About Egypt

You must know about Egypt

Preparation

First of all you need to make sure of visa requirements of your country. If you’re student make sure you have your student card. Try to find a cheap flight to your start point in Egypt considering there’s multi destinations in Egypt according to your plan. If you will come from Jordan or Israel check land way options via Sinai.

You need to know that Egypt is not only pyramids, temples, and camels, but a witness of natural secrets on the land of wonders where you can see the desert in different colors. Go by the Mediterranean Sea history and beaches or enjoy underwater, sun, and mountains of the Red Sea and Sinai.

It’s very flexible to travel around Egypt with a helpful transportation network either touristic or locals. It all depends on your destination, so take your time and think what’s your priorities before starting the planto have a perfect trip either History, Nature, Fun under sun. See The Wonders of humanity and nature and the good news is that has got even more, so make sure you have a swimsuit even in Winter and a hat for Summer.

Transportation

 

If you’re planning to move around Egypt by your own, there is various transportation to all over Egypt regions and in cities.So to move between the cities, you will need to check your options to your desired destination either closest airport, train station, bus station or local mini buses which are available all over the country.

Airplanes are the easiest and fastest to certain regions, so if you are going south to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, or South-West MarshAll, Hurghada, or to Sinai Sharm Al Sheikh, Dahab, Neuiba’ and Taba, that will save you a lot of time to move from a region to another.

Trains are a pleasant way to move among cities along the Nile River from Alexandria all the way to Aswan, with various classes and speeds.So if you are in Cairo and want to visit Alexandria, train is your best option either 1st or 2nd class.The trip will take from 2:30 hrs up to 4 hrs depends on train type.

Moreover, if you want to go south from Alexandria or Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, train is a good option as well.It might take longer time but it’s comfortable and safe as you can take overnight trains either first class or sleeping train.

Buses Network in Egypt provides comfortable buses with classesverities. It also covers more regions and cities comparing to Airplanes and trains as it can take you to Eastern Desert Oasis, Sinai cities, Red Sea region and other cities where you can’t reach with train or airplane.

Microbuses (domestic public minibuses) are an easy way to reach all Cities in Egypt specially the cities which are not covered with railway or airports.

Microbuses are available 24/7 ,with no specific time , in specific location in each city depends on your destination.

In addition there are some vehicles it’s more touristic as Hantour Carriage pulled by horses in several cities in Egypt where you can use for a chilling tour around, as there’s the Nile-bus which has specific stops by the river banks to move through the Nile in Cairo and Giza.

Egyptian-Arabic language

 

In Egypt you will find many English speakers but mostly around touristic places. To deal with local Egyptians you need some words to be able communicate.It’s also useful with Taxis, Shops, Cafes, Restaurants and sometimes it’s a unique experience and joy that you would love to have.

Foodies

If you are willing to learn some words and phrases to practice in Egypt here are some might help.

 

Food is an important part of people’s life and many people enjoy it more than travel itself. So, let’s state a fact, if you’re in Egypt you must forget about international food chains and try some local food.

For everyone who likes to try new food, if you’re vegetarian or meat lover welcome to Egypt with a spacious cuisine that would definitely amaze your taste sense, and delicious dessert which will satisfy you.

Here are some Egyptian dishes; we wish you will try as much as you like.

Clothes in Egypt

What to wear in Egypt is a bit confusing for many people especially women. You can find locals are wearing all fashion styles, except in some traditional region locals wear special customs for Example in upper Egypt you will find most of men wear Ema (Turban) and Galabia (Long loose garment) and Bedouins wears Galagia, colored vest and Head scarf.

So you can just pick your favorite casual outfit to wear in the appropriate place.If you will be in coastal cities, it’s possible to wear your swimsuit and enjoy Sea and Sun.When you’re in other cities, cotton fabric topping would help in spring and summer (from middle of April till the end of October).For men to wear shorts below knees will be okay, also loose fit trousers with low sleeve top is appropriate for women.

In autumn and winter (from November to April) sweater or jacket will be helpful, although temperature might be higher in day time.

There’s no specific term of dress code in Egypt, but for tradition consideration, women should be wearing at least low sleeves tops and long bottoms.

To avoid the confusion here some examples of Egyptian fashion styles.

 

Dealing with Locals

 

 

Egyptians are very friendly, welcoming, and helpful with a special sense of humor. It’s highly recommended to deal with locals while you’re in Egypt as you will enjoy the time you will spend.

There are many platforms to meet locals so start to make some friends and arrange for meet ups. Egyptians are usually active and up to hang out at evening and honestly it’s always much better.

If you care to meet more locals and have a nice experience with them, you will need to learn some Egypt-Arabic that will help you to communicate better.Please refer to Language paragraph for some Egyptian-Arabic words and phrases.

If an Egyptian invites you for a drink or meal and insisted, that means they really mean it.You shouldn’t refuse and you can invite them later if you want.

Tipping in Egypt is common and the amount depends on the person you tipping. It could be from 20 EGP up to 200 EGP, also some people won’t accept tips so if felt you need to show them appreciation, you might gift them or invite them for a meal.

 Shopping in Egypt is a bit tricky so if what you are buying have fixed price, mostly you can’t negotiate the , you pay the written price. In other case comes the joy for people who enjoy bargaining as you can negotiate the price from 20% up to 60% sometimes.

While dealing with other genders,you need to be careful as there are traditional and religious regulations that makes it a little complicated. For Example, if you meet Egyptian woman for first time, you shouldn’t shake hands unless she approaches. Also, avoid touching, if you’re not sure if she minds it or not.For Females, when you deal with some Egyptian men, it’s offensive if women pay.Therefore, if you’re with an Egyptian man and he insisted to pay, let him pay to avoid arguing about .Otherwise, clear it from the beginning if you will separate the bill or if you invite them.

 

Hanging around

 

Egyptians like to hangout, having a drink in a café or bar, smoking Shisha (water pipe) or just walk by the Nile cornice or around malls. Usually cities’ downtown full of hang out places or special areas, so a help of local will always lead you to a special experience.

There are many websites and blogs about Egypt cities and what to do such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, cultural wheels, night spots, etc. Furthermore, you will find various prices options that will be easy to fit different budgets and we are pretty sure that will find and enjoy a lot of special experiences in Egypt.

 

Traditions and Habits

 

Egyptian civilization is one of the longest civilizations on earth, which characterized Egypt with mixed traditions and habits even from ancient times like eastern festival for example. It’s Always a special day over Egypt with a special cuisine of salted fish, colored eggs and Mallana (Green Chickpeas). In this day, many Egyptians wear eyeliner for holy Saturday regardless to their religion either Christians or Muslims.

You can recognize an Egyptian anywhere, if you are familiar with Egyptian habits and traditions. Sense of hospitality is always a serious habit in Egypt So don’t be surprised if someone you just met invites you for a cup of tea, “Ta’ala ishrab shay” . You will hear it a lot when you meet or even greet an Egyptian. Also, expect so much attention, food, drinks and dessert if you’re hosted by an Egyptian to make sure you are pleased and felt welcome.

Integrities are big issue for Egyptians so you will feel protected especially for females; they won’t allow anything bad happen to you on their watch even if they don’t know you, help will be offered once you seem lost or in need for help. So never feel hesitate to ask help whenever you need.

Egyptian working week starts Sunday to Thursday so the weekend are Friday and Saturday. That’s why Thursday evening is when the fun start for weekend till Saturday night.

In addition, there are several holidays and as Egyptians love to celebrate on their own way which always special all around Egypt regardless of . Egyptians share all holidays traditionally along the year.The most Common Holidays Sham Al Nasem (Eastern festival), Eid Al-fitr (feast of Iftar) and it comes right after Ramadan the holy month of Islam and it’s a celebration of breaking the fasting. It’s usually famous for making special biscuits, cookies, and it lasts for 3 days.Also, we have to mention that Ramadan, the fasting month, is an amazing experience to have in Egypt as you will find so many decorations at streets and places for free meal for everybody at Sunrise (breakfast time), as they have to buy Ramadan lantern for children, wifes or beloved once, Eid Al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) in that feast Muslims offers sacrifices of lamps, sheep, cows, and camels and start to slaughter from the Sunrise till the noon, after sacrifices slaughtering they give specific amount of the meat to poor people, usually Egyptians have a breakfast of Fattah and meat for the first day of feast.

Also the pilgrimage season for Muslims starts 9 days before the feast which is the first of “Zee Al Heja” the last month of Islamic calendar.

New Year’s Eve is also one of the most common occasions, where so many parties, decorations, and many people hang out to spend the new hours of the New Year with friends and beloved people; notable most of Egyptians know New Year’s Eve as Christmas.