Egypt Travel Guide for First Timers: Essential Info for an Unforgettable Trip
Welcome to our Egypt travel guide for first-timers! From the ancient pyramids of Giza to the bustling streets of Cairo, Egypt offers an adventure unlike any other.
But traveling here for the first time can feel overwhelming—with so much history, culture, and unique customs, where do you start?
This guide will walk you through the essentials, so you can experience Egypt confidently, make the most of your journey, and create unforgettable memories in this extraordinary land.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: a Quick Intro
Before diving into all of the fun places to visit, and how to get to and around the country, we'd like to share some quick fun facts for our Egypt travel guide for first-timers.
What Religion is Egyptian?
The main religion in Egypt is Muslim, which accounts for 90% of the population, while the other 10% is mostly Christian.
It's important to keep this in mind, especially when wanting to know what to wear in Egypt as a tourist.
90% of Egyptians are Muslims.
Is Egypt in Africa or Asia?
While many people consider Egypt to be the Middle East, it is actually part of Africa, sitting in the north east corner of the continent.
Where is Egypt on the Map?
Egypt is located in the very north east of Africa, bordering Libya to its west, Sudan to its south, and Israel to its north east.
Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Getting There
There are a number of ways to get to Egypt! You can either fly, cross the land border, or visit with a cruise.
What is the Best Way to Get to Egypt?
Egypt is a large country, and therefore would be best to be visited for several days rather than a cruise. There is also a lot of conflict with the bordering countries, so while some borders may be open, we really wouldn't recommend entering Egypt via a land border.
Flying to Egypt
Flying is certainly the best way to get to Egypt from another country, and there are several airports that you can fly into.
The most popular airport is Cairo, which is the capital of Egypt, and has the most connections. However, you can also opt for Luxor, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, or Sharm el-Sheikh.
In our case, we flew from London into Hurghada, and then out of Cairo to New Delhi.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "Egypt". This way you can see which is the cheapest airport in the area to fly. Also, you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates!
Search for a flight to Egypt:
What is Required to Travel to Egypt?
In all of our guides for first-timers we like to go over the entry requirements for the country. Here is what you need to know about visiting Egypt.
Do You Need a Visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities do require a visa to visit Egypt. Egypt offers e-visas and visa on arrival for certain countries, and they are typically $25.
If you'd like to see whether you need a visa, and how to get one, then you can check out Egypt visa travel guide.
What Injections Do You Need to Visit Egypt?
Egypt does not require any specific vaccines to enter the country, nor are there any prevalent diseases you need to worry about getting vaccines for.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Local Adjustments
In each of our first-time travel guides we share the country's local adjustments, which are the know-before-you-go details.
What Language Do They Speak in Egypt?
The official language in Egypt is Arabic. We found that overall in tourism many people spoke enough English to have a conversation, but it definitely helps to pick up some of the basics.
What is the Best Currency to Take to Egypt?
Egypt is mostly a cash based country, so you won't be really needing your credit card much. While we typically recommend travelers to withdraw cash at an ATM, for Egypt we'd recommend bringing cash.
Dollars, euros, and GDP can all be exchanged at the black market rate for a better rate than the official one.
Can You Use US Dollars in Egypt?
While US dollars can't be used directly in shops or restaurants, it's good to bring the dollars and exchange them.
What Plugs are Used in Egypt?
Egypt uses the same plugs as Europe, which are types C & F. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
Is Drinking Water Safe in Egypt?
Most water in Egypt is not necessarily recommended to drink. While it won't kill you, much of it does have high chlorine levels.
We'd recommend purchasing large jugs of water from the super market and refilling your own water bottle.
Do You Tip in Egypt?
If you receive good service, 10-15% is the norm for tipping.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: The Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Now that you know the basics of our Egypt travel guide for first-timers, let's hop into the fun stuff!
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The Best Places to Visit in Egypt
There are so many great places to visit in Egypt! Here are the top places to visit if it is your first time in Egypt:
- Cairo: the capital of Egypt and busiest city
- The Pyramids of Giza: the only existing old world wonder
- Luxor: an ancient city full of stunning temples
- Aswan: a beautiful city on the Nile
- Abu Simbel: a striking historic site near the southern border
- Siwa Oasis: a beautiful town in the middle of the desert with hot springs, salt ponds, and an incredible fortress
- The Black & White Deserts: two adjacent deserts that have alien-like landscapes
- Hurghada: a beachside town with incredible resorts and fun Red Sea excursions
- Marsa Alam: an increasingly popular resort city on the Red Sea
- Sharm el-Sheikh: a resort town on the Sinai peninsula known for its sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs
- Alexandria: a Mediterranean port city known for its ancient lighthouse
There are so many incredible places to visit in Egypt.
Bucket List Activities in Egypt
Egypt is full of incredible landscapes, breathtaking temples, and some super fun bucket list activities. Here are some of our favorite activities you should check out:
- Take a Nile cruise
- Float in salt ponds
- Swim with dolphins
- Go scuba diving
- Fly over Luxor in a hot air balloon
- Stay in an over water bungalow
- Experience a Nubian village
- Sail the islands of Hurghada
- Explore the temples of Luxor
- Visit the City of the Dead
Egypt is home to incredible bucket list experiences that captivate travelers worldwide. From the timeless majesty of the Great Pyramids to the ancient secrets of temples along the Nile, there’s no shortage of wonder to explore. For anyone looking to check off a life-changing adventure, Egypt delivers unforgettable sights and
Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Getting Around
Now you know all of the incredible places to check out in Egypt! So the next part of our Egypt travel guide for first-timers is going to cover how to get around this incredible country.
How Do Tourists Get Around in Egypt?
There are a variety of ways to get around Egypt. The country is really large, and distances can be very long from one place to another. Here are the options for traveling around the Egypt:
What is the Best Way to Get Around Egypt?
If it is your first time in Egypt, chances are renting a car won't be your number one option, as driving can be pretty chaotic here.
Tours are the most comfortable route, but they are certainly the most expensive, and in our experience, we didn't think they were always completely necessary (except for visiting the White Desert).
Going on a tour is the best way to get to the White Desert in Egypt.
Buses are the most affordable way to get around, while planes and trains are a bit more comfortable and quicker.
Want to learn more in detail about getting around in Egypt? We have a complete guide coming soon! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Local Food & Drink
One of the best parts of traveling is to experience the local flavors! For our Egypt travel guide for first-timers we're sharing a bit about the cuisine, and some of the top dishes you should try in the country.
What is the Cuisine of Egypt Like?
Egypt has a very heavy cuisine, consisting of a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. There are a lot of homemade breads, sugary and flaky deserts, grilled meats, and lentils.
Portions in Egypt are very generous, and dishes are filling. Prices are affordable, and you can eat well even if you have dietary restrictions.
Traditional Egyptian Dishes
- Koshary: Egypt's official dish which consists of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and crispy onions cooked in a tomato-based sauce
- Kofta: a small round meat batty mixed with spices, onions, garlic, and sometimes herbs such as parsley or cilantro
- Stuffed Pigeon: a delicacy of young pigeons raised specifically for cooking, that are cleaned, seasoned, and stuffed with a mixture of rice or freekeh, herbs, spices, and sometimes giblets.
- Ful Medames: slow cooked fava beans
- Baba Ganoush: a dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil
- Mbekba Pasta: a tomato-based stew with pasta and a choice of meat
- Shakshuka: eggs cooked in a tomato-based sauce with spices
- Date Juice: Similar to a smoothie- local dates are used with coffee, bananas, and sometimes other sweet ingredients (mostly in Siwa)
- Egyptian Breakfast: a plate of eggs, pita bread, falafel, salad, and yogurt
- Olive Chicken: grilled chicken on olive wood cooked under the fire with rice
- Mulukhiyah: a stew made from a blend of a plant in Siwa (jute) blended with garlic and coriander
Fun Fact: In Egypt there is a term "kemela" which you can say if you've enjoyed your meal and have finished, but want more. They will typically bring you more food at no extra charge!
Is Alcohol Legal in Egypt?
As a Muslim country, alcohol is not very common, but is also not impossible to come by. Alcohol will not typically be sold in super markets or found in small towns, but you can find it in resorts, touristic sites, and restaurants in big cities.
Alcohol is common to come by in resort areas such as the beaches of Hurghada.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Safety
One of the most important parts of traveling is staying safe. That's why the next part of our Egypt travel guide for first-timers is to give you a bit of insight into the safety of the country.
Is it Safe to Travel in Egypt Now?
Egypt is much safer than people think! We were surprised by how safe we felt while there. That being said, there are certainly some tourist scams you'll want to be aware of, which is why you won't want to miss out on our tips for visiting Egypt.
We've also written a full guide about safety in Egypt, which will help you be prepared and have a decure adventure while visiting.
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Egypt Travel Guide for First-Timers: Other Things to Know for Visiting
Now you know almost everything you need to visit Egypt as a first-timer! But don't go just yet- we have a few other things to share with you.
What is the Weather Like in Egypt Year-Round?
As Egypt is surrounded by mostly desert, it experiences very dry and hot weather most of the year. The summer months are blistering hot, while the winters are a bit milder.
That being said, it DOES get cold in Egypt in the winter months, especially at night out in the desert.
What is the Best Month to Travel to Egypt?
The best months to visit Egypt are in the early spring or late fall, when temperatures are hot enough to enjoy the sea, but cool enough to be comfortable walking around.
We visited in Egypt in March, where we had pleasant days, but it was a bit chilly at night and to swim. April is probably the most ideal month in the spring, and October or November are the most ideal in the fall.
It's also important to note that March can either be the best month or the worst month the travel in Egypt, as it is Ramadan. This is a special time to visit as it is Egypt's biggest holiday, but it is also a bit more challenging with restaurant schedules, and certain things being closed.
In March it is warm enough to go to the beach, but a little too chilly to swim.
Want to learn more about when to visit Egypt? We have a more complete explanation in our upcoming guide!
What to Pack for Egypt
Knowing what to pack for your trip is crucial! Egypt is full of beautiful temples, breathtaking desert landscapes, and stunning blue waters, so you'll want to pack accordingly.
Don't forget your swimsuit, clothing to cover up in the temples, and the best photography gear to capture your travels!
Don't worry - we've actually curated an entire guide for what to pack for Egypt, as well as what to wear as a tourist in Egypt.
Sharing is caring! 6 shares Share Tweet Pin6 Knowing what to pack for a trip to Egypt can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free adventure. From exploring the ancient pyramids to navigating bustling souks, the right packing list will help you stay prepared for Egypt's unique climate
What Not to Bring to Egypt
Two of the things we recommend not bringing to Egypt are drones (they are illegal to have) and very provocative clothing.
While there are certain areas you can dress however you'd like, it's important to be respectful and have a bit more modest clothing.
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Is Egypt Worth Visiting?
From stories of other family and friends that traveled to Egypt, we honestly were a bit nervous. It sounded overrated, overcrowded, and not safe.
That couldn't be further from the truth though! Egypt is full of friendly people, gorgeous landscapes, and delicious foods. It's very affordable, has great weather, and is a country that we'd highly recommend to visit!
How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Egypt?
Egypt is a much bigger country than we anticipated, and with 8 days we felt like we had only scratched the surface!
We'd recommend a minimum of 10 days if you'd like to hit the majority of the highlights, and 2-3 weeks to truly explore all that the country has to offer.
Egypt is a large country with so many great places to explore!
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are you ready for an epic trip to Egypt? We hope our Egypt travel guide for first-timers has answered all the questions that you had before visiting. Have any other concerns? You can DM us on our Instagram anytime.
We also have quite a few other Egypt travel guides, as well as more that are coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates!
Ready to book the most awesome trip? Let us help! Now Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services so you can get the best rates on flights, as well as stay at the most unique hotels throughout the country. Not only that, but we're creating really epic group trips to Egypt soon!
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