Egypt – General Information on the Country & People

Planning a trip to Egypt but not sure what to expect? With the following tips and information on the country and its people, you'll be well-prepared for your journey.

1. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO EGYPT

Egypt can be visited year-round, so the best time depends on your personal preferences.

We recommend the months from March to June and from September to late November as ideal. During this time, you can expect the best weather conditions for a dream beach vacation.

The excluded months are either very hot and dry or, by Egyptian standards, quite cool, especially at night.

2. THE CLIMATE IN EGYPT

The climate is subtropical, warm, and dry. Due to Egypt's location, most areas have a desert climate.
This mainly affects the inland areas as well as the entire Red Sea coast, where there's little to no rainfall.
Only in the Mediterranean coastal regions is the climate more Mediterranean, with occasional rainfall in winter.

The proximity to the sea brings a pleasant breeze to both coasts, unlike inland, making the high temperatures more bearable.
‍Summer temperatures range from 31°C to 41°C depending on the region.

In the winter months from November to March, daytime temperatures are around 20°C, with nights about ten degrees cooler.

3. THE IDEAL TRAVEL DURATION

As with the best travel time, the ideal travel duration depends on your preferences.

Many tourists spend just one week in Egypt, which is enough for a beach vacation.
However, if you want to experience the country and its people and enjoy ample time at the beach or in the water, plan for a longer stay.

For our four trips, we chose to stay 10-14 nights each time. This allowed us to visit all the sights at a relaxed pace while also enjoying some beach days and diving trips.
Therefore, we recommend a 10-14 day stay.

4. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Classical Arabic is the general national and written language. In Egypt, two types of Arabic are spoken, depending on the occasion.
Classical Arabic is used for official events and in mosques, while Egyptians speak Arabic with an Egyptian dialect in daily life. News broadcasters on radio and TV report in both languages.

In tourist areas, you’ll get along well with English.

5. CURRENCY & PAYMENT

The official currency is the Egyptian pound.

In hotels in Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh, you can pay for excursions, restaurant bills, or tips in euros or US dollars.
Regardless of the currency, always double-check the exchange rate, as it may sometimes be more expensive to pay in foreign currencies.

You can use major credit cards to withdraw cash at ATMs, banks, or hotel receptions.

6. TIPPING IN EGYPT

Wages in Egypt are very low and cannot be compared to those in many other countries. For many Egyptians, tips are an important source of additional income.

Right upon arrival, you'll encounter tipping at the airport, as someone might insist on carrying your luggage and expect a tip for loading it onto the bus.
Tipping is voluntary and not mandatory, but it’s an integral part of a holiday in Egypt—nothing runs without tipping here.

Compared to other residents, most hotel staff are relatively well-off; they have a steady job, food, and shelter.
With the most interaction with tourists, particularly those who stay within the hotel, they frequently receive tips.
While waiters and cleaning staff expect tips, other employees, such as gardeners, chefs, guards, and porters, who receive tips less often, are even more appreciative.

Ultimately, you decide how much to tip and who deserves it.

However, consider this: Who needs the money more—you, so you can dine out once or twice more, or the person who relies on it to feed their family and for whom a vacation like yours is an unthinkable luxury?

7. CRIME

The border areas near Gaza, the Egyptian-Israeli border, and the Sahara regions bordering Libya are declared restricted areas by authorities and are off-limits to travelers.

Crime in the tourist areas of Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Cairo is relatively low.
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Most crimes involve pickpocketing, theft of valuables, and occasional incidents involving women.
Crime exists worldwide, so don’t let statistics or reports discourage you. We felt safe throughout our stay!

Just follow these tips:

• Keep an eye on your valuables and never leave them unattended!
• Avoid wearing jewelry and carrying handbags in public!
• Keep valuables hidden and only carry the cash you need!
• Always use the hotel safe for valuables, passports, and large sums of cash!
• Try to be back at your hotel by dusk if possible.

8. ARRIVAL & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Flight times to Egypt vary depending on your departure location. For example, flights from European countries average 4 to 5 hours, while flights from North America or Asia may take significantly longer.

Many international airlines operate flights to Egypt, including Eurowings, Condor, TUIfly, EgyptAir, and major global carriers. Use platforms like skyscanner.com to find and compare the best options for your location.

Most travelers will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond their travel date.
Temporary passports are also accepted in some cases.
Citizens from specific countries may be allowed to enter Egypt with a national ID card (e.g., certain EU countries), but this option is not universally recognized by Egyptian authorities.
Carrying a passport is highly recommended.

A visa is required for entry to Egypt.
A 30-day tourist visa costs approximately $25 USD (or the equivalent in other currencies) and can be purchased upon arrival at airport counters before passport control.
Visitors from eligible countries can also apply for an e-visain advance through the official Visa2Egypt website.

Important: Double-check all information during the e-visa application, as errors can lead to rejection upon arrival, requiring you to pay for a new visa.

9. GETTING AROUND IN EGYPT

Egypt is affordable and easy to explore independently. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in Egyptian life!
Depending on where and how far you want to travel and your preferences, different means of transport are suitable.
Here’s a summary of the main options:

IN CITIES

In cities like Hurghada or Luxor, you’ll get around best on foot.
Be aware that street vendors can make your strolls challenging.

You can also travel cheaply with taxis or microbuses.
Microbuses are often privately owned and usually unmarked.
They don’t have a set schedule, typically waiting until all 14 seats are filled.
Confirm your destination with the driver upon boarding.

In larger cities like Cairo or Alexandria, in addition to microbuses, there are regular buses that you can easily use.
Enter at the back, where you purchase your ticket, and exit at the front.

FROM YOUR HOTEL

Most hotels offer free shuttle buses to nearby towns, bazaars, or malls. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
Tip: Exit your hotel grounds and negotiate with a street taxi for a cheaper rate.

Another option is to rent a car, which you can book in advance on international platforms like rentalcars.com to avoid sold-out cars.
If you plan on heading to the desert, choose a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Always opt for full insurance with no deductible; it’s worth the extra cost as the chance of your car getting scratched is high.
Important: A valid international driver’s license is required to rent a car in Egypt!

10. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION

A good hotel is often crucial for a successful trip.
Egypt has a vast selection, from simple to luxurious accommodations.

All-inclusive packages are especially popular in resorts like Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Marsa Alam.
Our stays have always been all-inclusive, but it’s essential to adjust your expectations as the food and cocktails in Egyptian all-inclusive hotels differ from those in the Caribbean or Asia.
Quality cocktails are hard to come by, while the buffet, especially for hot dishes, is very international.
On the other hand, the Egyptians excel at sweet dishes.

Egypt offers more than just all-inclusive hotels.
You could also enjoy a great vacation on a self-catering basis.

You’ll likely find the perfect accommodation on popular sites like booking.com.

11. SPECIFIC VACCINATIONS FOR EGYPT

If you’re on a package holiday, no special vaccinations are necessary.
However, doctors recommend vaccination against Hepatitis A.

For longer stays or special expeditions, vaccination against Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, and Meningococcal disease (ACWY) is recommended.

12. OTHER IMPORTANT TIPS FOR EGYPT

• Avoid tap water! If you don’t want to spend your vacation sick, use bottled water for everything, even brushing your teeth.
• Haggle with everyone over almost everything! Most Egyptians live in poverty or below the poverty line, so it’s understandable that they might charge tourists a little more.
• Don’t rush! Take things slow and don’t be surprised if things take longer. Punctuality isn’t a priority here. It’s normal to stop mid-street to chat with the bus driver about the latest gossip.
• Modesty is appreciated! Egypt is an Islamic country with stricter rules, so it’s important to respect their norms, even within hotel grounds.
• Follow customs regulations! Shells and coral are considered national property and cannot be taken out of the country.
  Markets are also filled with counterfeit goods, and purchasing these can lead to heavy fines if discovered upon returning to your home country.
  The same applies to the import of tobacco products, such as cigarettes or shisha tobacco, which are subject to customs regulations. For detailed information, consult your country’s customs authority.

Our top highlights that you shouldn’t miss in Sharm El Sheikh are covered in our post Our 6 Highlights in Sharm El Sheikh — check it out!

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
  
• Discover the best accommodations
• Experience amazing excursions around Sharm El Sheikh
• Unique diving experiences with Blue Water Dive Hurghada

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.