Egypt

Traveling to Egypt by Air:

Egypt is well-connected to many places by international airlines with regular and direct flights from across the globe.   British Airways, Air France, and KLM along with low-cost carriers such as TUI flight and easyJet are among regular airlines.|

The international airports in Egypt are located at Alexandria, Luxor, Cairo, Sharm el Sheikh, Aswan, and Marsa Alam.

The national airline in Egypt is Egypt Air (MS); its network is busy and connects to New York in the U.S., Bangkok in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Mumbai in India and many more.

Direct flights from Cairo are available to and from Africa, Morocco, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. The domestic network of Egypt Air is well connected to all the major towns and cities in Egypt.

Travelling to Egypt by Train:

The rail links to northwest international neighbors are unavailable. The railheads at Wadi Halfa and Aswan in Sudan are connected by a boat across Lake Nasser.

Traveling to Egypt by Road:

Egypt cannot be easily entered through road access, and the bureaucracy at the border can prevent entry of cars and coaches.

Egypt can be entered from the Middle East through two major land crossings, from Israel to Sinai located in Egypt, which is at Taba on the Gulf of Aqaba and Rafah on North Sinai Coast. A bus from Tel Aviv to Cairo is also available on all days, except Saturdays.

When traveling from Libya by road there are regular buses available between Alexandria and Cairo and Tripoli or Benghazi.

Traveling to Egypt by Water:

No ferry routes connecting Egypt to mainland Europe are currently available. However, daily ferries from Nuweiba and Taba, located in the Sinai Peninsula, and Aqaba, in Jordan, are functional. Also, intermittent ferry service from Wadi Halfa, in Sudan, High Dam, in Egypt, is available. Also, car ferry service via the Suez Canal from Jeddah to Suez is there. Many cruise ships also stop in Egypt as part of African itineraries and are mainly available at Port Said and Alexandria.

When traveling to Egyp,t by sea from Cyprus and Greece, there are ferries available from Limassol, in Cyprus, and Rhodes, in Greece, to Alexandria, only during the summer season.

When traveling to Egypt by sea from Jordan, there are many speedboats and ferries running, here the main crossing points are Nuweiba, in Sinai, and Aqaba, in Jordan. When traveling to Egypt by sea from Turkey, there are Lebanon and Syria ferries from

Antalya in Turkey, Beirut in Lebanon and Lattakia in Syria to Alexandria that is easily available.

When traveling to Egypt by sea from Saudi Arabia, direct ferries from Jeddah to Egypt taking 36 hours are available. During Hajj these ferries are very over-crowded, thus making an advance booking during this time is recommended.

Sure! If you are visiting Egypt your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive. Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. You can get a visa before you travel from the official  Visa2Egypt portal  or your nearest Egyptian consulate. Tourist visas granted using the e-visa system are valid for a maximum of 3 months. It is advisable to get a visa before you travel, particularly if travelling for work or business. If you wish to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters. The visa fee is US$25, payable in US dollars as the preferred currency, although you may also be able to pay in pounds sterling or euros. Visas granted on arrival are valid for a maximum of 30 days.

For international flights: three hours before scheduled time of departure (Closing time for international flights is (60) minutes before scheduled time of departure, For domestic flights: two hours before scheduled time of departure.

Of course NO! As per our Tour package Transfers to/from Airport to the Lodge’s are inclusive what you need to do is to share your full flight details with us so that we can arrange it accordingly.

Maximum Impact Travel will be providing hotel accommodation according to the itinerary program. The client’s whose will arrive earlier than the started safari dates or wish to extend their stay they will be required to pay for the extra cost.

Yellow fever – Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for travelers over 9 months arriving from countries with risks of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited 12 hours through the Airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission..

COVID 19 – Until June 2022, the Egyptian government had entry requirements for COVID, and visitors with proof of approved vaccine doses had fewer restrictions. Now, Vaccines aren’t mandatory as part of the Egyptian law entry rules.

Of course, 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. However, it is also more convenient to bring your favorite non-prescription medications along. Though you may find such medications in Egypt, such as heart burn medication and pain capsule, you may have problems finding your favorite brands.

Travelers with physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise Maximum Impact Travel of their health situation at the time of booking (or at the time such a situation occurs should this be after the reservation is made).

For longer trips we recommend you choose clothing that is easy to wash and fast drying.

• Long, baggy skirts and/or pants
• Long-sleeved t-shirts
• Bathing suit
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A scarf or shawl for women to cover their hair when visiting mosques
• A light fleece or jacket if travelling outside of summer
• Socks/underwear
• Flip-flops
• Sleepwear

The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cash machines are common, especially in the main tourist areas. There is a dollar shortage in Egypt at the moment, people love USD$…however, it’s best to stick with EGP. ATMs are safe/convenient. Credit cards work fine at major hotels or shopping malls.

If you do want to bring dollars, bring hundred dollar bills and get a good exchange rate at an official FOREX or bank when you arrive in-country.

ATMs are EVERYWHERE in Egypt, and they are the best spot local currency. We recommend this option for getting the bulk of Egyptian Pounds is using ATMs while in Egypt. ATMs give the same, government-set exchange rate, do not charge extra fees (your bank may charge a fee however), and are ubiquitous throughout Egypt.

Hint: most ATMs in Egypt have a limit of 2000-3000 Egyptian Pounds for withdrawal, so travelers will often need to make multiple ATM trips throughout their time in Egypt, unless they have already exchanged lots of cash at the airport or foreign exchange offices.

Absolutely! Most businesses, restaurants and retailers accept debit cards, Visa, and MasterCard; however public service providers will not accept payment by credit cards.

There are exchange offices throughout Cairo and the rest of Egypt, and these are great places to take foreign currency (in cash) and exchange it for Egyptian Pounds. Unlike many countries, Egypt regulates currency exchange offices, so travelers will receive the same rate no matter which currency exchange office is used. In Cairo, We recommend to use exchange offices downtown, or in Dokki along Tahrir Street.

Most towns in Egypt have internet cafés, and an increasing number of hotels, as well as a few modern cafes, now offer Wi-Fi. Unless you’re well off the beaten track, therefore, you should have no trouble checking your email or the websites of newspapers from home. For unlimited Wi-fi on the go whilst travelling Egypt, buy a skyroamSolis which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay as you go basis.

The current in Egypt is 220V, 50Hz. North American travelers with appliances designed for 110V should bring a converter. Most sockets are for two-pin round–pronged plugs (as in continental Europe) so you may need an adapter

Arabic, Ancient Egyptian is considered to be a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family, meaning that ancient Egyptian has similarities to Akkadian, Arabic and Hebrew, and is quite different from Indo-European languages like English, French and German.

TIME ZONE: Egypt is on GMT+2, which means that in principle it is two hours ahead of the UK, seven hours ahead of the US East Coast (EST), eleven hours ahead of the US West Coast (PST), six hours behind Western Australia, eight hours behind eastern Australia and ten hours behind New Zealand.

Due to its rich history, ancient culture and excellent location, on the shores of the Mediterranean, Egyptian cuisine has rich ingredients from both the sea and the fields that cover its vast territory. Meals in Egypt typically center on stews and vegetables, but Egyptians will happily wait in line at the best street food stalls that dish out Kushari (a mix of noodles, rice, black lentils, fried onions and tomato sauce) and ta’amiyya (Egyptian falafel that’s made with fava beans). Fava beans are served stewed for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Egyptians love lamb kebabs, grilled chicken, pigeon and kofta (spiced ground meat patties grilled on a skewer), while fish comes from the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Lake Nasser and the Nile. Other specialties include the love-it-or-hate-it molokhiyya (garlicky, bitter soup made from jute mallow leaves),haman (pigeon) and mahshi (stuffed vegetables).

In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Water treatment plants in and around Cairo heavily chlorinate the supply, so the water in the capital is relatively safe to drink. However, it is advisable everywhere else in Egypt to purchase bottled water or drink treated or purified water.

Although different regions experience different weather patterns, in general, Egypt has an arid desert climate meaning days are usually both hot and sunny. Because it is located in the northern hemisphere, seasons in Egypt follow much the same pattern as

those in Europe and North America, with winter falling between November and January, and the peak summer months falling between June and August.

Winters are generally mild, although temperatures can fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) at night. In the Western Desert, record lows have dipped below freezing during the winter months. Most regions have very little precipitation regardless of the season, although Cairo and areas of the Nile Delta may experience a few rainy days during winter.

Summers can be unbearably hot, especially in the desert and other areas of the country’s interior. In Cairo, average summer temperatures regularly exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), while the record high for Aswan, a popular tourist destination on the banks of the River Nile, is 124 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius). Summer temperatures remain high at the coast but are made more tolerable by regular cool breezes.

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Popular Areas in Egypt

Cairo

The Egyptian capital has a hot desert climate. However, instead of experiencing dry heat, its proximity to the Nile Delta and the coast can make the city exceptionally humid, which can make the heat almost unbearable. June, July, and August are the hottest months with average temperatures of around 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (30 to 35 degrees Celsius). Light, loose clothing made with natural fibers like cotton or linen is highly recommended for those who choose to visit the city at this time. Sunscreen and copious amounts of water are absolute essentials as well.

Nile Delta and Aswan

If you’re planning a cruise down the River Nile, preparing for the weather can be tricky, since the ship isn’t stationary the entire time. However, looking at the weather forecast for Aswan or Luxor gives the best indication of what to expect on the Nile. From June through August, temperatures regularly exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). As a result, it’s generally advisable to avoid traveling during these peak summer months, especially as there is little shade to be found near the area’s ancient monuments, tombs, and pyramids. And it would be a shame to visit the area without seeing those landmarks. Humidity levels are low, and an average of over 3,800 hours of sunshine a year make Aswan one of the sunniest places on Earth.

The Red Sea

If you’re planning a trip to one of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, the coastal city of  Hurghada  will give a general idea of the weather for the rest of the area. Compared to other destinations in Egypt, the coast has milder weather. Meaning winters are generally warmer, while the summer months are slightly cooler. With average summer temperatures of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), Hurghada and other Red Sea destinations offer a respite from the sweltering heat of the interior. Sea temperatures are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving, with an average water temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) in August.

Western Desert

If you’re planning a trip to Siwa Oasis or anywhere else in Egypt’s Western Desert region, a good time to visit is during early spring and late fall. At these times, you will avoid the searing temperatures of summer and the frigid nighttime temperatures of winter. The record high for Siwa is 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), while temperatures can drop as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) in winter. From mid-March to April, the Western Desert is prone to sandstorms caused by the khamsin wind so be sure to have protection for your eyes, nose, and mouth in case you get caught in a storm.

Spring in Egypt

Spring weather in Egypt can be unpredictable. Days are typically warm, but the season is known for strong winds which can cause sandstorms. These are most common outside of major cities and can sometimes last up to three days. If you get caught in a sandstorm, take care to cover your eyes, nose, and mouth, seek shelter and avoid driving if you can. While temperatures rise from March through May, humidity levels are still very reasonable.

What to pack: Regardless of the season you visit, sturdy walking shoes are a must. You’ll also want to pack long pants and lightweight tops (both short- and long-sleeved) for a spring trip as well as a face covering in case of sandstorms.

Summer in Egypt

Not surprisingly, summer in Egypt means oppressive heat and baking sun. Temperatures during the summer months average an impressive 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) but can reach as high as 122 F (50 C) in some areas. Even coastal areas stay warm, which is good for beachgoers as the water is typically a balmy 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). The hottest period of summer spans July through September, so all but the most weather-hardened visitors should steer clear of Egypt during that time if possible.

What to pack: Keeping cool is the primary goal if you’re visiting Egypt during the summer months. Pack lightweight cotton and linen clothing and breathable shoes, but don’t forget sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat as well. Sunscreen and water will also be necessary items.

Fall in Egypt

Fall in Egypt brings in a massive influx of tourists. That’s not surprising, given that the weather is nearly perfect during this season. By the end of September, temperatures have dropped significantly. Most days average around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius), but that can vary a bit depending on location. This is a popular season, so expect prices for hotels and activities to increase accordingly.

What to pack: Pack a light jacket, shirts for layering, and an umbrella—it can and does rain in Egypt! Like other seasons, a brimmed hat and high-factor sunscreen is always a good idea.

Winter in Egypt

The winds in Egypt pick up during the winter season, but don't fret: Temperatures here still rarely drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The beginning of December is a prime time to visit, as the sea is still quite warm, prices are low, and the worst of the winter winds likely haven’t kicked up yet. Tourists also flock to the country during the third and fourth weeks of December, to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

What to pack: Winter in Egypt isn’t as chilly as other locations, but a light jacket or

windbreaker (there will be wind!) is a good idea. In general, even in winter, clothing

should be lightweight and breathable

Average Monthly Temperature, Rainfall, and Daylight Hours