Expo Egypt's Promise

When traveling with Expo Egypt, safety will never be a concern. Our team coordinates with the government to ensure that the highest standards of safety are maintained and that our guests are shielded from any harm or hassle. Since our founding, our guests have never experienced safety concerns or issues in their experiences with us.

Tourists can also play their part, by following our travel advice, staying with our guides, and taking practical precautions. A good approach to ensure your experience runs successfully is by reading this guide to understand Egypt better and to avoid any misunderstandings.

Staying Healthy: Precautions & Protocols

Vaccinations: Aside from the COVID vaccine, no vaccinations are currently needed for visitors to Egypt, unless you are arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic.

Advice: Always stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, but only drink bottled water, and stay away from tap water. Avoid ice in your drink unless it's made from mineral water. Avoid salads and all types of fruit that can't be peeled. Only eat vegetables that have been cooked.

**Please inform Expo Egypt of any special dietary requirements/allergies at least three weeks before your departure date; We will do our best to comply with your needs.

Guests with physical disabilities or those who require frequent medical attention should inform Expo Egypt at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you visit. Your travel insurance should cover:

• Any medical emergencies that happen during the journey
• Any cancellations that occur due to travel bans
• Any cancellation because you have contracted COVID-19 and are unable to travel
• Any part of the tour that you are unable to attend due to an illness Flight cancellations

COVID Protocol*

All travelers must be in possession of a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19 with a QR code, taken at a maximum of 72 hours before their flight departure time or show a certificate with a QR code of getting two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

We highly recommend you use Expo Egypt's travel and transportation services.

By Air

When possible, we recommend flying.

With 26 airports, served by a wealth of global carriers, getting to and around Egypt couldn't be easier. The main airport is the Cairo International Airport (CAI) which connects us to the world and ties all our domestic airports together.

Once you land in Egypt, Expo Egypt will send one of our representatives to pick you up from your arrival gate and help you through clearance and customs, making your arrival a breeze.

By Sea

There are multiple options to travel, sail, or cruise the sea. Egypt is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, with the gift of the Nile connecting our entire country.

Expo Egypt has an entire fleet with a variety of ships and boats through our partnerships.

By Land

An excellent network of paths make up our first-rate transportation system, making traveling by car and other land vehicles convenient and capable of serving millions daily. If you would like to travel on your own, the following are the methods of doing so:

• Ride-sharing Apps: Uber and Careem are reliable ride-sharing platforms, only available in Cairo and Alexandria. The drivers usually don't know the routes that well, so don't be surprised if a journey takes longer than estimated.

• Regular Taxi (White Taxi): Before entering a cab, ask and ensure the meter is working. Expect some reckless driving, especially in Cairo.

• Trains: Whether it's a short trip to a neighboring city or crossing the country on a sleeper train, Egypt's air-conditioned trains will take you to your destination while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the countryside.

• Buses: Egypt has a comprehensive network of bus services linking all major cities, districts, towns, and villages. The most popular and reliable company is GO BUS. Expo Egypt also has a fleet of buses and vans through our partnerships.

Egypt's culture is diverse, with each region adhering to its local heritage. You will experience our cultural commitment to tolerance and hospitality throughout the entire country.

What to Pack

It is advisable to wear light cotton clothing during the warmer months (April to September) and a light jacket for the evenings during the cooler months (October to March). However, our guests come from all around the world and are used to different temperatures; please refer to the Weather Guide, to know what you are more likely to be comfortable wearing.

• Blouses/shirts with long sleeves to protect you from the sun Short sleeve cotton t-shirts and tops
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent Hat and sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Camera
• Bring a book or arrange all your favorite Netflix downloads for the long journey to Egypt. You’ll want to do it ahead of time to not burn your internet data

Dress Code

There is no formal dress code in Egypt for tourists. However, we do have recommendations for respecting the culture around you. We encourage people to dress modestly. A good rule of thumb is to cover your back and shoulders outside the hotel. As most of our experiences require a decent amount of walking, we highly recommended bringing comfortable walking shoes. For outdoor experiences, we recommended bringing a hat and sunglasses for protection against the sun. Beachwear should only be worn at the beach or the pool area of a resort, hotel, or cruise ship.

• Visiting Mosques
  • Men and women will be required to take off their shoes (keeping socks on is allowed) or cover their shoes using the plastic covers that are usually provided by several mosques. Women are generally required to cover their hair with a scarf.

• Helpful Tips
  • If you plan on riding camels by the Pyramids, we advise you to wear slacks or jeans. If someone offers you to wear a headdress, do not be tempted to accept the offer and politely decline.

Photography

• Photographing Locals
  • As a gesture of respect, it's customary to ask for permission when taking a photograph of locals. Usually, Egyptians are welcoming, others might be camera shy, so it's always nice to ask them first.

• Equipment
  • If you plan to travel with digital photographic and/or video equipment, pack the specific charging apparatus for each piece of equipment (as well as the appropriate socket plug adapter and voltage converter if required).

• Restricted Areas
  • There are historic sites where it is prohibited to take photographs and where you may need to buy an additional ticket to take photos. It is illegal to take pictures of police or military personnel.

• Drones
  • Drones are illegal and will be confiscated at the airport.

Alcohol & Drinking

Alcohol is legal and available in hotel outlets, nightclubs, bars and some restaurants.

The official language of Egypt is Arabic. Each part of Egypt has its own unique dialect, but the most common dialect spoken is Egyptian Arabic, which was influenced by the ancient Egyptian language, French, Turkish, and Italian.

Nubian, an Ancient African language, is only spoken in Aswan.

The Ancient Egyptian language is no longer spoken, except in its final form, the Coptic language. It is still recited today in Coptic Orthodox Churches, to which about 10% of the population adheres to; but generally only Clergy and Egyptologists understand it.

Egypt is a country with one of the best weather conditions globally. It is sunny almost all year round, and the temperatures are not too hot or too cold. There is little rain throughout the year, and Egypt hasn't been exposed to natural disasters in centuries.

Egypt is a great destination to visit any time of the year. The high season for traveling to Egypt is between September and March. With sunshine 12 months a year, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun, we recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The chart below provides you with the average highs and lows in Fahrenheit for the popular cities in Egypt. Generally speaking, the temperatures do not fluctuate drastically between the different cities.

The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (abbreviated as LE or L.E). $1 USD equals approximately 18.25 LE.

Exchanging Currency

Banks and money exchange bureaus can be found throughout Egypt, and all major hotels will also readily exchange currency for guests.

Card vs. Cash

American Express, Visa, and Mastercard are all accepted in Egypt. However, we highly recommend you carry cash for purchases made in local areas. The official currency is the Egyptian Pound, but US dollars are usually accepted at tourist sites.

Tipping Guide

Gratuities are discretionary and optional. However, Egypt is a tipping culture, where tips are commonly referred to as "baksheesh." Here are the general expectations for tipping in Egypt; the short list below can be used as a quick reference:

• People

  • Egyptologists & Tour Guides
    • $10 USD per traveler per day (~200 LE EGP)
  • Drivers
    • $4 USD per traveler per day (~80 LE EGP)
  • Camel & Horse Operators
    • $3 USD per traveler (~50 LE EGP)
  • Porters, Luggage Carriers, Washroom
    • $1 USD (~20 LE EGP)
  • Cleaners & Hotel Cleaning Staff
    • $1 USD (~20 LE EGP)

• Service

  • Restaurants & Cafes
    • 10% of total bill
      • Hotel Room Service
    • 10% of total bill

Egypt's country code is +20 or 0020. You can stay connected with a temporary SIM card or utilize roaming with your current carrier. We recommend utilizing your current carrier rather than getting a new sim card.

Getting a SIM Card

Expo Egypt can help you get a SIM card at one of the top carriers in Egypt upon arrival.

US Carriers

Most US carriers offer $10 a day unlimited call and text, with some data. It is recommended to check with your carrier for details before you travel.

Emergency Numbers

• Police: 122
• Ambulance service: 123
• Fire Department: 125