Egypt
Phone Code
+20
Capital
Cairo
Population
109 Million
Native Name
ู ุตุฑโ
Region
Africa
Northern Africa
Timezone
Eastern European Time
UTC+02:00
On This Page
Egypt is a transcontinental country spanning Northeast Africa and the Sinai Peninsula in Asia, known for the Pyramids of Giza (last remaining Ancient Wonder), the Sphinx, Valley of the Kings, Nile River cruises, and 5,000 years of continuous civilization. Cairo, the capital, is Africa's largest city. Visitors are drawn to Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Luxor's Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel temples, Egyptian Museum, Aswan and Philae Temple, Red Sea diving in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, Nile River cruises, and Islamic Cairo's mosques and bazaars. Egypt offers unparalleled ancient history and cultural treasures.
Visa Requirements for Egypt
All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Egypt. E-visa is available for eligible nationalities (including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) through online application at https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/, processed within 7 days. E-visa costs $25 USD for single-entry (valid 3 months for 30-day stay). Visa on arrival is also available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and other major airports for $25 USD (exact cash). Some nationalities are restricted to advance visa applications through Egyptian embassies. All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry date. Sinai-only entry permits available for stays limited to South Sinai resorts. Check current security advisories before travel as some areas have travel restrictions.
Common Visa Types
E-Visa (Single Entry)
For tourism purposes for citizens of eligible countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) through online application.
E-Visa (Multiple Entry)
For travelers needing multiple entries to Egypt within validity period for tourism purposes.
Visa on Arrival
For eligible nationalities arriving at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and other major airports for tourism.
Sinai-Only Entry Permit
For stays limited to South Sinai resorts (Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba) for eligible nationalities.
Important Travel Information
Travel Guide
Egypt is pure overwhelm โ no other country on Earth combines 5,000 years of monumental history with tropical coral reefs, Saharan desert adventures, and a megacity that pulses with 22 million people's worth of energy. Standing before the Pyramids of Giza โ the last surviving Ancient Wonder โ recalibrates your sense of scale permanently: 2.3 million stone blocks, 4,500 years old, and the sprawl of Cairo begins at their feet. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is travel at its most classical: gliding on Egypt's lifeline while temples and palm groves drift past on the banks, feluccas sailing under the same wind that filled pharaonic sails, sunsets over ancient Thebes. The Valley of the Kings in Luxor hides 63 pharaonic tombs in the rock face, their paintings as vivid as the day they were sealed โ Seti I's tomb (KV17) and Ramesses VI's (KV9) ceiling alone justify the flight. Abu Simbel's colossal rock temples in the extreme south, rescued in 1968 from the rising Lake Nasser in one of the 20th century's greatest engineering feats, still stun with their four 20-meter seated Ramesses II figures. Then the Red Sea: Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada offer some of the world's best diving โ coral reefs in surreal colors, the Blue Hole of Dahab, the SS Thistlegorm wreck with its sunken motorcycles and railway carriages. Islamic Cairo is its own world: over 800 listed mosques, the Khan El-Khalili bazaar trading since the 14th century, Al-Azhar Mosque as one of humanity's oldest universities. The White Desert's surreal chalk formations under a blanket of stars, the Siwa Oasis at the edge of the Great Sand Sea. And the food โ ful medames for breakfast, koshari as Egypt's national dish layering lentils, rice, pasta, and fried onions, freshly grilled fish on the Nile, basbousa and kunafa for dessert, strong Turkish coffee and hibiscus karkade tea.
Ways to Experience This Destination
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Luxor's Karnak Temple (the largest ancient temple complex on Earth), the Valley of the Kings with 63 royal tombs, Abu Simbel's colossal rock-cut temples, Saqqara's Step Pyramid (the world's oldest pyramid), and Dahshur's Bent and Red Pyramids โ 5,000 years of civilization you can walk through and touch.
3 to 7 days on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan โ passing the temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, with felucca sunset sails and views of timeless landscapes. The most classical way to experience Egypt's treasures, from budget dahabiyyas to luxury five-star ships.
The Red Sea ranks among the world's top 5 dive destinations: Ras Mohammed National Park, the Blue Hole of Dahab, the SS Thistlegorm wreck, coral gardens at Marsa Alam with dugongs and dolphins. Water temperature 22-28ยฐC year-round, visibility over 30 meters.
The White Desert's surreal chalk formations, the Black Desert's volcanic hills, overnight Saharan camping under a sky of impossible stars, jeep safaris, and the Siwa Oasis at the edge of the Great Sand Sea โ desert experiences out of a storybook.
Koshari (Egypt's national dish of lentils, rice, and pasta), ful medames for breakfast, taameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans, not chickpeas), grilled Nile fish, strong Turkish coffee, karkade hibiscus tea, and sweet kunafa โ hearty, spiced, and surprisingly diverse.
Africa's largest metropolis with the new Grand Egyptian Museum (world's largest archaeological museum), the Khan El-Khalili bazaar, 800+ historic mosques, Coptic churches in Old Cairo, and a street culture that runs on shisha, backgammon, and the Arabic art of conversation.
Money & Currency
Egyptian pound
Currency code: EGP
Practical Money Tips
Best Places to Exchange Money
Exchange at banks or official exchange bureaus for the best rates. Airport exchange counters are convenient but offer slightly worse rates. US dollars and euros get the best exchange rates. Avoid unofficial money changers on the street. Hotels give poor rates. Since the EGP devaluation in 2022-2024, rates fluctuate significantly โ check the current rate before exchanging large amounts. Bring crisp, undamaged bills (torn or marked notes are often rejected).
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh. Major banks (CIB, National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, QNB) have reliable ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard. Daily withdrawal limits are typically 5,000-10,000 EGP. ATMs in tourist areas occasionally run out of cash โ carry backup options. Some ATMs dispense only 100 or 200 EGP notes; larger denominations (500 EGP) are less common at ATMs but useful for hotel payments.
Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, larger shops, and tourist-oriented businesses in major cities and resort areas. However, cash remains king for most daily transactions: bazaars, street food, taxis, smaller restaurants, tips, and rural areas are cash-only. Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. Many vendors add a 2-3% surcharge for card payments. Always carry sufficient Egyptian pounds in small denominations for day-to-day expenses.
Baksheesh (Tipping) Culture
Baksheesh is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture โ it's not just a tip but a social lubricant that makes things happen. Expect to tip for nearly every service: restaurant staff (10-15% if no service charge), hotel porters (20-50 EGP per bag), guides (200-500 EGP per day), drivers (100-200 EGP per day), bathroom attendants (5-10 EGP), mosque/tomb guardians who open doors or point things out (10-20 EGP). Carry a stack of small notes (5, 10, 20 EGP). It can feel relentless at first but is part of the economic fabric. Also carry small USD bills ($1) for tourist sites where USD tips are appreciated.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
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