iQ onTour - Travel Info A-Z

Bazaars

Trade for every Egyptian is a pleasure and an art at the same time. This gift for a commerce is expected from tourists as well, and be sure these expectations are included from the beginning in the price you're offered. An invitation for a tea or coffee is a kind of test: Egyptian would like to find out how great is your patience as his trade partner. Leather bags, suitcases, belts, shoes and wallets are considered among the most popular souvenirs, as well as spices or golden jewels.

Climate/Weather

Egypt has a very hot and dry climate.

The summer begins in April after 5 days of hot spring winds called khamasin, which mark the end of the winter, and lasts till the end of October.  In October strong winds regular for summer time cease and the short raining season comes.  

Winter lasts for four months and is accompanied by cold winds blowing over the desert at sunrise and sunset.During the winter time difference between day and night temperatures is quite notable, so during this season of the year you should be prepared for bright, sunny days with cold nights.

The most favourable weather for staying in Egypt for Europeans is between the months of May and October.

Climate data/chart:

Clothing

For winter time wearing of cotton clothes and some summer garments are advisable. For the rest of the year - summer wear and one pull-over for the evening time is sufficient.

Please keep in mind that Egypt is an Islamic country, where guests are expected to treat local customs and moral values with regard. So it's recommendable to abstain from sunbathing topless beside the swimming pool or while on safari boat, as well as from wearing very short shorts or dresses.

Cuisine

Egyptian kitchen is abundant in its variety and very oriental. Among the key components of traditional menu of mutton, poultry and vegetables there are a wide range of edible greens, e.g. saffron,   and of course olive oil.   One of the most popular and important national dishes is "Ful" - a lemoned and spiced puree from white or brown beans, which can be served with  flat local bread or as a separate dish. Next Egyptian specialty is "Taamiya" (also known as "Falafel") - small spicy fried balls from crumbed pea dough.

 Both dishes are usually served with thick white sesame sauce   called "Tahina"

 At the seaside you'll find a great variety of seafood. Fresh fish is always an important component of the menus and will be cooked for you in the most mouth watering way.

     Local sweets made of dried fruits, honey and sometimes of grated coconut could be a bit mawkish for German taste.  The most common drink in Egypt is above all sugary black tee flavoured with fresh mint. Also you'll find a fine local beer called Stella.

    It's advisable not to use tap water as potable and drink mineral water only to prevent any possible stomach disorders. Pay attention at a restaurant if you're served with closed bottle, otherwise if a bottle is unsealed it may handle of tap water again.

Currency

Base currency of Egypt is Egyptian Pound (L.E.)

1 Egyptian Pound = 100 Piaster (PT) = 1000 Millemes.

You may easily exchange money at the banks, currency exchanges and at a hotel (just with a higher commission). So there's no need to exchange money in advance. We recommend exchanging the necessary amounts right on the spot.   You won't find plenty of cash machines in Egypt.

1 EUR is equal to about 8 L.E.

Customs and Traditions

Mohammedans faith has a notable impact on Egypt and its citizens. Foreign guests are always welcomed with politeness and hospitality. And in return you are expected to be respectful to local traditions especially in the matter of clothing. It's strongly advisable for women to abstain from wearing short skirts, short-cut and short sleeved dresses and for men from wearing shorts while visiting mosques.

Entrance to the country

To enter Egypt you should have your Passport or ID card valid for at least 3 more months from the date of arrival. Upon arrival to the airport for the citizens of European countries it's necessary to acquire entry visa at the price of 15,- USD. To spare your time on registration and to make this process smooth we advise you to acquire the entry visa from Germany. It takes here about 3 working days to proceed with your request plus the time of mail delivery.

Health

Travellers aren't required to have any special inoculations before visiting Egypt.

Inoculations against typhus and hepatitis A are advisable. Egypt is free from malaria, so there're no special precautions needed. To prevent stomach and intestinal disorders it's recommendable to drink and to brush your teeth with mineral water only.

Also be careful giving you photo camera to natives, in order to escape the possibility of being infected with trachoma - an infection of the eyes that may result in blindness. Another wide spread disease in Egypt is bilharziasis, transmitted by small hookworms. So we advise to abstain from swimming in the Nile or other inland waters.

Holidays

Official holidays are: 1^st of January, 1^st of May, 18^th of June, 23^rd of July and 6^th of October. Except of the days mentioned above there are numerous Islamic holidays.

If a holiday comes on Friday, then Saturday is not a working day as well. Official weekly day off is Friday, though many companies are free in choice of their own days of rest.

During the Islamic month of fasting - Ramadan, daily life and activity drops almost to point zero.

Language

Official language of Egypt is Arabic, while English is used as a language of correspondence.

Colloquial language of Egypt is local dialect of traditional, classic Arabic.

A language of gestures plays a remarkable role in local communication. Egyptians gesticulate significantly more than an average European. For example what we take for refusing head turns from side to another is considered as an expression of misunderstanding in Egypt. Quick moves of a hand with fingers put together (similar to gesture of irritated Italians) signify here something akin to "One minute!", "Please, wait".

Egyptians may offer a treat, invite for a tea or to share their meal up to four times. Depending on your attitude toward the host you should decide whether you can accept or decline an offer. Hand placed across your chest means "No, thank you"

Photography

You may freely take pictures of landscapes, cultural artefacts and daily-life plots. It's strictly forbidden in Egypt to take pictures of bridges, harbours, airports and any military objects. Also it's not allowed to make photographs during the visit of tombs. In most museums photography is not forbidden, but the fees you have to pay for the permission to take some pictures are quite high.

Post

Post sent to Europe could be up to two weeks on the way. You may send a postcard from your hotel or just post it to a mail box (red and green ones for letters inside Egypt and blue ones to mails abroad).

Religion

Over 90% of Egyptians are Muslims, meanwhile in big cities there're Christian minorities (mostly Coptic). Strong influence of Islam on a daily life is above all notable in high prices for alcohol and in restrictions of public life during the holy month of Ramadan.

Shop hours

Most of the shops are open from 9am to 14pm and from 16pm to21pm. There's no fixed holiday so off day usually comes on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  

Telephone

The international code of Egypt is 0020. From Egypt to Germany you should dial 0049 and then telephone number.  The most convenient is to phone from call-offices. Meanwhile, telephone cards for use in public telephones are also available. Cell phones served by German mobile communications providers are working in Egypt as well.

Time lag

Central European Time (CET)  + 1 Hour

Tips

«Bakhshish» - that's a magic world, which runs almost everything in Egypt.  In Egypt tips are integral component of life so tipping is always expected. In restaurants or in taxi 5-10% of total amount are usual, for the other cases it's advisable to have at hand some coins or   notes of small denomination. Exceptions from this rule are big international hotels and some museums with remarkable warning posters "No tips, please".

Voltage

220 volts AC

It's advisable to have with you a plug adapter, as circle plugs are mainly used in Egypt.