Security and Travel

Travel Agents

Travel Trips

Embassy contacts

General Travel Information

First, check out Egypt's main travel web page!

But here is more information:

VISAS: U.S. residents may purchase Visas with the help of the meet/assist personnel at the airport for $15 U.S (see detailed section in this report). Your tour agency should also be able to advise you directly regarding VISAS, or you can purchase a business VISA directly at the Egyptian embassy in your country. As entry requirements vary by country, costs and procedures vary and you should contact your local embassy if adequate information is not available from one of the agencies above.

WEATHER: Weather in October is warm but pleasantly mild. Light jackets and light-weight hiking boots are recommended for the field trips (for early morning and evening only), but short sleeve shirts are generally desired in the field, as are short pants (for field trips).

DRESS: With the exception of field work attire, we recommend conservative dress. Women should brink long, comfortably loose skirts. Shorts receive a mixed reception in public, but are certainly more comfortable than long pants in hot weather, so the more conservative the shorts, the better. You will also want hats, sunglasses and suntan lotion to protect you from a strong sun. Dress at the convention will be casual, but long pants are required and coats and ties commonplace with many Egyptian guests.

MEDICAL INFORMATION: You may have to obtain inoculations prior to coming to Egypt. Please note that medicines are available in Cairo, but if you take medicines on a regular basis, bring an adequate supply. Although a wide variety of pharmaceuticals are available over the counter, popular medicines like Tylenol and Advil are not (although Ibu Profen is), so bring your own if you feel you’ll need it. Immunizations recommended by the CDC for travelers to Egypt include Hepatitis A vaccine (or Immune globulin, IG); Polio (eIPV), and updated tetanus (Td) at the least. If time permits, Typhoid and Hepatitis B. Please contact your travel agent in your country of origin or medical department in your company to determine what, if any, additional shots you may need.

Web sites are available for more information:

FOOD: There are many fine restaurants in and around Cairo, but travelers are advised to avoid eating uncooked, unpeeled fruit and vegetables, undercooked meat and ice cubes. As in many parts of the world, people should drink only bottled water, and high quality bottled water is available in all restaurants and stores.

LOCAL AND MORE REGIONAL TOURS: Egypt is a fascinating country to visit, and time won’t allow you to see all of the exciting spots in this ancient land. But you need to start somewhere! The travel agents and hotels listed can set you up with local tours. The Khan El Khalili shopping center (700+ year old outdoor market), Pyramids, Saqarra, the Egyptian Museum and the Citadel are local favorites that can be visited on day trips. Personal guides are available through the travel agents for low cost and transportation in small vans or private vehicles is encouraged and allows for flexible hours for visitation (vs. a larger tour).

If you have more time, St. Cathernine’s monastery (Sinai) is a good 2 day trip. And you can throw in some time to hike to the top of Mt. Sinai. World class diving, snorkeling and deep sea fishing are available at numerous resorts along the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea, the most popular area of which is Sharm El Sheik. Archeological buffs will find that trips to Luxor, Aswan and/or Abu Simbel make excellent 2-3 day tours. Nile Cruise boats offer outstanding tours of ruins along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan on 3 to 4 day cruises at very reasonable rates.

More information is available from various travel agents.

SAFE TRAVEL: Many tourists arriving in Egypt are concerned about safety issues. Egypt is a remarkably major crime-free country, and security precautions are being taken by the Egyptian government and the Hotel Sofitel to safeguard your stay. For additional precautions, travelers are advised to travel in small groups and use private cabs or small vans for local tours. Traffic in Cairo is hectic at best, so hotel or travel agent arranged drivers are by far the best way to tour in Cairo. Security personnel also advise against gathering in big groups in front of the tourist sites and traveling in a convoy of big buses from these locations. You should avoid carrying valuable of big cash in wallets or purses, and credit cards (i.e. VISA, American Express, Master Card) are used in a wide array of shopping and money exchange booths are everywhere, to make carrying large amounts of cash unnecessary.