Cruising in Egypt?
Time Zone
GMT + 2 hours.
Language
The national language in Egypt is Arabic. However, tourists will rarely find it to be a problem communicating as English is widely spoken in hotels and shops, with French a close second. Many staff in tourist areas also speak German or Italian.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound (LE), which is divided into 100 piasters. Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pounds. Coins are issued in denominations of LE1, and 5, 10, 20, 25, and 50 piasters.
Money Matters
US dollars are widely accepted in major tourist establishments, hotels, and souvenir shops. It is useful to have local currency for tipping or for shopping in smaller souks or local restaurants. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travellers cheques which may be brought into the country. However, passengers entering Egypt with Egyptian currency exceeding USD 1,000 must declare this on arrival.
The following credit cards are accepted on board the Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer: Amex, Visa and MasterCard. Please note that all charges on board are in Egyptian pounds. Guests can pay in US Dollars, Euros or Sterling but please note any change will be paid in Egyptian pounds as there is no currency stock available.
Tipping
Tips for drivers, tour coordinators, guides, staff on board Nile cruise vessels and Egyptologists are usually not included in your tour price.
We hope that the following guidelines will be helpful to you:
- Drivers: You will generally have the same driver throughout your initial stay . A tip is usually given on your last day in Cairo of approximately what is equivalent to $7 per day per person.
- Tour Coordinators: $7-8 per person per day
- Staff on board river vessels: Approximately $10 per person per day per person is suggested as a total tip to be divided amongst all the staff on Nile Cruise vessels.
- Egyptologist/Guide: Approximately $10 per person day per person is suggested.
Weather
Egypt has year-round sun, and almost no rain except in Alexandria, which has a more Mediterranean climate than the rest of the country. Daytime temperatures range from pleasantly warm in the winter to very hot in the summer. Northerly cities such as Cairo and Alexandria are generally about 5ºC cooler than southerly areas such as Aswan and Abu Simbel. Nights in the desert can be extremely cold.
Click here for Temperature & Rainfall Charts.
Health
For up to date information on latest health and vaccination recommendations, please contact your doctor. We advise you to follow the following golden rules while in Egypt: Only drink bottled water, never tap water. Avoid ice in your drinks. Eat only vegetables that have been cooked. Avoid salads and all fruit that cannot be peeled.
Electricity
Egypt's electrical current is 220V, and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plug.
Photography
There are a variety of rules governing photography of different sites and monuments in Egypt. At all open, outdoor historic areas, photography is unrestricted, such as outside the Pyramids and the temples at Luxor and Aswan. In some areas a ticket must be purchased to use cameras and video equipment , and tripods and flashes are seldom allowed in those museums that do permit photography. At some museums and tombs you will be asked to leave your equipment in the care of the door custodian - your guide will advise you. These restrictions are truly in the interest of preservation of these fragile sites. Postcards and slides are available at most sites. Signs are usually posted in restricted areas but if in doubt, ask your guide.
Clothing
As in all foreign countries with customs different to your own, it is polite to adhere to and show respect for local customs and to be discreet when a religious service is in progress. Women should not wear strappy dresses, miniskirts, shorts, or low necked dresses in public places. Modest dress is particularly important when visiting mosques, synagogues and churches. Ladies should wear loose-fitting non see-through clothes and shoulders should be covered. Men should wear short or long sleeved shirts and long trousers. Shoes are not permitted inside, therefore a thick pair of socks is useful for protection from sun baked floors. Cloth shoe coverings are often available for which a small tip is payable. Shorts and beachwear should be worn only at the beach or hotel pool area.
Egypt's climate is dry all year round, so you won't require rainwear unless you are going to Alexandria between December and February. In winter you will need light woollen clothes with sweaters, although a light sweater may be useful all year-round in the evenings throughout the country. Cairo can sometimes be surprisingly cool during the mid-winter months so layers of clothing are recommended. From December to February travellers to the interior of the Sinai can experience extreme cold, so thick winter clothing is essential. In spring and autumn a combination of both is advisable for the warm days and cool nights, so pack accordingly. From May to November, light cotton clothes are recommended. You will be doing a considerable amount of walking, and shoes should not be just comfortable, but comfortable to walk long distances.
Large brimmed hats that provide not only a head covering but also a certain amount of shade will come in very handy in the hot Egyptian sun during summer. In addition, scarves or other apparel should be taken along to cover shoulders and arms, and again, or not only important for visiting religious sites, but also to keep the sun off during treks. In very hot weather, a cloth hat or scarf that can be soaked will also help keep your head cool.
Additional Information
To view artworks inside dimly lit tombs and temples, you might want to bring a torch/flashlight.
