If you are reading this, it is almost certainly because you’ve been online looking for tips and/or advice on how to plan a trip to Egypt. If that’s the case, then you need look no further. In this short post you will find all the information you need in order to plan a perfect and totally hassle-free trip to the Land of the Pharaohs. Continue reading and get ready for a holiday of a lifetime and one which will leave you with lifelong memories, guaranteed!
How to Plan a Trip to Egypt – Passport and Visa Requirements
Apart from people from a small handful of Arabic countries, everyone who visits Egypt needs to have a valid passport and a visa, so this is one of the first things you need to take into consideration when planning a trip to Egypt.
Passports
Not only must your passport be valid, but it should also have at least 6 months validity remaining. Some online sources say that this should be based on the date of your arrival in Egypt. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure from Egypt.
Visas
If you are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, America, the United Kingdom, or any European Union member state, obtaining a tourist visa for Egypt is an absolute breeze. Simply apply for a visa on arrival at Cara International Airport or any other port of arrival. You can also apply for an online E-Visa prior to traveling to the country. If you are from a qualifying country then this is your easiest and most convenient option.
If you come from a country whose citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival or an online electronic visa, then we would recommend that you apply for an electronic visa 10 to 14 days before flying to Egypt. With that having been said, most electronic visas are issued within 5 to 7 days.
Be aware that for some nationalities, obtaining an Egyptian tourist visa can involve quite a considerable amount of paperwork and documentation. As we have said, obtaining a tourist visa for Egypt is generally very easy for most nationalities. However, for some nationalities it is not quite as easy. So, if you’re wondering how to plan a trip to Egypt, familiarizing yourself with the applicable visa regulations should be your top priority.
International Flights
The cost of international flights to and from Egypt typically involves quite a sizable expense. Some Travelers like to look for and rely on last minute deals but this is not something we would recommend. In most instances, booking your international flights well in advance will help you to secure the best possible deals.
Some, but not all Egypt tour operators can/will arrange your international flights if you book one of their tour packages. However, flight reservations can only be made once a client has paid for their flights. If for any reason you decide to cancel your vacation, your chosen tour operator will not be able to refund the money you have spent for your airline tickets. Some airlines will offer a partial refund while others don’t. If you have any questions, it is best to discuss them with your preferred Egypt tour operator or airline company.
How to Plan a Trip to Egypt – Domestic Travel
In all probability, you almost certainly won’t want to spend your entire vacation in Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital city which is home to the iconic Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. If you choose to visit one or more of Egypt’s other cities such as Alexandria, Luxor and/or Sharm El Sheikh, you will have four modes of transport to choose from:
- Buses
- Taxis
- Trains
- Planes
No matter which one of these options you choose it’s going to involve an extra cost, so this is something you also need to take into account when planning a trip to Egypt. Buses and trains tend to be your cheapest option. Taxis typically aren’t overly expensive but they are probably not your safest option considering the driving standards in Egypt. If your budget allows for it, we would recommend using domestic flights with an airline company such as Egypt Air.
Domestic air travel is often included in the price of pre-packaged Egypt tours offered by reputable and well-established Egypt tour operators. This is definitely something one should take into consideration and be aware of when planning or booking a trip to the Land of the Pharaohs.
Many Egypt tour operators offer group tours, private tours, as well as private day trips and multi-day tours which include transport. These are your most convenient and most hassle-free options. Tour packages will almost certainly cost you more than if you just wing it on your own using public transport and taxis but they are without question your best option if your budget allows for it.
Depending on who you book your tour through, it should include your own professional tour guide, driver and air conditioned vehicle. You get picked up from your hotel in the morning and then you are driven to the various tourist attractions listed in your chosen Egypt itinerary, and finally, when your tour is over, you are dropped off back at your hotel. You can also save a bit of money by opting for group tours, but private tours do offer a greater degree of flexibility.
Hotel Accommodation
If you are still wondering how to plan a trip to Egypt, hotel accommodation is of course also something which you need to think about. There is no shortage of accommodation options to suit all budgets. From shared dormitories and cheap hostels, to luxurious suites and high-end luxury hotels, Egypt has it all. Just bear in mind that quality standards are not the same in Egypt as they are in many western countries.
Most hostels and cheap hotels might be perfectly suitable for cash strapped backpackers but they are not the best choice for people who would like to enjoy a good combination of cleanliness and comfort. To avoid disappointment we would strongly suggest that you consider staying in four or five star hotels only.
What Do You Want from Your Egypt Vacation
What you want from your Egypt vacation is one of the first things you need to think about if you are wondering how to plan a trip to Egypt. Do you want to spend your entire vacation sightseeing; do you want to spend your entire vacation relaxing and unwinding on Egypt’s stunning Red Sea coast, or do you want a bit of both?
Knowing exactly what you want to see and do in Egypt is very important because it can have quite a significant impact on the overall cost of your vacation. It will also make it easier for you to set yourself a budget.
If you have never traveled to Egypt before, you will almost certainly want to visit a number of the country’s most famous and most iconic archaeological sites, such as the Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temple, and etc. Remember, each site you visit is going to cost you money. Knowing which sites you want to visit can also help when it comes to setting yourself a budget.
Alternatively, look for an Egypt tour itinerary which features most or all of the attractions you want to see. This way, you won’t need to worry about trying to budget for sightseeing because admission fees to the various sites should be included in the price of your preferred tour package. In fact, booking an all-inclusive Egypt tour is hands down the easiest, simplest and most convenient way to enjoy a trip to Egypt.
Nile River Cruises
If you have been looking elsewhere on the internet for information on how to plan a trip to Egypt, you will probably already know that Nile River cruises are immensely popular among foreign tourists. There is a good reason for this. A good quality five star multi day Nile cruise is a truly magnificent experience.
Most of the five-star Nile cruise ships are quite literally like floating hotels with the same sort of amenities that one would expect to find at any good hotel. These cruises include three excellent meals per day, along with several onshore excursions that will see you visiting some of Egypt’s most famous and most cherished ancient sites, including places like Philae Temple in Aswan; Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor, and several other ancient wonders. Some Nile cruises will also include a day trip to Abu Simbel to see the magnificent rock-cut temples of pharaoh Ramses II.
There really is no better way to visit and enjoy the wonders of ancient Egypt than by way of a Nile Cruise so if you are planning a trip to Egypt; we highly recommend that you consider a good quality Nile cruise.
Luxury Egypt Tours
Top Recommended Attractions
If you are looking for information on how to plan a trip to Egypt, then you are probably also wondering what are some of top attractions to visit in the country? Here are a few which we believe should definitely be on your bucket list of must-see attractions:
- The Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx
- The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Islamic Cairo
- Philae Temple, Aswan
- Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, Luxor East Bank
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of Kings, Luxor West Bank
Beach Holidays
As we mentioned earlier in this post, when you are planning a trip to Egypt you need to decide whether you want to devote all your time to sightseeing, or if you also want to have some time to relax near the sea. If you do, you will of course have to budget for this as well. Alternatively, you could look for an Egypt tour package that includes a few days on the Red Sea coast at a place like Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, both of which are well geared up for tourism.
Both of the above mentioned places are immensely popular. They are also home to some of the world’s finest dive sites that attract snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts from around the world who come to marvel at the region’s stunningly beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life.
If you do want to spend a few days relaxing in the coast, we would recommend that you do so towards the tail end of your vacation after you have done all the sightseeing you want to do.
The Best Time to Visit Egypt
People Exclamation point who want to know how to plan a trip to Egypt need to decide when in the year they wish to visit. The high season in Egypt runs from the beginning of October until the end of April. This is when the weather in Egypt is at its mildest. For many foreign tourists, the high season is the best time to visit the country because it allows you to avoid Egypt’s notoriously hot weather. With that having been said, visiting during the high season inevitably costs more than visiting during the low season, and especially if you visit during the peak season from December to February which are two of Egypt’s winter months.
If you visit during the low season which begins at the beginning of May and lasts until the end of September, you will find that things like flight tickets, hotel accommodation and Nile cruises all cost less than they do during the high season, and particularly during the winter months (peak tourist season).
In short, when in the year you choose to visit all depends on your personal travel style. For the coolest and mildest weather, visit during the high season. For the best possible deals and bargains visit during the low season but be prepared for extremely hot weather.
Vaccinations and Travel Insurance
Vaccinations and travel insurance are also two things which one should think about when planning a trip to Egypt. Neither are mandatory for foreign tourists, but getting vaccinated and having good medical insurance can give you extra peace of mind. Your health care provider in your home country should be able to offer you up to date advice regarding vaccines.
While travel medical insurance is not mandatory for tourists arriving in Egypt, It is certainly something which we would recommend. Not only should your travel insurance provide cover for any medical treatment which you may need to receive while you are traveling, but it should also cover things like emergency medical evacuation back to your own country if it should become necessary.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Egypt is a Muslim country and also quite a conservative country. The vast majority of Egyptians take religion very seriously and this is something which visitors should accept and respect. Serious political debates are also best avoided.
Given the fact that Egypt is a Muslim country and a conservative country, female tourists should also refrain from wearing very revealing clothing, especially if they want to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. When on the beach, or while enjoying a Nile cruise, female travelers are free to dress more or less however they want. In all other situations it is best for tourists, and especially for female tourists, to dress on the conservative side.
Tipping Culture
A lot of online resources provide plenty of travel tips on how to plan a trip to Egypt but not many mention anything about Egypt’s tipping culture. While tipping is not mandatory in Egypt it is very much expected in numerous situations. In short, you are basically expected to tip anyone and everyone who does anything for you. If you are going to be in Egypt for let’s say 2 weeks you could end up spending up to $200 or more on tips, so this is definitely something you need to take into consideration before you travel.
Be Prepared to Haggle
Haggling is a way of life in Egypt, especially when dealing with street traders so this is something you need to be prepared for before you visit the country. Very few goods or services have an exact price. Even basic commodity prices can vary tremendously depending on your haggling skills. Many foreign tourists feel somewhat intimidated by this when they first arrive in the country but they soon get over it and many even end up enjoying it.
How to Plan a Trip to Egypt – Summary
If you are wondering how to plan a trip to Egypt that will be 100% hassle-free, our top recommendation would be that you should seriously consider booking a professionally designed Egypt tour package through a reputable and well-established Egypt tour operator. While this might not always be your cheapest option, it is certainly your most convenient and most hassle-free option, allowing you to enjoy totally relaxed travel throughout your vacation.
If you really want to do all the planning yourself, then we suggest that you follow the following steps:
Check the validity of your passport – Make sure that your passport is valid and that it will be valid for at least another 6 months as from your intended date of departure from Egypt.
Check visa requirements – Check what Egypt’s visa requirements are for people of your nationality.
Sightseeing – Draw up a list of all the various archaeological sites and other attractions you want to visit when you’re in Egypt and then do some research to see how much it’s going to cost you to visit all the sites on your list.
Flights and hotel reservations – Do you have decided exactly when you want to visit Egypt then it will be time for you to shop for flights and to make your hotel reservations.
Set yourself a budget – Once you have done all of the above it’s important that you set yourself a budget and that you try to stick to your budget as best as possible. Don’t forget to take into account the cost of domestic transport in Egypt and the cost of guides.
Many people visit Egypt independently every year, but many also end up regretting the fact that they didn’t arrange their vacation through a reputable and well established Egypt tour operator.
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