that is not treated. This way, you avoid water-borne diseases.

It is generally safe to eat properly-prepared, thoroughly-cooked meat and vegetables in tourist hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and in tourist restaurants. Eating uncooked vegetables should be avoided.

Health Issues for Travelers to Egypt
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas (see below). Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs. The following countries and areas are regarded by the Egyptian health authorities as being infected with yellow fever: all countries in mainland Africa south of the Sahara with the exception of Lesotho, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (and including Chad, Mali and Niger); Sudan south of 15°N (location certificate issued by a Sudanese official is required in order to be exempt from vaccination certificate); São Tomé e Principe. Also in the endemic zone are Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Egypt and the country is currently not listed as infected. However, sporadic cases of cholera have been reported and precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

Vaccination against typhoid and polio is advisable for travelers to Egypt.

There is a limited malaria risk in Egypt. The malignant falciparum and benign vivax forms, may exist from June to October in the El Faiyoum area. There is no risk in Cairo or Alexandria at any time.

Languages in Egypt
Official: Arabic is the official language. English and French are also widely understood.

Public Holidays in Egypt
Coptic Christmas Day 7 Jan 6 Jan
Birth of the Prophet 9 Mar 25 Feb
Sinai Liberation Day 25 Apr 25 Apr
Coptic Easter 27 Apr 26 Apr
Labour Day 1 May 1 May
Evacuation Day 18 Jun 18 Jun
Revolution Day 23 Jul 23 Jul
Flooding of the Nile 15 Aug 15 Aug
Coptic New Year 11 Sep 10 Sep
Bairam Feast (End of Ramadan) 20 Sep 10 Sep
Armed Forces Day 6 Oct 6 Oct
Egyptian Naval Day 21 Oct 21 Oct
Suez Day 24 Oct 24 Oct
Suez Victory Day 23 Dec 23 Dec
Islamic New Year 18 Dec 7 Dec

Public Transport in Egypt
Egypt has one of the highest fatalities in the world. Travelers to Egypt who are not conversant with the driving challenges in Egypt is discouraged from taking the option of self-drive. Traffic rules are ignored most of the time, there is over-speeding, vehicles may drive on the wrong side of the road, and traffic lights do not function most of the time. As a pedestrian, travelers should also exercise extreme caution when crossing the roads especially in Cairo.

Safety and Security in Egypt
Travelers to Egypt should avoid the border region. Egypt has suffered a series of deadly terrorist attacks in or around tourist sites in 2004, 2005, and 2006 – often coinciding with major local holidays. Tourists should be especially vigilant in crowded tourist areas, practice good personal security measures, and be alert to their surroundings. A heavy security presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country.

Travelers who still plan to visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of terrorist attacks should exercise great caution. Travelers are reminded to remain alert to their surroundings and are reminded that crowded tourist areas have been the target of terrorist activities. Travelers should use caution when visiting destination resorts and hotels without significant physical setback and security procedures.

Crime rate in Egypt is low. While incidents of violence are rare, purse-snatching, pick-pocketing and petty theft does occur. Travelers are strongly cautioned not to leave valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronic items unsecured in hotel rooms or unattended in public places.

Women traveling alone may be exposed to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

Shopping in Egypt
Travelers targeting to buy antiquities, jewelry, spices and utensils, the Khan-el-Khalili is the most suitable place. There are also modern shopping centers available. Haggling for practices is a common and acceptable practice.

Shopping hours are as follows:
Winter: Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat 0900-1900, Mon and Thurs 0900-2000. During Ramadan, hours vary, with shops often closing on Sunday. Summer: Tues, Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1230 and 1600-2000.

Telecommunications in Egypt
Country code: 20.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to Cairo, Alexandria and along the north coast line of the Red Sea from Suez to Sharm el-Sheikh and the major towns along the Nile.

Timezone in Egypt
GMT + 2.

Tipping
Please do not offer tips to professionals, businessmen, or others who would consider themselves your equals. You may seriously offend them by your act. However, all people working in the leisure and service industry, other than management, rely heavily on tips