Bucket List Alert - Egypt
Traveling to Egypt – What to Know Before You Go
Egypt is one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the world. From its ancient pyramids to its vibrant culture, it's a place where you can experience something truly unique.
Before you embark on your journey to this ancient country, we've put together a few tips to help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
How to Dress
One of the most common questions women have when traveling to Egypt is what to wear.
To respect the local customs, we recommend dressing conservatively. In general, this means covering your knees and shoulders. Women visiting mosques are also expected to cover their hair, ankles, and wrists.
That being said, when you visit the various monuments around Egypt, you'll see tons of women wearing the latest Instagram-worthy fashion for their photos with little regard for modesty.
To ensure you're prepared for any situation, we suggest wearing lightweight pants or a long skirt and carrying a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt with you and a scarf to cover your hair if the need arises.
To combat the heat, men and women alike will want to dress in lightweight, breathable fabrics and wear a hat that provides good protection from the sun.
Money Matters
Getting Egyptian pounds in the U.S. before you leave can be challenging, so we suggest getting money from an ATM when you arrive.
You can also find ATMs at hotels, inside shopping bazaars, and throughout the cities. Be aware sometimes the machines run out of money, so you may need to try more than one ATM.
Depending on where you are, many shops and vendors will also give you the option of paying in U.S. dollars or euros.
BE AWARE: Everywhere you go, people will offer to help you and always expect a small tip in return. Anyone, including the guards at historic sites, who offers to take a photo of you—or show you a great photo spot—will expect money. If you don't want to pay, refuse the offer.
Bathroom Tips
Visiting the bathroom in Egypt can be a memorable experience. First, be prepared to pay 5-10 EGP to use public toilets.
In general, the plumbing in Egypt can't handle toilet paper. That's why you'll find a wastebasket next to the toilet and a bidet or some water hose attached to it. In Egypt, TP is meant for drying, not cleaning. So instead of flushing any paper products, throw them in the trash.
It takes a while to get used to it, but once you do, it's no big deal. You might even prefer the experience and install a bidet in your bathroom at home.
Getting Around
Driving in Egypt is an adventure. The roads are chaotic, with locals unafraid to navigate the tight traffic. Although this might seem exciting for some visitors, we recommend hiring a reputable driver to ensure a much smoother and safer experience.
We can connect you with options, from private and group tours to engaging drivers/guides. Not only will you not have to worry about navigating the hectic roads, but you'll also gain insights into Egyptian culture you wouldn't get when roaming around on your own.
Touring Responsibly
At DPP Travel, we're huge proponents of avoiding single-use plastic, especially bottled water, but it's not realistic to refill a reusable bottle in Egypt. Until the infrastructure changes and clean water is more readily available, we'll have to concede on bottled water … for now.
Besides being environmentally conscious, being a responsible traveler also means respecting the local culture. In the case of Egypt, the culture has mind-blowingly ancient roots and deserves a healthy dose of reverence. You'd be surprised what customs tourists will ignore to snap the "perfect" photo. We know this is a bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime trip, but please don't be one of those people!
Egypt is an incredible destination full of history and culture waiting to be explored … responsibly.
Ready to go? We would love to help you plan a fantastic trip. Reach out today to get started.
Want to travel to Egypt with us? Check out our upcoming hosted adventure. This 11-day Nile River Cruise + Land Experience with AMAWaterways is sure to be unforgettable.