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Egypt FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions.

Some of the most common questions asked by tourists.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Egypt is a safe destination, and you will have a quiet and pleasant trip to any of its extraordinary cities to do all the activities and visit all its famous sights and beaches. The tourist police, the army, and others provide total security for your visit to avoid the occurrence of any problem.

Can women travel alone? It is safe?

Women should not worry about traveling alone because it is safe, as policemen, army soldiers, and tourist police are spread all over the country to protect tourists and citizens. Therefore, you will always find them close to your location in case you need help, but you should know that problems will rarely happen, so you should not be afraid to travel to Egypt alone.

What do I need to do to obtain my tourist visa?

You must go to the Egyptian Embassy to apply for your tourist visa. In case you are from another country like Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Western Europe, North America, or others, you are allowed to take your tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt.

What should I do to apply for a tourist visa if I live in a county other than the one mentioned in my passport?

You can get your tourist visa by applying to the Egyptian Consulate in the country where you live in case you have a residence permit, but if you do not have such a permit, you must apply for the visa in the country mentioned in your passport.

Am I allowed to visit Cairo or Luxor if I am in a resort in Sinai?

Visiting cities in Egypt located in the west of the Red Sea or along the Suez Canal requires having a full tourist visa, although several Sinai resorts do not require a multi-nationality visa.

Am I allowed to visit Cairo or Luxor if I am in a resort in Hurghada?

The moment you leave Hurghada, you will be asked for a full tourist visa, however, staying in Hurghada does not require a multi-nationality visa.

Does returning to Egypt require a visa in case you decide to travel to Jordan and return?

Yes, you must apply for another visa to enter Egypt again because your visa is stamped when you leave the country. You can also get a new visa upon arrival in case you are from a country that is allowed to do so.

Can I extend my tourist visa to more than one month?

Yes, it is allowed, and in this case, you must go to Mogamma in Tahrir Square or other alternative offices in cities such as Luxor, Alexandria, or others to request the extension of your tourist visa.

How can I tell the difference between a 5-star and 5-star luxury hotel or cruise?

Booking a 5-star luxury cruise is more preferable to just a 5-star cruise because you will get more comfortable and entertaining accommodation due to the availability of more luxurious facilities. When you choose to book a 5-star luxury cruise, you can enjoy more luxuriously appointed cabins, a variety of quality and fascinating meals, relaxing massages, a Jacuzzi, and more amenities.

Why is it more preferable to stay in a hotel near the pyramids than to stay in the center?

The first thing to do when visiting Cairo is to head to the great pyramids of Giza, especially if you are staying for a few days, and thus booking a room in a hotel near the pyramids will allow you to visit various tourist sites easily and in a short time without getting stuck in the downtown traffic jam. Hotels near the Pyramids also offer more luxurious facilities like outdoor pools, beautiful gardens to relax in, and more to ensure you get entertaining accommodation. Also, the cost of staying in a resort in the pyramids area is less than that of downtown hotels.

Can I leave after the day's tour ends or should I stay at the hotel?

You don’t have to stay at the hotel because it will be more fun to go out and start exploring Egypt on your own to learn more about its culture and deal with the Egyptian people. You should try to do some shopping to get Egyptian souvenirs and gifts to take home to always remind you of your interesting journey. You can also try an incredible dinner on a Nile cruise where you can enjoy musical performances, belly dancing, and others.

Where can I store my valuable possessions in hotels or cruise ships?

A safe is always available in hotels and on cruise ships so you can store your expensive items without worrying about their loss. You can find out the instructions for using the safe by asking the reception staff and they will provide you with all the necessary information to be able to put your things in the safe.

Where can I find the main bus station in Cairo?

You can get to the main bus station, which is called Cairo Gateway, by heading to the Torgoman area located near the city center. You can easily go by taking a taxi.

Is the reservation of tickets for the night train available online?

No, the tickets for the night train cannot be booked online, but they can be booked by phone by calling El Watania, and then you will have a booking reference to take the tickets to Cairo station and pay their cost at a maximum of 24 hours before the departure of the train.

Do you prefer to take a bus to travel from Cairo to Luxor or vice versa?

Tourists are better off using trains or taking a flight to their destination because these air-conditioned buses can be a bit crowded and you may not be able to buy a ticket, but they are still useful means of transportation.

Can I buy a ticket at the bus station on the same day as my trip?

Yes, you can, but it is preferable that you buy your ticket at least 24 hours before your trip because buying it the same day can reduce your chances of finding available seats next to each other, and this will not be suitable, especially if you are traveling with your children

Should I be concerned about driving in Egypt or is it safe?

It is safe to drive in Egypt, but it is better to use any of the means of transport available in Egypt to have a comfortable trip and reach your destination in a short time, especially if it is your first time driving in Egypt and you are not aware of the roads.

Is it allowed to rent a bicycle to get to the West Bank in Luxor?

Yes, it is possible, but it is not preferable because in areas like Luxor during the day the weather can be very hot, so it will not be comfortable for you to handle this heat. Also, there are no roads specified for cycling only, so you will be on the same road for cars.

How can I get to Abu Simbel?

If you want easy and comfortable transportation to Abu Simbel, you need to take a flight that takes about 4 hours, which includes the round trip and the visit. You can also get to Abu Simbel by taking a police-controlled bus from Aswan.

Is it allowed to cruise from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan?

To get to Luxor or Aswan from Cairo, you have to take a flight or train because taking a cruise directly from Cairo is not available.

Is it possible to explore any of the three pyramids of Giza from the inside?

Yes, it is allowed, but there is a limited number of tickets, and you can only buy these tickets from the main entrance. You have to get there early so you can find a ticket because they sold out quickly.

Is it allowed to take photos inside the tombs?

Taking photos inside the tombs is not allowed, and at some sites like Valle del Rey, visitors are asked to put down their cameras before entering because using the camera flash can ruin artwork inside the tombs. Therefore, you must follow the rules to avoid the occurrence of any problems.

Are tourist destinations limited to those that are repeated in each travel package to Egypt offered by several companies?

Some particular destinations may be included in every Egypt travel package because companies take into account that most tourists are heading to Egypt for the first time, so they focus on including the sites that must be visited and cannot be postponed for later. . You should know that Egypt comprises a large number of historical destinations not to be missed.

Is there certain clothing for men to enter a mosque?

Men are preferred to wear long pants and not shorts in case of entering a mosque, but they will not face any problem if they wear shorts.

Should women wear a specific outfit before entering a mosque?

It is preferred that you cover your skin and wear a headscarf as a kind of respect for the religious site, but it is not required.

Will they ask me to wear a certain outfit on a cruise ship?

On a cruise, you are allowed to wear whatever you want, but you can be asked to dress well for dinner. Formal wear is not mandatory, so you can wear casual clothes, but they should be elegant. Swimsuits are not allowed on a cruise.

How do I dress if I decided to walk through the cities?

You can wear whatever you want, but it is preferred that you wear something comfortable like shorts and t-shirts to walk freely.

How should I dress when I visit an attraction?

You can dress as you want, but you must take into account the time of your visit because going to attractions during the day requires wearing something light and covering your skin as it is too hot and sunny. You should also wear flat sneakers because high heels are not preferred.

Should women cover their skin every time they roam the cities?

Women can wear whatever makes them feel comfortable like shorts, T-shirts, and others during their tour, and you will notice that some Egyptian women dress like this, so it is not mandatory to cover all of their skin.

Is it simple to use my credit or debit card in Egypt?

Yes, credit and debit cards are easily accepted and used throughout Egypt, including in hotels, cruise ships, shopping centers, and more. When you decide to do some shopping in the local markets, it is preferable to carry some cash because you may find that some stores do not accept cards.

Are there ATMs available everywhere in Egypt?

Yes, you will find ATMs everywhere, and every bank places security-guarded ATMs at the main doors. ATMs are also available in shopping malls, airports, railway stations, and others, so you can easily find and use them wherever you go.

Is it allowed to buy alcohol in Egypt?

Yes, it is allowed to buy alcohol in Egypt and you will find it available in hotels, some cafes, and restaurants. You should be aware that it is forbidden to drink alcohol on the streets of Egypt, so you must be careful not to break the rules.

Can I bring alcohol with me to Egypt?

Yes, you can, but you need to know that Egypt allows a maximum of 2 liters of alcohol.

Is there a particular legal drinking age in Egypt?

Yes, the legal drinking age in Egypt is 21 years old.