This Egypt travel guide provides essential information on passport and visa requirements, health and safety rules, customs regulations, and special entry cases like Sinai visits. It also offers tips on currency, accommodations, cultural etiquette, and the value of travel insurance, helping travelers prepare for a smooth and enriching Egyptian adventure.
Traveling to Egypt can be an exciting adventure that will provide memories that will provide the sensation of pure magnificence and thrill with its rich history, cultural treasures, gigantic works of art, and stunning landscapes. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation journey, it's important to be aware of the various travel requirements and considerations before traveling to Egypt. Egypt Tours Portal will provide you with an overview of the essential aspects you need to know before embarking on your epic holiday trip to the ethereal wonders of Egypt.
Travelers to Egypt must ensure their passports are valid for at least six months beyond their planned arrival date. A minimum of one blank page is required for entry stamps. While most nationalities need a visa to enter Egypt, citizens of certain countries, including Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, can enter visa-free for short stays, typically up to 90 days.
Most travelers to Egypt will need a visa to enter the country. Foreign nationals planning to travel to Egypt should ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months, have a digital copy of the passport's information page, and have a credit or debit card for payment. While most nationalities require a visa, citizens of only ten countries can enter Egypt visa-free for a limited period. Citizens from over 100 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, can obtain a visa on arrival at major Egyptian airports for a fee of USD 25, payable in cash.
Travelers from over 70 countries have the option to obtain an Egyptian visa online, known as the eVisa, which offers a convenient and fully online application process. If individuals are not eligible for the eVisa, they must apply for an Egyptian visa through their country's embassy or consulate.
The majority of foreign nationals require a visa for Egypt, and Passport holders from certain countries and territories can visit for up to three months visa-free.
Bahrain
Hong Kong
Kuwait
Lebanon (entry permitted only at Borg El Arab Airport, Hurghada Airport, or Sharm El-Sheikh Airport if arriving on a charter flight)
Macao
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Malaysia (up to 14 days)
Note: Special conditions may apply; travelers should verify requirements based on their specific circumstances.
Travelers from certain countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at major Egyptian airports.
Eligible Countries: Includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several others.
Requirements:
A passport valid for at least six months.
Payment of the visa fee in cash (USD preferred).
Details of accommodation and return/onward travel.
Fees:
Single-entry visa: $25 USD.
Multiple-entry visa: $60 USD.
Validity: The visa on arrival allows for a stay of up to 30 days.
Egypt offers an electronic visa (eVisa) system for citizens from over 180 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations. Travelers must apply online before their trip.
eVisa Application Process:
Fill out an online form.
Upload a digital copy of the passport information page.
Enter travel details (including accommodation and itinerary).
Pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card.
Processing Time:
Most eVisas are issued within 4 business days.
Validity:
Valid for 30 days from the date of entry.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be from an eligible country.
Must be traveling for tourism and staying no longer than 30 days.
A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
Citizens of Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, and Italy may apply using their national ID.
A credit/debit card for payment.
Full name and date of birth
Passport number, issue and expiry dates
Nationality
Host/travel agency and accommodation details in Egypt
Arrival and departure dates
Complete travel itinerary
Applicants must double-check all submitted details to avoid errors or delays.
Visa Exemption for Sinai Resorts: Citizens of select countries can visit Sinai resorts (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba) without a visa for up to 14 days. An entry stamp with special permission is provided upon arrival.
Visiting Other Areas of Egypt: If travelers wish to leave the Sinai resorts and explore other parts of Egypt, a regular visa is required.
Visa Processing Time: Obtaining an Egyptian visa from the embassy usually takes 7-10 business days, even with expedited processing. Travel advisories can extend this time. To avoid delays, it's advised to apply well in advance through the embassy or online via the authorized website. Alternatively, private expediters can provide rush visas, taking around 4-5 days.
Business Travel and Work Permits: Business travel in Egypt necessitates a work permit, typically obtained through the employer. The work permit also allows residency during its validity. Tourists wishing to work can change their status during a 3-month tourist/non-working visa, during which they can apply for a work permit.
All travelers to Egypt will need to adhere to specified health requirements, as proof of yellow fever immunization is mandatory if arriving from an affected area. Additionally, an HIV test is required for stays exceeding thirty days, especially for those studying or working in Egypt.
Vaccinations: Staying updated with vaccinations is crucial. Travel clinics offer vaccinations for diseases like MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and influenza.
Food and Waterborne Diseases: Parts of Egypt have common food and waterborne diseases like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, schistosomiasis, and typhoid. Hygiene, consuming cooked food, and drinking boiled or bottled water are advised. Consider vaccinations for Polio (proof of vaccination), Rabies, and Yellow Fever.
Prescription Medication: Carry a medical certificate for prescribed medications. Some over-the-counter medicines are controlled in Egypt, requiring permission from the Ministry of Health to bring them in.
COVID-19 Measures: Egypt has lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions; travelers are no longer required to present vaccination certificates or negative test results. However, it's advisable to stay updated on any changes. Travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission must present a valid vaccination certificate if they are over nine months old or have transited through such countries for more than 12 hours. Additionally, vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies are recommended, depending on the traveler's itinerary and activities.
Changing Regulations: Egypt's rules can change quickly. Travelers should have a well-researched plan, keep their eyes open, stay informed through the Ministry of Health and Population's Arabic social media, and be prepared for any updates.
When booking your flight, make sure to check with your airline for any specific requirements they might have. Always check the departure and arrival dates and match them to the time of your holiday tour. Some airlines might ask for information about your accommodation or your tour itinerary in Egypt or require you to provide additional health-related documents, especially in light of the ongoing global health situation, so make sure to have all these documents ready.
Be aware of restrictions at entry points: you can bring in/out up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds, up to $10,000 (declare overages), and certain valuables require declaration. Approval is needed for satellite phones/radios, drones, or camera equipment. When leaving, present listed electrical items in your passport, show the entry stamp, and have the required documents for certain medicines.
Egyptian authorities can confiscate prohibited items, returned during departure. Follow airport authorities' guidance and avoid carrying illegal items that cause trouble at the border.
Egypt is generally a safe destination for travelers, but it's always wise to exercise common-sense precautions. Stay informed about the current political and security situation in the country, follow local advice, be aware of the local cultural customs, and avoid any protests or large gatherings.
It's highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings, and other unexpected events. This can provide you with peace of mind during your journey. We advise you to purchase your travel insurance with Nomad.
When traveling to Egypt, it's important to stay aware and follow all the requested requirements. Most travelers need a visa to enter, which can be obtained online or from the Egyptian Embassy. Ensure you have a valid tourist visa, a passport with at least 6 months of validity, and two empty visa pages.
Make sure to bring your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds, plus anything else you might need.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). It's advisable to have some local currency on hand for small purchases, as not all places accept credit cards, but there are ATMs found all over the cities. Stay updated on the current exchange rates and consider notifying your bank about your travel dates to prevent any issues with using your credit or debit card abroad.
Respecting local customs and dress codes, especially when visiting religious sites, will enhance your travel experience. Make sure to educate yourself about your travel destination by simply reading our highly detailed and informative travel blog that answers a lot of important questions like Best time to travel to Egypt, What to Visit in Egypt, What to Pack in Egypt, What to wear in Egypt, What to Know in Egypt, and everything else that you could you wandering about.
Traveling to Egypt can be an enriching experience, offering a blend of history, culture, and adventure. By ensuring you have a valid passport, the necessary visas, and taking into account any special circumstances, you're setting the stage for a memorable journey. Remember to stay informed, plan, and embrace the beauty and wonder that Egypt has to offer. We will deliver an amazing Egypt tour and Nile cruise that will shed light on the incredible attractions located in this complete travel destination.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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