Egypt Travel Guide

• The pyramids and more: No other destination can boast the historical riches that Egypt offers. From the pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian museum in Cairo to the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, it’s a history buff’s dream.
• The beaches: The Red Sea Coast has a stark beauty that lingers in the mind long after leaving. With teeming reefs just off-shore, it’s a dream for snorkelling fans, and a day trip will give divers some of the best below-water experiences of their lives.
• The Nile: This mighty river is the lifeblood of the country, forging a fertile path through an otherwise arid wasteland. It’s also the ideal place from which to see much of Egypt’s most spectacular monuments. A cruise on her waters is a feast for the senses.
• The scenery: Egypt has a unique beauty. Sometimes stark, sometimes challenging, its environments are always fascinating. From the fertile plains of the Nile to the surreal shapes of the White Desert, you’d better have your camera at the ready.

Cairo is sensory overload. With 22 million inhabitants and wall-to-wall traffic, the ‘Mother of the World’ is a dizzying destination. But go with the flow and you’ll soon find yourself falling for its chaotic charms. The city bursts at the seams with ancient splendours. The not-to-be-missed temples of Giza and the Sphinx are just southwest of the city and the Egyptian Museum is a treasure trove of antiquities, including the dazzling tomb of Tutankhamun. Coptic Cairo, home to many historic churches, is also a rewarding area to explore. Modern Cairo also has plenty to offer, with bustling markets, lively drinking dens and an impressive metro system.

• The Pyramids of Giza: If visiting the pyramids isn’t on your bucket list, we don’t know what is! An incredible example of human ingenuity and engineering, their size and scale have to be seen to be believed.
• The Valley of the Kings: On the west bank of the Nile, across the river from Luxor, lies the Valley of the Kings.  Above ground, the barren land looks unremarkable, but descend into some of the 60-plus rock-cut tombs and an ancient world comes to life, with jaw-dropping murals, hieroglyphs and sarcophagi. 
• The Bazaars: Egyptian bazaars are colourful, bustling affairs, where good-natured haggling over steaming pots of mint tea is the norm. Khan-el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo gives a unique insight into Egyptian culture and the opportunity to buy some handcrafted souvenirs.
• The Nile: You’ll often hear the phrase “Masr hebat al Nile” when Egyptians are talking about the river. It means “Egypt is gifted by the Nile”. Life in this otherwise arid country would be very different without her abundance, and as such, most of Egyptian civilisation has been built on her banks. A cruise down the river is a must-do for any traveller.

The food scene in Egypt is seriously underrated. Similar to Mediterranean cuisines but with its own unique twist, the food of the Pharaohs is hearty, aromatic and infused with many herbs and spices. Koshary is a local favourite. Made of layered pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions and tomato sauce, it’s filling, cheap and delicious. Shawarma (meat cut into thin slices and stacked on a spit before slow-roasting) is best eaten from a street stall (look for the one with the longest queue of locals!). Falafel is a veggie standard here, as it is across much of the Middle East, but is traditionally made with fava beans rather than chickpeas. Fuul mudammas is the breakfast staple. Slow-cooked, mashed fava beans flavoured with tomatoes, garlic and cumin, fuul can be eaten as a dish itself or stuffed into pitta. Either way, it’s delicious. Generally speaking, you can eat very well, even if you don’t have a massive budget, especially if you make use of the street stalls, which is often where the best food is to be found anyway.

Egypt has a hot, desert climate. It’s extremely dry all over the country, apart from the northern Mediterranean coast, which receives rainfall in winter. Some mountainous areas have cooler temperatures, especially at night.

Visa

Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.

Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.

To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites, to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.

For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company

Passport

Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. Some countries also require you to have at least 2 blank pages in your passport before travel. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip.

Further Entry Requirements

Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.

European-style 2-pin plugs are the norm in Egypt. The standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 50Hz.

Egyptians are warm, welcoming, good-humoured people. However, Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country and local laws and customs reflect this. This is especially relevant during the holy month of Ramadan.

• ID: You should keep a valid photo ID with you at all times.
• Dress: Egypt is a conservative country.  You should dress modestly, avoiding tight or revealing clothing.
• Political: Publicising negative opinions about Egypt or making political comments can cause problems with the authorities. Derogatory comments on social media have led to custodial sentences in the past. There are also sensitivities about taking photos of public buildings, military installations or infrastructure. The use of drones is prohibited.
• Alcohol: It’s illegal to drink alcohol on the street or anywhere other than a licensed restaurant.
• Drugs: Possession or trafficking of recreational drugs is highly illegal and can result in a lengthy prison sentence, life imprisonment and even the death sentence.

Health

• Visit your GP ahead of travelling, to ensure you’ve had any vaccinations necessary and to make sure you have enough of any prescribed medication to see you through the duration of your trip. 
• If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 123 and ask for an ambulance. If you’re referred for treatment, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Safety

• Since January 2011, Egypt has experienced significant political turmoil. Protests, marches and demonstrations have taken place across the country in the recent past. If you become aware of any events taking place, we recommend you move away from the local area.
• Crime levels are generally low and most crime is limited to pick-pocketing and bag-snatching. Take sensible precautions like keeping valuables in your accommodation safe, not travelling alone in a taxi, not walking alone at night and never carrying too much cash.