Travel Insurance for Egypt

Egypt played host to over 11 million tourists in 2022, and there was surely many more in 2023. Egypt is a trendy destination because of its long river, iconic landmarks, and historical artifacts. To help you plan your next holiday or business trip to Egypt, here is some important information you need to know and some of the best cities to travel to.

Emergency Contact Information

Call 122 to be put in touch with the police, call 126 to get in touch with the tourist police, call 180 to reach the fire department, and call 123 if you need an ambulance and emergency medical services.

The British Embassy in Cairo can offer you assistance if you need consular services or an emergency travel document. If you become the victim of a crime during your trip, you should report it to the police immediately and inform your travel insurance provider. The British Embassy can help you by providing you with a list of lawyers and translators.

Travel Safety Tips

While Egypt is mostly a safe place to travel to, travellers should be aware of muggings and scams. Never carry your valuables or more money than you need to, and keep your important documents in your hotel safe. Tourists should be aware of aggressive sales tactics by pushy street vendors.

There have been reports of sexual harassment, and if you fall victim of this, you should report it to the police immediately. Female tourists should travel in groups, use the lock on their hotel room door, only use trusted taxi services, and never travel alone at night. Minors should always be accompanied by a trusted family member or friend and should never be left alone with strangers, even with tour guides and hotel staff.

You may be asked by police to show your photo ID, so you should carry it with you when you go out. To drive in Egypt, you will need a 1949 International Driving Permit. Be careful when driving in Egypt as there are poor road conditions in some areas and some people may drive dangerously.

Since Egypt is mostly an Islamic country, you should be respectful and dress modestly, especially in religious buildings and during religious holidays. Tourists and Egyptian citizens can only drink alcohol in licenced bars and restaurants, and may be fined or imprisoned if caught drinking in public spaces. Use or possession of illegal drugs can lead to lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty.

There are strict rules on photography in Egypt. Tourists are not permitted to take photographs of Egyptian citizens without their written permission and they cannot take photographs of children. Tourists cannot take photographs that could damage the country’s image or take photographs of military property. Travellers are advised against taking photos of religious buildings, government buildings, electricity stations, and train stations.

If you need to bring medication with you when you travel, you should check with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in London if you are permitted to take it with you, since Egypt has stricter rules about controlled substances. You may be required to bring a doctor’s note with you and get permission from Egypt’s Ministry of Health. Travellers are required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and if you are travelling for work, you will need to show your HIV test result.

Your passport will need to be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive and you will need a visa to enter Egypt. You can get a visa by applying for one at the Egyptian Consulate in London, purchasing one online at Visa2Egypt portal, or by purchasing a visa at the airport when you arrive.

The FCDO advises against travel to North Sinai, the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of the Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid, and within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border. For more information and for changes on entry requirements, safety and security, and heath, please see the FCDO travel advice for Egypt.

Places to Visit in Egypt

If you are planning a trip to Egypt, but aren’t sure where you want to spend your vacation, here are some of the top cities to visit and the things to see and do there.

Cairo

Egypt’s capital is a tourist hotspot. Tourists travel here for the chance to see Cairo Tower, Cairo Citadel, and Le Palais Hindou (also known as the Baron Empain Palace). The two best shopping streets are Talaat Harb Street and Al-Mu'izz Street, and sightseers should pay a visit to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Some of the most well-known museums are the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Coptic Museum, and Gayer-Anderson Museum. Other areas of interest include Old Cairo, Al-Azhar Park, and the Nile.

Giza

Many people combine their trip to Cairo with a trip to Giza, which is just across the Nile, just to see the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Visitors can also go to the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre to see the artwork of the region and to watch tapestries being traditionally made by the weavers. Other popular attractions are the Orman Garden, Giza Zoo, and the Museum of the Pharaonic Village, which is a replica village and tomb. Its top museums are the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Giza Solar Boat Museum, and the Agricultural Museum. People also travel just outside of the city to Mit Rahina village to see the Memphis ruins.

Luxor

Luxor is steeped in history. Many tourists come here to see the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, and to go to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Ramesseum and Colossi of Memnon in the Theban Necropolis. Many people like to travel from the Karnak Temple Complex to Luxor Temple via the Avenue of Sphinxes. Nile river cruises from Luxor to Aswan are popular, and visitors can learn more about the history at the Luxor Museum and at the Mummification Museum.

Aswan

There is a lot to see in Aswan, such as the unfinished obelisk, the Aga Khan Mausoleum, the Aswan Botanical Garden, and the colourful buildings in the Nubian Village. You can also see the Monastery of St. Simeon and visit Elephantine, and island on the Nile. Checkout the different shops and stalls at Aswan souq, and pay a visit to the Nubian Museum and Aswan Museum. If you are willing to travel just outside of the city, you should visit the Kalabsha Temple, the Philae temple complex, and the Qubbet el-Hawa (the Dome of the Wind).

Alexandria

Alexandria may have lost the famed Great Library, but visitors can go to the more modern Alexandria Library. You can also visit the Serapeum of Alexandria, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Kom El Deka, and the Ancient Roman Theatre. Other archaeological sites include the Mustafa Kamel Necropolis, the Chatby tombs, and the Anfushi Tombs. The city also has come impressive buildings, such as the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Montaza Palace, and the King Farouk Palace. The top museums in Alexandria are the Royal Jewelry Museum, the Alexandria National Museum, and the Cavafy Museum.