Egypt Data and useful Information

Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to have a valid passport. Entry visa may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic Bodies abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). It is, however, possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Entry Ports .

Please check with the nearest Egyptian Consulate for specific details and regulations relevant to your nationality.

Note
Visitors entering Egypt at the overland border, then go to Taba to visit Gulf of Aqaba coast and St. Catherine, can be exempted from visa and granted a free residence permit for fourteen days to visit the area

Is usually valid for a period not exceeding three months and granted on either single or multiple entry basis.

2. Entry Visa :

Is required for any foreigner arriving in Egypt for any purposes other than tourism, e.g. work, study … etc. The possession of a valid entry visa is needed to complete the residence procedures in Egypt.

If you have more than the duty free allowances or if you have prohibited or restricted goods, go into the RED channel and declare them to an officer in the customs declaration.

If you have nothing more than the duty free allowances and no prohibited or restricted goods go straight through the Green Channel unless asked to stop by an officer.

- One liter of alcoholic drinks, Plus 200 grs. Cigarettes or 25 Cigars or 200 grs. Of Tobacco.

- Medals, rewards and the like which have been won in international sporting events.

- Furniture, equipment, personal effects and cars, which have been temporarily exported from Egypt if the owner's original locations are in Egypt.

- Photographic machines, typewriters, calculators, radios, cassette recorders, video, tape players, video cameras, personal jewelry and ornaments. . Etc, which are usually accompanied by tourists or Egyptian immigrants for use during their tours. Customs officers have to register the accompanied items in their passports on arrival.

- Egyptian working and living outside the country may enjoy the same facilities aforementioned on arrival in Egypt against depositing the guarantee determined by customs authorities to ensure re-exportation.

- Goods of value not more than 200 $ purchased by travelers coming into the country from the free shops located in the ports or inside the country within one month from the arrival may be exempted from customs duties.

- There is no limitation as to the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into or take out of Egypt.
There is a limit of 1000 Egyptian Pounds that you bring into or take out Egypt.

Summer: Temperatures in Egypt are generally high, particularly during the summer months from May to September, when the sun can be fierce and temperatures are at industrial levels, so take plenty of sunscreen.

Winter: In Cairo and the Nile Delta region, winter (October to February) can be cooler - so take a jacket, long-sleeved tops and trousers for the cooler evenings. The south remains warm during this time but again, temperatures do drop in the evenings.

Rainfall is negligible, except on Egypt’s coast.

Note: Travelers embarking on a felucca cruise or camping in the desert oases in Egypt are advised to pack a sleeping bag for additional warmth as temperatures anytime of the year do fall at night.

Winter months: Bring sweaters, a light coat or jacket for the cool Cairo evenings. Women should bring slacks and one evening dress for nightclub visits. Men should bring at least one warm jacket. Pack a bathing suit if visiting Luxor and Aswan if taking a Nile cruise. Summer months: light weight clothing. A sweater for cool Cairo evenings.

AT ALL TIMES: modesty in clothing should be observed-women should cover their arms when visiting mosques. Bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and walking on desert sand. Sneakers are needed and no open sandals as it is sandy. Sunglasses as well as hats and scarves are recommended as protection against the strong sun. On the Nile cruise dress is strictly informal, jackets and ties are out of place.

Time:
Egypt is 2 Hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. From April to September, Egypt is 3 hours ahead of British Summer Time.

Christmas:
The Coptic Christmas celebrated on the 7th January. The Coptics believe this day to be birthday of Christ. People enjoy a mass gathering at midnight and enjoy a traditional cuisine of festival known as "fata".

Pharaonic Wedding:
This festival is the symbol of ancient civilization of Egypt and is celebrated in the month of November. This festival is considered a lucky day for marriages so at this time couples visit Karnak Temple in Luxor and get married there.

Abu Simbel Sun Festival:
This Festival of Egypt is associated with the ancient temple of Egypt-Abu Simbel and highlights the ancient traditional rituals of Egypt. This festival is held on 22nd February and 22nd October every year. We run special tours to coincide with this incredible event

Ramadan:
One most major events in Egypt is Ramadan. People fast when the sun in the sky, but as a westerner you will be able to eat and restaurants and shops will still sell food. Opening hours can be altered but you will still be able see everything. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Egypt as well as in other Muslim countries also and you will see lots of decorations and lights in the street at this time. It lasts for about a month and the precise date varies from year to year but tends to be around the September/October time.

Forthcoming Ramadan dates are approximately -
21 Aug 2009 - 19 Sep 2009
10 Aug 2010 - 9 Sep 2010

Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other major currencies can be exchanged in Egypt. Exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes and all major towns have ATMs

Egyptian cuisine is not unlike the cuisine of Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.The basic staple centres on pulses - fuul medames (fava beans) and ta'amiyya (chickpea patties). These tend to be the centrepiece of a meal that will normally include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats. Houmous and other yoghurt based dips, coupled with fresh pitta, schwarma (similar to a Turkish doner kebab), kofta (a skewered spiced meat dish) and fiteer (a kind of pizza) are other popular dishes. The lunchtime bargain has to be kushari, though. A curious mix of noodles, rice, lentils, fried onion and spicy sauce. It's very tasty and exceedingly cheap. Exotic juices freshly squeezed from the fruits of mango, guava and other seasonal varieties are also widely available, as is fresh fruit.