How to Plan a Trip to Egypt

Although pharaonic tours are an essential element of the perfect trip to Egypt, the ancient country has much more than The Great Pyramids and The Sphinx to offer. Imagine scuba diving in the Red Sea, shopping in bustling bazaars and relaxing on a Mediterranean beach. With thorough research and careful planning, you'll soon embark on an Egyptian vacation fit for a pharaoh.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Gather the appropriate documents. Americans must present a valid passport and visa to enter Egypt. If you're unable to get a visa from a U.S. Consulate, you can obtain one at most Egyptian points of entry.

2. Decide when to visit Egypt. High season, from late October to May, attracts many tourists due to cooler temperatures. Although the weather's generally nice, hotels and other services can cost as much as 30% more during these busy months. For smaller crowds and bearable temperatures, consider traveling in September or early October.

3. Book a tour. Independent traveling in Egypt can be challenging and expensive. Package deals, that often include air fare, hotel and tours, are usually the best value as travel companies receive significant discounts from service providers. Many reputable tour companies feature Egyptian packages that include airfare and five star accommodations for under $1000 per person. If you strongly prefer traveling alone, arrange plans through your hotel, always provide someone with your itinerary and keep embassy information with you at all times.

4. Limit your search to hotels with at least three stars. Well-known chains like Four Seasons and Marriott offer luxury accommodations in many Egyptian cities at a reasonable price. If you choose a local hotel, make sure it's clean and that you'll have a private bathroom.

5. Fly with a major airline. Most major airline companies offer travel to Egypt, although some, like American, partner with other airlines to make the trip. Some lesser known companies that specialize in Egyptian travel are unreliable, often significantly delaying flights. However, these smaller airlines can be less expensive and some offer direct flights, which may be worth the potential hassle.

6. Plan to rely on public transportation rather than a rental car. Egypt has an extensive and affordable system of buses and trains. Limit train travel to first and second class rails to avoid extensive delays. Taxis are also available, but haggling over fares can be challenging and car accidents in heavily populated areas are fairly common and often serious.

7. Protect your health. Make an appointment with your general practitioner before your trip. In accordance with CDC recommendations, he may recommend vaccinations for Hepatitis, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and other diseases. Ask your physician to prescribe an antibiotic or other medication to treat traveler's diarrhea, a common ailment of Egyptian tourists.

Tips & Warnings

• Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, can affect Egyptian travel plans. Irregular business hours and restrictions on some public activities are unappealing and inconvenient for many tourists. Dates of Ramadan vary yearly, but the sacred month usually starts about 11 to 12 days earlier than the previous year.

• Research Egyptian culture and understand Muslim practices. Egyptian people are known to be generous to and welcoming of tourists and deserve their respect. If you plan to visit a mosque, you must remove your shoes before entering. In addition, women should not wear overly revealing clothing and couples should not engage in extreme public displays of affection.

• Egypt is very hot and mosquitoes are a common problem. Wear breathable fabrics like linen, apply high SPF sunscreen several times each day, have bottled water available at all times and wear mosquito repellent.

• When receiving hotel quotes, ask for an all-inclusive price. Service charges can be as high as 12% and taxes as high as 26%.

• Due to international terrorist attacks, the Egyptian government is on high security alert. Expect to undergo bag checks and to see heavily armed guards in travel points of entry and attraction entrances.

Resources

• Detailed information about Egyptian travel planning.
• Comprehensive Egyptian travel guide.