Below you will find practical information related to travel to Egypt. Visit shoe-wiki for Egypt Facts.
- Language: Arabic
- Capital: Cairo
- Population: 97 million
- Religion: Sunni Islam
- Currency: Egyptian pound
- Surface: 1 001 450 km²
Worth knowing
Time difference
The time difference between Sweden and Egypt can vary because Egypt changes between summer time and winter time on different dates than in Sweden. This leads to periodic movements, but most of the year you should turn the clock one hour when you arrive in Egypt.
Transport in Egypt
Bus The
buses in Egypt do not quite meet the same standard as in Europe. We have of course chosen the best category of air conditioning where possible.
Trains
When traveling by train, we travel to the highest possible standard. There is a big difference between individual departures, but we constantly strive to utilize the very best connections. You should not expect any greater luxury, but the trains are always an experience!
Price level
Prices in Egypt are usually slightly lower than in Sweden. You can get a dinner for about 30-40 Egyptian pounds (about 50 SEK). Beer and wine are usually more expensive than in Sweden, and a bottle of local wine costs SEK 150 – 200. When you eat out at a restaurant, you often add about 20% in service fee in addition to the already stated price. This is stated in the bill.
Tip
Wages in Egypt are very low, and tips are therefore an important part of income. It is always good to bring small change with you as it is often expected that you leave a little extra. Usually you give 5-10% at restaurants, hotels and in taxis – even if a service fee is added to the bill.
For cruises, other rules apply. See the program for your trip.
Currency and credit cards
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). 1 Egyptian pound = 100 piastre. You can exchange SEK, USD or EUR at banks and most hotels.
Most restaurants accept credit cards and there are a lot of ATMs.
Electricity
Just like Sweden, Egypt has 220 volts. The contacts can, however, be slightly thinner than in Sweden, so feel free to bring an adapter set.
Telephone and internet
Egypt’s international country code is +20. It is expensive to use a mobile phone from Egypt to make and receive calls, send text messages and use data traffic. Feel free to check coverage and prices in Egypt with your operator.
Most hotels offer internet connection for a fee and in the larger cities there are internet cafes.
Hygiene and tap water
Hotels and larger restaurants modern toilets on the same level as those in the west. Out on the town, you may come across so-called pedal toilets and lack of toilet paper. However, the standard of public toilets in cities and in the countryside may seem somewhat primitive. Bring your own toilet paper or a package of wet wipes and possibly. hand disinfection (available at Swedish pharmacies, among other places). Then you can do without water if there is no such thing.
Never drink tap water, only from a bottle. You should also not brush your teeth in tap water.
Tact and tone
The Egyptians are friendly and hospitable and visitors are expected to follow the country’s code of honor when it comes to dress. Women should wear covering and not too tight clothing and elbows and knees should be covered. It is not necessary to wear headgear but it is good to bring a scarf or scarf if you are going to visit a mosque or something else where it is needed. Men should not wear visible necklaces and should preferably wear long trousers.
It is expected that sanctuaries and customs and practices are handled with respect and proper attire. If you visit a mosque, remember to take off your shoes and put the soles facing each other. Women should have covered arms and should wear a hat or other type of headgear.
The left hand is considered unclean and may only touch something that is unclean. Avoid gesturing with your left hand. It is considered very rude to point to someone or something, and remember that the thumbs up of the western world is considered offensive in the entire Arab world. When you sit on a chair, you do not cross your legs but make sure that the soles of the shoes always touch the floor because they are never allowed to point at anyone.
During air travel and transport, there is an absolute ban on smoking. On the trains, however, there are delimited parts where smoking is allowed.
