FAQ

MAIN TOUR:

• Cairo: 2 nights hotel/2 breakfast meals/1 dinner
• Luxor: 2 nights hotel/2 breakfast/1 dinner
• Nile Cruise: 4 nights/all meals included
• Aswan: 2 night hotel/2 breakfast
• Air flights within Egypt; Cairo -> Luxor, Aswan -> Cairo
• Entrance fees to all sites included in the itinerary
• All transfers by private vehicle
• Professional Tour Guide & Driver
• All service charges and taxes

HURGHADA EXTENSION:

• Transfer by land Aswan-Hurghada
• Air flight Hurghada -> Cairo
• 4 Nights All-Inclusive resort in Hurghada
• All excursions indicated in the itinerary

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

• International Airfare
• Egypt entry visa $25
• Meals not indicated in tour
• Optional tours or activities
• Personal spending
• Tipping

In April, Egypt has warm and pleasant weather with minimal rain, making it an ideal time for travel. Daytime temperatures average between 77-90 degrees and can get cooler at night, especially in coastal cities.

Western clothes are totally fine: jeans, shorts, t-shirts all good.

There isn't a specific dress code for ancient temples and tombs, but it's recommended to wear comfortable and modest clothing along with a pair of comfortable shoes. Egypt's climate can be hot and dry, so lightweight and breathable fabrics are ideal.

Egypt is more liberal in tourist areas, but it is respectful to dress more modestly in rural areas and religious sites. Women should aim for clothing that covers shoulders and knees in rural areas and religious sites.

I would throw a scarf or shawl into your bag in case you find yourself visiting a mosque that does require a headscarf. A scarf can also be a welcome protection from the scorching sun.

BRINGING MEDICATIONS INTO EGYPT:

I have personally never had anyone at Cairo International Airport check my luggage for prescriptions, or ask me to show the paperwork related to a prescription I carry, but I have had my luggage go through baggage scanners at Cairo International Airport. After scanning luggage, if customs notices what looks like medication, they may ask to inspect it. In order to prove the medication was prescribed by a doctor, travelers should always carry:

• The drug in its original packaging (the original bottle/box with the Rx label)
• A letter from the prescribing doctor noting the medication, its purpose, and its required dosage
• Only enough of the medication to last the trip’s duration in Egypt
• Be aware that some medications that are widely available on prescription in the US can contain ingredients that are classed as illegal in Egypt, for example, common painkillers; Methadone, Codeine and Tramadol are banned in Egypt.
• Simple over-the-counter medications (medications not requiring a prescription), like vitamins, allergy medications, Advil, anti-diarrheal medications, etc are generally allowed in Egypt in the dosage travelers will need during their trip.

ATM'S AND CURRENCY CONVERSIONS:

Debit and credit cards are accepted in Egypt's bigger towns and cities, but cash is still king in many places. So, it's a good idea to have both cash and cards for your trip to Egypt, then you'll have all bases covered. You may want to withdraw cash from an ATM once you arrive.

Recommend exchanging about $50-$100 at a time just to be safe so you don't have any money in EGP when you leave(you can't exchange it back to USD).

ATM fees can vary but typically run about 5EGP plus your own bank fees.

It’s always recommended to choose to withdraw in the local currency, in this case Egyptian pounds (EGP) - without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider.

However, if you choose to be charged in USD, the ATM will make up an exchange rate using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This rate will almost certainly be unfavorable, and can make the transaction expensive for you.

So the bottom line is - it’s always best to press ‘no’ when asked about currency conversion.

USD/EUR/GBP can be used with street and market vendors, tips and most resturants. Most, but not all, restaurants accept credit cards. I would recommend bringing cash for some of these expenses.

NOTE: If you decide to bring your home currency into Egypt to exchange into EGP, make sure your notes are damage-free. Many merchants and exchange services will turn away damaged bills, even if they have only small blemishes or tears.

Currency less than 10 years old is preferred.

Currently 1 USD is equivalent to 51 EGP (Egyptian pounds).

Tipping is an essential part of the Egyptian economy, and it is a way to supplement the low wages that many service workers receive. In many cases, tips can make up a significant portion of a worker's income.

USD, EUR, GBP preferred.

Do not use $1 bills or coins if possible. These cannot be exchanged by local Egyptians as Egyptian banks will not exchange currency less than $5.00 USD.

The following are guidelines, as always tipping is a personal preference considering the quality of the service provided.

Quotes are per person, per day in USD.

• Tour Guide: $5-$10
• Driver: $2-$5

Dahabiya sailboat average recommendation for the crew is between $10-$15 pp per day. We collect from the group the last night onboard and give it to the captain, who will divide evenly between the 15 crew members.

For smaller tips, its best to use EGP as banks will not exchange smaller foreign bills.

• Restaurants: 5-10%
• Hotel cleaning staff: $1 per night
• Luggage porters: $1 pp
• Bathroom attendants: 10-20 EGP

For transportation, such as taxis or ride-sharing services, it is common to round up the fare to the nearest whole number. For example, if the fare is 275 Egyptian pounds, rounding up to 300 Egyptian pounds is appropriate.

Egypt is generally considered safe for tourists, but it's important to be aware of potential risks and take precautions. While violent crime is relatively low, petty theft can occur. Staying alert, being mindful of personal belongings, and taking necessary precautions can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

When I am asked if I feel safe traveling in Egypt, I usually ask the question--do you feel safe in the United States? Most people say yes, but then I remind them of the prevalence of mass shootings, car accidents, violent crime, etc.

The reply is usually that these things do not happen often enough for them to be worried, they happen in specific places, or some other reason for why each situation does not seem to make them feel unsafe where they live.

Egypt is the same way. While there are dangerous things that happen in Egypt, many of those things are localized events that do not occur often (potentially a few times a year or fewer), and most of them do not involve tourists. Think about how many times we have news in the United States of a mass shooting--these are much more common occurrences than violent events in Egypt, but most U.S. Americans are not scared to enter a grocery store, movie theater, or school.

Most of the common crimes that happen in other travel destinations (pickpocketing, theft, assault) seldom happen to tourists in Egypt at all. Aside from keeping a firm grip on my iPhone while walking the streets of Cairo (men riding motorbikes have been known to snatch phones out of the hands of pedestrians and drive off), I never worry about anything adverse happening to me in Egypt.