10 Essential things to know before your Leisure
The pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and a cruise on the Nile are just some of the reasons that attract millions of travel first-timers to Egypt. As a history buff, visiting Egypt was a no-brainer for me. Amidst the negative travel stories from my fellow female travelers, I still decided to book my flight to Egypt and have my own experience. With many ups and some downs on my vacation, I was still grateful for the memories I was able to make. However, Egypt can be overwhelming for a travel beginner, especially women. That’s why I have listed ten essential things to know before you embark on your trip to Egypt.
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Don’t be afraid to say ’’La Shukran’’!
Vendors in Egypt can be very intimidating, especially to first-time travelers. Although understandable, the sellers are just trying to make a living, but they have a penetrating way about it.
When I encountered them at the beginning of my trip, I did what most people would do: simply ignore them. But ignoring them did not bother them because they continued to bother me. To be honest, the harassment will not stop completely, but luckily saying “La Shukran” in Arabic helped me a lot because they were a little merciful to me. Everyone’s experience will be different, so just try it out and see what you get. But as a woman traveling through Egypt, I was constantly hit on after that experience.
However, scammers are also very active in Egypt. Fortunately, I have not encountered them yet. But always pay attention to your gut feeling. If something seems strange to you, run away!
Best time to travel
The best time for traveler beginners visiting Egypt is probably summertime, which is between May and August. The maximum temperatures are over 40°C, and the lowest temperatures are 23°C. If you plan to sunbathe on the Red Sea beaches of Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh, this is the right time. The sun on the African continent shines quite differently than in Europe, so stay hydrated and apply sunscreen. But seriously, a beach vacation is usually not the first thing you do.
Those tourists who want to enjoy Egypt to the fullest prefer the cooler autumn season from late September to November. There, temperatures range from 19°C to a maximum of 30°C.
The winter season starts from December to February, and although it can get pleasantly mild and warm, temperatures can drop from 7°C/8°C to a maximum of 20°C. Not knowing this, I booked my first trip to Egypt in December 2021, and let me tell you, it was freezing, and I did not pack the right clothes. But for that, we got a pretty good deal out of everything we planned to do, with a low tourism rate. So if you do not mind a little cold, you can visit Egypt even at this time.
Dress code
In my experience, there is no dress code for tourists in Egypt, but when visiting mosques and other holy sites, it is recommended to wear shorts above the knees and T-shirts with long sleeves for men and cover the neckline and shoulders and wear a veil for women.
If you are traveling to Egypt in the summer, make sure your clothes are breathable as it can get very hot. A hat and sunglasses are essential to pack in your suitcase. Also, remember that Egypt is very dusty due to the Sahara Desert, so a scarf to cover your face from time to time would not be a wrong choice. And since it can get chilly in the fall and winter, you should pack a jacket that will keep you warm while you visit the different tourist places so you do not catch a cold.
Book Tours with trusted companies
I don’t know about you, but I like to have an itinerary full of fun things to do and sights to see before I arrive at my destination. It was no different for me when as a first-time traveler to Egypt. Knowing that my time is planned correctly and not wasted gives me peace of mind.
Guided and private tours were my first choice in Egypt because they allowed me to tailor my itinerary to my liking. I was able to skip some programs that I didn’t want to see and spend more time in places that piqued my interest.
While I didn’t have this problem, a private tour can also allow you to avoid lengthy and annoying waits at attractions you want to see. This can be very helpful when planning to visit Egypt with a group like family or friends.
But the most significant benefit I got from a private guided tour was the time allotted to take the best photos in the perfect light at the sights I wanted. My tour guide was kind enough to give me the best images ever.
Avoid drinking Tap Water
Egyptian water has a high chlorine content, which can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are consequences of ingesting chlorine. For this reason, it is recommended to drink bottled water. Most hotels offer filtered water if you want to use reusable or collapsible bottles to refill water. You can also buy purification tablets to purify your water on the go.
Currency
The currency used in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP).
Upon arrival at one of the Egyptian airports, you will have the opportunity to exchange your money into EGP at an exchange office. But do not worry. All major credit cards are accepted at most establishments, and ATMs also accept credit cards.
Rest days in Egypt are usually Fridays. So it is essential to exchange your money before Fridays, as banks and exchange offices are closed then. However, if you forget, some hotels also offer money exchange; inquire at the front desk of your hotel.
Religious Beliefs
Yes, Egypt is predominantly Islamic, with 85% to 95% of the population. But some members of this Islamic group consider themselves Muslims by birth, not by conviction. For this reason, you will probably see women who do not wear a hijab from time to time, as they are free to do so if they wish.
The minority is the Coptic Orthodox Christians, who comprise 5 to 15% of the population. They, unfortunately, face a lot of discrimination daily.
Less than 1 % consider themselves atheists.
Crossing the streets in Egypt
If you have visited other African countries, you have surely witnessed their driving style. Egypt is no exception. Traffic in Cairo can be very hectic and dense, so crossing the streets can be nerve-wracking, at least it was for me. Since drivers are in a hurry to reach their destination, they didn’t stop to let me through. So what’s a person to do? Observation is the key. Stay close behind the locals as they cross the street and follow them. Another option is to ask; most locals will be happy to help simply.
Travel expenses
Depending on your travel style and itinerary, your travel costs can vary greatly. Therefore, you should keep some costs in mind to avoid surprises while traveling through Egypt.
Visa on arrival
A visa is mandatory for entry into Egypt. Either on arrival or before you start your trip via e-visa online. This does not apply to you if you are a citizen of Bahrain, Hong Kong, or the United Arab Emirates. A single entry visa costs $25, a multiple entry visa costs $60.
Sim card
You cannot always rely on your hotel’s Wi-Fi, as it can be very slow when you want to upload your great photos to your social media accounts. So, the best way to stay connected is to buy a sim card at the airport when you arrive. There you can choose your tariff, and it is usually cheap.
Nowadays, you have two options for sim cards. The first is the usual way we all know, which is to swap your sim card and use a local one. The offers from Orange or Vodafone cost no more than $9.50 to $30.50. These prices are for sim cards with 3 GB to 5 GB for 30 days.
The other popular option is the e-sim cards from Giza Mobile.
With this option, you do not have to change sim cards because you can set everything up online. Sounds simple right?
With Airalo, you can choose between multiple data packages, and the prices range from $36 to $49 for 30 days.
Airport transfer
If you do not want to start your vacation off on the wrong foot, be sure to include a hotel transfer from the airport directly to your hotel when booking your hotel rooms.
Nothing is more nerve-wracking for a first-time traveler to a country like Egypt than looking for a ride to your destination at the drop of a hat.
Alternatively, you can book a private ride to your accommodation in advance. This way, once you land in Egypt, you will not have to worry about how to get around.
If you are looking for a website to book your transfer, go to viator.com, where prices vary depending on group size. If you want to be more spontaneous, you can also take a cab, which costs between $2 and $10.
Hotel costs
Egypt is the perfect destination for a budget trip or a luxury vacation for a travel beginner, as there are all kinds of hotels. However, it is very important to choose your travel time wisely, as prices are higher during the high season, which lasts from May to August. Prices start at $10 per night and go up to $150 per night. If you want to get your money’s worth, go to booking.com and secure your ideal hotel room.
Food costs
While food prices in Egypt can vary, the average cost of food in Egypt is $10 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, an average meal in Egypt should cost around $4 per person. Breakfast tends to be slightly cheaper than lunch or dinner. Prices for food in sit-down restaurants in Egypt are often higher than fast food or street food.
Entertainment and Activities
Entertainment and activities in Egypt cost an average of $60 per person per day. This includes fees for tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses. Sometimes hotels have agreements with excursion companies where you can save money if you book with them. I suggest you check with the front desk at your hotel. I often booked my day trips with Get your guide as they have a great selection of different tours.
Drinks and Food
Since meat was and is so expensive in Egypt that most people cannot afford it, traditional Egyptian cuisine has a high proportion of vegetarian dishes. Mahshi (stuffed zucchini), falafel, or foule (a dish made from a mixture of beans, oil, and spices) are all worth trying.
This changes when you visit the coastal region, where many seafood dishes are used.
For all meat lovers, there is still a wide variety of dishes to choose from. There is usually pita bread, salad, or rice as a side dish.
Regarding food, you will not starve because Egypt is known for being very cheap in this area. The street food there is not to be missed. For daily food expenses, you should calculate $10. It all depends on your eating habits and style.
Languages
In the various Arabic dialects and languages spoken in Egypt, many regional and migrant influences play a significant role.
In Cairo, Eameyyah is the primary and most important dialect, as many Arab people understand it. This is also the dialect used in most media such as movies and music.
In Upper Egypt and cities such as Luxor, Aswan, Qena, and Sohag, the Arabic dialect spoken is Saeidi. This is the second-largest dialect found in Egypt. Different variants of this dialect depend on Upper Egypt’s cities.
In Sinai, the eastern region of the Red Sea, where the Bedouin live, they have their own dialect called Bedawi.
The Berber or Amazigh dialect is found in the western Siwa Oasis and is shared with the Moroccans. Berber is even considered a different language, as it is not understood and does not bear the slightest resemblance to Egyptian Arabic.
When you reach the south of Egypt in Aswan, you meet the Nubians, the original Egyptian people. These people have also developed their own language, which they speak solemnly. Sudan strongly influences the Nubian language.
In addition to these dialects and languages, educated Egyptians usually speak English and/or French as a second language.
Egypt also shines with its own sign language.
Haggling
Hi Grace,
I love your content! It’s beautiful, informative, and very inspirational. I look forward to checking out more of your posts. Thanks for sharing (and also for following my Black Girls Rising account on Pinterest). Your support is much appreciated! Continued success in your travels and your blogging!
Hi Max,
Thank you that you took the time to comment on my blog post.
It felt good reading it and is pushing me to continue writing.
Your Pinterest account stood up to me as it is empowering as I myself am a black girl/woman on the rise. Thank you for that, and keep up the excellent work. Sending much more success your way.