Planning Your Journey to Egypt: Tips and Inspiration

Planning Your Journey to Egypt: Tips and Inspiration

Egypt is a fascinating country and an incredible travel destination. Rich heritage, exciting adventures and unforgettable experiences await you in the land of the pharaohs. In addition, the festive atmosphere and the warm welcome of the Egyptians will not leave you indifferent.

If you feel the urge to take the plunge of the incredible Egypt Tours, we have prepared for you this guide rich in advice to properly organize your trip to Egypt. You will find the information you will need to know about concerning visas, transport, housing, security … and many others!

1. Practical Information for a Trip to Egypt: Visa, When to Go

Visa to travel to Egypt

For a tourist visa (valid one month during a period of 3 months) it is necessary to present the following elements:

A passport with a validity of 6 months.
A visa application form
2 photos 4 x 6 (white background)
Visa fees: 275 dh

You must therefore start by completing the visa application form either at the Embassy or online here. After 2-3 weeks, if approved by the Egyptian authorities, you must go to the embassy with the above documents. You will have your visa 3 days later.

When to go on a trip to Egypt

The Egyptian territory is immense with a more or less varied climate. In the north, the climate is Mediterranean, on the other hand more one advances towards the south, it is the dry and Saharan climate which settles with temperatures which can reach 40-50 degrees Celsius in summer.

In general, Egypt is a country that can be visited throughout the year but it is better to favor the relatively cold season (November-April) to travel to the south of Egypt and the hot season (May-October ) to enjoy both coasts, the Mediterranean to the north and the Red Sea to the east of the country.

2. Transportation

To find cheap flights to Egypt consult the tips and advice of experts for cheap flights.

Inter-urban transport:

The train: The Egyptian railway network covers 7600 km and carries more than one million passengers a day. There are 3 classes of train. You can buy your tickets on the internet, at the counter or even with the controller with a symbolic fine. The trains are generally air conditioned with reasonable prices.

Sleeper train: More expensive, this train mainly connects Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. It is advisable to book in advance.

The bus: The bus is the cheapest way to travel to Egypt. The Egyptian bus network is well developed with a quality of service that varies from one company to another. In general, buses are air-conditioned, but check the level of comfort available on board before boarding. Nevertheless, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance if you are traveling to Sinai, Luxor, Aswan or Nubia.

The plane: The main company to offer domestic flights in Egypt is Egyptair. Flying should be a good idea when you have little time and you have to travel long distances, or for people who do not support long bus or train trips. However tickets can be quite expensive.

The car: Caution is required when driving in Egypt, the code of the road is not necessarily respected. Do not hesitate to honk to warn others, avoid driving too fast or driving at night, as many cars drive without lights. In Egypt, there are 3 kinds of essence (petrol): 80, 90 and 92. Be careful not to go wrong! On roads and highways the speed is controlled, do not exceed the maximum speed, we do not argue with the radars.

Collective taxi: Present near bus or train stations, drivers announce their destinations aloud and start when there are enough passengers on board. They are not punctual.

The taxi: It is strongly recommended to negotiate the price before getting into a taxi which you can easily call with a wave of the hand on any corner. There are also taxis that work with a meter, especially the private ones, which you can book via several applications. They come to pick you up where you are.

3. Security

Egypt is relatively secure even at night, but that should not stop you from staying on your guard. Pay attention to what you wear, try to cover at least the shoulders and knees, and make sure to establish a certain barrier in your relations especially when it comes to the opposite sex.

4. Popular Places

Cairo: a city of contrast with all Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic monuments. Famous for its Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Khan Al Khalili and Hussein Mosque, Salah El Din Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, Maydan Al Tahrir and Cairo Tower with its panoramic view of the Nile River … In Cairo, an Egyptian atmosphere assured.

Alexandria: the citadel of Qaitbey, the Saint Mark church or the Roman theater. Alexandria is a coastal town that can be explored while enjoying the Mediterranean. A tour in the library of Alexandria is indispensable.

Luxor: lovers of ancient sites, in Luxor you will be served. The Temple of Amon, the Valley of Kings, Karnak, Ramesseum … You can also enjoy the sunrise hot air balloon for a unique experience on an open air museum.

Aswan: or the door of Nubia, Aswan is a picturesque city with its small streets, its souk and its calm. The temple of Abu Simble south of Aswan is absolutely not to be missed.

Hurghada is one of the best seaside resorts in Egypt. In Hurghada, you can combine luxury and comfort on the Red Sea at affordable prices.

Of course there are still other aspects of visiting Egypt that need to be known. If you want to know more about Egypt, you can visit sites that will discuss Egypt Tours.