Here is a list of cultural differences to keep in mind during your stay: Egypt is predominantly Muslim. This will transpire into many cultural and lawful differences. To name a few: 1: All religions are deeply respected and sacred here. Jokes and distasteful comments are considered extremely disrespectful. 2: It is not customary for men and women to hug or touch, outside of some family members. A handshake is a pretty typical exchange for people of the opposite sex when meeting, but if someone places their hand on their heart when meeting you, it is a respectful gesture in place of a handshake. If you don't want to shake hands, you can do this too! This means, it is not appropriate to put your arm around the opposite sex say for a photo opp. or gesture. It is common for women and men to hug and sometimes give kisses on the cheek to the same sex when meeting. 3: The call to prayer will ring loudly 5 times a day throughout the country. Don't be alarmed but it can likely wake you up. 4: Public displays of affection aren't common here and certain acts are against the law. In general, things like making out in public wouldn't be allowed but holding hands is okay! 5: Muslims don't drink alcohol, so it is not respectful and advised to not be noticeably drunk, stumbling, etc. during your trip.
There is no official dress code in Egypt but here are some helpful tips! 1: When visiting a religious site, it is expected for you to dress appropriately. This would include: Men: Wear pants (not shorts) and shirts that cover your shoulders (nothing sleeveless) Women: Covering your hair, chest, and shoulders (bring a scarf) and wear longer pants or a skirt. Ideally and respectfully, a long sleeved shirt/jacket. 2: In general, when out and about: -Unless you're at the beach or in a beach town, you won't find Egyptians wearing crop tops or showing their midriff. -You likely won't find Egyptians wearing shorts either. -Revealing clothing will likely catch you some unwanted looks. 3: Wedding: Formal and Elegant Men: Jackets required. No hats allowed. Men usually wear suits to weddings in Egypt. Women: Long, beaded, fancy dresses are the usual dress in Egypt. Knee length dresses/nice pants are also allowed but on the more formal side.
If you do, we think you will regret it! The driving in Cairo is chaotic and nothing like the United States. An Uber is extremely affordable!
Egypt is known for having the best Wi-Fi in Africa. That being said, it's likely not going to be great. Enjoy your time off! :)
1: Taxi drivers/Ubers will likely have the left door locked when you are entering and exiting. This is for your safety and the safety of their vehicle. You never want to get out into oncoming traffic, and the drivers don't want their door taken off. 2: Do not expect cars to stop for you. If you're crossing the street, do so with caution. 3: Taking pictures of governmental buildings is prohibited. If you do, someone will likely approach you and tell you not do it and ask you to delete the picture. 4: It's possible you will get charged a small fee to use the restroom or the use of paper towels/soap/paper towels or as a tip for the attendant. The payment here would be cash, not card. 5: Drones and large camera equipment are prohibited without proper licensing. No tripods are allowed at ancient sites. Cell phones are fine! 6: Check drug laws before bringing any medications with you.
You will need to get a visa to enter Egypt. You can get a visa upon arrival, once landing at the airport. There is a sign for Visas before going through customs, get in that line first. It is important to note, credit cards are not accepted here and neither are Egyptian pounds. You have to pay cash for your visa in USD and the latest cost was $25. There is no change given, bring exact change.
The national currency is Egyptian Pounds and it is in your best interest to carry some cash on you. Especially small bills for tipping. Credit cards are usually accepted but if it's for something small, cash would be preferred. Discover is not accepted throughout Egypt and American Express is hit or miss. There are ATM's across Cairo to take out cash but it is advised to contact your bank so they are aware of your travel plans.
Yes! It is normal to tip at restaurants, cafes, butlers, tour guides, etc. Pretty much for any service you are receiving, a tip is customary. 10-15% is a general rule of thumb.
We would recommend for the ease of travel and language, it is best to hire a guide.
The national language of Egypt is Arabic! While a majority of signs and menus can be found in English, you shouldn't expect it. Some Egyptians speak English and some do not.
Egypt is under the EEST time zone. It is 8 hours ahead of CST. All events will be held under local Egyptian time. Depending on which airport you are flying from, you will likely have 1 or 2 layovers during your journey to Cairo. Average total travel time is 24hrs. Check google flights regularly for flight patterns and prices.
You will need to fill out custom forms on the airplane, given by flight attendants, and get off the plane to go into the visa line. After receiving your visa, you will then need to go through customs and collect your luggage. Now you can make your way to your hotel. Our hotel hasn't been chosen yet, but depending on where you are staying, it is possible they have an airport shuttle. You can also step outside and grab a taxi, you can also prearrange a taxi. You can also take an Uber if your phone is working. Uber will be the most cost effective option. The Uber location is not directly outside, you will need to find it. Walk straight across the airport car lanes, go down the stairs into the parking lot. After the bridge, the B-5 Parking sign is where Uber's have their pick ups. Expect a 30-45 minute ride or longer, depending on the time your arrive, to get to your hotel.
Egypt's tap water is generally safe in tourist areas; however, we advise against drinking it. The strong mineral composition within the water doesn't taste very good and can potentially give you an upset stomach. Mostafa and Genna have both drank boiled tea, had ice in drinks, and eaten fresh fruits and vegetables with no issue, but ultimately, make the best decision for you.
The CDC recommends all routine vaccinations are up to date. Genna travels a lot and routinely gets a typhoid vaccination every 2 years. Please see the CDC website for more information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/egypt
This information isn't always readily available online and the prices do fluctuate based on their current economy. This is the most updated list we can find but please know prices are subject to change. https://mota.gov.eg/media/nwno2exf/english-ticket-last-update-11-1-2024.pdf
For flight prices, it's best to use google flights! Genna and Mostafa have paid $650-$1250 for flights from Minneapolis to Cairo. Our average and most current price was $850 and we felt good about that.