Useful Info
Things to know before you travel to Egypt ( Visas, medical requirements, clothing Etc)
Visa’s: Visas are required for all nationalities. Many country’s citizens can obtain one upon entry however citizens of some countries are required to obtain their visa from a consulate before arriving.
Although most airlines can tell you whether one is required for your entry prior to arrival, it would be best to check with the closest Egyptian consulate or Embassy to be certain.
Medical requirements: Normally no immunizations are required or needed.
If you have recently been traveling in an area known to be experiencing problems you should obtain a health certificate before arrival.
While in Egypt drink the filtered bottle water or the mineral water.
Also be sure to bring any prescriptions you might need.
And don’t forget to prepare for the “Pharaoh’s curse” with a bottle of Imodium or similar.
Be careful of fresh fruit juices as they may be diluted with local non-filtered water.
Currency: The local currency is the Egyptian pound (LE). 1 LE = 100 pilasters.
Banks are opened in major hotels for 24 hrs.
Credit cards are widely used in major hotels & restaurants.
Charges will be in Egyptian pounds.
The exchange rate floats and changes daily.
You can check the current rate on-line Here You do not need to change money prior to arrival as most currencies are accepted, especially US dollars, by all establishments EXCEPT you must use Egyptian pounds for antiquity site entry fees.
The currency in Egypqt is the Egyptian Pound (L.E).
1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piasters (P.T)
Coins |
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25 piasters |
50 piasters |
1 pound |
Paper Money |
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5 pound |
10 pound |
20 pound |
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50 pound |
100 pound |
200 pound |
Egypt mains supply Voltage is 220 Volts /50Hz
Mains: 220 Volt
Frequency: 50Hz (50 cycles/second)
Earthing: Not common in Egypt.
Only a very limited number of constructions offer earthing terminal in wall outlets.
Delivery: Single Phase.
3-phase, 380V mains are also available for domestic and industrial applications upon request.
110V in Egypt: Only some 4* and 5* hotels in Egypt provide 110V outlets with 2 flat pins (US Style.) If available, they are usually located in the bathroom and labled “Shavers Only”, denoting low-current availability at these outlets.
Electric Plugs/Sockets in Egypt
Egypt’s Mother Tongue is Arabic
Other languages are popular specially English is very popular in Egypt followed by French
Language
Arabic is the official language in Egypt.it is read from right-to-Left
below are some common phonetics
| English Word | Arabic Pronounce |
|---|---|
Hello |
Ahlan |
Good Morning |
sabaah el kheir |
how are you(to a male) |
izayaak |
how are you(to a female) |
izaayek |
how much does it cost |
bekaam |
what is the time |
el saa kaam |
where is the wc |
fein el hamaam |
thank you |
shukran |
good |
kwayes |
bad |
wehesh |
expensive |
ghaaly |
please |
min fadlak |
goodbye |
salam |
goodnight |
tesbaah ala kheir |
sorry |
asef (if youre a male) |
sorry |
asfa (if youre a female) |
Numbers
Arabic numbers are written left to right like any western language but they differ in shape
Climate: he best season is from October through May when the temperature is Cairo is comfortable in the daytime, and cool or even cold at night.
Weather in Upper Egypt, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel is comfortably warm.
During the summer months in Cairo is hot and dry, upper Egypt is extremely hot, sightseeing is done early in the morning.
Average temperatures can be:
The Temperature in EGYPT following table for you as a guide so that you know what to expect and what to bring:
| Month | T | Cairo Min/Max |
Alex Min/Max |
Luxor Min/Max |
Aswan Min/Max |
Hurghada Min/Max |
Sharm El-Sheik Min/Max |
| Jan | C F |
8.6/19.1 47/66 |
9.3/18.3 49/65 |
5.4/23 42/74 |
8/23.8 46/75 |
24/18 75/64 |
24/21 75/70 |
| Feb | C F |
9.3/21 48/69 |
9.7/19.2 49/67 |
6.8/25.4 44/78 |
9.4/26.1 49/79 |
25/18 77/64 |
25/20 77/68 |
| Mar | C F |
11.2/23.7 52/75 |
11.3/21 52/70 |
10.7/29 51/84 |
12.6/30.4 54/86 |
26/20 79/68 |
25/21 77/70 |
| Apr | C F |
13.9/28.2 56/83 |
14.5/23.6 58/75 |
15.7/35 60/95 |
17.5/36 63/97 |
31/25 88/77 |
31/22 87/71 |
| May | C F |
17.4/32.4 63/90 |
16.7/26.5 62/80 |
20.7/39.3 69/103 |
21.1/38.5 71/101 |
35/26 95/79 |
28/24 82/75 |
| June | C F |
19.9/34.5 68/95 |
20.4/28.2 69/83 |
22.6/41 72/107 |
24.2/42.1 76/108 |
37/28 99/82 |
32/25 89/77 |
| July | C F |
21.5/35.4 71/96 |
22.7/29.6 73/86 |
23.6/40.8 74/106 |
24.5/42 76/108 |
40/28 107/82 |
37/26 98/78 |
| Aug | C F |
21.6/34.8 71/95 |
22.9/30.4 73/87 |
23.5/41 74/107 |
24.7/41.3 76/107 |
42/29 108/84 |
38/28 100/82 |
| Sep | C F |
19.9/23.3 68/89 |
21.3/29.4 71/85 |
21.5/38.5 71/101 |
22.2/39.6 72/103 |
38/27 100/81 |
34/29 93/84 |
| Oct | C F |
17.8/29.8 64/86 |
17.9/27.7 64/82 |
17.8/35.1 64/95 |
19.3/36.6 66/99 |
32/25 90/77 |
30/27 86/80 |
| Nov | C F |
12.1/24.1 54/75 |
14.8/24.4 59/76 |
12.3/29.6 54/85 |
14.5/30.2 58/86 |
26/23 79/73 |
27/25 80/75 |
| Dec | C F |
10.4/20.7 51/69 |
11.2/20.4 52/69 |
7.7/24.8 45/76 |
9.9/20.5 50/69 |
26/19 79/66 |
23/23 73/73 |
Clothing Winter months: Bring sweaters, a light coat or jacket for the cool Cairo evenings. Women should bring slacks and one evening dress for nightclub visits.
Men should bring at least one warm jacket. Pack a bathing suit if visiting Luxor and Aswan if taking a Nile cruise.
Summer months: light weight cotton clothing.
A sweater for cool Cairo evenings.
Holidays The weekly day of rest is Friday.
Islam is the principal religion of Egypt. So the “weekend” is generally Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a normal business day although a good percentage of the population is Eastern Orthodox Christian.
Islamic Holidays are based on the lunar calendar and change annually.
The Eastern Christian holidays are generally different than the western Christian ones.
For instance Christmas is on January 06.
Tourist attractions (antiquity sites) are open every day except New Years day.
Some sites that are of an active religious type (monasteries, mosques, etc.) close for their appropriate sabbath.
The Emergency Numbers in Egypt are very handy to the citizens and most importantly to the tourists to Egypt who are less acquired with the country. Emergency services such as ambulance services, fire brigades and police services can be required anytime.
Call:
Police: 122
Ambulance : 123
Fire Bridge: 180
