Traveling in Egypt: 10 travel tips to the valley of the pyramids

Egypt is not only “all-inclusive” and has pyramids on the palm of your hand. The Arab Republic, nestled on two continents, is able to surprise not only with architectural classics. In our 10 tips and tricks, we tell you what you need to know to spend your trip on a high, to stock up on goodies at ridiculous prices, and not to become a victim of a “scam.” 

Entry Requirements

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Egypt, and getting one before you fly is straightforward. The official e-visa portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg issues single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas online — no embassy queue required.

Visa on arrival is still available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, and a handful of other international airports — but the e-visa is faster and avoids the queues at immigration. Processing typically takes a few business days, so apply at least a week before departure.

• Passport validity: your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date
• Sinai-only entry: if you are going only to Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab and staying within the Sinai Peninsula, a free 15-day stamp is available on arrival — it does not allow travel to Cairo or Luxor
• Children: each traveler, including minors, requires a separate visa

Check current requirements with your country’s embassy or the Egyptian e-visa portal before booking, as conditions can change.

You can go without hijab

The fact that Egypt is a resort country does not cancel its conservative principles. No matter how stifling the heat is, girls prefer a closed version of the outfit (light dresses or skirts below the knees and sweatshirts up to the elbow will not embarrass anyone). The attitude toward men here is more loyal—even if you are in shorts, no one will make a remark. But jeans or pants are still preferable.

Money, money, money

Egypt has its own currency—the Egyptian pound. The pound has weakened significantly in recent years, so check a live rate before you travel rather than relying on any fixed figure. Dollars and euros were long accepted freely in tourist areas, but Egyptian authorities have tightened this: many hotels, tour operators, and entry fees now require payment in local pounds, so carrying Egyptian currency is increasingly essential rather than optional. ATMs dispense only local pounds and usually charge a small fee. Modern shops and hotels increasingly take credit cards, but cash is still king at markets and for tips. Any Egyptian pounds left over at the end of your trip cannot be taken out of the country in large amounts—such laws are enforced seriously, and at the airport even shoes will be checked.

Run, Forrest, run!

If rules exist to be broken, it’s definitely about Egyptian traffic laws. Here, drivers storm the roadway to their liking (or mood?); there are no crosswalks or traffic lights as such (and if you do find one, it doesn’t give you any guarantees). Get ready for the fact that you will have to actively turn your head around and move your feet very, VERY quickly. If in buses and subways prices are fixed, with cab drivers you need to bargain and agree on the final price before arriving at the place.

One practical defense against overcharging is to agree on the fare in writing or show the driver a number on your phone before you get in—once you’re seated, the leverage disappears. Locals rarely pay what a driver quotes a foreign face, so push back confidently and be prepared to walk away. That threat alone usually brings the price down fast.

Translation difficulties

It would seem that the flow of tourists to the Red Sea is inexhaustible, but the locals with undisguised curiosity continue to look at European faces: smiling and pointing fingers, and may stealthily take pictures. The streets are full of children asking for baksheesh (alms). Keep your wallet with you—during the whole trip, the crowd of those eager for your “un dollar” will not thin, believe me.

As a rule, Egyptians are friendly to their guests and will gladly give directions or advice. English is in use, and many know Russian. And local men will give a head start to any guru of seduction in the skill of compliments. Ladies, get ready! No one will be left without a dose of eloquence.

Paradise in a hut

AirBnb and Booking will help you find an affordable roof over your head. You can catch the notorious “all-inclusive” in a 4-star hotel by the sea for about $20-25 for a double room. There are also options for $10-15, but without food and other embellishments. It is customary to leave a tip for cleaning the room—usually $1. Valuable things are best kept in a safe, which is almost always available in the room.

Bon appétit

You can dine at an inexpensive restaurant for $6-10 per person. There are even cheaper places to eat—if you are lucky enough to stumble upon a local cafeteria for koshary or taameya, you can eat for $2-4. In grocery stores and supermarkets, prices have risen due to inflation, but you can still find bargains: for example, the price for a loaf of bread and a liter of juice averages around $0.80-1.20. At the market, you can buy the freshest and strangest fruits for us at very accessible prices. So, a kilogram of mangoes (figs, strawberries, pomegranates, and guavas) will generally cost between $1.50 and $2.50 depending on the season. It is always sunny in Egypt; the land near the Nile is fertile all year round, which is why there are always fresh herbs at surprisingly low prices.

One more peculiarity—if you ask the seller how much the goods cost, you will not be able to just walk away: bargain; otherwise, the locals do not understand why you show interest in their goods. Asking means you want to buy, and that’s the only way.

To drink or not to drink?

You can wash your hands and shower under tap water, but never drink or brush your teeth (otherwise, your Arabian trip could turn into a sad trip with gastrointestinal distress)! The waters of the Red Sea will be saltier than any dried wobla, so the water is desalinated, but it’s still unsuitable for drinking. Hotels usually refill your mini-bar with bottled water. But in case of emergency, be sure to pack everything you need in your first aid kit—for stomach problems, colds, and injuries (it will definitely not be superfluous).

As for alcohol, in Egypt you will have to sweat a lot before you find a bottle or two of the cherished fiery liquid: in Islam, alcohol is, to put it mildly, not welcome. It is cheaper and tastier to buy in Duty Free at the border.

History at arm’s length

To come to the birthplace of the pharaohs and not dig into history is a bad thing in the eyes of the locals. To look at the columns of the Karnak temple in Luxor, to express sympathy for the absence of a nose at the immense Sphinx in Giza, to feel yourself a grain of sand in comparison with ancient architecture—here and the stuffiness, and a long way in the bus will be tolerated. As of 2026, most major sites like the Giza Plateau and the Egyptian Museum have moved to a strictly cashless system, so ensure you have a credit or debit card ready for entrance fees. The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the pyramids is now fully open to the public, offering a high-tech home for the complete Tutankhamun collection.

If you fly on a ticket, you should know that excursions from your tour operator are at least two times more expensive than if you take them from an Egyptian guide. For the best rates at major monuments—where tickets now average $15-30 for adults—it is better to book via local platforms. If you want to save money, keep the resources for finding a guide in place toursbylocals.com, getyourguide.com, and showaround.com.

Besides architectural heritage, Egypt has a lot more to offer: near Hurghada there is a Venice called El Gouna, there is diving on coral reefs (here you should remember that a huge fine is inevitable for the catch of coral and shells); a motorized safari; and much more. But get ready for unforeseen expenses: the guide can include another item in the program of the excursion for a fee. If you don’t want unplanned adventures, you’ll have to wait on the bus.

Also know that elders in robes up to their heels, literally hovering over the heritage sites, are hoping for your “one dollar.” A respectful-looking man will gladly take a picture with you but will also immediately ask for a reward for his short-term modeling career.

Faith is paramount

In Egypt, about 90% of believers are Muslims, and the remaining 10% identify themselves as Christians. There are no special problems with getting into a mosque or temple. Before entering the mosque, a girl is necessarily given an analog of a hijab, but in fact, you can pass in an extended dress—only shoes will have to be left at the entrance. And no one forbids you to take photos or videos.

Temples do not look like typical Orthodox temples—the temple in Hurghada from the outside looks more like something cosmic. Inside, the decoration is similar to the church—the same benches, huge stained-glass windows, and an urn for alms. It is also possible to take photos.

Just what you need

To give your friends and family memorable trinkets, it is better to avoid the big shopping centers. The locals consider Europeans rich by default, so things are sold at a premium. The same products will be cheaper in small stores.

What you should really take home with you are medicinal oils and perfumes (in Egypt, they are made of essential oils—nothing superfluous, and the persistence is the envy of any famous brand). It is better not to take oils and perfumes from hands and to buy only in stores (it will be normal to ask for a certificate of quality and a receipt for demonstration from the seller so that there will be no questions at the airport inspection). You can and should bargain for perfumes and oils! And a box of delicious rahat-lukum or nougat with nuts will take you away for only $1.5-2.

As for the usual little things like figurines and magnets, you should also go to small shops for them. In a large shopping center a figurine of a representative of the royal dynasty will cost $10, and from hand, you will take 3 pieces for $1.