|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egypt is a wonderful destination. However, it is very common that when you travel
you would find differences between your own country and the country you are visiting.
Therefore, if you are planning to enjoy a vacation in Egypt we would like to present
you with some useful information that will help you prepare and enjoy your visit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most visitors are required to be in possession of a passport of at least 6 months
validity.
|
|
|
|
Most Non-Egyptians visitors are granted a one month tourist stay permit upon their
arrival to Egypt. Normally, visa applications are passed out by airlines before
landing at an Egyptian airport. However, some nationalities are required to obtain
a visa prior their arrival to Egypt.
|
|
|
|
It is advised that you apply for a multiple entry visa if you are planning to travel
to a neighboring country then coming back to Egypt during your stay.
|
|
|
|
For travelers entering Egypt through South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai
area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained upon arrival.
|
|
|
|
For clarification on eligibility for a
stay permit upon arrival or other
classes of immigration permits, please
contact Jet Arrow Travel through our
e-mail:
info@jet-arrow.com or the
nearest Egyptian Embassy or Consular
mission at your place of residence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1- By Air: Most visitors to Egypt
will get there by air. A huge number of airlines operate in and out of Egyptian
airports.
|
|
|
|
2- Sea: Alexandria and Portsaid
ports are accessible for visitors entry on the Mediterianan Sea, while Suez and
Nuwieba ports are accessible on the Red Sea. There are also car ferries running
from neighboring countries such as Jordan, Sudan and Saudi Arabia to Egypt through
the Red Sea. Also, ferries are operating from Greece and Cyprus to Alexandria through
the Mediterranean Sea.
|
|
|
|
3- Land: It is common that travelers
come overland to Egypt from Israel. Starting 2007, there is no direct transport
from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to Cairo. However, you can take a bus to the Egyptian
borders, cross the borders by foot, and then take any local transport to get into
Egypt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egypt is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2) and operates Daylight
Savings Time (+1 hour) from the last Friday in April until the last Friday in September
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Egypt has a year-round sun. In cities like Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh, it is expected to rain in winter since they have a more Mediterranean climate than the rest of the country.
|
|
|
Daytime temperatures rang from pleasantly warm in the winter to very hot in the summer. Northerly cities such as Cairo and Alexandria are generally 5°C cooler than southerly areas such as Aswan and Abu Simble. Nights in the desert can be extremely cold. |
|
Below is a table showing the local average temp. in major cities: |
|
| |
|
City |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Cairo |
High |
19 |
21 |
24 |
28 |
32 |
35 |
35 |
35 |
32 |
30 |
24 |
21 |
|
Low |
9 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
18 |
22 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
11 |
|
Luxor |
High |
23 |
25 |
29 |
35 |
40 |
41 |
41 |
41 |
39 |
35 |
30 |
25 |
|
Low |
5 |
7 |
11 |
16 |
21 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
22 |
18 |
12 |
8 |
|
Aswan |
High |
24 |
30 |
35 |
39 |
42 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
36 |
30 |
25 |
25 |
|
Low |
8 |
9 |
13 |
17 |
21 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
22 |
9 |
14 |
10 |
|
Sharm
el Sheikh |
High |
23 |
26 |
29 |
33 |
36 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
33 |
28 |
23 |
23 |
|
Low |
16 |
17 |
18 |
21 |
24 |
26 |
27 |
27 |
26 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are traveling with a travel agency, then most of your transport will be previously
arranged for you. If you are an independent traveler then there are many ways to
travel among the country.
|
|
|
|
1- By Air: EgyptAir offers all
internal flights throughout Egypt. EgyptAir flies daily from Cairo to Alexandria,
Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada.
|
|
|
|
2- By Train: Traveling by train
within Egypt is a very good method. There are air-conditioned express trains as
well as ordinary trains that tend to be a little bit slower. Still, you should note
that trains do not go to Sinai or the main beach destination of Hurghada and Sharm
el Sheikh. On the other hand, there are well equipped trains with sleeping cars
available from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan.
|
|
|
|
3- By Bus: There is a wide range
of buses available in Egypt. There are luxurious buses that run between major cities
and tourist destinations as well as normal overcrowded buses that run between all
Egyptian towns. You can buy the ticket at the bus station or on the bus itself.
|
|
|
|
4- By Nile: Cruises are an excellent
method to have a relaxing trip between Luxor and Aswan and you would have a chance
to stop at different cities on your way.
|
|
|
|
5- By Car: There are several car
rental agencies in Egypt. An international driving permit is required to drive any
motor vehicle in Egypt. Since driving in Egypt can be dangerous given that most
drivers do not follow the rules, therefore, we recommend that you use a taxi instead.
Most hotels will provide you with good taxi drivers upon your request.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Cairo
to other major cities/towns in Egypt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
City |
Air |
Road |
Rail |
|
Alexandria
|
00.30 |
02.30 |
03.00 |
|
Luxor
|
00.45 |
08.00 |
09.00 |
|
Aswan
|
02.00 |
16.00 |
13.00 |
|
Sharm el Sheikh
|
01.00 |
07.00 |
--- |
|
Hurghada
|
00.45 |
06.00 |
--- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Egyptian Currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP) or Livre Egyptian (LE) which is
worth 100 Piastres. Notes are in denominations of LE 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and
1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 Piastres.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Cards, travelers cheques and ATM machines
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are widely accepted in Egypt.
All Hotels, major restaurants and shops accept credit cards.
|
|
|
|
It is advisable to take travelers cheques in US dollars, pound sterling or Euros
to avoid additional exchange rate charges.
|
|
|
|
ATM machines can be easily found in all major cities and tourist spots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The banking hours are Sunday to Thursday, 8.30 am to 2 pm. Friday & Saturday are off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIFI is available in most hotels, coffee shops and restaurants in Egypt so dont
hesitate to bring your laptop with you. Also, internet cafes are available in many
cities. Moreover, hotels are equipped with business centers that provide internet
access.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roaming services are effectively provided through Egypts mobile service providers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel insurance covers medical expenses and loss of luggage or other personal belongings
such as passports and money. In many cases it also includes damage that you may
cause to third parties. With all these potential expenses, it is highly recommended
that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following goods may be imported into Egypt without incurring custom duty:
|
|
|
|
A- 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco.
|
|
|
|
B- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.
|
|
|
|
C- A reasonable amount of perfume and 1 liter
of eau de cologne.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The majority of hotels try to satisfy the tastes of their foreign guests by serving
international cuisines. Many restaurants also specialize in foreign food such as
French, Italian, Lebanese, Greek, Chinese and Indian cuisine. The light and not
particularly spicy Egyptian cuisine is also popular with tourists.
|
|
|
|
Naturally, bottled water and soft drinks are available everywhere. Try juice stalls
on the street where you can get freshly squeezed fruit juices depending on the season
for around EGP 6 per glass. Mango, guava, sugarcane, or strawberry are just a few
of the many to tempt you on a hot day.
|
|
|
|
Tap Water should never be drunk in Egypt. We recommend that you use bottled water
ensuring that the seal has not been broken on the bottle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|