Egypt is somewhere that I have always dreamed of visiting, but I am yet to go to. I am hoping it’s somewhere we will get to experience in the next couple of years, so I am already in planning mode! I’ve done lots of research on Egypt as a holiday destination and have come up with some important things you should consider when organising your trip.
Read on to find out more…
Where to stay
When we think of Egypt we usually think of the pyramids, but there is so much more to Egypt. To be able to make the most of your holiday to Egypt you need to be prepared to travel around, to see as much of the country as possible. It’s worth bearing in mind that popular tourist spots such as Luxor, Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh are not particularly close to one another. So you should carefully consider where you want to visit and work out a location that is relatively central to base yourself.
Working out your itinerary
Following on from my last point, your itinerary is extremely important, especially in a big country like Egypt. Really you should work out where you want to visit before you book your accommodation. If, for example, you book a hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh and plan to visit Luxor, you are a 12 hour drive away so this would be very difficult to navigate by yourself. This is why you may want to consider using a tour company such as Landious Travel, who will help you plan your excursions around Egypt. They run many excursions around Egypt from popular tourist spots such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
Documents and currency
UK visitors to Egypt will usually need a visa, so make sure you check this before you are due to travel. The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, which I actually never knew! It’s best to exchange your money before you travel, to get the best exchange rate. Haggling is the norm everywhere in Egypt, so don’t just pay the first price you see.
Packing
It’s important to consider the time of year that you are going to be in Egypt. The summer months can get extremely hot and uncomfortable. So it is better to visit in autumn or spring, when it’s still warm but not too hot. You should try to dress conservatively in Egypt as it is a Muslim country but also be conscious of the heat. You will want clothing that will keep you as cool as possible.
Culture
Egyptian people are very friendly and always willing to help tourists out. They speak Arabic, and while most will have good English, it is a good idea to learn some key Arabic words before you travel. As I mentioned earlier, Egypt is a Muslim country so you should dress conservatively, but they aren’t overly strict and you definitely won’t find yourself under arrested because of what you are wearing.
Have you ever visited Egypt? Do you have any advice to add? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Thank you for reading.
