Restroom

Outside of five-star hotels, finding a clean restroom can be quite a challenge.
For a safe bet go to a chainor fast-food restaurant, although some require thatyou make a purchase to use the restroom.
Manywomen avoid public restrooms altogether, which isfrustrating because the hot weather requires drinkingplenty of water.
Women should keep wipes on themto be safe.
For men, finding a urinal is not so difficult,although the stench is sometimes unbearable.
Publicrestrooms are rarely clean and often do not havetoilet paper.
There is also a problem with flushingtoilet paper, so you will usually find a wastebasket forused paper.
Most restaurants, bars, and hotels havea restroom attendant who should receive at least£E1, even if the area is not adequately clean.
Tips areoften their only source of income.
Highway rest stopsusually charge £E1 to use their facilities.

Passports and visas

Visas
U.S. and EU citizens can buy tourist visas on arrivalin Egypt at any Egyptian international airport; theprocess takes only a few minutes, and the windowsselling visas are immediately before immigration(look to the left in Cairo).
The current cost of asingle-entry visa is $15 (payable in U.S. dollars, euros,or pounds sterling), and it is valid for two weeks.
Ifyou plan to stay longer you will have to apply at theMogamma, a building that serves as the bureaucraticcenter of the country, located in Cairo across from theEgyptian Museum.
The visa is often more expensiveif you buy it in advance in your home country.
You'llfind a kiosk immediately before immigration in everymajor airport.
All visitors must have at least sixmonths validity on their passports to enter Egypt.

If you have booked through a tour operator or havearranged a transfer with your hotel, the representativewill be waiting for you in the arrivals hall and will helpwith this process, but it's not complicated.

If you arrive in Egypt via Israel at Taba you will not beable to buy a full tourist visa at the border crossing.They will only issue a visa limiting you to the Sinairegion; to get a tourist visa that allows you to travelto other parts of Egypt, you must visit the EgyptianConsulate in Eilat.

Health

There are several minor hazards in Egypt that youneed to bear in mind.
First, never underestimate thepower of the sun.
Even in the coolest months, there'sa risk of sunburn and sunstroke.
Stay out of thesun as much as possible, wear a hat when you areout and about, apply high-SPF sun cream regularly(international brands are available in pharmacies andsupermarkets), and keep hydrated by drinking plentyof fluids (not alcohol).

Water quality is a concern.
Never drink water fromthe tap water or from public fountains.
Local peopledrink this water but it may contain microbes thatyour body isn't used to.
Ice in five-star hotels shouldbe produced using purified water, but if in doubtask for drinks without ice (min gheir talg).
Bottledwater (mayya ma'daniya) is inexpensive and readilyavailable.
Remember to check that the seal on thebottle is intact before you open it.

If you are traveling with children, all this advice goesdouble.
Children may not be aware that they are be‐ginning to suffer from dehydration or sunstroke.
Givethem plenty to drink even if they don't complain ofbeing thirsty, and keep their heads and skin covered.

Most people get some form of intestinal disturbancein Egypt.
This can be a minor change in regularity putdown to a change in water supply or the hot weather,but it's sometimes more serious and may be relatedto the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Tominimize your risk, make sure the meat you eat iswell cooked, avoid unpeeled fruits and vegetables,and avoid dairy products, unless the packaging looksas if it comes from a legitimate factory and is storedin a functional refrigerator.
Ask about whether thesalad in your hotel has been washed in purified water.Antinal is a locally produced remedy for traveler'sdiarrhea that's inexpensive and effective, but ifsymptoms become severe call a doctor immediately.
The main danger here is dehydration, so if you cannotkeep down liquids, don't hesitate to call for a doctorimmediately.

Do not swim in the Nile, and don't drink the riverwater because of the risk of picking up waterborneparasites.
Avoid all standing freshwater, as there isthe risk of bilharzia (schistosomiasis).

There's little risk of malaria in Egypt—so there'sno need to take antimalarial tablets—but it's worthprotecting yourself from insect bites as some of theselittle critters do carry dengue fever or West Nile virus.
You can buy anti-insect skin creams and sprays inpharmacies and tourist shops.
It's easy to buy the

antimosquito coils that burn to give off fumes thatrepel the insects.

Etiquette and behavior

BehaviorDress is a very important part of respect in Egypt.Wearing shorts, short skirts, and halter tops in thestreets is considered inappropriate, despite the factthat many tourists persist in being inappropriatelyattired.
Cover shoulders and knees when you entermosques and churches.

Beyond this, the relationship between the sexes isvery different compared to a non-Muslim country.
Public displays of affection such as kisses on the lipsbetween couples are frowned upon in Egypt.
This isa country where kissing and cuddling is consideredprivate behavior.
Public drunkenness is alsodiscouraged.

Sexuality is not widely discussed in Egypt, and homo‐sexuality remains taboo.
Therefore an open gay pop‐ulation is hard to come by, and a general acceptancealso isn't prevalent.
However, there is a large gay andlesbian population that remains underground.
Whilethere's no law against homosexuality, gay men in par‐ticular can be jailed and/or prosecuted under Egypt'swide-ranging and ill-defined indecency laws.
Withdiscretion, gay travelers can expect to get along fine,as most Egyptians will assume that the relationshipis simply a friendship, and public shows of affectionamongst men (holding hands and walking arm in arm)

is a normal show of masculine brotherhood in Egyptand many other Muslim countries.

Hours of operation

Banks are open for business 9 to 2 Sunday throughThursday, although certain branches stay open until5 pm.
In addition, you can withdraw money from yourhome bank using ATMs found outside major banksand inside hotels.
Businesses are usually open by 8am and close by 4 or 5 pm Sunday through Thursday.

Egypt's postal offices are open from 8:30 to 3.
Thelarger post offices in Cairo—Muhammad Farid (Down‐town), Ataba Square (next to the Postal Museum), andthe Ma'adi offices—are open until 6 pm daily.

Shops are generally open 9 am until 10 pm, althoughthey may open and close later.
Many close for atleast an hour for Friday prayers and some closeon Sundays, though in the tourist towns, souvenirshops are open daily.
In the coastal resorts, shopssometimes close during the afternoons.

HolidaysEgypt's fixed national holidays include New Year's Day(January 1) Sinai Liberation Day (April 25), Labor Day(May 1), Evacuation Day (June 18), and RevolutionDay (July 23).

The Muslim lunar calendar is normally 10 to 11days earlier than the Gregorian year.
The month ofRamadan lasts for anywhere from 28 to 30 days and

entails fasting—no food, water, or smoking—fromdawn to sunset.
It's followed by Ead al-Fetr, knownas the "small feast" in English. The "big feast" is Eidal-Adha, which occurs at the end of the PilgrimagePeriod.
The other two main Muslim holidays are theMuslim New Year (in late March or early April), andthe Prophet Muhammad's birthday (falling anywherebetween late May and late June).
Coptic holidays areobserved by Coptic citizens only.
They are Christmas(January 7), Baptism (January 20), Palm Sunday (theSunday before Easter), and Easter.

Time

Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT.
The country alters
its daylight saving time each year so it is best to
check the local time upon arrival.

Packing

The key to packing for a trip to Egypt is to focus on lightweight and practical items for daytime sightseeing.
Cottons, linens, and moisture-wicking
fabrics make the most sensible choices for the heat.
Egypt is an Islamic country, albeit a more open society than some in the Middle East, but attitudes toward dress are
still more conservative than in the United States, particularly with regard to women's attire.
The clientele in Cairo's upmarket hotels and nightclubs tend to dress up.
Resort towns on the Red Sea are the exception; foreign women are more or less free to dress how they want.

It's important that all travelers—but particularly women—not expose too much flesh.
Pack T-shirts with sleeves that end between shoulder and elbow ratherthan tank tops or those with spaghetti straps.
Many women wear light scarves to cover their necks and shoulders; these can be bought cheaply on the street or in bazaars.
Long shorts and Capri pants are fine for women, but full-length pants are better.
Skirts should be at least knee length.
Short shorts and short skirts will cause stares; moreover, to visit churches and mosques in Egypt women must have shoulders and knees covered.
In mosques you'll also need to cover your hair, so if you don't want to use a scarf supplied by the mosque, carry your own lightweight scarf.

For men, long shorts are acceptable when you're traveling on tours, but full-length lightweight pants are preferable and are especially recommended in Cairo and in the desert, where they offer more protection from the sun. Regular T-shirts are fine, but lightweight collared shirts help protect your neck and arms from the sun better.
Only a few hotels require a jacket and tie (most notably the Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor), but men will be expected to wear long pants, collared shirts, and shoes (not sandals) in the evenings.

If you travel in winter, pack a fleece or a jacket for the cold evening air.
This is especially true if you intend to overnight in the desert.
Beachwear is appropriate only around the pool or at upscale beaches.
You may find visitors of other nationalities scantily dressed in hotel lobbies and even
around town, but this is against local sensibilities.

Must packs: comfortable shoes, because you'll be walking a lot and climbing up and down rickety or badly set stairs into tombs; a hat, because the sun is hot at all times of year; sunglasses, because temple facades and rock faces are extremely bright in the daylight; and sunscreen to protect any exposed skin.
Pharmacies in Egypt are well stocked.
Don't bother bringing expensive prescription medicine for intestinal upsets.
Instead, buy Antinal, a locally available intestinal antibiotic that is commonly used
to treat diarrhea, when you arrive in Egypt, and take a couple the moment you feel any problems.
It's cheap (about $1.50), available in every pharmacy, and very effective.
In more serious cases, a doctor or pharmacist can prescribe a stronger antibiotic, which will cost much less than at home.

Extra stuff that will be helpful includes: a small flashlight for visiting dimly lit tombs and temples; lightweight binoculars, to allow you a clearer view of
monumental temple facades, and for bird-watching on the Nile; antibacterial gel, so that you can clean your hands before eating no matter where you are.

Except in the Western Desert, you can buy almost anything you need in the cities and main towns, from baby formula to feminine hygiene products and contact lens supplies, but prices may be more expensive than at home.

When you go to Egypt

When you go to Egypt,

It's best to visit Egypt in the cooler season, which begins in November and ends in March. Summers can be oppressive, especially in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. And forget about going to the desert oases in summer.

Generally speaking, it doesn't rain in Egypt.
In cooler months, Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast can get cloudy, and a few wet days aren't uncommon. Considering how arid and relentlessly sunny the rest of the country is, these brief wet conditions can be a
welcome relief.

Weather along the Mediterranean or Red Sea coasts remains temperate throughout the year.
The water does get a bit cold between December and March, but never frigid.

CLIMATE

Egypt's climate is characterized by hot and dry summers in most of the country.
The areas that are most humid are the Delta and along the Mediterranean

coast.
Summer lasts from the end of April until the beginning of October.
Spring is very short, if not nonexistent. Winter is mild, but nights do get cool.

The most important time of year to keep in mind is the 50 days of the khamaseen.
Between the end of March and mid-May, dust storms whip up occasionally and blot out the sky.

Customs and duties

When entering Egypt, there are few restricted items, beyond the normal prohibited goods, such as firearms, narcotics, etc.
Customs officers will be concerned if you bring in goods in large amounts to sell for a profit—for instance, large numbers of cameras or mobile phones—but most visitors have no problems.

The Egyptian authorities are very keen to keep control of their historical heritage, so you'll need official paperwork to allow you to export anything regarded as an antique or antiquity.

If you want to bring your pet, you'll need a certificate of origin and a health certificate.
The certificate of origin should be from the breeder or store where you bought your pet. The certificate of health needs to be dated and stamped by your vet.

When you arrive in Egypt you can bring in alcohol and tobacco duty-free.
You can also buy further supplies at accredited duty-free shops during the first 48 hours after you arrive. In Cairo, you'll find shops at the airport, City Stars Mall, and in the Mohandiseen district.
There are also shops in El Gouna and SharmEl-Sheikh.

Money

It's fine to tip tour guides in U.S. dollars, but for small tips (restroom attendants especially) local currency is better since £E1 is worth far less than US$1.
Few stores accept U.S. dollars, so you should plan to exchange currency.
ATMs (makinat al-flus) are plentiful in major tourist areas, and you can rely on them to restock your wallet with Egyptian pounds, but they may be difficult to find (or broken) in smaller, more out-of-the-way places.
Most large tourist hotels have banks right in the hotel that can do currency exchange; some of these will also have ATMs.

You'll need cash to purchase locally produced souvenirs in markets, cheap snacks and beverages in small stores, and for taxi, felucca, and carriage rides. All restrooms in Egypt are attended, and the staff expect a small tip of £E1 or at least 50 piastres.
Be prepared to tip a few pounds for all kinds of service; £E5 and £E10 are the most useful notes for short taxi rides, small purchases, and for tipping.
All major hotels, cruise ships, and leading restaurants take payment by credit cards.
In shops and souks, cash is still king.
Far fewer establishments outside hotels take credit cards, and paying by credit card can incur 2% to 3% surcharges.

Prices throughout are given for adults.
Substantially reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

ATMs and Banks Your own bank will probably charge a fee for using ATMs abroad; the foreign bank you use may also charge a fee.
Nevertheless, you'll usually get a better rate of exchange at an ATM than you will at a currency-exchange office or even when changing money in a bank.
And extracting funds as you needthem is a safer option than carrying around a large amount of cash.

ATMs that accept international cards (Cirrus and PLUS) are numerous in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and in the coastal resorts of Hurghada, El Gouna, and Sharm El-Sheikh. You can find them at bank branches, in shopping malls, post offices, and in the lobbies of major hotels.
Major providers include the National Bank of Egypt, HSBC, Credit Agricole Egypt, and National Societe General Bank (NSGB).
Screen commands are in Arabic, English, and sometimes French.

In the oases of the Western Desert, the banking system still lags behind the rest of Egypt. Bring enough cash with you to fully fund your trip.

Credit Cards
It's a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, especially if you're going abroad and don't travel internationally very often.
Otherwise, the credit-card company might put a hold on your

card owing to unusual activity—not a good thing halfway through your trip.
Record all your credit-card numbers—as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen—in a safe place, so you're prepared should something go wrong.
Both MasterCard and Visa have general numbers you can call (collect if you're abroad) if your card is lost, but you're better off calling the number of your issuing bank, since MasterCard and Visa usually just transfer you to your bank; your bank's number is usually printed on your card.Major credit cards (American Express not as often) are accepted at most hotels, large stores, and restaurants.