Guide to visiting Egypt
Tips to know before you go:
Tipping culture
Tipping is expected for everything here. If someone carries your bag, shows you to your hotel room, takes a photo for you in a touristy place, resturants and your drivers. Even though you have already paid for the service or food you are still expected to tip. So make sure to always have small bills on you.
Weather
The weather in Egypt is dry and hot and can get as hot as 45'C in the summer which is actually too hot to do anything so best to avoid the summer months (and the crowds). The best time to visit is during the winter months as the crowds are smaller and the temperature ranges from 21'C-24'C which is much more bearable.
Cash is king
Everything that you pay for will most likely be in cash so make sure to have cash on you before you leave the hotel. Most hotels will have an ATM either inside or just outside. Some grocery shops and tourist shops may accept can but it will mostly be cash.
Tap water
DO NOT drink the tap water. You are even advised not to brush your teeth in the tap water and use bottled water. Our particular hotel supplied us with large bottles of water for free.
VISA on arrival
Do not get the visa online beforehand as so many people have paid and never recived their VISA even the one on the goverment website so it's hard where to trust. Some parts of Egypt you do not need a VISA to visit but if you fly into Hurghada then you can get a VISA on arrival. They cost $25 and accept in euros or British pounds and not Egyptian pounds so make sure to come prepared with money. You will need to fill out an arrival card, so make sure to bring a pen, pay for the VISA, you will then get a stamp in your passport and you can then pass through immigration. When leaving you will also need to fill out a departure card before going through passport control.
The roads!
The roads are bumpy and full of pot holes so don't expect a smooth ride. There are also massive speed bumps thorughout the cities that cannot be avoided and it's fair to say they do their job.
Tips to stay safe
Travel with a group- either people you know or join onto a group trip
Do not leave the resort by yourself
Hire a guide when exploring
Must have mobile data
My go-to eSIM's are Holafly (unlimited data), Airalo and Firsty
Use code POSTCARDSFROMRACHAEL for money off Holafly
Use code POSTCARDSFROMRACHAEL3 for money off Airalo
Places to visit
Top activites/tours to do
Hot air balloon ride in Luxor from Hurghada (including temples)
Day trip to Cairo to see the Pyramids
Quad biking in the desert in Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh: Cairo Day Tour by Bus with Guide & Lunch
Aswan: Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & High Dam Tour
Let me know if you have any questions for planning a trip to Egypt, you can send me a message through Thatch or over on my social media.
For more detailed tips on visiting Egypt then head to my Tiktok and Instagram page.
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