The following tips are based on fourteen years of field visits to Egyptian heritage sites, combined with the accumulated questions of travellers who have contacted us before and after their trips. They address the aspects of visiting Egypt that most often cause confusion, frustration or missed opportunities — not the broad generalities that every travel guide covers, but the specific, actionable information that makes a real difference on the ground. For seasonal-specific advice, see our Seasonal Events guide.
Visas & Entry
Most nationalities — including citizens of EU countries, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and most of South America — can purchase a single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada and Alexandria airports. The fee is USD 25, payable at dedicated visa windows before immigration control. Bring USD cash; cards are not universally accepted at visa desks. The visa is valid for 30 days from date of entry and can be extended for one further month at a passport office in Egypt.
The e-Visa system (visa2egypt.gov.eg) processes applications in 3–5 working days and costs USD 25. We strongly recommend it for travellers who want to pass quickly through immigration — the e-Visa lane is typically significantly shorter than the on-arrival window. Apply at least two weeks before departure to allow for any processing delays. Holders of an Israeli passport or a passport bearing Israeli entry or exit stamps may face additional scrutiny; consult your government's latest travel advice.
Nationals of some countries (including several Gulf states) may enter Egypt visa-free. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the current list; it is updated periodically. Jordanian nationals can enter with a national ID card for stays under 30 days.
Currency & Money
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is used for all monument entry fees, which are set by the Ministry of Antiquities in EGP and cannot normally be paid in foreign currency. Prices have risen significantly since 2022 as the EGP was devalued; always check our current fee listings before assuming older online information is accurate.
ATMs in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan generally offer competitive exchange rates and are the most reliable way to access EGP. Carry multiple cards in case any single ATM rejects your card — this is common with non-Egyptian cards. Wise and Revolut cards typically work well in Egyptian ATMs. Avoid exchange desks in hotels and airports, which offer substantially worse rates. Keep a supply of EGP 20, 50 and 100 notes for tipping, small purchases and microbus fares; vendors often cannot change large notes.
Tipping (baksheesh) is an important part of Egyptian service culture. Guards who unlock additional sections of a site, drivers who wait for you, restaurant waiters and hotel staff all expect a small tip. EGP 20–50 is appropriate for most casual interactions; EGP 50–100 for a good taxi driver or a guard who provides genuine site information.
Photography Rules
Photography rules at Egyptian heritage sites are complex and change frequently. The general current position (June 2025) is: photography is permitted with a standard camera or phone at most outdoor sites without additional charge. Indoor photography in decorated tombs and temple interiors often requires a photography ticket — typically EGP 50–300 per site. Tripods require a separate permit and are generally prohibited in tombs.
Flash photography is prohibited universally in tombs and decorated interiors — not merely discouraged, but a genuine conservation issue. The pigments in ancient Egyptian paintings are photosensitive and cumulative flash damage over decades has already caused irreversible fading at many sites. Our guides specify the photography policy at each individual monument. If in doubt, ask the site inspector at the entrance before entering with camera equipment.
Drone operation requires advance permits from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Tourist drone operations in the vicinity of monuments are generally not permitted without these permits, which take weeks to obtain. Commercial videography — for media or documentary purposes — requires additional Ministry of Antiquities permits and is subject to location fees. Contact us if you require guidance on the permit process for professional media work in Egypt.
Health & Medical
No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry to Egypt from most countries. The UK NHS, CDC and WHO recommend checking current recommendations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus as a baseline for travel in the region. Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis is worth considering for travellers who will be in close contact with animals in rural areas. Confirm the current recommendations with your GP or travel clinic at least six weeks before departure.
Gastrointestinal illness from water is the most common health issue for visitors. Drink bottled water exclusively — tap water in Egypt is chlorinated but causes problems for many foreign visitors. Be cautious with ice in drinks at informal establishments; ice in upmarket hotels and restaurants is generally made from filtered water. Fresh fruit and vegetables washed in tap water can cause issues; cooked food is safer. Egyptian cuisine is generally excellent; the risk comes mainly from salads and unwashed raw produce at low-budget establishments.
Heat illness is a serious risk between May and September, particularly at open-air sites like Giza, Karnak and Abu Simbel. Carry 1.5–2 litres of water per person per half-day excursion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, cold/pale/clammy skin — require immediate movement to shade and rehydration. Heat stroke (hot/red/dry skin, confusion) is a medical emergency; signal for help immediately. Children and elderly travellers are more vulnerable. Plan outdoor site visits before 10:00 or after 15:30 from May to September.
Dress Code & Etiquette
Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country. Outside beach resorts, clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is appropriate and will avoid unwanted attention. Inside active mosques — including the Abu Haggag Mosque within Luxor Temple, which you will pass through — women must cover their hair. Carrying a lightweight scarf for this purpose is advisable. At pharaonic sites there is no formal dress code, but avoiding very revealing clothing is a matter of cultural respect and practical sun protection.
Removing shoes is required inside mosques and some shrines. Do not touch reliefs or painted surfaces in tombs — the oils on human skin contribute to long-term deterioration and marks accumulate over thousands of visitors. In the Valley of the Kings, stay behind the protective barriers in each tomb. If a site guard offers to show you something "not normally visible," be cautious — unofficial access usually involves a tip demand and sometimes puts both visitor and guard in a difficult position with site management.
Getting Around
The Egyptian railway connects Cairo to Luxor (9–12 hours by day train or overnight sleeper) and continues to Aswan (an additional 3 hours). The sleeper service from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan is operated by Watania and must be booked in advance; it provides a comfortable and practical option for the overnight journey. Day trains vary significantly in quality — first class air-conditioned carriages are recommended; second class carriages on tourist-heavy routes are often crowded. Internal flights operate between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan multiple times daily with EgyptAir and Nile Air; fares are reasonable and save significant time.
Within cities, Uber operates in Cairo and is generally reliable and fairly priced. Taxis in Luxor and Aswan are metered but drivers often quote fixed prices for tourist journeys; agree the fare before entering. For day excursions to multiple sites, hiring a private driver for the day (arrange through your hotel or a reputable local company, not through street touts at monument entrances) offers flexibility and often works out cheaper than multiple individual taxis. Our Day Tours page includes current private driver rate ranges for each city.
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