Egyptians are very kind, welcoming, and friendly. They love tourists and love to showcase their country.
• When greeting local Egyptian, please avoid hugs and kisses
• Local men and women hug and kiss that of the same sex on the streets. Affection between men and women is very private.
• Please check in with Egypt Air at LEAST 3 hours prior to the departuretime.
• Egypt Air closes their check in counters an hour prior the flight’s departure time.
• Egypt Air allows 2 pieces of luggage, 50 pounds (23 kilograms) EACH,and a carry on.
• Domestic carriers in the U.S. allow 50 pounds only. Please check with your local carrier for their own restrictions.
• Please do NOT check your luggage all the way to Cairo. Upon arrival in JFK, please claim your luggage and hand them to Egypt Air.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the travel date.
• The cost of the visa is calculated in the cost of your tour package.
• There are no necessary inoculations before traveling to Egypt.
• Bring an anti diarrhea medication with you JUST IN CASE.
• Current exchange rate 1 Dollar = 5.32 Egyptian Pounds
• Credit cards, debit cards, and Travelers checks are accepted at major stores and hotels. ATM machines are available in most hotels.
• Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound. The currency denominations are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, & 100.
• United States dollars, Euros, British pounds, and Egyptian pounds are accepted everywhere.
• Exchanging money in Egypt is much cheaper than exchanging money abroad. We recommend exchanging your money in the hotel.
• Please bring money in small denominations (5, 10, 20) of your local currency to be used for shopping.
• Bring a large capacity memory cards or lots of high speed film.
• Photography is not allowed in tombs, however it is allowed in most temples. Your guide will let you know whether or not it is permissible to take photos.
• Drink only bottled mineral water.
• Try to avoid raw vegetables for the first couple of days until your system gets used to the new bacteria.
• All foods in the hotels, local restaurants that Guardian Travel recommends, and Nile cruises are safe to eat.
• Peel the skin off all raw fruits and vegetables.
• If you have any dietary restriction, please notify us before your departure.
• In Egypt you can find the following items:
Jewelry, oriental carpets, Papyrus, essential perfume oils, cotton and textile products, statues, and much more.
• Bargaining for a product is accepted in Egypt.
• Egypt has a very dry climate with plenty of sun shine.
• Due to its desert climate, temperatures drop rapidly during the evening.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Click here for average year-round temperatures
•Egypt is 7 hours ahead of the United States Eastern Standard time or
2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
• Voltage in Egypt is 220-240 volts/ 50 cycles.
• Wall plugs are the round two-pronged European style.
• American electronics will not work in Egypt without a transformer and a converter.
• Most new laptops and electronics are equipped to operate between 100-240 volts. Please check your devices before your departure.
Passport
Airline Tickets
A copy of passport and airline tickets
Money
Medications
Camera, memory cards, or films
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Flashlight
VERY COMFORTABLE walking shoes
Sweater or light jacket
Hat
A change of clothes in your carry on just in case if your luggage don’t arrive on time.
Arabic is the main language in Egypt, however English, Spanish, Italian, and French are widely spoken.
Useful Arabic words
YES: Naa`am.
NO: LA` A
PLEASE: MIN FUD LUCK
THANK YOU: SHUK RUN
YOU'RE WELCOME: AF WAN
OKAY: MA SHE OR HA DIR
HELLO: AH LAN
GOOD MORNING: SA BAAH EL KHAIR
GOOD EVENING: MA SAA EL KHAIR
WATER: MY~YA
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?: BE CAM
GOD WILLING: IN SHAA ALLAH