The temples, pyramids, and Red Sea reefs will take care of the unforgettable moments during your First Time in Egypt. This guide takes care of everything else—the practical questions first-time visitors ask before traveling. From visas and money to transportation, safety, and what to pack, bookmark this page as your complete pre-flight guide for an easier and more enjoyable trip to Egypt.
Rules and prices change treat the figures below as a reliable guide and check official sources close to travel.
The visa
Most British visitors need a tourist visa. Two easy routes: the e-visa online before you fly, or the visa on arrival sticker bought at the airport bank counter before passport control, typically around 25 US dollars, paid in cash. Bring a crisp 25 dollar note and the queue takes minutes. One quirk worth knowing: stays limited to South Sinai resorts (Sharm, Dahab) can enter free on a Sinai-only stamp, but it does not cover trips beyond Sinai, so if you might do Cairo or Luxor, take the full visa. Check the latest rules on the official Egypt e-visa site or with your airline before flying.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants; the souk, taxis and tips run on cash. Easiest approach: bring sterling or dollars, change a little at a time, and use ATMs for the rest. We quote excursion prices in GBP so you always know where you stand, and you pay on arrival, not in advance.
Tipping, decoded
Tipping (baksheesh) is woven into daily life here, and small notes are your friend. As a comfortable guide: 10 to 20 EGP for bags or housekeeping per day, around 10 percent in restaurants where service is not included, and a shared tip for boat crews and drivers at the end of a trip day if you are happy. Nobody serious will ever make it awkward; give what feels right for good service and it is always received warmly.
Staying connected
A local SIM or eSIM (Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat) costs a few pounds at the airport or in town and gives you generous data for the whole trip. WhatsApp is how Egypt communicates, including with us.
Small things that make a big difference
- Water: drink bottled, it is inexpensive and everywhere; use it for teeth too if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Dress: resorts are entirely relaxed. For mosques, monasteries and Luxor temples, shoulders and knees covered is respectful; a light scarf solves everything.
- The sun: the genuine daily hazard. Factor 50, hats, and water bottles on every excursion. [Month-by-month heat guide here.]
- Haggling: expected in souks, never in pharmacies or supermarkets. Smile, counter at half, meet in the middle; it is a game, not a battle.
- Fridays: the weekend here; sites are open but mosque visits pause around midday prayers.
The question behind all the questions
Most first-timer worries are really one worry: “will I be looked after?” That is the part we have staked our name on since 1998. Ask us anything, however small, on WhatsApp (+20 110 016 3333); a local person answers, usually in minutes. No deposit, pay on arrival. Our word is our bond.
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