Where to stay in Egypt

Hotels 

Egypt boasts some beautiful resorts set in landscaped gardens across the country. All the top resorts, at Sharm el-Sheik, Hurghada and Luxor, offer lavish accommodation for less than top-dollar prices. Many include international restaurants, spas and infinity pools, and they are a good place to watch belly dancing or other cultural entertainment which cater especially for tourists. Most can arrange diving and snorkelling, horse- and camel-riding trips, and tours of the desert or to archaeological sites.

Top-end hotel accommodation in Egypt surprisingly represents the best value for money. In Cairo, there are some spectacular five-star hotels run by international chains, many of them on the banks of the Nile. In Alexandria, old colonial hotels on the corniche are convenient and charming.

All cities and resorts offer a choice of mid-range hotels that offer business facilities and help with onward connections. Most require reservations several months in advance, particularly in the winter months and during major Islamic holidays.

Hotels are graded 1-5 stars, although visitors will find that the standards of the lower range are somewhat inferior to their counterparts in Europe and the USA.

Bed and breakfast 

All the main towns have smaller, cheap guesthouses, many of which are family-run and offer the chance to integrate more readily with Egyptian people. Standards vary considerably from simple but clean, to the very basic where bringing your own linen is advisable. Most guesthouses can offer tours and help with transport arrangements although it’s still best to shop around to compare prices and services. In Cairo, inexpensive accommodation is concentrated in Downtown, above office buildings on and around Sharia Talaat Harb and some cheaper options in Islamic Cairo. All tend to be hot in summer as they rarely have air conditioning.

Camping 

There are several places in the country to enjoy a night under canvas, particularly at budget-style resorts along the Sinai coast and during trips organised trips to the Sinai interior or the Western Desert. Egypt is not such a good place, however, for ad hoc camping and caravanning as there are many security restrictions in place to protect the country's tourist industry. There are a few official campsites that tourist offices in Egypt can advise about.

Other accommodation 

There are 11 youth hostels affiliated to the Egyptian Youth Hostels Association, located mainly in large towns, on the coast and in popular tourist regions. They mainly cater to local residents but they are used by Western backpackers too.

Shopping in Egypt

Egypt is a wonderland of shopping opportunities. Of course, there are the famous bazaars such as the Khan el-Khalili, but then there are also thousands of unusual stores scattered about the country, and especially in Cairo, though some products are better purchased perhaps from the locale from which they are produced, such as alabaster in Luxor. However, Cairo provides a huge variety of everything from antiques to fine clothing and especially jewelry.

In some shops, you must haggle while in others the price will be set. Which type of store provides the best possible deals depends both on the shop itself and the haggling ability of the buyer an seller. Frequently though some of the best deals at the best consistent quality is found in stores with fixed prices. For example, one might haggle over a mother-of-pearl box in the Khan el-Khalili and wind up paying a fairly low price but for an inferior products, while in a fixed price shop, one might end up paying more, but for a far superior mother-of-pearl box.

The purpose for this section is to provide Tour Egypt readers with information both on how to shop in Egypt, as well as to enlighten them on how to tell what makes various products better or worse from the standpoint of quality. Of course, for those not traveling to Egypt, our Virtual Khan el-Khalili, Tour Egypt's online shop provides many quality products found in Egypt at reasonable prices.

What to wear when visiting Egypt

Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.

For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops.  In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a local restuarant or market, it's better to be more covered.

So, the main subject here is what women should wear.  Adopting the conservative dress code will hopefully deflect unwanted attention from the Egyptian men which for most women is desirable.  Basic clothes could be loose linen/cotton trousers or a below knee skirt and sleeved blouse.  (If you're planning to ride a camel, a skirt is not a good idea.)  Tight clothes and low necks are to be avoided. Also aviod transperant blouses or pants as they are also not welcomed and will draw attention and even comments, especially from young men.

Going out to dinner, especially in a nice restaurant, it is advisable to wear smart clothes and having  shawl would be a good idea to cover bare shoulders.  On cruise boats also it is nice to have something smart to wear in the evening.

Comfortable strong shoes are a must (that could be sneakers/trainers or good leather shoes). Sandals can be worn, but you will suffer from dust /sand and the streets of Cairo are not clean; there are often muddy puddles, too, so in general having closed shoes is the better option.  This is not the time to make a fashion statement.  It will be difficult to see sights in heels of any sort, as the desert is sandy.

When entering a mosque as a tourist it is better to observe the conservative dress code as above, and in some of the major mosques (Al-Azhar for example) women will be required to cover up and this is provided by the mosque.  Some mosques (i.e., Ibn Touloun) have canvas shoe covers (not easy to walk with), so it is possible to decline, but Ibn Touloun mosque is not in use for daily services, so it is not always very clean, and using the shoe covers can be good for the areas that have no carpets like the central court.  For other mosques like Mohamed Ali or any other, just remove your shoes and walk in socks. Any  Muslim entering a mosque for prayer will simply remove his/her shoes, so why should a tourist be different? The best option for most people when entering a mosque is to leave the shoes with the mosque guard, who usually has a desk at the entrance and a place to store shoes.  He will keep an eye on them.  When leaving you can give him 1 egyptian pound or even half a pound, or nothing.  Usually locals give half a pound just because he is a poor man, but it is not obligatory.  Some of these guards are greedy when they see a tourist, and they ask you for money but if you do not want to pay just leave, he can't force you to pay anything and he doesnt have right to not even to mention certain amount of money to be paid.

In winter it can get cold at night in Egypt; often it is warmer in the street than it is inside buildings, so it is a good idea to bring a casual jacket or shawl.  The buildings are designed to be cool and it is good to be aware of this. Here iit s very rare to have central heating or central air conditioning; this is only in big hotels and other high class places.

So to "fit in," the above is highly recommended - this applies to any of the major cities in Egypt, excluding the Red Sea resorts, which are much more easy going, but while traveling by road between destinations (police check points, petrol stations, etc.) covering up more would be wise.  Also when being in Upper Egypt, it is required to be more covered and for women  and also to not  wear extreme makeup, as this will only attract more unwanted attention.

Some tourists wear what they like (tank tops, sun dresses, short shorts, low necks, see through blouses) - without any consideration for the local culture or customs.  This can be done of course, and they then imagine that this is ok - and strongly recommend it to others, but in fact having done it without direct comment or  trouble still does not make it the right choice and they are oblivious to the very bad impression they have left behind.

Weather in Egypt

The Egyptian summer is hot and dry in most of the country, and humid in the Delta and along the Mediterranean Coast. In recent years the humidity has spread to Cairo, and the city swelters in August! Winter is mild with some rain, but usually it is bright, sunny days with cold nights.

During the summertime, sun protection is the most important single consideration for an Egypt trip, especially for the fair-skinned. Wearing a sunhat is essential. Cheap, and pure cotton, sunhats are made locally and available everywhere. Travel clothing should be light and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best and robust shoes are a must! The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to October and a cool season from October to May. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds.

In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a maximum of 37° C (99° F) to a minimum of 14° C (57° F). Wide variations of temperature occur in the deserts, ranging from a maximum of 46° C (114° F), during daylight hours, to a minimum of 6° C (42° F) after sunset. During the winter season desert temperatures often drop to 0° C (32° F).

The most humid area is along the Mediterranean coast, where the average annual rainfall is about 200mm. Precipitation decreases rapidly to the south; Cairo receives on average only about 29mm of rain each year, and in many desert locations it may rain only once in several years!

There are 5 days called Khamsin between March and April, when sandstorms can occur sporadically, blowing in different places according to the wind direction.

Winter (between October and May) weather is colder than most people anticipate, and cold winds blow over the desert at sunrise and sunset. Even when it is warm outside, it can be surprisingly cold inside the massive stone Temples. In winter, showers can fall everywhere, so bring a few items of light but warm clothing, so that you can cope with the cold early mornings and the occasional, and unseasonable, cold snap.

Bring one or two dressy outfits along for evenings out, especially for parties, and special occasions or just to get out of your tour clothes! If you are staying in a hotel or on a cruise boat, please be warned that luxury hotels and all the Nile Cruises have efficient, but surprisingly pricey laundry services. If you object to paying 12LE for laundry, you can wash out your T-shirts; just bring some detergent with you, as well as a few yards of clothing line.

Also bring a swimsuit, as most good hotels and cruise ships have nice, warm, swimming pools. 

If you are heading out into the desert, you will get dry quickly, so make sure that you have a good stock of water with you. Egyptian mineral water is available everywhere at less than 3LE per bottle. Remember to cover your head  at all times

The following table for you as a guide so that you know  what to expect and what to bring:

 

Month		Cairo Min/Max	Alexandria Min/Max	Luxor Min/Max	Aswan Min/Max	Hurgha Air/Water Average	Sharm El-Sheik  Air/Water Average
Jan	C F	8.6/19.1 47/66	9.3/18.3 49/65	5.4/23 42/74	8/23.8 46/75	24/18 75/64	24/21 75/70
Feb	C F	9.3/21 48/69	9.7/19.2 49/67	6.8/25.4 44/78	9.4/26.1 49/79	25/18 77/64	25/20 77/68
March	C F	11.2/23.7 52/75	11.3/21 52/70	10.7/29 51/84	12.6/30.4 54/86	26/20 79/68	25/21 77/70
April	C F	13.9/28.2 56/83	14.5/23.6 58/75	15.7/35 60/95	17.5/36 63/97	31/25 88/77	31/22 87/71
May	C F	17.4/32.4 63/90	16.7/26.5 62/80	20.7/39.3 69/103	21.1/38.5 71/101	35/26 95/79	28/24 82/75
June	C F	19.9/34.5 68/95	20.4/28.2 69/83	22.6/41 72/107	24.2/42.1 76/108	37/28 99/82	32/25 89/77
July	C F	21.5/35.4 71/96	22.7/29.6 73/86	23.6/40.8 74/106	24.5/42 76/108	40/28 107/82	37/26 98/78
Aug	C F	21.6/34.8 71/95	22.9/30.4 73/87	23.5/41 74/107	24.7/41.3 76/107	42/29 108/84	38/28 100/82
Sept	C F	19.9/23.3 68/89	21.3/29.4 71/85	21.5/38.5 71/101	22.2/39.6 72/103	38/27 100/81	34/29 93/84
Oct	C F	17.8/29.8 64/86	17.9/27.7 64/82	17.8/35.1 64/95	19.3/36.6 66/99	32/25 90/77	30/27 86/80
Nov	C F	12.1/24.1 54/75	14.8/24.4 59/76	12.3/29.6 54/85	14.5/30.2 58/86	26/23 79/73	27/25 80/75
Dec	C F	10.4/20.7 51/69	11.2/20.4 52/69	7.7/24.8 45/76	9.9/20.5 50/69	26/19 79/66	23/23 73/73

Living and Working in Egypt

The majority of international expatriates living and working in Egypt are based in the capital city of Cairo, although growing numbers of expatriates can be found working in Luxor, Alexandria or in Red and Mediterranean Sea resorts for example, often in the fields of tourism and lately in real estate too.

It’s estimated that there are currently around 30,000 European and Northern American expatriates in Egypt and particularly for those living in Cairo an excellent support, social and business networking environment exists which for many makes the whole experience of living in this fascinating country an absolute pleasure.

Naturally enough the customs, traditions and general way of life lived by Egyptians is markedly different to that which the majority of Western Expatriates have experienced before which makes organizations such as Cairo based CSA invaluable. The CSA or ‘Community Services Association’ in el Maadi in Cairo serves the entire international community living and working in Egypt and offers everything from Arabic classes to seminars and sessions for those newly arrived and who want to learn about the fundamentals of living in Egypt.

The organization was established in 1980 by the wife of a former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and is referred to as an ‘informal social network’, whereas in reality it is an excellent first port of call and first point of reference for anyone from anywhere in the world and any background thinking about relocating to Egypt. The support network offered by the CSA is incredibly broad reaching and if nothing else it offers expatriates a security blanket when they first arrive in Egypt and begin establishing their new life abroad.

To travel to Egypt, citizens of most nations require a visa. Tourist visas can be obtained in advance from an Egyptian consulate or embassy in the country from which the individual is traveling. Citizens of certain nations can also get their visas when they arrive at the airport in Egypt although queues can be quite long and the process and wait frustrating. Because requirements, costs, duration of visa etc., vary for citizens on a country by country basis it’s very wise to check out requirements before traveling.

Those with a secure job offer in Egypt will require a work permit but this is usually secured by their employer. Others who travel to Egypt looking for work can enter on a tourism visa and apply for temporary residency and a work visa once they arrive, settle and secure work. However, it’s important to reiterate that Egyptian visa requirements vary greatly depending on the country from which the individual originates, and for up to date information the individual’s local Egyptian embassy should be contacted prior to travel.

It’s possible to split the majority of expatriates living in Egypt into two quite distinct groups; there are those who have secured relatively well paying employment before expatriating ¬ usually in the fields of education or working for NGOs - and there are those who travel to Egypt, settle down and then find a job. The latter group often take jobs and work within the local Egyptian economy and earn their wages in Egyptian pounds or guinay which can make money quite tight for some. The former group tend to be paid in US dollars or another Western currency and have far more disposable income - luckily the cost of living in Egypt, even in the capital city of Cairo is relatively cheap ¬ though having said that, money will buy you almost any luxury you want in Egypt!

To settle in and really get the most out of Egypt be prepared to get stuck in, make contacts and friends, socialize and network, try and learn some Arabic - although English is widely spoken and understood and French is also a useful language skill to have. Don’t be afraid of the chaotic, exciting, fast pace of life, be prepared to socialize until all hours of the night and ignore much of the media’s portrayal of Egypt because it is in fact a very safe place to live apart from the odd bit of pick-pocketing that goes on in the most popular tourist haunts.

Expatriates who move with their families to live in Egypt will find that there are a range of international schools and educational establishments available, although costs and standards vary greatly. One of the most popular schools for expatiate children is the British International School Cairo and most international schools are centred in the capital city of Cairo; the Google Directory has quite a comprehensive list of what’s available. Anyone being relocated to Egypt for employment should discuss with their employer their right to have their children’s school fees paid which is quite common among many employers.

In terms of where in Egypt to set up home, the city or town you choose will often depend on which company you work for or which industry you’re seeking employment in. As for which district of a given city to choose, some are more international than others, some more family friendly and some more dynamic and chaotic. In Cairo for example the El Maadi/Digla area is popular with families who have children attending nearby international schools whereas Zamalek and Mohandiseen are popular areas with younger professionals and couples who want to be nearer both work and the social scene in Cairo. The best advice is to take a short term rental if possible then take advice and seek assistance from a range of fellow expatriates living and working in Egypt already.