Inquire with your hotel, tour guide, or tour operator.
Contact the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ Cultural Relations Department Sunday-Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at:
Address: 3 Al Adel Abu Bakr St. Zamalek
Phone number: 0227354532
Trains, buses, taxis, and Ubers are the most common means of transportation for tourists travelling between and within Egyptian cities. Small or private tours can be conducted in vans, cars, and other specially licensed tourist vehicles. For more information, please check with your tour operator or hotel.
Arabic is the official language of Egypt, spoken by the entire population of over 100 million citizens. In urban centers and popular tourist destinations, many locals understand and are fluent in English. In tourist areas, other European languages—such as French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Italian—are also commonly spoken.
No, it’s not necessary. In urban centers and popular tourist destinations, many locals understand and are fluent in English. Licensed and experienced multilingual tour guides are also available throughout Egypt to conduct private and group tours to museums and archaeological and cultural sites. Additionally, other European languages—such as French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Italian—are commonly spoken in popular tourist destinations.
Egypt is open to all travelers from around the world. Tourists coming to Egypt are required to have tourist visas, but these are easy to obtain either upon entry or online, depending on your nationality.
Over 180 nationalities qualify for getting a tourist visa upon arrival, provided the passport holder has a valid and used visa for the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area (Schengen visa), Japan, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Additionally, 78 nationalities qualify for a visa upon arrival or getting an electronic visa via our portal. You can check the full list of eligible countries and apply and pay for your visa online using Egypt’s Visa online application portal, Egypt Visa; through all Egyptian Consulates; or get your visa upon arrival for 25 USD from the bank counter in the passport control area at the airport.
If you’re travelling to Sharm al-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba for up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permit stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days, you must get a visa.
Some nationalities are required to process their visa applications through their nearest consulate ahead of their trip to Egypt.
If you exceed the length of your stay by a few days, it is possible that you may be asked to pay a fine. However, if your stay exceeds its duration by over a month then you will be required to pay a fine before you board your flight.
Egypt is a year-round destination with 365 days of sunshine. Although different regions have different weather patterns, Egypt is generally warm and sunny. As part of the northern hemisphere, seasons in Egypt follow the same weather patterns as Europe and North America, with winter falling between November and January, and peak summer months falling between June and August. Summers are hot, especially in the deserts and the south with average summer temperatures ranging between 30 °C during the daytime and 23 °C at night. Temperatures are milder on the North Coast and gradually get warmer as you go South. Winters are generally mild with average daytime temperature at around 20 °C, while average nighttime temperatures cool down to 15 °C. On the Red Sea and other popular tourist destinations including Luxor and Aswan, the weather is warm and sunny during winter.
Light, loose cotton clothing is highly recommended when visiting Egypt, and a light-medium jacket or windbreaker should be sufficient if you’re visiting during fall or winter. Make sure to pack all your hot and sunny weather essentials: sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, and sunglasses! Carrying a scarf or light cardigan is encouraged, as visitors will be expected to cover their arms and legs when visiting certain landmarks and sites, such as mosques, churches, and synagogues. Don’t forget comfortable shoes for visiting archaeological sites.
If you are planning to visit mosques, churches, or any place of worship in Egypt, bring a headscarf and dress modestly; shoulders and legs must be covered. If you are visiting a fine dining establishment or attending a special event, you should dress accordingly.
If you encounter any problems, please make sure to communicate with your hotel reception desk immediately. If need be, you can call the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ hotline (+2 19654) or send an email to:
Inquiries and complaints will be addressed promptly.
For serious matters, please don’t hesitate to contact the tourism police (126).
Yes, you may ask your tour operator or an officially-authorized travel agency for detailed information regarding domestic flights.
You can purchase entry tickets at the door or online via the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ official website at:
Taking photos and recording videos using any type of camera for personal use (non-commercial purposes) in public areas is allowed—no permits required—and is free of charge.
Taking photos of children is forbidden, and Egyptian citizens can only be photographed after obtaining their written permission.
Using mobile phones, cameras, and video cameras at archaeological sites for personal use is allowed. Taking photos inside museums and at indoor archaeological sites is only allowed if the camera’s flash is disabled.
Circumstances that require a permit:
Using professional equipment—such as professional photographic lighting umbrellas, outdoor artificial lighting gear, and equipment that occupies or blocks public roads—is not allowed without a permit. Photography without a permit is prohibited in certain institutions, including ministries, legislative councils, governmental facilities, police stations, any buildings or sites affiliated to the Armed Forces, and other sovereign and security authorities.
For more information regarding the permits needed for commercial photography and videography at archaeological site and museums, please contact the Cultural Relations Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm) via:
Phone number: +2 0227354532
Email: [email protected]
