Travel Essentials › Egypt
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and F, 220 V. Emergency: Police 122, Ambulance 123, Fire 180. Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: 10% in restaurants and small tips for almost every service. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types C and F, 220 V
| Police | 122 |
| Ambulance | 123 |
| Fire | 180 |
Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: gov.uk
Baksheesh is part of daily life: 10% in restaurants and small tips for almost every service.
Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov
Greetings. A handshake is standard; wait for a woman to extend her hand first. "As-salamu alaykum" is a warm, common greeting.
Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, especially at mosques and churches; women may need a headscarf at some religious sites.
Ramadan etiquette. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours if visiting during Ramadan.
Left hand. Use your right hand for eating, giving and receiving items; the left is considered unclean.
Bargaining. Prices in markets and for taxis/tours are negotiable; starting around half the asking price is a common approach.
Egypt is generally safe for tourists who stick to well-traveled routes (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea resorts); petty scams are far more common than violent crime.
Taxi overcharging. Drivers inflate fares or take long routes; use Uber/Careem or agree a fare before getting in.
Fake or unofficial guides. People posing as guides or ticket officials near the Pyramids and museums demand high fees; only book through your hotel or official channels.
Camel/horse ride bait-and-switch. A price is agreed for a full ride, then the handler stops midway and demands more to continue or dismount; fix the total price and destination clearly upfront.
Fake papyrus and souvenirs. Cheap banana-leaf prints are sold as real papyrus; buy from certified papyrus institutes that show the making process.
Women travelers. Catcalling and unwanted attention are common; dressing modestly, avoiding isolated areas at night, and using women-only train carriages where available helps reduce harassment.
Criminalized
There is no explicit law against homosexuality, but morality and debauchery laws are used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people, with penalties up to 17 years; police have used dating apps to entrap gay men. Public attitudes are openly hostile.
| Coffee (café) | 60 EGP | $1.20 |
| Local bus or metro ride | 8 EGP | $0.15 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 350 EGP | $7 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | 250 EGP | $5 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | 3,500 EGP | $70 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | 7,500 EGP | $150 |
2026-09
October to April is best, with cool, sunny days ideal for sightseeing at the pyramids and Nile temples; December–February is peak season with the biggest crowds.
Egypt visa requirements by nationality
Basic Arabic (Egyptian) phrases
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