Country Facts - Egypt
Airport Taxes:
Have been included in the cost of your holiday.
Baggage Allowance:
20 kilos per person for economy class passengers. Any excesses will be charged for by the airlines. At the present time each passenger is permitted to carry one piece of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum height of 56cm (22 inches), width 45cm (17.7 inches) and depth 25cm (10 inches), including wheels, handles, side pockets etc. You can also take one personal item such as a handbag or briefcase. Further information regarding hand luggage and items that can be carried in your hand luggage can be found by accessing www.baa.co.uk which is the website address for BAA which operates London Heathrow Airport .
Climate:
All of our tours travel to Egypt during the winter months to avoid the extreme temperatures of the summer. Egypt 's desert climate can produce cool temperatures in the evening and early morning, yet during the day the winter climate is warm and pleasant. To the North of the country in Cairo the odd overcast day can be expected, however temperatures will still sit comfortably around the mid 20 degrees Celsius. To the south of the country in Aswan & Luxor you can expect mid to high 20 degrees Celsius during the day.
Currency & Money Matters:
Egypt 's currency comprises of the Egyptian Pound. 1 Please note that whilst money can be changed at London Heathrow, there is rarely large amounts of Egyptian currency available. We recommend that any money taken should be in Sterling travellers cheques for security. Currency can be converted at banks, hotels, and foreign exchanges. All major international credit cards are acceptable in hotels.
Duty Free Allowance:
Visitors over 17 are allowed duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 1 litre bottle of wine or spirits. 60 ml of perfume.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round two pin plugs.
Excursions & Domestic Flights:
Most excursions operate early morning so you can avoid the heat of the midday sun and domestic flights within Egypt are also generally scheduled for very early morning or late evening. Journeys of Distinction have tried to limit your early starts as much as possible but, in order for you to enjoy Egypt at its very best in some cases early starts are unavoidable and you should be prepared for several throughout your tour.
Flight Time: Approx 5-6hrs Time Zone: GMT + 2hrs
Health:
It is important that all travellers to Egypt are in good health. Many of the sites in Egypt necessitate a reasonable amount of walking either to the site and/or around it and many of the surfaces can be uneven, therefore you should be reasonably fit and able bodied. The tap water in Egypt is clean, and is suitable for bathing and brushing your teeth however, due to a higher number of chemicals used in the water it is not recommended for drinking. All Journeys of Distinction guests will receive a complimentary bottle of water per person each night in their hotel room. If buying additional water, drink only bottled water and check the seal is secure when you receive it. Do not take ice in drinks unless you have established the ice was made from filtered water. Do not eat raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit or uncooked seafood. Please avoid food and drink from street vendors and any establishments you may suspect has poor health and safety practices.
Immunisation:
Egypt does carry recommended health precautions and there are a number of vaccinations recommended for this tour. Currently recommended inoculations include Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Malaria and Tuberculosis. Insect repellent is also recommended. We strongly suggest you seek your doctor's advice or visit a local travel clinic no later than two months prior to your departure for further information.
Nile Cruises:
- A cruise on the Nile is a very popular way of experiencing the many sights between Luxor and Aswan however, there are a few points you should be aware of
- Due to the high number of cruise boats operating, when in dock you may find a number of boats can be docked together, which can result in restricted views from your cabin.
- The large number of boats operating can also mean delays can occur when passing Esna Lock, sometimes necessitating sailing at night.
- At certain times of the year, particularly during winter, the day-to-day cruise itinerary is subject to change due to low water levels on the Nile . Any changes to the itinerary between days 8 – 14 are entirely beyond our control.
Passports & Visa's:
We can only advise of the requirements for British passport holders. For British passports endorsed in any way and for all other passport holders, requirements should be checked with the Egyptian Consulate. You should ensure that you have a valid 10 year passport and that that your passport is valid for 6 months after your return to the UK . A Tourist Visa is required for entry into Egypt and should be obtained independently by each passenger. Visas can either be obtained prior to travel by contacting the Egyptian Consulate, or upon arrival in Cairo . The current cost for an Egyptian Tourist Visa is approximately £15. Journeys of Distinction accept no liability for any passenger being refused entry into Egypt as a result of not acquiring the correct visa documentation or holding a valid passport.
EGYPTIAN CONSULATE: No. 2 Lowndes St , London , SW1X 9ET ; 09065 508 933; www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Photography:
It is recommended that all photographic film and single use cameras are carried in your hand luggage. These items should be handed to security for hand checking rather than being scanned.
Special Dietary Requirements:
Although the airlines and hotels will endeavour to accommodate passengers with special dietary requirements this cannot be guaranteed. In particular this applies to meals taken outside the hotels. Therefore we suggest passengers requiring special foodstuffs should pack any essential items in their luggage.
Taxis & Public Transport:
All of the major cities have plenty of taxis to drive you around town. There are a few simple rules you should follow, to ensure that your journey runs smoothly.
- Make sure you know where you're going.
- Don't accept a stop if your driver proposes one.
- Negotiate the price of the journey from A to Z before you set off
- Before you leave your hotel, ask the receptionist how much the journey should cost
- The taxis that wait outside hotels charge almost double, so it often pays to walk to the next block.
- Travel by local transport such as buses and trains is not recommended.
Tipping:
Tipping is a way of life in Egypt and it is expected and appreciated to tip throughout the country for services such as coach drivers, tour guides, hotel porters, waiters and airport representatives. In order for you to avoid ‘tipping' on a daily basis during your tour, Journeys of Distinction have already taken care of all expected daily ‘tips' for these services. Any additional tips for your Tour Manager or any excursions or meals not included are entirely at your discretion. As a simple guide, it is normal practice to tip approximately £1.50 per person per day for your Tour Manager, providing you have found they have met your expectations. Waiter service is approximately 10% of the total bill again providing you have found they have met your expectations. These recommendations are guidelines only. As tips are a personal matter and purely down to your discretion, we suggest they are given on an individual basis rather than as a group collection. All hotel porterage is taken care of by Journeys of Distinction.
Traffic / Driving:
Cairo is home to over 18 million people, many of whom own a car. Whilst extremely busy, the traffic does move, yet it is normal to experience some delays when travelling at peak times in and around the city. The manner of driving is very different to that of the Western World and horn blowing is not considered a sign of frustration and is used frequently to warn traffic of the vehicle's presence.
What to Pack:
Make sure to pack light airy comfortable clothing for the day along with a hat for the midday sun and a warmer sweater or cardigan for the cooler evenings. When visiting the many temples it is a good idea to wear comfortable footwear with a good grip as some of the surfaces can be uneven. Finally, whilst not essential, we do believe it is worth investing in an Egyptian guide book before you travel. Whilst you will be on a guided tour and joined by a local Egyptologist on all your visits, such a book will give you a superb insight into the many wonderful treasures you are going to witness.
Additional Notes:
Egyptians tend to drink their tea without milk so it is not unusual to find tea & coffee facilities available in your hotel room without milk. A call to housekeeping will rectify.
Most hotel rooms do not provide Irons & Ironing Boards in hotel rooms as these are considered a “Fire Hazard” by Egyptian Health & Safety. All hotels will deliver these items to your room upon request.
Please note that the above information may be subject to change. Current information correct as at 01/05/2008
