Passport and Visa Requirements
In order to enter Egypt you must have a valid passport, and it must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date. A visa is also required for Egypt and may be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate office in your area, or upon arrival in Egypt at a cost of $25.00 US per person. Make sure you have the correct amount available. Your passport will also be registered within one week of your arrival in Cairo. Normally your hotel will register it for you ad return it within 24 hours.

Health Regulations and Medical Requirements
Vaccinations are not required to visit Egypt unless you come from a high-risk area, such as visiting an area infected with smallpox, yellow fever or cholera before arriving in Egypt. In this case you must have valid vaccination certificates. Egypt has excellent medical care facilities with qualified doctors as well as well-equipped hospitals in major cities. Pharmacies as well are generally open 24 hours a day, however prescriptions should be filled before traveling. Only drink bottled water always be prepared with sunblock and a good sunhat.

Language
The offical language of Egypt is Arabic, however many other languages are also spoken such as English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Currency
The national currency is the Egyptian Pound (LE) which is kown as Guineh in Arabic. Each pound is divided into 100 Piasters (1LE= 100 Piasters) with different banknotes. ATM machines are found in cities, large towns as well as most hotels. Major hotels will be sure to accept credit cards as well as traveler’s checks. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency you can bring in or out of Egypt. Money can also be exchanged at banks or at the counter of your hotel. Be sure to stay away from Black market exchanges as they are illegal and can cause trouble. Banks are open 9-2 and 5-7pm, most services are priced in US dollarsor euros rather than egyptian pounds.

Climate
Egypt has a moderate climate with the best season being September through June, with a comfortable daytime temperature. In Upper Egypt, such as Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, the weather is known to be comfortably warm. Heavier rainfall is usually confined to January and February. In the summer months, Upper Egypt tends to get very hot, and the weather is hot and dry, so sightseeing should be done in the early morning.


Clothing
In the summer, you only need to wear light cotton clothing, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. At all times, modesty in clothing should be observed, wear bathing suits and shorts at the beach or swimming pools only. A good rule is to have your back covered as well as your shoulders. Women in particular should cover their arms and head when visiting mosques you will be expected to take your shoes off as well. Comfortable walking shoes are also important. In the winter months, long slacks or long walking shorts are recommended, as well as sweaters.

Shopping
Cairo shopping is known to be very adventurous. Items such as brass, copper, Egyptian handicrafts, blown glass, papyrus, leather goods, perfumes, silver and gold jewelry, and textiles are all items to be found. Be sure to have a gold cartouche made with your name written in hieroglyphics! Make a stop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar for a better variety of interesting and artistic goods, or even bargain with the original price quoted to you! More modern day items are available at the stores and shopping malls.

Children
Egypt offers a variety of activities for children and young teenagers with theme parks, libraries and museums for children. Kids’ Clubs in many resorts host sporting activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing. Hotels generally offer a babysitting service as well.

Health Precautions
It is recommended to drink only bottled water with no ice. Eating should be done in the hotel restaurants or leading restaurants. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to make sure all food is well cooked, and peel all your fruits and eat only cooked vegetables. Be wary of fruit juices as the may be diluted with local water. Medication for upset stomachs should also be on hand, as well as sunscreen!

Cuisine
Egyptian food is known to be mildly spicy with a wide range of dishes to suit all tastes and budgets. Grilled meat kebabs and kofta, or fresh baladi, (Egyptian Bread) and fresh seafood are all Egyptian specialties. International and Vegetarian Cuisines are also well represented.

Photography
Film and photographic equipment tend to be expensive in Egypt so be sure to bring plenty of supplies with you. You will need a flash to photograph inside the monuments and for outdoor pictures, a low ASA film or light meter is recommended, as the sun is very bright. You will need special permission from the Ministry of Culture and information to take pictures inside the Egyptian Museum, some tombs, as well as the Coptic Museum. As well, some museums and historic sites restrict photography due to the protection of antiquities. However, if you are ever in doubt do not hesitate to ask. Be sure to bring a plastic bag for your camera to protect it from the fine sand and dust.


Local Transportaion
Transportation is very plentiful in Egypt with taxis in major cities, and cars are available for hire at most airports and hotels. EgyptAir runs frequent connecting flights among Egypt tourist cities and a high-speed train service links Cairo with other major cities, offering a sleeping service over longer distances. Most destinations are also available by air-conditioned buses or coaches.

Business Hours and Public Holidays
Government offices and Banks are generally open between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm every day except Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays. Friday is traditionally the weekly day of rest, and since Islam is the principal religion of Egypt, Islamic holidays are the basis of most Public Holidays.
Most shops are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm except on Sundays, however times may vary in shopping centers’ and during Ramadan.
Banking Hours are 8:30 am to 1:00 pm an 4:30 pm to 7:30pm, every day except Sunday where the hours are 10:00 AM to 12pm Noon. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Public Holidays (Fixed Dates)
January 7th: Coptic Christmas Day
April 25th: Sinai Liberation Day
May 1st: Labor Day
July 23rd: Revolution Day (commemorating the abolition of the monarchy in 1952)
October 6th: Armed Forces Day

Credit Cards
American Express, Master Card and Visa are accepted in major hotels and shops however on most of the Nile Cruises, credit card is not accepted so be SURE to have Egyptian Pounds taken out from eith an ATM or the hotel.

Time Zone and Voltage
Egypt is GMT +2 (+3 during the summertime) or 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The voltage is 220 Volts and the wall plugs re the round, two prong European style so be sure to bring a converter with you to charge all electronics.

Remember to Pack
Talcum powder, mosquito repellent, sun block, flashlight (for the tombs and museums).

Internet services
Internet access in most egypt is easy and inexpensive.Most Hotels do not offer it for free but you will find plenty of internet cafes that offer wirelessfor free.

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