Known as the Land of the Pharaohs, the Cradle of Civilization, and the Mother of the World, Egypt has many names and attracts visitors with its incredible heritage. It is the third-largest country in Africa after Nigeria and Ethiopia, with over 104 million inhabitants in 2023 (according to CAPMAS). Bordering the Mediterranean, Egypt is traversed by the Nile from north to south and is largely covered by the Sahara. You’ll certainly be spoiled with stunning landscapes!
Before you dive into Egypt’s breathtaking sites and iconic monuments, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the local customs and rules. Here, we’ve compiled some useful, sometimes surprising, but hopefully essential information about the country. We’ll cover history, religion, behaviors, mindsets, regulations, and more. You might even learn something new!
In Egypt, the local currency is the Egyptian pound, written as "EGP" or "E£," with an exchange rate of approximately €1 = 50 EGP as of April 2024. Fun fact: when we arrived in Egypt on March 5, the rate was €1 = 33 EGP, but a decision by the central bank, suddenly changed it to 50 EGP per euro the following day!
With the cost of living in Egypt being quite low, you’ll find that your purchasing power goes far, allowing you to splurge a bit! For instance, a night in a hotel for two people can cost around 800 EGP (about €15). You can eat lunch and dinner for various prices: 150 EGP per person (€3) or 500 EGP (€10) depending on the restaurant and whether you choose a full meal with appetizer, main course, and dessert. Even taking taxis is affordable (more details in part 9 about transportation).
Here’s what you’ll want to bring along:
To enter Egypt, you’ll need a valid passport and a tourist visa, which allows a stay of one month (extendable by another month under certain conditions).
The visa costs around €25 and can be obtained in several ways:
We recommend getting your visa upon arrival in Egypt—it’s fast and hassle-free.
In Egypt, tipping, or "baksheesh," is almost expected. While it’s not mandatory, it’s generally a nice gesture.
For reference, a tip of 50 EGP per person is common for activities, restaurants, or services, and 50 EGP per person per night for accommodations. For restroom visits, you might tip less—around 5 or 10 EGP per person.
If you were especially pleased with a service or activity, feel free to give more; Egyptians will be very appreciative!
In Egypt, remember not to flush toilet paper down the toilet but to dispose of it in the bin! It may seem unusual, but the plumbing system isn’t equipped to handle paper. At first, it may be hard to remember, but you’ll get used to it.
For your information, Egyptians typically don’t use toilet paper but rely on a spray jet instead. We tried it once or twice but quickly reverted to the paper-in-bin method—it’s less messy for us!
Egypt has a culture that is undeniably different from the Western world. It’s fascinating yet sometimes intimidating because, as we know, people often struggle to understand or accept what is unfamiliar. But what made this trip so special was our guide, Ihab, who shared so much about Egyptian and Muslim culture with us.
Now, we’re passing it on to you:
There isn’t technically an "Egyptian" language. Egyptians speak Arabic, but it’s an adapted version of it. Can we then say Egyptian exists? Not sure 🤷… It’s an open question!
In any case, here are a few words to add to your vocabulary (although pronunciation can be tricky):
In daily life, Egyptians tend to be wholehearted and even "extreme" in their actions (this doesn’t refer to religion, just a personality trait!). They don’t do things halfway, so they may eat very sweet or salty foods, be very happy or very sad, love intensely, or dislike strongly.
And if we’re mentioning this, it’s mainly to prepare you for the culinary experience: don’t be surprised if flavors are very bold and intense, whether sweet, salty, or spicy. You’ve been warned! 😂
In Egypt, be very careful, as tap water is not drinkable! You’ll need to buy bottled water from stores, street vendors, or restaurants (ensure they’re sealed before drinking), avoid ice or salads (except in high-quality restaurants or safe places), and peel fruit to avoid unpleasant moments from an upset stomach.
When it comes to traveling long distances in Egypt, you have several options:
Within a city or region, taking a taxi is the simplest option. For example, in Cairo, the fare per kilometer is around 3 to 4 EGP (less than €0.10). You’ll also need to add a pick-up charge (about 5 to 10 EGP, or less than €0.20) and an additional waiting fee if you want to keep the same taxi during your visit (around 20 EGP per hour, less than €0.40).
You could even hire a taxi for a full day, which would cost around 300 EGP (approximately €6).
If you want to rent a car, we recommend using DiscoverCars, a platform that compares hundreds of rental agencies to find the best deals with no hidden fees. Their prices typically include unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection. What more could you ask for?
If you choose to drive:
Egyptians are extremely friendly, enjoying conversations, jokes, and sharing stories. However, they are also proud people. If you find yourself in a “delicate” situation or face a refusal (for negotiations, entry somewhere, etc.), try using humor! Chances are the person will be more lenient and accommodating.
So, here are our 10 key insights about Egypt. We hope you’ve learned something useful for planning your trip and navigating once you’re there 😊. Don’t miss the extra tips at the end of the article!
If this article made you want to visit this wonderful country, you can book your tickets right here:
Feel free to share your experiences and advice for other travelers in the comments.
1. In winter, Egypt is 1 hour ahead of France, with no time difference in summer. So in winter, when it’s noon in France, it’s 1 PM in Egypt. This small time difference is worth noting, especially if you have activities planned or need to call home. France is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer, while Egypt stays at UTC+2 year-round.
2. While haggling isn’t as common as in Morocco, it’s still practiced in Egypt, so don’t hesitate to try your luck!
3. It’s a good idea to have some basic knowledge of Egyptian history before your visit. Tour guides share a lot of information, and it can be overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with Egypt’s culture and historical background.
4. We highly recommend getting up early to visit sites right when they open—you’ll have the place nearly to yourself. It may take some effort, but it’s well worth it!
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