15 Things to Know Before Visiting Egypt
Egypt rewards the prepared traveler with one of the world’s most extraordinary historical experiences. Here’s what you need to know.
- Visa-on-arrival is $25 USD cash at Cairo airport for most Western nationalities
- Hire a guide for Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Valley of Kings, context multiplies the experience
- Tip everyone — tip culture (baksheesh) is integral, ₤5-20 for small services, ₤50-100 for guides per day
- Bring USD cash: strong currency for tipping; small denominations ($1, $5) most useful
- Drink only bottled water; brush teeth with bottled too
- Cover shoulders + knees, especially for women. Egypt is conservative
- At mosques: shoes off, cover hair (women), no shoulders/knees showing
- Nile cruise from Aswan → Luxor is the classic 3-4 night experience
- Pyramids of Giza: go at opening (7am) to beat crowds and heat
- Don’t ride camels at the pyramids without agreed price (start at ₤200, settle ₤500 for 30 min)
- Use Uber/Careem in Cairo, far safer + transparent than street taxis
- Pollution + dust in Cairo is intense — pack allergy meds + saline nasal spray
- Power outlets are Type C/F: European plugs work
- Photography: ask before photographing people; never photograph military/airports
- Best time: October-April (cool weather); avoid June-August (40°C+ heat)