Geography

The surface area of Egypt is about one million km2, 97% of which is desert. Consequently, 95% of the inhabitants live on only 4% of the land. The Nile crosses Egypt from South to North. The country is divided into 26 administrative provinces. Cairo is the capital and some of the main cities are Alexandria, Port Said and Aswan.

Climate

There are four climatic regions in Egypt: Mediterranean on the Alexandria coast, semi-desert in the Cairo region, temperate along the Nile valley and desert in the South of the country.

Temperatures (Celsius average daily)

From the end of September to the end of November: pleasantly hot (25 to 35°C from North to South). Mid-December to mid-March: cold in the North of the country, pleasant on the Red Sea. From June to September: hot and dry season 25 to 40°.

Population

Egypt has a population of 72 million, 45% of whom live in towns. Cairo: over 17 million inhabitants, Alexandria over 4 million.

Language

The official language is Arabic. English and French are fairly widespread, particularly in tourist towns. German and Italian are spoken in many hotels on the Red Sea. Egyptian Arabic contains many local dialects including Coptic.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Formalities

You must buy a visa to be allowed entry into Egypt. This can be obtained from the Consulate or at the airport (for some nationalities only) on your arrival in the country. The list of countries for which this is true may be obtained from Egyptian consulates. Your passport must be valid 6 months after the end of your visit. Customs officers may ask to see your return ticket.

Time difference

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Summer time begins the Friday before or after the 1st of May. Wintertime starts on the Friday which follows the 30th of September.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for travellers coming from Europe.

Clothing

Light cotton clothing, a hat, sunscreen lotion and sunglasses, but pack something warm for the cool evenings.

THE VACATION

Guides

Only Egyptian guides are allowed to operate in the tourist sites and in the Museums. They all have Institute of Egyptology qualifications.

Photography

Common sizes of films (with speeds of 100 or 200 asa) are found easily in Egypt. It is better to have your films developed when you get back home. Flash photography is not permitted in museums and tombs in order to protect the treasures on display. It is forbidden to take pictures in most of museums and tombs. A tax has to be paid for pictures and video taken inside tourist sites. If you have a digital camera, be sure it is well protected against dust and sand. There is a tax on video photography and no filming is allowed at the Aswan Dam or in the Valley of Kings.

Families

Egypt’s tourism offer is well suited to families, with its large range of activities for children and teenagers: many visits to the historical sites, exploring national parks to discover the varied fauna and flora, various sports (including diving, sailing, hiking, fun board, beach clubs, etc.).

Women

A woman can travel alone in Egypt. Take care to dress appropriately (modestly especially when visiting mosques and churches).

Currency

The national currency is the Egyptian Pound often indicated by the initials LE or EGP. In Arabic it is called the guineh. One pound is divided into 100 piasters or irsh in Arabic. You will find cash dispensers in large towns and some hotels.

Payments

Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted in the large hotels and larger boutiques. Most tourist shops accept foreign currency, except small shops, during visits and in supermarkets where you’ll need Egyptian pounds.

Postal service

You can buy stamps at post offices and your hotel reception desk. A stamp for a letter to Europe costs 1.50 EGP, it should take about a week (but allow longer at Ramadan).

Post offices are closed on Fridays.

Internet

There are many cybercafés in most of the towns throughout Egypt. The rates for connection vary from 5 to 20 EGP per hour.

Opening times

Offices are normally open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm every day, without interruption, except Friday and public holidays. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Most shops are open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day except Sunday.

Note: during Ramadan, all opening times are modified.

Tipping

‘Bakchich’ is not only widespread in Egypt, but it is a veritable institution. Anyone offering a service, however small, expects a tip in return. For example, it is normal in a restaurant, even when the service is included, to leave a small tip.

Telephone

Cash and card payphones are found throughout Egypt (cards are sold in small shops often close to the telephone kiosks).

Internal transport

The fastest way to get from one tourist area to another is by air (airports at Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba, Borg-el-Arab, Assiut). Intercity buses and train are more economical. In town, taxis and minibuses are an easy way of getting around.

Cairo has an underground system.