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Egypt Travel
Tips and Requirements:
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Visa (Detailed
Information)
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Passport
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Currency
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Credit Cards
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Travelers Cheques
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Currency Restrictions
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Banking Hours
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Social Conventions
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Getting There and Moving Around
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Documentation
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Duty Free
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Prohibited Items
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Tipping
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Visa (Click
here for detailed information)
Obtain visa in advance unless you are traveling only to the Eastern
Coast of Sinai from the Taba Terminal (10 km. south of Eilat).
Passport
Passport is valid for at least 6 months and is required by all.
Currency
The currency for the Egyptian are Egyptian Pound (E£) = 100 Piastres.
Notes are in denominations of E£100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in
denominations of 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 Piastres.
Credit cards
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted.
Check with your credit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travelers cheques:
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take
travelers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency Restrictions
The import or export of local currency is limited to E£1000. There are
no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency as long as
it is declared in an official customs form.
Banking Hours
The banking hours are Sunday to Thursday, 8.30 am to 2 pm.
Social Conventions
The Egyptians are generally courteous and hospitable thus expects
similar respect from visitors. The form of handshaking will suffice as a
greeting. Woman should dress conservatively and not wear revealing
clothes, particularly when in religious buildings and in towns. The
Western style of dress is accepted in the modern nightclubs,
restaurants, hotels and bars of bigger towns.
Getting There:
Air
The national airline is Egypt Air (MS). All main carriers service
throughout Egypt.
Sea
The main coastal ports are Alexandria, Port Said and Suez. A car ferry
service is also available from port to port.
Borders
There are two border crossings between Israel and Egypt: one runs from
Cairo via El Arish to Rafah on the north Sinai coast, and the other from
Cairo via Suez and Taba to Eilat. Daily coaches leave early in the
morning. Passengers in taxis and rented cars are not permitted to cross
the borders between Israel and Egypt. Privately owned vehicles may be
taken across the border, provided the appropriate documentation is
obtained. Visas should normally be obtained in advance; however,
travelers entering Egypt via Taba may be able to obtain visas at the
border.
Getting Around:
Air
Egypt Air operates daily flights between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor,
Aswan, Abu Simbel, New Valley, and Hurghada.
Sea/River
There is a steamer service that provides daily ferry service from
cities. The traditional Nile sailing boats or better known as feluccas,
can be hired by the hour for a more relaxed sailing on the Nile. There
are over 160 individually-owned boats of all categories operating on the
Nile.
Rail A comprehensive rail network offering a high standard of service is
operated along the eastwest axis from Sallom on the Libyan border to
Alexandria and Cairo, and along the Nile to Luxor and Aswan. There are
also links to Port Said and Suez. There are frequent trains from Cairo
to Alexandria, and also several luxury air-conditioned day and night
trains with sleeping and restaurant cars from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan
for the Nile Valley tourist trade. For the overnight train, bookings
should be made two weeks in advance through a travel agent
Road
Drivers drive on the right side of the road. Besides the Nile Valley and
Delta, which holds an extensive road network, there are paved roads
along the Mediterranean and African Red Sea coasts. The speed limit is
usually 90kph (56mph) on motorways and 100kph (62mph) on the desert
motorway. Private motoring in the desert regions is not recommended
without suitable vehicles and a guide.
Bus
The national bus system serves the Nile Valley and the coastal road.
Main routes are from Cairo to St Catherine, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Ras
Sudr, El-Tour, Taba and Rafah; from Suez to El-Tour and Sharm el-Sheikh;
and from Sharm el-Sheikh to Taba, Neweiba, El-Tour, Dahab and St
Catherine.
Taxi
Taxis are available in the larger cities and are metered. Long-distance
group taxis for all destinations are cheap, although fares should be
agreed in advance.
Documentation
Visitor's own International Driving Permit are required to drive
any motor vehicle. All vehicles including motorcycles are required by
law to carry a fire extinguisher and a red hazard triangle.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Egypt without incurring customs
duty:
(a) 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco.
(b) 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.
(c) A reasonable amount of perfume and 1 liter of eau de cologne.
Prohibited items
The items are: narcotics, firearms and cotton; for a full list, contact
the Egyptian State Tourist Office.
Tipping
Tipping worth 10-12% is added to hotel and restaurant bills but an extra
tip of 5% is normal. Taxi drivers generally expect 10%. |
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