Egypt Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Egypt, if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting through infected areas, including the following: (in Africa), Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan (south of 15 degrees north), Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia; (in America), Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. NOTE: Persons without a valid yellow fever certificate, if one is required, will be subject to quarantine. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

US citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

UK Nationals

British citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

Canadians

Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

Australians

Australian citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

South Africans

South African citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum of 15 days, provided that visitors arrive at Sharm El Sheik, Saint Catherine or Taba airports, and remain in the South Sinai resort areas and do not travel to any other part of Egypt. These visas are free of charge.

Irish Nationals

Irish citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

New Zealanders

New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

Healthcare

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travelers to Egypt should come prepared to beat the heat with a high factor sunblock and drink plenty of water to combat dehydration. Drinking water in the main cities and towns is normally chlorinated but it is advisable to only drink bottled water. Visitors should only eat thoroughly cooked food and fruits they have peeled themselves to prevent travelers diarrhoea. The waters of the Nile are contaminated and should not be consumed or bathed in. Medical treatment can be expensive and standards vary so insurance is strongly advised, including evacuation. Medical facilities outside of Cairo can be very basic.

Safety

Egypt is generally a very safe country to visit, with no ongoing tension from the 2011 revolution. There are very low levels of crime and a welcoming, hospitable people. There remains a low-level threat from terrorism in Egypt. In the past Red Sea resorts on the Sinai Peninsula have been targeted, and there are active threats against Christian Coptic churches where several bombings and shootings have occurred, as recently as 2010. In general, there are increased security measures at all tourist sites, and especially in resort areas on the Sinai Peninsula, but visitors should be alert and are advised to avoid political demonstrations and public gatherings. Visitors to the cities and tourist sites will experience a fair amount of hassle from touts and are advised not to carry more money on them than needed at a time. Women should take extra caution when traveling alone as there are incidents of harassment, and sexual assault is not uncommon; women should be particularly alert when visiting spas and other tourist related activities. Racism towards black and Asian people is both prevalent and acceptable. Egypt also has a poor train safety record with several fatal accidents each year.