Home | What's in the Guide | What to See | Useful links | General information | Reading list | Key Egyptian words | Downloads | How to orderHome | What's in the Guide | What to See | Useful links | General information | Reading list | Key Egyptian words | Downloads | How to order
Egypt is a fabulous, fascinating country and its people are friendly and welcoming.
As one of the oldest tourist destinations in the world (it was visited by the Greeks and Romans) Egypt is well used to catering for visitors.
People are courteous and eager to please and, okay, the service in shops and restaurants may not be the speediest and most efficient in the world but so what? Does it really matter whether it takes someone ten minutes to bring you a drink or you’re invited to have a cup of tea in a shop before anyone takes payment for your purchases?
If speed, efficiency, punctuality and split second timing are that important to you – even on holiday – you’re probably one of those people who takes your laptop computer and mobile phone with you so you can keep in touch with your office. If that’s the case, I offer you my sympathy and advise you to forget about Egypt as a holiday destination and resign yourself to an early coronary.
For the rest of us Egypt offers a unique holiday experience; the opportunity to visit some of the most spectacular sights anywhere in the world and the chance to unwind completely.
Leave your western ideals behind, enter into the spirit of the place and open your mind; I guarantee you will have the holiday of a lifetime.
Some tour companies do not take bookings are children under 12 years of age. There is very little organised entertainment for children and no ‘Kids Clubs’ such as are found in other resorts. Unless the children have a profound interest in touring tombs and temples they may become bored very quickly.
Most hotels and some cruise boats have pools and there are activities such as darts, snooker or pool in some hotels but not much else. Take into account that the heat and the vaccinations can be particularly unpleasant for young children too.
Egypt has a desert climate: very hot, very dry and very little rain.
In the summer months temperatures can reach 140°F (60°C) in the south.
The most recent earthquake was in 1996.
The Egyptian pound, or gunaih, is usually written as LE (an abbreviation of livre égyptienne). There are 100 piastres, or qirsh, to the pound. Coins and banknotes range from 5 piastres to LE100.
The main banks are the Bank of Alexandria, Banque du Caire (Bank of Cairo), the National Bank of Egypt and the Egyptian American Bank.
Northern Ireland pounds, Irish punts and Scottish bank notes are not accepted.
Visit the Central Bank of Egypt
Use the Yahoo! Finance Currency Converter
The electrical current is 220 volts AC and plugs are the standard 2 pin type.
Egypt is not particularly geared up for visitors with serious mobility problems as potholes, uneven surfaces and lack of suitable toilet facilities can make life difficult.
However, depending on the degree of disability and the sense of adventure of the individual concerned it is still possible to have a memorable holiday. Egyptians are extremely helpful and will go to great lengths to assist people with disabilities.
Public toilets are few and far between and tend to be the ‘hole in the floor’ variety. Toilets at tourist sites are usually very clean and an attendant will usually provide a few squares of toilet tissue on arrival. A tip is required, usually 25 or 50 piastres.
Egypt recognises the International Student Identity Card which normally gives a discount of 50% off admission prices to main sites.
Time difference: GMT plus 2 hours
Flight time from London Gatwick to Luxor: 5 hours; to Cairo: 4 ½ hours
Download 'What to Expect' and 'General Information' | Back to Top
