First Time in Egypt: 15 Things Every Traveler Should Know
The practical essentials every first-time visitor to Egypt should understand before booking flights.
Read moreLoading
Luxury Travel, Timeless Egypt
Comparing Egypt's trains, domestic flights, and private drivers to help you plan efficient city-to-city travel.
Comparing Egypt's trains, domestic flights, and private drivers to help you plan efficient city-to-city travel. We have gathered the specifics here so you can plan with confidence rather than relying on outdated forum posts.
Most travelers underestimate how spread out Egypt's highlights are; Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea coast are each a flight or overnight train apart, so realistic itineraries usually run seven to fourteen days rather than a rushed long weekend.
Small denominations of Egyptian pounds are useful throughout a trip for tipping, bathroom attendants, and minor purchases, and it is wise to withdraw cash from bank-affiliated ATMs rather than standalone machines with higher fees.
Traffic in Cairo can be unpredictable at almost any hour, so travelers with tight flight connections or timed activities should build in extra buffer time rather than scheduling transfers back-to-back.
English is widely spoken in the tourism industry, from hotel staff to licensed guides, though learning a few Arabic greetings such as shukran, meaning thank you, is always appreciated by locals.
Reputable tour operators in Egypt work with vetted drivers and guides, carry appropriate licensing, and can be verified through reviews and tourism authority registration, which matters far more to trip quality than choosing the cheapest available option.
Dress codes in Egypt are more relaxed in resort areas like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh than in Cairo or at religious sites, where modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected of all visitors regardless of gender.
Egypt Rest Tours has helped travelers from around the world plan trips centered on Egypt travel planning, and our team is glad to do the same for you.
Turn inspiration into an itinerary with our travel specialists.