Egypt, land of the Nile, tomb of the pharaohs. Once a sparkling – now crumbling – wonderland of the ancient past.
Egypt’s trove of ancient ruins is more than anyone could take in in a single lifetime. You may start with the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest pyramid in the world, with its stuffy interior and imposing façade. And you may choose to marvel at the mystery of the Sphinx, whose origins and maker are still unknown. Or you may choose to study Egypt’s lesser-known ancient Christian and medieval Muslim sites with their labyrinths of churches and mosques. In a land where the sand meets the sea, Egypt’s wonders are endless.
What people say
Egypt and Jordan are both very safe destinations for travel so don't hesitate, just go. The memories from the Pyramids to the Dead Sea with stay with you forever.
Egypt travel highlights
View burial treasures at the Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum holds the greatest collection of ancient Egyptian treasures, among them are the lavish jewels and furniture found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Descend into the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqquafa
This subterranean cemetery was constructed at various times by the ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians, bearing artwork and inscriptions from each of these cultures.
Cruise down the Nile in style
The Nile River is the lifeblood of this country. The river is still used for trade and luxury travel.
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Best time to visit
Egypt travel FAQs
- Australia: Yes – On Arrival
- Belgium: Yes – On Arrival
- Canada: Yes – On Arrival
- Germany: Yes – On Arrival
- Ireland: Yes – On Arrival
- Netherlands: Yes – On Arrival
- New Zealand: Yes – On Arrival
- Switzerland: Yes – On Arrival
- United Kingdom: Yes – On Arrival
- United States: Yes – On Arrival
Most nationalities need a visa for Egypt. Visas can be obtained on arrival at the airport or border and are for three months of travel. You’ll receive a stamp that you need to put into your passport yourself. Check with your local embassy or consulate if your nationality isn’t listed above.
Weather-wise, Egypt is best between October and February. Though this is technically Egypt’s winter, it seldom rains and the days are warm and sunny. Other times of year do have their perks, however. June, July and August get very hot in the desert, but in places such as Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast the high temperatures are perfect for seaside recreation. The months of March, May, September and October are also solid options as the crowds tend to be lighter.
Due to the low wages in Egypt, many rely on tips for their services. Tips are usually about 5-10% of the bill in restaurants and cafes, but for street vendors and markets, loose change is enough. It’s also common practice to tip local guides and drivers between US$2-4 per day.
Internet is easily accessible in Egypt, with plenty of internet cafes, Wi-Fi and good connection across the country. Internet is difficult to find in rural and desert areas.
Egypt has good mobile phone coverage in major centres but service may be patchy in rural and remote areas. Remember to activate global roaming with your provider if you wish to use your mobile while traveling.
Egypt has Western-style toilets in some hotels and tourist areas, however most toilets are of the squat variety. You may like to carry some soap and toilet paper with you as it isn’t always provided.
- Pastry = 5 EGP
- Cup of coffee = 5 EGP
- Beer = 10 EGP
- Short taxi ride = 10 EGP
Despite the affordability of some goods, major tourist sites can have expensive admission fees.
Drinking tap water is not considered safe in Egypt. For environmental reasons, avoid buying bottled water and bring a bottle or canteen with you. Ask your leader where you can access filters to refill your supply, or carry your own purification tablets with you.
Credit cards are accepted at large hotels, major shops and nice restaurants, however you’ll need cash to make purchases from small businesses, restaurants and markets.
ATMs are easy to find in cities like Cairo and Alexandria however they are less common in small towns and remote areas. Prepare to carry cash when travelling out of the city.
Egypt is a very conservative country. The stigma attached to homosexuality is strong, and the same goes for transgender and intersex people (though it’s worth noting that Egypt is the only country with legal provisions in place for gender dysphoria). Gay males should exercise particular caution when travelling. Homosexual acts in public are a crime, and the situation does not appear to be moving in a more liberal direction. Dozens of people in the LGBTQI community were arrested in government raids in 2017, and the issue of whether to make homosexuality illegal has been debated in parliament just as recently. Public displays of affection should be avoided – this applies not only to the LGBTQI travellers but to all travellers in Egypt.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or Smartraveller before you travel.
Yes. All peregrine passengers are required to purchase travel insurance prior to their trip. Your insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day.
For a current list of public holidays in Egypt go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/80/public_holidays/Africa/Egypt.html