Egypt is a country located in the northeastern part of the African continent, spanning parts of the Arabian Desert and the banks of the Nile River. The capital is Cairo, and Egypt is known as one of the birthplaces of ancient civilisations. Egypt’s unique geographical location straddling Asia and Africa has made it an important player in international trade and cultural exchange. The Nile River plays an important role in Egypt’s agriculture, and historically important cities in Egypt include Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Egypt is also known for its ancient structures such as the pyramids, dramatic desert landscapes, and Islamic art and culture.
1. Egypt Quick Facts
Language Arabic
Religion Islam
Currency Egyptian Pound (EGP,￡E)
Visa Visa on arrival for most nationalities
Power Plugs 230V 50Hz (C/F Type)
Capital Cairo
ATM ATMs are also readily available, allowing you to withdraw local currency using your credit or debit card.
Use card Paying in local currency rather than dollars means lower fees. You can pay with credit cards from most card companies, including Visa and MasterCard.
Useful APP
Google Maps
Uber
Careem
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
3-1 Cairo city traffic
Metro
One-time ticket 1￡E regardless of distance
It is very crowded during rush hour, but there is a separate compartment for women only
3 months commuter pass worth 50￡E for locals and 120￡E for foreigners can be used continuously in 25 sections, but it is more convenient to use a single-use ticket.
Microbus
The price is very cheap at 0.5~1￡E
Usually the guide calls out the destination of reporters, Haram, etc. from the door.
Taxi (black cab)
In the case of short distances, approximately 3 to 5￡E are handed over after reaching the destination.
If it is a long distance, you need to negotiate in advance. From downtown, Madi, City Star, etc. are 20￡E, and to the airport is about 35~40￡E.
Yellow cabs are taxis equipped with a meter, and you can also use the 16161 call taxi. Convenient for long distance travel, such as to the airport
3-2 Intercity transportation
bus
Turgoman Terminal: Near Nasser subway station. All buses depart from here
In front of Ramses Hilton: Bus towards the west (Alexandria, Marsa Maturoha) / Elgouna bus towards Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh. A little expensive but clean
Abbaseiya Terminal: Bus to East Sinai Peninsula
train
Available at Ramses Station (Mubarak Metro Station) and Giza Station (Giza Metro Station)
There are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class seats. 1st and 2nd class seats are fully air-conditioned / Sleeping car costs $65 per person.
It is very crowded, so you must purchase tickets in advance (available 14 days in advance)
Tickets can be purchased at Ramses Station, Madi Station Road Exit 7, and Giza Station.
Refunds are only possible 24 hours before departure.
4. Safety
Egypt’s security is not too bad for travelers, but you should be aware that crime is on the rise, including pickpockets, kidnappings, hijackings, and shootings. In areas such as Ramses Station and around the pyramids in Giza, you may encounter touts and scammers as soon as you arrive.
Women are more likely to be sexually harassed, so it’s best to stick to the women’s carriages when travelling on the metro.
You should also watch out for pickpockets on the metro.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police 112
Emergency 123
Fire Service 180
5. Climate
Egypt is a country with many different climates. When Alexandria is cold and humid, Aswan can be blisteringly hot. The best time to visit is February-April with lows of 9°C
(48°F) to 11°C (52°F) with highs of 18°C (64°F) to 28°C (82°F), while lows in October and November average 17°C (63°F) with highs of 24°C (75°F) to 29°C (84°F). Precipitation is very low at 3.8 mm and rainy days are very rare.
6. price
The cost of living in Egypt is really low. Whether it’s produce, meat, or fruit, grocery shopping is really cheap.
McDonald’s combo meal: 100 ￡E
Water (1.5 liters): 5 ￡E
Coca-Cola: 11.5 ￡E
7. Travel precautions
It’s natural to say “no” when you’re walking around the pyramids or tourist sites. Camel peddlers, people offering to give you a tour, people offering to take your picture, people selling you things, people begging, etc. are all very annoying. They will keep following you even if you say no.
They will follow you no matter what you say – it might even be easier to just walk away and not talk to them. If you look easy, they will jump on you from all sides.
If you’re a woman, sexual harassment is common on the subway, so it’s a good idea to use a private carriage. You should also watch out for pickpockets on the subway.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
It is not recommended to wave with your left hand when greeting. It is appropriate to use your right hand to greet.
It is important to be polite to others and to make eye contact when speaking.
Do not use your left hand when eating; it is recommended that you use your right hand to eat.
Egypt is a conservative society, so it is advisable to choose formal clothing in public, especially when visiting pilgrimage sites or sacred places.
Tip
In Egypt, it is customary to pay a small tip at hotels and restaurants. Tipping is also expected for everyday acts of kindness, such as carrying your bag.
9. Holidays
The public holidays in Egypt in 2024
7 Jan Sun Coptic Christmas Day
25 Jan Thu 25 January Revolution Day
10 Apr Wed Eid al-Fitr
11 Apr Thu Eid al-Fitr Holiday
25 Apr Thu Sinai Liberation Day
1 May Wed Labour Day
5 May Sun Coptic Easter Sunday
6 May Mon Sham el Nessim
15 Jun Sat Arafat Day
16 Jun Sun Eid al-Adha
17 Jun Mon Eid al-Adha Holiday
30 Jun Sun 30 June Revolution Day
7 Jul Sun Islamic New Year
23 Jul Tue Revolution Day
15 Sep Sun Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
6 Oct Sun Armed Forces Day
2025 National Public Holidays:
Tuesday, 7 January : Coptic Christmas Day
Saturday, 25 January : 25 January Revolution Day
Sunday, 30 March : Eid al-Fitr
Monday, 31 March : Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Monday, 21 April : Sham el Nessim
Friday, 25 April : Sinai Liberation Day
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Thursday, 5 June : Arafat Day
Friday, 6 June : Eid al-Adha
Saturday, 7 June : Eid al-Adha Holiday
Thursday, 26 June : Islamic New Year
Monday, 30 June : 30 June Revolution Day
Wednesday, 23 July : Revolution Day
Thursday, 4 September : Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Monday, 6 October : Armed Forces Day