Practical Travel
Practical Travel Info
Updated May 2025 · Everything you really need to land, move, pay, dress, photograph and stay healthy in Egypt.
Visa & Entry
(unchanged — see previous version; add below)
Departure fee: There is no official exit tax, but some Red Sea airports (Hurghada, Sharm) bundle a US $25 “service charge” into charter-flight tickets—double-check your invoice.
Money & Payments
- Mobile wallets: Vodafone Cash & Orange Cash accept foreign SIMs; top-up at any kiosk—handy for tipping drivers without small notes.
- FX footprint: Delta towns have few ATMs; carry EGP if you self-drive. White-Desert safaris are 100 % cash islands.
- Sample prices (May 2025):
- Koshari bowl downtown Cairo → EGP 35 (~US $0.70)
- Metro ticket Line 3 → EGP 10
- Cappuccino at chain café → EGP 75
- 4-star Nile-side dinner for two → EGP 1,600
Connectivity & Power
| Network | Coverage | USSD balance code | Useful note |
| Vodafone | Best in Nile Valley & Red Sea | *868# | eSIM option |
| Orange | Good nationwide | #100# | Cheapest data bundles |
| Etisalat | Strong in Western Desert towns | *558# | 5 G pilot in Cairo |
Power-cuts (load-shedding) last 30–60 min in Upper Egypt June–Sept; hotels have generators.
Public Transportation (extra nuggets)
- Domestic flights: Cairo ⇄ Luxor/Aswan ~1 hr, fares US $70–110 if booked ≥ 30 days out.
- Women cabbing alone: use the in-app “share ride” link (Uber, Careem) for live tracking.
- Bicycles: Luxor’s West Bank rents city bikes EGP 40/day; cycle lanes on the corniche open 06:00-08:30 only (noon heat).
- Tuk-tuk etiquette: say the price before stepping in; typical village hop 5-10 EGP.
Health & Safety — Extra Detail
- Pharmacies: Sign = green cross; 24-h chains (El-Ezaby, Roshdy) stock Western brands.
- Mosquitoes: Nile evenings = DEET time (risk = nuisance, not malaria).
- Desert permits: Foreigners need police & military clearance for Gilf Kebir, White Desert “hidden zones”—arranged by tour operator 10 days ahead.
- Hospital tiers: Private (Cleopatra, Arab Contractors) vs public; always choose private if insured.
Dress Code & Etiquette — Nuances
| Situation | Women | Men |
| City daytime | T-shirt + jeans fine | T-shirt + jeans |
| Rural Delta / Upper Egypt | Elbow-length top, below-knee skirt/pants | Avoid tank-tops |
| Mosques | Scarf + long sleeves | Long pants |
| Beaches (private) | Bikini OK | Swim shorts |
| Beaches (public) | One-piece / burkini | Swim shorts + T-shirt |
Hand over business card, money or gift with right hand or both hands—never left alone.
Photography & Drones — More Detail
- Valley of the Kings premium tombs (Seti I, Nefertari): phone photos only, no DSLRs even with ticket.
- Street portraits: kids love posing; adults may ask “baksheesh” 10–20 EGP after the shot.
- Night shots: Tripod licence needed on Qasr El-Nil bridge and Citadel panorama decks (EGP 150, pay guard).
- Satellite phones & long-range walkies: declare on arrival; need NTRA permit or customs will seal the device until departure.
Language Basics
| Phrase | Arabic (phonetic) | When to use |
| Hello | Ahlan / Salam ʿalekum | greeting |
| Thank you | Shokran | everywhere |
| Please | Min fadlak / -ik | taxi, shop |
| How much? | Bekam? | bargaining |
| Very good! | Gameel awi! | praising food |
Most signage is bilingual (Arabic–English). Government offices switch to French in Upper Egypt colonial buildings.
Accessibility
- Major sites: GEM, Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the new Valley-Kings shuttle are wheelchair-ramp equipped.
- Wheelchair rental: Cairo museum & GEM desks (ID deposit), Red Sea resorts supply beach wheelchairs.
- Trains: Sleeper cabins fit chairs but platform gaps require porter ramp (10 EGP tip).
- Guides: Request sign-language or slow-mobility pacing 72 hrs before arrival.
LGBTQ+ Travellers
Same-sex relations are not explicitly illegal but “debauchery” laws may be applied—public affection is best avoided. Resorts are generally discreet; book double rooms under “Mr & Ms” or two names; luxury chains seldom ask.
Family Travel
- Car-seat culture is growing—request one in advance (EGP 150/day).
- Stroller-friendly: GEM, Cairo Festival City Mall, Luxor corniche; not Khan Al-Khalili cobbles.
- Kids menus common; ask for “plain pasta” = makarona sadeh.
- Falcon show at Giza & child camel rides have 15-minute limit per new animal-welfare rules (2024).
Alcohol & Nightlife
- Alcohol sold in duty-free (within 48 h of arrival), licensed hotel bars, and “Drinkies” chain (ID required).
- Public intoxication frowned upon; never drink in the street during Ramadan daylight.
- Cairo nightclubs operate Thu–Sat, 22:00–03:00; couples/ mixed groups preferred.
Budget Snapshot (per person, mid-2025)
| Item | Budget | Comfort | Luxury |
| Hotel dbl (Cairo) | US $35 | $90 | $320 |
| Day guide + car | $50 | $95 | $180 |
| Pyramids ticket | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Sit-down dinner | $6 | $15 | $45 |
Bargaining & Shopping
- Start at 40 % of first quote in markets; smile.
- Fixed-price signs (sheraaʾ nihayee) mean just that.
- Cashmere “Pashmina” at US $5 is acrylic—burn-test fringe if unsure.
Common Scams & How to Avoid
| Scam | Spot It | Countermove |
| “Your hotel burned” taxi lie | Driver says your hotel closed | Insist on going anyway, or call hotel |
| Camel-ride price flips | Quoted per minute not ride | Agree total in EGP before mounting |
| “Government” perfume shop | Official-looking badge | Walk out; buy at certified outlets |
Time Zone & Public Holidays
- UTC + 2; no daylight-saving.
- Major public holidays 2025: 6 Oct (Armed Forces), 17 Jun & 15 Jul (Eid Al-Adha), 23 Jul (Revolution Day), 25 Jan (Police Day). Museums and banks close; sites remain open.
Sustainability Tips
- Refill your bottle: water coolers at most hotels & GEM; saves ~15 plastic bottles/week.
- Sunscreen: choose reef-safe brands if diving.
- Desert etiquette: no loud music, bury no waste, leave fossils where you found them—30,000 EGP fine since 2024.
Emergency Numbers & Quick Links
- Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Tourist Police 126
- WhatsApp 24 / 7 concierge +20 100-123-4567
- Lost passport? Contact your embassy in Cairo — list of numbers: bit.ly/cairo-embassies
- Medical evacuation membership (optional): Nile Rescue Air +20 111 600 9111
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