Egypt | Travel Website

We’re certainly not in Kansas anymore and Cairo hits you around the head like a sock full of sand. It’s big, it’s busy, it’s crazy, and it’s so amazing! If you are anything like me, prior to my first time visiting, I was nervous and little worried about what to expect. And what I will say is that the welcome I received from so many people in this country was unbelievable, and I can't wait to go back!

Much of Egypt's ancient history was a mystery until the secrets of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were deciphered with the discovery and help of the Rosetta Stone. Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one still standing.

Did you know: The Egyptians invented the 365-days a year calendar, and Greater Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. Did you also know Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.

So if you are excited to take that bucket list trip to the land of the pharaohs, but are curious as to what to expect, here are a few travel tips you may find helpful as you start making this dream destination a reality.

What To Pack: Casual, light, comfortable weather clothing for sightseeing throughout most of the year. You can expect summer weather the majority of the time. Bring a light jacket or sweater for evenings. A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are always recommended.

Pack a bathing suit if visiting Aswan and Luxor or if taking a Nile Cruise.

AT ALL TIMES: Modesty in clothing should be observed, wear bathing suits and shorts at the beach or swimming pools only. A good rule is to cover your back and shoulders outside of the hotel area. Women should cover their arms when visiting mosques. Bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and walking on desert sand. Sunglasses, as well as sun visors, hats and scarves are recommended as protection against the strong sun. On a Nile cruise dress is strictly informal, unless mentioned otherwise on your itinerary.

Passport/Visa Requirements: Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining beyond your return date. A tourist Visa is also required and can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. The cost is $25 USD and must be paid in Cash.

Electricity: The electricity supply in Egypt is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. You will need a suitable adapter and converter if your appliances cannot handle dual voltage.

Languages: The official language is Egyptian Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood.

Tipping and $1 Bills: If I can offer any word of advise it is to bring several dollar bills with you. While the monetary unit is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), the US dollar is widely accepted throughout all of Egypt. Tipping in Egypt is customary and widely expected from anyone who has provided a service (waiters, drivers, guides). A 10%-15% service charge might or might not be added to your restaurant bill. Tipping during each of your personalized tours is a very personal subject and there are no rules, just guidelines and some expectations. The last day of the tour is the customary time to extend gratuities to your escort, guide and driver.

Recommended Tipping Guide:

Transfer Assistant: $1 per person/per service

Tour Guide: $8-10 per person per day

Bus Drivers: $5 per person/per day

Porter or Baggage Handler: $2 per person in & out

Horseman in Edfu: $5 per carriage/per ride

Motorboat: $2 per person/per way

Cruise Staff: $5-7 per person per night Felucca in Aswan: $3 per person

Places To See:

Cairo-A visit to Egypt wouldn't be complete without visiting the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to see the world's largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts and the treasures of Tutankhamen's tomb. And a visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx is a must.
Nile Cruise-River cruise down the Nile in style. Visit the Temple of Isis at Philae, sail on board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat and sail to Kom Ombo, where you will visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek and Haroeris before arriving in Edfu
Luxor- The Valley of the Kings, the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon....all amazing and more spectacular than the rest.

Pictures: You will need flash to photograph inside monuments. You do need special permission from the Ministry of Culture and information to take pictures in the Egyptian Museum, and some of the Tombs. Remember to keep your camera in a plastic bag to protect it from the fine sand and dust all over.

NOTE: You CANNOT photograph bridges, dams, ports, airports and other restricted areas that are clearly marked. Expect to pay small tips for pictures or video filming.

Health Tip: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Do not leave your hotel each day without having plenty of water on hand. While it may be dry, it is HOT outside and it's important to drink water often. In addition, don't forget to pack plenty of travel size kleenex. Toilet paper is seldom in stalls – an attendant may provide it as you enter, for a tip. Do not flush paper – deposit it in the bin next to the toilet.

Empowering you to live well + travel!