🇪🇬 Egypt · Complete Travel Profile

Passport A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure is required. Ensure you have at least one blank page for entry stamps.

Visa Egypt offers multiple visa options. Since August 2026, a new digital arrival visa system is being trialled at Cairo International Airport for certain nationalities .

• Visa on Arrival: Available at most airports for many nationalities (EU, US, UK, Australia, etc.). Cost is approximately $25 USD, payable in cash.
• eVisa: You can apply for an e-Visa online before travel via the official Egyptian eVisa portal.
• Sinai Visa: If entering via the Taba Heights or Nuweiba ferry ports from Jordan, you can obtain a Sinai-specific visa. If your stay in Sinai exceeds 15 days or you plan to travel beyond the peninsula, you need a standard entry visa .
• Additional: International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended if you plan to drive.
• Digital copies: Keep scans of passport and visa in your email/cloud.

Official sources: Egypt e-Visa Portal · Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mandatory Vaccinations Yellow fever: A vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, or having transited through such a country for more than 12 hours .

Recommended Vaccinations Consult your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Recommended vaccines include :

• Hepatitis A & B – transmitted through contaminated food/water and bodily fluids.
• Typhoid – common in areas with poor sanitation.
• Polio – ensure you are up to date; Egypt has had reported cases .
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio (Td/IPV) – ensure boosters are up to date.
• Rabies – recommended for travellers who may have contact with animals.
• Meningitis A & C – recommended for long-stay travellers.

• Travel Health Insurance is essential. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation (repatriation), as private hospitals in Egypt require upfront payment for treatment .
• Medical Care: Private clinics and hospitals in Cairo and major tourist centres meet international standards. State hospitals are more basic. Pharmacists are well-trained and can assist with minor ailments .
• Food & Water: Do not drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth .

Links: WHO · CDC Egypt.

Current Situation Check official travel advisories before travelling. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to certain areas and against all but essential travel to others .

• Do Not Travel To:
  • North Sinai Governorate – due to ongoing terrorist attacks and criminal activity .
  • Within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border – due to active military operations .
  • Western Desert (areas beyond the Nile Valley) – due to landmines and security risks.
• Regional Tensions: There is a heightened risk of regional tension that could lead to travel disruption .
• Crime: Petty crime (pickpocketing) is common in tourist areas, and women may face harassment .
• Protests: Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. It is illegal for foreigners to participate in protests .
• Emergency plan: Save local emergency numbers, embassy contacts, and your accommodation address in Arabic.

Official travel advisories: U.S. State Department · UK FCDO · Australian Smartraveller.

• Police: 122
• Tourist Police: 126
• Ambulance: 123
• Fire brigade: 180
• Traffic Accidents: 01221110000

Note: These numbers only work from an Egyptian SIM card or local phone .

Ministry of Interior: moi.gov.eg.

US Embassy in Cairo: 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City · eg.usembassy.gov · +20 2 2797 3300

UK Embassy Cairo: 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Garden City · gov.uk/.../british-embassy-cairo · +20 2 2791 6000

German Embassy Cairo: 8 Sharia El-Batal Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Zamalek · kairo.diplo.de · +20 2 2728 4000

French Embassy Cairo: 29 Rue de la Gare, Le Caire · eg.ambafrance.org · +20 2 2744 1000

🔍 Full list of embassies and consulates in Egypt

Egypt is a transcontinental country spanning Northeast Africa and the Sinai Peninsula. It is a cradle of civilisation, home to one of the world's oldest and most iconic ancient cultures. Today, it is the most populous Arab country and a major political and cultural hub in the Middle East.

• Political system: Semi-presidential republic.
• Main income: Tourism, Suez Canal tolls, petroleum, and agriculture.
• Nature: The Nile River, the Sahara Desert, the Red Sea coast, and the Sinai Mountains.

Egyptian society is known for its warmth, hospitality, and deep sense of history. Official Tourism Website · Government of Egypt.

Climate Desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Coastal regions (Mediterranean and Red Sea) are more moderate.

• Winter (Nov–Mar): 10°C to 25°C. Pack layers, a warm jacket for evenings, and a raincoat for occasional rain on the coast.
• Summer (Jun–Sep): 30°C to 45°C (can exceed 50°C in the south). Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential .
• Clothing: Very important: Egypt is a Muslim country. Dress modestly, especially in religious sites, markets, and rural areas. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair when entering mosques.

Cairo weather forecast.

Official Arabic (Egyptian Arabic is the spoken dialect). English and French are widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Useful phrases: Ahlan (hello), Shukran (thanks), Min fadlak (please, male) / Min fadlik (please, female), Ma'a as-salama (goodbye), Is-sa'a kam? (what time is it?) – most people in tourist areas speak English.
• Mentality: Warm, hospitable, and friendly. Bargaining is common in markets and with taxis.
• Religion: Predominantly Sunni Muslim (approx. 90%) with a significant Coptic Orthodox Christian minority.
• Internet/Wi-Fi: Good coverage in cities and tourist areas. Local SIM: Orange, Vodafone, WE. Important: A SIM card is required for many mobile apps and services.

Voltage 220 V · Frequency 50 Hz

Plug types C (Europlug) and F (Schuko).

• Adapter needed? No, for most European devices (Type C/F).
• Converter? Not needed for 220 V devices. For 110 V devices (US, Japan), a step-down converter is required.

Currency Egyptian Pound (EGP). Current exchange rate.

• Cash: Cash is king, especially in markets and smaller establishments. It is essential to carry small denominations for tips (baksheesh) and small purchases.
• Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and tour operators. American Express is less common.
• ATMs: Widely available in cities; withdraw cash in EGP for the best rates.
• Price level: Low to medium compared to Western Europe.
• Tipping (Baksheesh): Tipping is a deeply ingrained part of Egyptian culture. Small tips are expected for almost every service – guides, drivers, bellhops, bathroom attendants, and tour representatives. A reasonable amount is EGP 10–20 for small services, more for guides.

Airports Cairo International (CAI) – main hub. Also Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El-Sheikh (SSH), Luxor (LXR), and Alexandria (ALY).

• Rail: Egyptian National Railways – connects Cairo to Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan.
• Public transport: Cairo metro is cheap and efficient. Buses and microbuses are widely used.
• Taxis & Ride-hailing: Use ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem, inDrive) as they are safer and have fixed prices. Traditional taxis require negotiation and agree on a price before you get in.
• Ferries: Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights/Nuweiba in Egypt .

Egyptian Railways · Cairo Airport.

Hotel types From world-class luxury (Four Seasons, Marriott Mena House, Old Cataract) to mid-range (Steigenberger, Hilton) and budget hostels. Hygiene standards in 4-star hotels and above are generally good .

• Safety: Choose hotels in safe areas. Keep valuables in the room safe.
• Opening hours: Shops 10:00–22:00; some close for Friday prayers (13:00–15:00).
• Local regulations: Smoking is banned in many public spaces but still common.

Must-try dishes Koshari (national dish – lentils, rice, pasta, chickpeas), Ful medames (fava beans), Falafel (ta'amiya), Mahshi (stuffed vegetables), grilled meats (kofta, shawarma), and Mulukhiyah (green soup).

• Drinks: Strong sweet tea (shai), Turkish-style coffee, fresh fruit juices (sugarcane, mango, guava), and karkadeh (hibiscus tea). Alcohol is available in tourist restaurants and hotels.
• Street food: Koshari carts, falafel sandwiches, and grilled corn.
• Tap water: Do not drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth .

Time zone UTC+2 (EET). Egypt does not observe daylight saving time.

• Public holidays (date varies based on Islamic lunar calendar): 1 Jan (New Year), 7 Jan (Coptic Christmas), 25 Jan (Revolution Day), 25 Apr (Sinai Liberation Day), 1 May (Labour Day), 23 Jul (Revolution Day), 6 Oct (Armed Forces Day), and Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet's Birthday).
• Closing days: Many shops and museums are closed on Friday (Muslim holy day) and some on Sunday.

Event calendar.

Cities & places Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and the Siwa Oasis.

• Cultural/Historical: Giza Pyramids & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum (soon to be replaced by the Grand Egyptian Museum – GEM), Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and the temples of Philae.
• Nature: The Nile River (felucca sailing), Red Sea coral reefs (world-class diving), White Desert, and the Sinai mountains (Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery).
• Excursions: Nile cruises (Luxor-Aswan), scuba diving in the Red Sea, hot air ballooning in Luxor, and desert safaris.

Official tourism · Egyptian Museum.

Nightlife Cairo has a vibrant scene with bars, clubs, and live music, especially in Zamalek and the Nile boats (Nile Maxims). Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh have busy beach clubs.

• Festivals: Abu Simbel Sun Festival (Feb & Oct), Cairo Jazz Festival, and local Sufi music performances.
• Classical: Cairo Opera House.

Event calendar.

• Official Tourism Website Egypt
• Government of Egypt
• Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• e-Visa Portal
• Nile TV · Al-Ahram (news)
• Google Maps — Egypt
• YouTube — Egypt travel & documentaries
• Google News — Egypt