Egypt Travel Tips
Egypt's public holidays
There are six official government holidays a year when banks, government offices, many businesses and schools are closed. Also, there are Islamic and Coptic holidays spread throughout the year, including the Islamic New Year, Ras al-Sana al-Higriya.
The Prophet's Birthday, Mawlid al-Nabi, is a public holiday celebrated in honour of the Prophet Muhammad. A parade with drums and banners is held in the historic zone of Cairo.
1 January: New Year's Day.
25 April: Liberation of Sinai Day.
1 May: Labour Day.
23 July: Anniversary of the 1952 Revolution.
6 October: Armed Forces Day.
Egypt dos & don'ts
Egypt is a conservative country. It is an affront to your hosts to appear in a mosque or even on the street in clothing that is considered immodest. Women should keep shoulders and upper arms covered. Neither men or women should wear shorts except at resorts, or when playing sports.
Cotton is suitable for all seasons; wool for winter and many summer nights. Loose and flowing garments are not only considered modest here, but also extremely practical in a hot climate. Hats are vital and necessary, to protect against heat stroke and so are sunglasses, to defend the eyes against the glare. Bring stout, comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and neither Cairo's streets nor Luxor's temple floors are friendly to feet.
Photographing individual people requires a bit of consideration. The Egyptian people are constantly having cameras pushed in their faces, so be courteous and ask first. If a person does not want you to take his or her photo, do not take it. If he or she wants to be paid, pay. If you don't want to pay, don't take the picture. You will find plenty of good shots elsewhere.
Egypt health issues
Evidence of yellow fever and cholera immunization may be required from persons who have been in an infected area up to six days prior to arrival.
There are good hospitals in Cairo and Alexandria. However, they operate on a cash basis and patients cannot use foreign medical insurance plans. Pharmacies are usually open from 10am to 10pm and are staffed by competent professionals. Both locally made and imported medicine is subsidized by the government and is inexpensive. Some medicine requiring prescriptions abroad is sold over the counter in Egypt.
Egypt money mattersBanks are available at the airport for currency exchange. Egyptian money, with both Arabic and English numerals, consists of these denominations:
Pound notes: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1.
Piastre notes: 50, 25, 10.
Coins: 20, 10, 5.
Credit cards are used in most major hotels, but not always in shops. Bring some travellers' cheques.
Crime & security in Egypt
Visitors from abroad should be warned that there are restrictions on travel into or through Middle Egypt, the zone along the Nile in Upper Egypt between Al-Minya and Luxor. This region is beautiful, but poverty-stricken, and historically given to violence, much of it directed against officialdom or formal authority. It also contains some of Egypt's most interesting and least spoiled ancient sites, some of them only recently opened to visitors. Travel along the Nile is possible only in armed convoy.
Elsewhere, common caution is advised. Social restrictions on women in Egypt can make foreign women seem particularly enticing to young Egyptian men, who may have heard lurid stories about sexual encounters (a situation not helped by the insensitive dress of some tourists). Also, as Egypt's economic reforms have created great hardship, the number of petty thefts have increased although you are still more likely to have a lost wallet returned intact than in many countries. If you are robbed or assaulted, you should report immediately to the nearest tourist police post or police station.