The First Timer’s Guide to a Safe Egypt Tour
If you’ve chosen Egypt as your go-to holiday destination for this year, then you’ll be in for an amazing ride. That’s because it is one of those places that has something for everyone, from ancient historical landmarks to great cuisine and more. But you’ll need to apply for an Egypt visa online or an eVisa before you can travel. Continue reading to learn more below.
What Is An Egypt Visa And How Do You Apply For It?
This eVisa is an electronic travel document that we issue to travelers who are interested in exploring Egypt. There are two main types of eVisas, that is, the single entry and multiple entry eVisa.
Check the list of countries whose citizens or residents apply for an Egyptian eVisa here.
The single-entry eVisa has a validity period of 90 days, and you can stay for up to 30 days continuously. Alternatively, the multiple-entry eVisa has a validity period of 180 days, and you can stay for up to 30 days continuously.
You can apply for an Egypt visa online by clicking the Egypt visa application form link on our website. Once you’re there, just fill in the relevant information, like your personal information and payment details.
You will receive your eVisa via email after that. If you wish to know about the status of your eVisa, then you can track its status here.
Ensure to apply for your eVisa only after you have planned your trip to avoid unwanted difficulties.
Planning Your Egypt Trip
We would recommend choosing the period between October and April to visit Egypt since the weather is relatively cool at the time. Apart from that, you should plan your itinerary quite carefully.
For instance, we would recommend traveling to Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan for your first visit.
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In Egypt, tourists are permitted to drive. However, they should be 18 years old and have the proper driving documents. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Cairo Egypt for First Time Tourists.
Some Things To Remember
Before the trip, you should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Polio, Hepatitis B, Shingles, Chicken Pox and Measles. You should also be vaccinated against Diptheria, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Rabies.
Apart from that, you should insure your trip after you apply for an Egypt visa online to avoid unwanted financial loss if something happens.
Furthermore, you should stay updated about the latest political events or developments in the region, so that you can conduct yourself accordingly.
For instance, as a tourist, you should not be a part of any political gatherings or protests, as you might face unforeseen consequences due to that.
Don’t forget to exchange your currency for Egyptian pounds at the airport.
Clothing & Local Customs
Another thing you should be aware of is the local customs of each region. Consider asking your hotel concierge or receptionist to know more. Furthermore, you should dress conservatively, or like the locals, to avoid offending the sentiments of the natives.
If you’re visiting a religious place, then you should not wear any revealing or tight-fitting clothing and always cover your knees and shoulders. Females are advised to cover their heads when entering a mosque or temple as a show of respect.
Generally, we would recommend carrying a mixture of light shawls, windcheaters, and light-colored clothing made of linen and cotton. You should also carry sturdy hiking shoes to be able to walk easily.
Accommodation and Safe Stays
While you’re free to stay in any hotel you wish, there are some places in Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo that stand out.
Aswan
Some of the hotels that stand out in Aswan are the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract and the Benben by Dhara Hotels.
The Sofitel is located opposite the Elephantine Island. You can expect both indoor and outdoor pools, air-conditioned rooms that have wooden furniture, and about four bars. It also has a spa and sauna where you can unwind after a long day of traveling.
On the other hand, the Benben by Dhara Hotels is an adults-only hotel that has a car rental service and hot spring bath. People love the rooms of this hotel since they contain minibars, TVs, and fridges. Furthermore, you can also enjoy a great view from the balcony here.
Luxor
We would recommend staying in the Al Moudira Hotel or the Sonesta St. George Hotel in Luxor. The Al-Moudira Hotel is known for its architecture and pool and spa facilities. Additionally, you will also surely enjoy the feeling of staying in a place designed like a palace.
People love the Sonesta St. George Hotel in Luxor as it has a wide terrace from where you can view the Nile River while sipping on tea or a drink of your choice.
It also has quite a few restaurants and a health centre, where food and fitness lovers can indulge their love for fine cuisine and intense workouts.
Cairo
You can stay at the Flower Pyramids Inn or the Stay Inn Pyramids Hotel in Cairo.
The Flower Pyramids Inn has comfortable rooms with satellite TVs, coffee machines, bidets, and personal toiletries. People also love the hotel for its various cuisine options, like dairy-free, vegetarian, and halal.
You can also withdraw money from its in-hotel ATM facility if you fall short of cash.
Alternatively, the Stay Inn Pyramids Hotel in Cairo is well-known for its buffet, concierge services, outdoor swimming pool, and free WiFi service. So you can unwind after a long day of traveling by watching your favourite shows or going for a swim.
Choosing Reliable Modes of Transportation
You can use app-cab services like Uber or choose to use local taxis when traveling within the city you’re in. Ensure that you enter a marked taxi and stick to the meter, as the drivers might overcharge you.
However, you won’t need to avail of any separate modes of transport if you’ve booked your trip with a local tour operator since they’ll provide all the vehicles.
Do keep in mind that sometimes you might have to travel on boats, such as in Luxor, when you're traveling to the Philae Museum.
With that being said, we would recommend taking the train since you can go to Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo easily. This way, you can save on the individual costs of hiring separate vehicles.
If you’re taking the bus, then you should opt for buses that look well-maintained to avoid any unwanted issues. However, if you’re opting for a ferry ride, then choose a well-known company, as budget ferries are not entirely trustworthy.
Exploring The Major Attractions
Let us explore some of the places you can visit in Luxor, Cairo, and Aswan below.
Cairo
Some of the places you can visit in Cairo are the famous Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Khan-el-Khalili market, and the Sphinx.
The Pyramids of Giza contain the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu and belong to the list of the ancient wonders of the world. You can find six other pyramids there that contain the tombs of the children, mothers, and wives of the Pharaoh.
The Sphinx stands some distance away as the guardian of the tomb.
You can visit the Khan-el-Khalili market to shop for products like crafted jewelry, papyrus paintings, and hand-painted pottery.
Luxor
In Luxor, you should visit the Luxor temple, the Valley of Kings, and the Luxor Museum. The Luxor temple is well-known for its statues of Pharaohs Ramses II and Amenhotep III. It also has various arcades and is popular for its night-time appearance.
On the other hand, the Valley of Kings is so named because it houses the tombs of eminent Pharaohs, high priests, and queens like Seti I and Tutankhamen. You can find many beautiful paintings depicting the afterlife here.
The Luxor Museum consists of statues of King Tuthmosis III, and the deity Sobek. You can also find mummies of Pharaohs Ramesses I and Ahmose I. History lovers can consider buying souvenirs from the gift shop to learn more about Egyptian history.
Aswan
We would recommend visiting the Philae Temple and Nubian Museum when you visit Aswan. The Philae temple was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy II and is located on an island. It is dedicated to the Egyptian deity Isis and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the other hand, the Nubian Museum houses over three thousand antiques and displays where you can learn chronologically about the history of ancient Nubia. The artefacts you can find there date back to 4500 BC.
We would recommend that you carry water bottles and dry fruits with you to help you stay on your feet and maintain your energy levels.
Last Minute Tips for Visiting Egypt
You can dial the following numbers in case you face any issues during your trip there:
- Ambulance: 123
- Police: 122
- Fire Truck: 180
Apart from that, carry important documents like your passport and a copy of your eVisa at all times. Lastly, do remember to apply for an Egypt visa online at least a week before your trip.
Securing a visa is important before planning an international trip. The Egypt e-visa initiative introduced by the Egyptian government simplified the process of getting a valid visa to enter Egypt. Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight.