Egypt is one of the nations where Americans are required to obtain a visa, and although you may purchase one ahead of time, American, British, and Canadian tourists are not required to do so.
Egypt luxury tours packages include the purchase of a visa in your tour; in this instance, your guide will most likely meet you before immigration and administer the visa stamps. That’s all there is to it.
1. There is a lot of security
In Egypt, you'll see security everywhere. Buses are halted when they approach hotels so that they may be examined. Every time you enter a big hotel lobby, you must pass through a metal detector (though the checks themselves are not always so thorough). Every tourist bus also has an armed guard who will accompany you everywhere you go.
Armed military police are very prominent in Aswan. Does this make you feel secure? To be honest, you're probably more in danger from traffic in Cairo than from thieves or terrorists, and you may feel secure even late at night strolling outside your hotel. While certain regions of Egypt, such as portions of the Sinai other than Sharm El Sheikh and parts of the Western Desert, are not secure, most tourist destinations in Egypt feel as safe as any other part of the globe.
2. Tipping Is Strongly Recommended
You'll find yourself tipping often in Egypt due to the high level of personal attention. Because most individuals do not anticipate huge sums, a gratuity of 5 or 10 Egyptian pounds is usually sufficient. In public toilets, you'll almost definitely need to tip (you won't receive toilet paper until you tip), and the attendant will demand at least 5 pounds per person.
If your hotel room attendant comes on your door a few minutes after you arrive with new towels or anything else you didn't request, don't be shocked; he's probably seeking a tip. If you give him a few Egyptian pounds (about $1 USD) to build a relationship, you may be able to have your room cleaned a little quicker than everyone else. Every morning, you should also leave a modest gratuity. If possible, maintain modest amounts for gratuities and tip solely in local currencies.
3. You'll need cash, particularly little bills in large quantities
Cash is still king in Egypt, so you'll need it for most minor transactions and even some larger ones. You may use a credit card to pay for your hotel accommodation and certain big purchases in shops, but the majority of your transactions will be in cash. Although ATMs are plentiful, not all U.S. debit cards will function in all of them, so you may need to try several (Banque Misr ATMs usually work).
Most major hotels (particularly in Cairo) include a bank branch where you may exchange your money for US dollars. As a result, carry at least $200 in US money with you, preferably in $20 notes, in case you need to convert it. If you obtain Egyptian money from an ATM (which is still the best option), you'll almost certainly get mainly bigger notes, so you'll just get change when you purchase anything.
In a bank or at the front desk, you may occasionally exchange bigger banknotes for smaller ones. If all else fails, guides are aware that you will need local money for tipping and minor purchases, and the better ones will have a big number of tiny notes on hand to break your larger bills. If at all possible, avoid tipping in foreign money. The cost of converting U.S. dollars to Egyptian pounds is always high, and U.S. money cannot be used by Egyptians.
4. Be Prepared for the Heat
The impact of the Egyptian heat cannot be underestimated, especially if you visit during the warmest months of the summer, from June to August when daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan regularly reach at least 40°C (104°F) and much higher (up to 48°C/118°F) in the Western Desert. Even then, temperatures in Cairo may reach 32°C (90°F), with temperatures somewhat higher near the pyramids. Winter temperatures are comfortable, with a few chilly nights but nothing to complain about, and there is very little rain. Sandstorms are more frequent in April, although they may happen at any time between March and May.
So, how do you handle these polar opposites? Ironically, the Egyptians' solution is to cover up even more. Wear a shirt with a collar (to protect the back of your neck), a hat (ideally one with a brim), and a bandana instead of shorts and possibly even short sleeves (exposed skin burns and gets hotter faster, and then there's the whole modesty thing, especially for women), and bring a hat (ideally one with a brim) and a bandana (with which you can mop your brow but also cover your nose if a sandstorm erupts).
Linen and lightweight cotton are your best friends when it comes to textiles, but some of the newer moisture-wicking fabrics may be just as excellent. Pack lots of sunscreen since excellent, high-quality sunscreen is hard to come by in Egypt (and when you do, it's exorbitantly priced). Also, bring a refillable water bottle; although bottled water is readily available, it's great to do the world a favor and replenish from a larger (and likely less expensive) large container.
5. If you're an animal rights activist, you may not be happy
Despite considerable discussion about raising standards, Egyptian animals' lives have not improved much in the last decade. Horses labor in hot, congested circumstances, particularly near the pyramids and the Edfu docks, while tired camels wait ready to offer visitors rides virtually everywhere. Because the beautiful Temple of Horus is deep in the city and distant from the docks where cruise ships dock, visitors are the ones who are most affected by the situation in Edfu.
Almost all tour operators arrange for their clients to go in horse carts to the temple. The finest middlemen will be chosen by the guides to assist them in finding trustworthy operators, but the horses all seem to be in bad shape. A tuk-tuk may be feasible, although they are usually not permitted to approach the ship docking sites. The greatest thing visitors can do is demand that animals be handled properly and protest to tour operators if they are not, particularly if animals are a part of a tour activity. Even if you don't want to ride a camel or a horse, there are occasions when you can't avoid it.
6. You will be able to consume alcohol, but you may not be able to do it safely
Despite Egypt's religious conservatism, alcohol is widely accessible, particularly in large hotels and certain restaurants. Even the most basic hotels in Cairo are likely to feature a rooftop bar, and although many upmarket cafés do not offer alcohol, the vast majority of restaurants do (though likely only beer and wine). The environment becomes more conservative as you go south, and as you reach Aswan, you'll likely have fewer choices for drinking outside of the large hotels and their restaurants. You must, of course, pay for the privilege.
Because imported alcohol is so costly, you may choose to sample the local beers and wines instead. Three local brands are commonly accessible, although other brands are also available. Cape Bay (made in Egypt from South African grapes), Omar Khayyam, and Obelisk are the finest of the bunch; any of these would serve in a pinch, but you won't want to carry any bottles home with you. Stella and Sakara are two beers that can be purchased nearly everywhere and are both quite excellent. It's probably safer to stick to foreign gin and tonic. There are, however, certain no-nos. It is never appropriate to drink on the street. Drinkies and Cheers are two local liquor shops that deliver. Stay clear from any of the very inexpensive, locally produced hard alcohol.
7. Carefully choose your foods
Food poisoning is a common complaint among tourists in Egypt. The source is often food that has not been properly kept or refrigerated. If you want to be safe, follow the boil, peel, or forget guideline; nevertheless, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and other salads may entice you at premium hotels (most vegetables in luxury hotels are rinsed in filtered water and are OK to eat, but you are always taking a chance). Fresh hummus and baba ghanoush will certainly entice you (cold meze is ubiquitous at Egyptian restaurants), and you can probably have these dips in most good establishments.
You should avoid real street food, but you don't have to avoid all grilled meat at restaurants if it's properly cooked. Because a lot of Egyptian cuisines is fried, it's not the healthiest choice, but it does make it less likely that you'll become ill. In Cairo and tourist areas, Western fast-food franchises abound, all of which adhere to high food safety requirements. Even in the most luxurious hotel, never drink anything except bottled water, even if you're prepared to take a risk with fresh veggies. Brush your teeth with it as well. If you're worried, one thing you can do is take a Pepto-Bismal pill every day. If you get sick, pharmacies are readily accessible, and pharmacists may and do give antibiotics and other medications without the involvement of a doctor.
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