Visa can be obtained in advance in your home country or purchased for a normal sum at your entry airport. At the moment for British passport holder is $25 per person. If you are staying in the main south Sinai region during your stay, a visa will not be required. If you are visiting The Gulf of Aqaba or St. Catherine’s by entering over land, you will be granted a 14 day residency permit so will not require a visa.
CLIMATE
Daytime temperature will range from low 20 degrees centigrade in January to around 37 degree in the summer months. It is not a humid heat and the gentle sea breezes from the Red sea are one of the many attractions. Rainfall is unusual, although you may see a little in January and February.
LANGUAGES
Arabic is the main language but English and other major world languages are commonly spoken by major guides at attractions and tourist areas.
EATING OUT
Try great Egyptian dishes like falafel and Koshari (lentils, rice, tomato sauce). Then there is foul mudammas (a dried fava bean stew) and ta’amiya (mashed broad beans and spices). A particular favourite is Koshari- a mouth-watering blend of pasta, fried onions, lentils, chick peas, chilli and garlic. And don’t miss a real Arabic coffee. Drink plenty of water.
MONEY
The national currency is the Egyptian pound- often shown on price list as LE, divided into 100 plasters.
ATM’S are easily available for changing currency. Shops, hotels and restaurants readily accept the usual credit cards. Although cash payments are usual in markets and smaller establishments. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can take in or out of Egypt.
TIME & ELECTRICITY
Egypt is GMT+ 2 hours. Voltage is usually 220 volts with adopters readily available if you’ve forgotten ours. Normally it’s a 2 pin adopters everywhere in Egypt.
BUSINESS HOURS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Banks and government offices are usually open from 9 AM to 2 PM, except for Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.
Shops usually open from about 10AM till 10 PM. Most people enjoy the sun and water during the day and go shopping after the sunset. Main fixed public holidays: JAN 7 (Coptic Christmas day), April 25 (Sinai liberation day), May 1; (Labour day), July 23rd (Revolution day), Oct. 6 (Armed forces day). There are also some variable dates which change each year because of Muslim calendar and the phases of the moon. Check Ramadhan start and end (Eid) when its end of fasting.
USEFUL NUMBERS
TOURIST POLICE- 126
FIRE SERVICE- 180
AMBULANCE- 123
FLYING HOSPITAL- 37766393/2
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES- 140
CAIRO AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE- 19970