Egypt

Apart from along the Mediterranean coast Egypt's climate is nearly entirely desert. The winter period (Nov-Mar) on the Mediterranean coast can be variable although it is usually warm and sunny, summers are hot but temperatures are tempered by strong sea breezes.

Egyptian Pound

4.5

Egyptian State Tourist Office Egyptian House, 170 Piccadilly London, W1J 9EJ tel: +44 20 7493 5283 fax: +44 20 7408 0295 e-mail: tourismegypt@visitegypt.org.uk hours: 0930-1630 (Mon-Fri) email: info.uk@egypt.travel website: www.egypt.travel

GMT +2

Arabic, English, French, Spanish

220V AC 50Hz

Driving is on the left. International Driving Permit required

Service charges are normally added to restaurant & hotel bills, however additional tips around 5% are customary. Tips for taxis are around 10%

Bank: 0830-1400 Sun-Thur
Office: 0900-1500 Sat-Thur
Shops: 0900-1900 Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat, 0900-2000 Mon & Thur (winter), 0900-1230 & 1600-2000 (except Mon & Thur)(summer)

Cairo (CAI)

Sunni Muslim, with Copti Christian minority

7 Jan Coptic Christmas Day, 20 Jan Islamic New Year, 9 Mar Birth of the Prophet, 25 Apr Sinai Liberation Day (Sinai only), 1 May Labour Day, 23 Jul National Day, 20-23 Sep Bairam Feast (End of Ramadan), 6 Oct Armed Forces Day, 27-28 Nov Grand Feast.
* Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year. Air passengers in transit coming from infected countries or areas without a certificate will be detained in the precincts of the airport until they resume their journey.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria, polio, tetanus, typhoid, rabies*
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria, very limited risk exists from Jun-Oct in El Faiyum area (no reported cases since 1998). Rabies.

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of a United States "Permit to Re-Enter" provided country of birth is Egypt
2) Holders of Laissez-Passer issued to Palestinians by Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates & Yemen

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 6 months beyond intended length of stay

Passport Notes:
Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Egypt
2) Nationals of Kuwait (will be issued with 6 month residence permit on arrival)
3) For tourist stays up to 15 days for nationals of Malaysia
4) For tourist stays up to 3 months for nationals of Bahrain, Guinea, Jordan (with passport validity of 5 years), Korea (Rep of), Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen Republic

Notes: For nationals of UK, Ireland and EC countries no visa is needed, for a stay of 14 days or less, to visit the Gulf of Aqaba resorts (Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba Taba Heights and Dahab). If visitors wish to travel outside these villages, even for a trip to the desert, or to others parts in Sinai (including Ras Mohamed National Park, Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery) and to the rest of Egypt, a full entry visa is required. If tourists are not sure of their itinerary in Egypt, it is advisable to obtain a full entry visa upon arrival to avoid any travel restrictions and the consequent inconvenience. Other nationalities should enquire in advance to the Visa Section at info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk