Travel Tips

 Fast Facts

Country Full Name Arab Republic of Egypt Population 80,000,000 Geography Area: 1,001,450 sq. km. (386,000 sq. mi.); approximately equal to Texas and New Mexico combined. Cities: Capital--Cairo (pop. estimated at 20 million). Other cities--Alexandria (13 million), Aswan, Asyut, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia. Terrain: Desert, except Nile valley and delta.

 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

People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Egyptian's). Population (July 2007 est.): 80,335,036. Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 1.72%. Ethnic groups: Egyptian, Bedouin Arab, Nubian. Religions: Muslim 81%, Coptic Christian 17%, other Christian 1% & other religions 1% Languages: Arabic (official), English, French. Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-15. Literacy--total adult 70%. Health: Infant mortality rate (2006 est.)--31.33 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy (2006 est.)--71 years.

Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: 1922.
Constitution: 1971.
Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, cabinet. Legislative--People's Assembly (444 elected and 10 presidentially appointed members) and Shura (consultative) Council (176 elected members, 88 presidentially appointed). Judicial--Supreme Constitutional Court.
Administrative subdivisions: 26 governorates.
Principal political parties: National Democratic Party (ruling). Principal opposition parties--New Wafd Party, Liberal Party, National Progressive Unionist Grouping (Tagammau), and Nasserite Party.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
GDP (2007 est.): $118-120 billion.
Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 7.2%.
Per capita GDP (2007 est.): $5,400.
Natural resources: Petroleum and natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc.
Agriculture: Products--cotton, rice, onions, beans, citrus fruits, wheat, corn, barley, sugar.
Industry: Types--food processing, textiles, chemicals, petrochemicals, construction, light manufacturing, iron and steel products, aluminum, cement, military equipment.
Trade (FY 2005): Exports--$27.4 billion: petroleum, clothing and textiles, cotton, fruits and vegetables, manufactured goods. Major markets--EU, U.S., Middle East, Japan. Imports--$40.48 billion: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, livestock, food and beverages, paper and wood products, chemicals. Major suppliers--EU, U.S., China.

 Currency

Name: Egyptian Pound
Code: EGP
Symbol: £e  Currency exchange: Available at banks and official bureau de change. There are five national banks and 78 branches of foreign banks.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.  

U .S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required

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

Transportation: Several international airlines serve Cairo. There is domestic air service between Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, the Sinai, and the New Valley. Rail service is available from Cairo to Aswan in the south and to Alexandria in the north. Taxis are often shared with other customers. Settle on a price before entering a taxi.

Food & Drink: Egyptian cuisine is excellent, combining many of the best traditions of Middle Eastern cooking, and there are both large hotel restaurants and smaller specialist ones throughout the main towns. Some of the larger hotels in Cairo and its environs have excellent kitchens serving the best cosmopolitan dishes. In the centre of Cairo, American-style snack bars are also spreading. Local specialties include foul (bean dishes), stuffed vine leaves, roast pigeon, grilled aborigines, kebabs and humus (chickpeas). Restaurants have waiter service, with table service for bars.
Although Egypt is a Muslim country, alcohol is available in cafe-style bars and good restaurants. The legal drinking age is 21.

Tipping: 10 to 12 percent is added to hotel and restaurant bills but an extra tip of 5 percent is normal. Taxi drivers generally expect 10 percent.

What to take we have compiled a checklist of some of the more important items you may wish to carry with you. This list may seem rudimentary for the seasoned traveler, but for many making a first time trip to Egypt, it may prevent problems.                    
shade is always at a premium Hats and other covering to keep the sun off during treks. In very hot weather, a cloth hat or scarf that can be soaked will also help keep your head cool For women, this is especially important, as you will be more accepted when touring old churches and mosques if you wear some type of head covering. You will also want to bring scarves or similar apparel, not only to protect from the sun, but for visiting religious sites where such attire is expected.
. . When it's really hot, you can soak a plain cloth hat or scarf in water to help keep your head cool.
. Squeeze Breeze": this is a water bottle with a sprayer and a battery-operated fan attached, Sun block: While sun blocks may be purchased in Egypt, you might prefer to bring your own favorite brand, but do bring it. Sunglasses: Another item that may be purchased in Egypt are sunglasses, but again, many people will prefer to bring their own. there is nothing better than a good pair of sunglasses, with the highest UV rating you  can find. Canteen or water holder Other Needs: Very good, comfortable walking shoes, shoes should not be just comfortable, but comfortable to walk long distances. Power Adapters: Power Adapters come in two different varieties. Some electronic equipment have switches to allow you to change the power input type. For these, a simple wall adapter is all that is required. However, other electronic devices do not have such switches and in this case, you not only need a wall adapter, but also a power converter. Egypt uses 220 volt and plugs are two prong rounded.

Medication bring your prescription medicine. It will usually be available in Egyptian drug stores, but it may be called a different name. There is no problem with bringing prescription medication into Egypt. Camera: Travel Alarm Guide Books: Do invest in an Egyptian Guide book, such as the "Lonely Planet" or "Rough Guide" or any number of other good guides .An Extra Bag A bag, preferably soft, which can be crunched up and carried into Egypt in another bag will be handy for most people. The bag will then be used to carry back souvenirs. Sewing Kits Most Egyptian tours are relatively long, and it is not unusual to loose a button here or there climbing through tombs and pyramids. Alcoholic Beverages: There are good suitable beers and wines in Egypt that are highly affordable, and it is not necessary to bring in such items unless you have a very acute taste for a particular brand. In fact, Cigarette: Egyptians smoke, and cigarettes are not expensive in Egypt. However, you will find only a limited variety of cigarettes for the most part. For example, Marlboro Lights are readily available, but not 100s Egypt is a place where you learn to let the smaller problems you might encounter roll off your shoulders, and simply enjoy this, the oldest of all civilizations. BT with us u wont encounter any problems.

 MANY westerners visiting Egypt are still somewhat apprehensive. They don't know that their views of Arabs and Egyptians are based on unkind and untrue stories in the media, and more often than not have no relation to reality. That's why they need another source, for instance a good Egypt Travel Advisory such as this one.

Since most Egyptians have been raised in a social environment steeped in Islam, their thought processes and decisions can sometimes confound westerners. Yet it is precisely this Islamic upbringing that makes Egyptians the most charming and helpful of hosts. Open your mind and accept the generosity of your hosts; your visit to Egypt will be most agreeable, you'll see.
Despite the prohibition against alcoholic beverages common to devout Muslims, you will find that the vast majority have no problem with your imbibing. Just don't over do it. If in doubt, ask.

In addition to their rejection of alcohol, the faithful do not eat pork (considered unclean) or use drugs. They are also inflexible when it comes to pornography - explicit sexual materials such as magazines, photos, tapes, or records, are totally illegal and likely to be confiscated.

And you won't want to be caught trying to "enlighten" native Egyptians to your ways. Proselytizing is illegal in Egypt. If you work actively to convert the locals, you can expect to asked to leave the country. Remember, almost all Egyptians are devout and conservative Muslims or Coptic's.
When it comes to women, Egypt is one of the more progressive Middle-Eastern countries, with very few restrictions, but there are a few. For example, ticket queues might be segregated; women should line up with the other women (their lines are usually shorter anyway). If you take a bus, the driver may ask you to sit in the front with the other women. In fact, on the city bus lines, the first car is generally reserved just for women.

And for you men, another important Egypt Travel Advisory is to leave your flirting at home. It is considered a serious breach of etiquette for a man to speak with Egyptian women he does not know. A further word of warning - be careful in any liaisons you form, because some Egyptian families still follow ancient traditions.

Most Egyptians are quite accommodating; they'll go out of their way to respond to questions and help you in any way. You'll discover that most Egyptians stand a little closer to you than you're used to when carrying on a conversation. You might also notice that you seem to draw a crowd every time you strike up a conversation with an Egyptian. Often the eavesdroppers will rev up their own discussion of the issues you were discussing.
Invitations
If you offer something, most Egyptians will at first refuse. This is their custom, and you should do the same. (The exception is if you are dealing with western-savvy Egyptians.) If the offer sincere and from the heart and not mere politeness, don't worry, it will be repeated.

For instance, if you are invited to visit someone's home, especially in smaller villages, and refuse as you should, the householder will likely press you for a promise from to stop by sometime in the future, usually for a meal. If you make such a promise, be sure and keep it; it is considered a social coup to have foreign house guests. If you fail to show up, your would-be host will feel humiliated. To repay such invitations, you might host a dinner in a restaurant. This is common practice.
Women
It used to be common practice for all respectable women to wear a veil in public. But, in 1922, Hoda Shaarawi, the famous Egyptian feminist, deliberately removed her veil. By 1935, veils were a comparative rarity in Egypt, though they continued to be worn as an item of fashion in neighboring states like Syria and Jordan for 30 more years, and have remained a must to this day on the Arabian Peninsula.

Some Egyptian women still wear the veil as a demonstration of modesty or Muslim piety. Many young professional women do this because it discourages male advances.

Since the 1930's, Egyptian women have entered more and more into business and the professions. In fact, by 1965, Egypt was boasting a far higher proportion of women working as doctors, dentists, lawyers, professors, diplomats, or high officials than might have been found even in the US.

Women Traveling Alone In Egypt, a woman traveling alone is essentially safe. But she will be noticed, though less in large cities than in the country. If problems crop up, seek help from the police (shouting "POLICE" will almost certainly help!) or any nearby place of business. Although you will probably never be accosted, please take the same simple precautions you would anywhere: Don't walk in deserted areas alone; And don't accept invitations from strangers.

Visiting Mosques
Major mosques, especially those amenable to tourism, are open to the public unless services are in progress (the main service is on Friday at noon). Some other mosques are never open at all to the public. Please keep in mind that a mosque differs from a western church in that Christian churches are considered houses of God, while mosques are more a gathering place for the faithful of Islam.

Unless otherwise posted, some mosques that have been restored have tickets being sold by the caretaker , all visitors to mosques, mausoleums, and madras's must remove their shoes. Hence, most Muslims walk around in their socks - but those mosques that are major tourist attractions usually have canvas overshoes available. (You should tip those who help you put them on .) Also, women must cover their bare arms and also wear a hat.
Crime and Drugs
Crime in Egypt is nearly nonexistent, and violence is usually limited to families.  Just remember that the ever-helpful tourism police are usually nearby. Women must be cautious, especially in out-lying areas. And, stay completely away from drugs

Egypt is a very conservative country and visitors need to respect this. For instance, absolutely no topless or nude sunbathing is permitted. Just use your head.

On the practical side, leave your synthetic clothes at home; they will prove to be too hot in summer and not warm enough in winter. You want to bring materials that breathe. Since the Egyptian summer can be blazing hot, it is advisable to wear cotton. In winter, you'll appreciate having layers that can be removed during the heat of the day and put back on for the cooler evenings.

Follow the example of the locals and wear loose and flowing garments. Not only are these appropriately modest, but they are also very practical in the hot climate.

Have you ever wondered why the Bedouin wear layers of flowing robes? Why do they cover their heads and the back of their necks? Centuries of living in desert climates have taught them that loose garments keep them cooler, and layered garments allow wind to enter and circulate, creating a natural ventilation system. And, importantly, protecting your head and neck from loss of moisture helps prevent heat stroke.

Finally, as with any expedition to a new and foreign environment, bring along your good humor and a positive attitude. For many, and even those who have done extensive traveling in the U.S. or Europe, Egypt will be very different. You will find that attitudes are more "laid-back," time is less important, and even that some Egyptians can be a bit annoying (especially when selling their wares or their services at tourism sites). In Egypt, you will hopefully learn to let the smaller problems you might encounter roll off your shoulders, and simply enjoy this, the oldest of all civilizations.