Frequently Asked Questions

IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

Travelers can enter Egypt with :
  • a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return from Egypt
  • a mandatory visa. You don’t need to worry about anything as we will take care of all the necessary steps to obtain your visa.
If you are traveling with underage children, we recommend that you inquire about measures concerning the travel of minors.

CREDIT CARDS / CHANGE

The local currency is the Egyptian pound, divided into 100 piastres

Visa International, Eurocard, Mastercard, American Express and Diner’s cards are accepted in major cities by most major hotels, restaurants and some stores.

Cash withdrawals are possible at ATMs or bank counters (you must bring your passport and a 2% commission will be charged).

CLIMATE

We advise you travel between November and March to visit the whole country.

ELECTRICITY

The standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The power plugs are type C (standard european plugs) and F.

TIPS

In Egypt, tipping is more than an institution, it is a way of life. You are expected to thank everyone, for everything (luggage handler, guide, porter, waiter, felucca man, ticket inspector on the sites, security man on the ferries crossing the Nile…), as well as your boat’s staff. As an indication, each individual should expect to spend 40 to 60 EGP on tips daily.

Tipping guides and drivers is a must, and rewards a good quality service, but tips should not be asked for in any case. The amount of the tip is at your discretion. As an indication, it is customary to give the equivalent of 20 to 40 EGP per day and per person for the driver and 60 to 80 EGP per day and per person for the guide.

PHONE

The network is good, you can make calls from your cell phone anywhere in the country. Check with your operator before your departure to find out about the conditions/costs of your phone usage abroad.

INTERNET

The national coverage is generally good. Even if you don’t get a good signal on the boat, you will always pass through or dock in spots where the network is better.

Ask your operator about the conditions/costs of your data usage abroad.

RATES

Egyptian services and commodities such as bread have been subsidized since 1977. The main difference you may experience is the entrance fee to the monuments to encourage domestic tourism.
Additionally, the country has undergone a severe devaluation of the Egyptian Pound. The exchange rate doubled while the cost of living has increased.

HEALTH

Please check the latest news about travel rules. We advise our clients to go to this iata travel link which has the updated information for all nations :
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

There are no mandatory vaccines to get into Egypt, but we strongly recommend that you update your DTP (diphenteria-tetanus-polio) and Hepatitus A vaccines.

If you are taking a specific treatment, we recommend you bring your own. But beware, some
medicines, such as Tramadol, are prohibited in Egypt.
 
You should also bring a first-aid kit containing commonly used medicines (bandages, eye drops, disinfectant, aspirin, anti-diarrheal, laxative, medicines against fever, colds and sore throats, mosquito repellant…).

Avoid tap water. We recommend you drink bottled water. Although tap water in big cities (Cairo, Aswan, Alexandria, Luxor) is relatively drinkable, it tastes quite strongly of chlorine.

Wash your hands, drink bottled water (uncapped in front of you), avoid ice cubes and drinks that are too cold, peel your fruit, eat well-cooked food, avoid raw vegetables.

Your doctor can advise you on the most appropriate medication to bring with you.

TIME ZONE

Egypt observes Eeastern European time all year (UTC+2). There is no daylight saving time.

GASTRONOMY

Egyptian cuisine is a mix of Turkish, Greek and Syrian-Lebanese gastronomy.

You can enjoy tasty pasta, rice and vegetable based dishes, such as Koshari – the Egyptian dish par excellence – , bean and spice based dishes such as foul, vegetables stuffed with rice or mahashi, as well as various soups and salads. The most famous soup is molokheyya, served with rice and grilled chicken. Meat (lamb, veal, chicken) is grilled or cooked in stews.

Local fish is excellent and usually grilled or fried.

You are also sure to enjoy the desserts and pastries: atayef, fried doughnuts with hazelnut, walnut and pistachio; Baklawa, a pastry filled with almonds or pistachios and topped with honey; or creams made from milk and flour like mehallabeyya.

Vegetarians are sure to be satisfied in Egypt.

Although the consumption of alcohol is legal in Egypt, your Dahabeya, like most of these sailboats, may not have the required license to serve alcohol on board. The airport duty free is, however, at your disposal. You can purchase up to 1 bottle upon arrival at the airport. You can also but local beer or wine in specialized stores.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Avoid taking pictures of places such as: airports, train stations, bridges, official and military buildings.
On archaeological sites, you have to pay a fee for photos (between 20 and 40 EGP), for videos (between 100 and 200 EGP) and sometimes extra for the use of a tripod.

It is always better to ask permission before taking someone’s picture.

SAFETY

Follow the same safety guidelines you would anywhere else in the world while traveling. Be careful with your belongings:

Always keep your luggage well closed, deposit your valuables in the hotel safe, never leave your passport in your luggage and always carry a photocopy of it on you.

Contrary to preconceived ideas, Egypt is a very safe country and it is possible to walk around safely as long as you do not show any ostentatious signs of wealth.

If you plan to go out in the evening, we strongly advise you to consult your guide who will be able to help you with the choice of establishment(s) and how to get there.

CLOTHING

Bring light, casual, loose-fitting, discreet and covering cotton clothes and comfortable shoes for walking. In winter (December to February), bring mid-season clothing for the day and warmer items for early mornings and evenings which can be quite cold. In summer (May to September), opt for light cotton or linen clothes. The sun is often strong, so don’t forget your sunglasses and a hat.

We recommend that your outfits be appropriate and respect local custom when visiting the various cities and archeological sites, women’s clothing in particular. Avoid short skirts or shorts, clothing revealing cleavage or bare backs, as well as t-shirts that are too short or tight-fitting.

On the boat, however, you will have more freedom in terms of what you wear.

Like in any country, it depends on the time and place. We advise you to be careful, especially after nightfall.

Egyptian craftsmen work according to ancestral techniques and methods. Their production is rich and of high quality.

If you like fabrics, this is the perfect place for you! Egyptian cotton, harvested in the Nile Delta, is used to manufacture all kinds of house linens. Many craftsmen weave traditional shawls, scarves and tunics in silk, linen, cotton and viscose. And let’s not forget the Kilim, the traditional Egyptian carpet.

A wide variety of silver jewelry and accessories are carefully and finely crafted.

Natural cosmetics are booming and are made in keeping with ancient Egyptian techniques: Nefertari’s kohl and Cleopatra’s milk bath products are a must!

Don’t overlook the incredible alabaster and glass objects, and, of course, papyrus!