Travelers have marveled at Egypt's archaeological wonders for centuries, ever since the Ancient Greeks visited the pyramids. Today, millions of tourists are attracted each year to the pyramids, temples, mosques and great monuments of the Nile Valley, as well as the stunning diving resorts of the Red Sea.

In 430 BC, when Greek historian Herodotos visited the magnificent monuments in Egypt, many of them were already 2,500 years old. Most, from the pyramids of Giza to the astonishingly beautiful temples of Karnak or Philae, or the painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, can still be visited today. The sheer age of this great civilization is mind-blowing.

The life-giving Nile runs north through the country to the Mediterranean, feeding an emerald ribbon of irrigated fields adjacent to villages shaded by date palms. Whether on a cruise ship or traditional felucca boat, life on the water is a constant visual feast, while the few huge, dusty cities - Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor - are a babble of exotic sounds and smells.

Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheik, on the Red Sea coast, are doors to a magical underwater world of Technicolor fish and coral that draws divers from around the world, while other adventurous travelers head inland. Here, you can discover monasteries amid the arid mountains of Sinai or the distant desert oases, home to the hardy nomads whose camel trains still wander the Saharan sands.

Egypt is at the centre of the Arab world and has played a central role in the region's political situation in modern times. After three wars in 1948, 1967 and 1973, peace was achieved with Israel in 1979 leading to Egypt's expulsion from the Arab League (they were restored in 1991). Egypt has since played a vital role in the Middle East Peace Process.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months from the date of travelling required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and the USA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) 1. EU nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Newiba or Taba resorts for up to 14 days, who will receive an entry permission stamp on arrival;
(b) those continuing their journey to a third country within 24 hours and remaining in the airport, provided holding confirmed onward tickets.

Visa Note

(a) Those in possession of a residence permit to Egypt are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leave Egypt and return within the validity of their residence permit or within six months, whichever period is less. (b) Visitors of Egyptian origin or married to an Egyptian are entitled to obtain a multiple-entry visa free of charge. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the consulate/embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business (single- and multiple-entry). Cost varies according to nationality. For UK nationals: Tourist: £15 (single-entry); £18 (multiple-entry). Business: £53 (single-entry); £91 (multiple-entry). Processing fees for other nationals vary considerably; nationals are advised to contact the consulate/embassy to check cost (see Contact Addresses). 

Validity

Single- and multiple-entry visas are valid for six months from date of issue for a maximum stay of three months. Visas cannot be post-dated. Extensions are available from the ministry of foreign affairs in Egypt.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Postal applications will be processed within seven days. Applicants should allow 2-3 working days. One person may apply on behalf of others.

Money

Currency

Egyptian Pound (EGP; symbol E£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of E£200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Coins are in denominations of 25, 20, 10 and 5 piastres.

Currency Exchange

Available at banks, official bureaux de change and most hotels. Banks often have better exchange rates than bureaux de change or hotels. All common international currencies are accepted.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted, but generally only in bigger hotels or restaurants in Cairo and restaurants in tourist areas.

Traveler's Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Sun-Thurs 0830-1400.

Health

Vaccinations

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs.

Food and Drink

Do not drink tap water or use it to brush teeth. Use bottled water instead. Do not drink unbottled beverages and never have ice in drinks. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk should only be reconstituted with pure water. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Precautions against hepatitis E should be considered. Immunisation against hepatitis B and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Dengue fever occurs in epidemics. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Rift Valley fever occasionally occurs in epidemics. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and leishmaniasis occur. Immunisation against polio is advised because of the persistence of polio in Egypt. A number of bird flu cases have been reported in Egypt, including several fatalities.

Health Care

Public hospitals are open to tourists. Health insurance is strongly advised.

 
Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is EgyptAir (MS) (website: www.egyptair.com.eg).

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Cairo to is 4 hours 45 minutes, from New York is 14 hours 30 minutes.

Main Airports

Cairo International (CAI) is 24km (15 miles) northeast of the city at Heliopolis (journey time – 1 hour). To/from the airport: There are bus services every 30 minutes, and taxis are available. Special limousines are offered by local and international operators. Hotel cars may also be available. Facilities: Incoming and outgoing duty-free shops selling a wide range of goods, car hire, post office, bank/bureau de change, restaurants and bar, hotel reservation service, souvenir shops, bookshop and travel insurance services.

Borg El Arab (HBE) is 60km (37 miles) southwest of Alexandria. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank and exchange services, VIP lounge, post office and restaurant.

Luxor Airport (LXR) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) from Luxor. To/from the airport: There is a regular bus service to the city centre (journey time – 15 minutes). Special limousine and local taxi services are available. Facilities: Car hire, bank and exchange services, Internet cafe, duty-free shops, information desk, bar and restaurant.

Departure Tax

None.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Alexandria (website: www.apa.gov.eg), Nuweiba, Port Said and Suez.

The Saudi Sea Transport Company runs a regular car ferry service between Suez and Jeddah. A ferry service usually travels twice per week up the Nile between Wadi Halfa (Sudan) and Egypt High Dam. However, it is occasionally suspended. For further information, contact the Nile Valley Association (tel: (2) 2578 9256). There is also a ferry service that operates between Nuweiba in South Sinai and Aqaba (Jordan).

Many cruise ships stop over in Egypt as part of their African itinerary.

Getting There by Rail

There are no international rail links to any of Egypt’s northwestern neighbours. The railheads at Aswan and Wadi Halfa, Sudan are connected by a ferry across Lake Nasser.

Getting There by Road

The road border between Libya and Egypt is open. There are two border crossings between Israel and Egypt: one runs from Cairo via El Arish to Rafiah on the north Sinai coast; and the other from Cairo via Suez and Taba to Eilat. Daily coaches leave early in the morning from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel for travel via El Arish/Rafiah to Cairo and vice versa. There are no direct buses from Eilat to Cairo; it is necessary to change in Taba. The crossing from Taba to Eilat is open 24 hours a day. Passengers in taxis and hired cars are not permitted to cross the borders between Israel and Egypt.

Privately owned vehicles may be taken across other borders, provided the appropriate documentation is obtained. All private vehicles entering Egypt must have a three-month triptyche or carnet de passage en douane from an automobile club in the country of registration. The driver must hold an International Driver's Permit. Visas should normally be obtained in advance; however, travellers entering Egypt via Taba may be able to obtain visas at the border. Contact the tourist office for further details of entry restrictions (see Contact Addresses).

 
Climate

Hot, dry summers with mild, dry winters and cold nights. Rainfall is negligible except on the coast. In April, the hot, dusty Khamsin wind blows from the Sahara.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens during summer, with warmer clothes for winter and cooler evenings.

 
Contacts

Egyptian Consulate in the UK

2 Lowndes Street, London SW1X 9ET, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 9777 or 0906 550 8933.
Website: www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (lodging applications); 1430-1600 (visa collection).

Egyptian State Tourist Office in the UK

Egyptian House, 3rd Floor, 170 Piccadilly, London W1V 9EJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7493 5283 or (09001) 600 299 (24-hour brochure service; calls cost 60p per minute).
Website: www.egypt.travel

Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the USA

3521 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008 USA
Tel: (202) 895 5400.
Website: www.egyptembassy.net

Egyptian Tourist Authority in the USA

630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2305, New York, NY 10111, USA
Tel: (212) 332 2570.
Website: www.egypt.travel