The pyramids of Giza. The Great Sphinx. Land of ancient tombs and temples juxtaposed with a bustling modern culture. This is Egypt, home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. With so much rich historical significance and ancient sites waiting to be explored, Egypt is on most people’s travel bucket list.
However, traveling to Egypt can be daunting, as it is a place unlike our familiar, comfortable day-to-day lives. But rather than miss out on the opportunity to delve deep into this unforgettable part of the world, let us break it down for you with this handy guide to travel in Egypt.
Before you go:
● An Egyptian summer is not for the faint of heart (or body). The temperatures can reach a sweltering 130°F! Most people agree that the best time to visit is between October and April.
● You can purchase your visa at the airport, which should cost you $25. Also, it’s a good idea to check the U.S. Dept. of State website for information regarding current travel to Egypt.
● Consider hiring a guide. The language, avoiding being targeted as a gullible tourist, finding your way around, driving (the traffic there is insane, so don’t even think about hiring a car!)... These are all issues a guide can solve for you. (Or go one better and book a trip with an experienced travel agent!)
●Bring cash. And toilet paper. The bathrooms will have attendants who will need tipping, and toilet paper isn’t common in Egypt. (They use shatafas, a sort of bidet.)
● Learn some basic Arabic. The common greeting is “As-salaam alaikum,” which means “peace be with you.” The response to this is “Wa alaikum salaam,” which means “peace be also upon you.”
Once you’re there:
● Pick up an Egyptian SIM card at the airport. The top networks with the best coverage are Orange, Vodafone, or Etisalat.
● Stock up on bottled water and avoid the tap water. This includes skipping ice in your drinks! And use caution in restaurants with things like salads, as the lettuce will have been rinsed in tap water.
● See something you like in a souk (market)? Be prepared to haggle. Bartering is commonplace here, and tourists tend to get charged more anyway, so go ahead and negotiate!
● Be respectful. Religious buildings will have certain rules, particularly around dress code. Do your research before you visit any mosques to avoid giving offense or getting in trouble.
● It’s common for certain areas to not allow the use of larger cameras (meaning anything more than your phone camera), so leave the big DSLR at home. And always follow the rules regarding when photos are allowed or not.
And finally, the big question… Is travel in Egypt safe?
And the answer is yes, but use common sense. Stick to touristy areas and don’t go wandering off by yourself. Also, you’ll probably see lots of military and police around. This is common, and they’re there for your protection. The tourist industry is part of the lifeblood of Egypt, so the locals go out of their way to ensure that people will feel safe and keep visiting.
Be prepared for extensive security checks and metal detectors as well. If you’re traveling between different cities, be sure to include extra travel time to account for roadside security checks. This is the reality of travel in Egypt, but keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine.
We mentioned briefly before that booking your vacation in Egypt with an experienced travel agent, and we stand by that. As there are many variables to consider when visiting this fantastic country, letting someone who knows the lay of the land do all the hard work for you can streamline your dream vacation to Egypt. And yes, we’ll make sure to provide you with a guide who knows the ins and outs of navigating Egypt so that you’ll have the trip of your dreams! Get in touch today and let’s make this dream a reality.
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