Egypt essentials for travellers

Most visitors need a visa to enter Egypt. Many nationalities can apply online before they travel, and some can also get a visa on arrival at the airport.

• Apply only on the official e-visa portal of the Egyptian government. Avoid look-alike websites that charge extra fees.
• Your passport should usually be valid for at least six months after your arrival date.
• Visitors who stay only in the South Sinai resorts (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) may be allowed a short free entry stamp limited to that area. Check before you travel if you plan to visit other cities.
• Rules, fees and eligible nationalities change from time to time: confirm with the official portal or the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate.

The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, ج.م). Prices on Ehna are shown in pounds.

• ATMs are easy to find in cities and resorts. Cards are accepted in most hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but carry cash for taxis, markets and small shops.
• Change money only at banks or licensed exchange offices and keep the receipt.
• Keep small notes: they are useful for tips, toilets at sites and small purchases.
• Tipping (baksheesh) is part of daily life. Restaurants often add a service charge, and leaving around 10% extra for good service is a common rule of thumb.
• Guides, drivers and boat crews are usually tipped at the end of the tour; porters and housekeeping appreciate a small tip too.
• In markets, bargaining is normal and friendly: agree on the price before you buy.

Egyptians are famously welcoming. A little respect for local customs goes a long way.

• In cities, villages and religious sites, dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone.
• In mosques remove your shoes; women should cover their hair, so carry a light scarf. Churches and monasteries also expect modest dress.
• Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and beaches, but not in town streets.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect.
• Ask before you photograph people, and never photograph military or police sites.
• Use your right hand to eat, to give and to receive. Public displays of affection are best kept discreet.
• Friday is the main prayer day; the weekend is Friday and Saturday, and some places open later on Friday.

A local SIM card is cheap and makes maps, ride-hailing apps and messaging easy.

• Egypt has four mobile operators: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat by e& and WE. All of them have shops in airports and city centres.
• Bring your passport: it is required to register a SIM card.
• Some operators and international providers also offer eSIMs. Make sure your phone is unlocked.
• Hotels, cafés and malls usually have Wi-Fi; coverage can be weak in the deep desert, at sea and in the mountains of Sinai.
• If your phone shows a network registration message, ask at your operator's shop: the rules for phones bought abroad can change.

Egypt is sunny all year, but the heat changes a lot by region and month.

• October to April is the most comfortable time for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the desert. Winter nights can be chilly, so bring a warm layer.
• June to August is very hot in Upper Egypt and the desert: visit sites early in the morning and rest at midday.
• The Red Sea is good for diving and snorkeling all year; the water is warmest from late summer to autumn.
• Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast are a summer favourite for Egyptian families.
• In spring, hot dusty winds (khamsin) can blow for a few days.
• Nights in the desert and in the Sinai mountains are cold in winter, sometimes near freezing.

Egypt welcomes millions of visitors every year. Common sense keeps your trip smooth.

• Book with licensed guides and registered companies, and read the reviews on Ehna before you pay.
• Agree on taxi fares before the ride, or use a ride-hailing app in big cities.
• Drink bottled water, use sunscreen and a hat, and drink often in the heat.
• At sea, follow the dive guide's instructions and never touch or stand on coral.
• In the desert, go with an experienced local guide; do not drive off-road alone.
• Keep a copy of your passport, and follow your embassy's travel advice and local instructions.

Distances are big: choose the right way to travel between cities.

• Domestic flights connect Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and other cities and save a lot of time.
• Trains run along the Nile from Alexandria through Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, including an overnight sleeper train.
• Air-conditioned intercity buses link Cairo with the Red Sea, Sinai, Alexandria and the oases.
• In Cairo, the metro is a fast way to avoid traffic; ride-hailing apps work in the big cities.
• A car with a licensed driver is the most flexible option for day trips; avoid long road trips at night.
• To Siwa, the White Desert and remote areas, travel with a local operator who knows the road and the permits.