Egypt
When in Egypt…
Egypt is rich in history and culture, so you don’t want to miss the chance to visit and experience its beauty first-hand.
If you are planning on paying a visit, here you can find some useful tips when traveling to Egypt.
Transportation
Traveling to Egypt can be tricky without proper planning, as the distance between Egyptian cities is fairly long, and it is important to choose the appropriate means of transportation to avoid any inconvenience.
If you prefer internal flight travel, you will find domestic airlines available and ready to serve you. You can book your flights early on the internet, especially during peak seasons. It is recommended that you check your email from time to time during your stay to follow any notifications in case any rescheduling occurs.
When you arrive at the airport, you can easily rent a private car through car rental offices. You can also do this through the hotel you are staying in, or through multiple travel agencies.
Egyptian cities are safe, so you can go out, walk around late at night, and wander for distances whether on foot or via public transport. You can have a paper map or use online GPS services to help you in directions. You may even ask the hotel staff to write these details for you in Arabic, and this will help you to get directions from people who cannot read or speak English.
Make sure to have the address of the hotel and phone number with you at all times.
Language
Egypt is an Arabic-speaking country. However, many of its inhabitants speak and understand English, as well as French. You can easily talk to locals on the street without any worries and you will find them very welcoming and helpful.
Currency
Do not worry about prices, Egypt is ranked among the most affordable destinations. The official currency is the Egyptian pound, and the prices of the products on the market and dining-in are much cheaper than in many other countries around the world So, if you are a shopper, you will have unlimited choices to purchase during your stay.
If you would like to use an ATM machine, and cannot find an ATM in your area, you can still get cash by going to any bank, as most banks operate from Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 to 15:00.
Most credit/debit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and all Euro cards, are widely accepted in various hotels and shops.
Cuisine
The Egyptian cuisine is characterized by being simple and traditional. It is also known about the Egyptian cuisine that it relies on vegetables, rice, legumes and other starchy foods.
The most famous Egyptian plates are Koshary, Molokhya (green soup), Moussaka’ (eggplants and pepper with red sauce), Alexandrian liver, stuffed pigeons, beans and green burger, tortillas with meat, Keshk, Hawawshi, Feteer, and pasta with bechamel. You will surely enjoy each and every one of them.
General tips
You are advised to buy a local SIM card for your mobile phone once you arrive in Egypt, to help you to make calls and go online. There are no currency phones or pre-charged cards in Egypt.
Another important tip is to always check the weather before you leave your place of residence because that will help you choose what to wear. Weather is generally mild in Egypt with no extreme temperature fluctuations. Also ,ladies please, bring a headscarf with you to wear while visiting religious places.
Do not forget to visit the attractive coastal areas around the Red Sea and the Mediterreanean, museums, and cities of the south, “Upper Egypt”, and remember to visit Sinai and go on a Nile cruise at night, for more unforgettable experiences.
