Egypt is one of those countries that a lot of people put on their bucket list, but a lot of people don’t get around to visiting. It’s a beautiful place with so much incredible history, but it has had its problems in the last few years. A lot of upheaval in the country has put some people off and it’s often considered a dangerous place to go. But while there are some dangers, it’s still perfectly fine to visit Egypt as long as you follow a few basic safety tips. If you are planning a first time visit to Egypt, here are a few important tips that you should know.
Be Security Conscious
Egypt may not be as dangerous as some people think that it is, but that doesn’t mean that there are no security risks at all. There have been attacks against tourists in the past and if you are traveling to Egypt, you do need to be security conscious. Simple things like booking a hotel with extra security and booking tours through reliable groups will make a big difference. For the most part, you don’t need to worry about violent crime, but you are likely to be a target for petty theft and scams.
You need to keep your wits about you and remember one simple rule; nothing is free. If people are harassing you and offering you free camel rides or photos, don’t say yes. They will only start demanding money afterwards and that’s when you will find yourself in trouble.
AussieActive
Prepare For The Heat
The first thing that you’ll notice when you step off the plane in Egypt is the heat. The climate is very hot and dry, and if you are not used to it, it can be very tough to manage. When you are visiting Egypt, you will be spending quite a lot of time outside, especially when visiting historical sites. If you are not prepared to deal with the heat, it can really ruin your experience and in some cases, put your health at risk. Make sure that you take plenty of clothes that you can wear to cover yourself during the hottest part of the day, and don’t forget your sunscreen either. When you are out during the day, make sure that you take a break and find some shade from time to time.
A lot of people avoid visiting between May and August because it’s simply too hot. A lot of the big landmarks don’t offer a huge amount of shade so if you don’t deal well with the heat, you should avoid the hottest months. Between September and April is the best time to go because the weather is milder.
Find The Right Guide
Finding the right guide is absolutely essential in Egypt for a few different reasons. If you are traveling on your own, it’s especially important because you become a target for scammers and you are likely to be harassed in the street by people selling things. There is also a chance that you will get lost, so having a guide is very helpful. Having a guide is so important when you are seeing the historical sites because you get a much better experience if you understand some of the background behind it. You do have to be careful when choosing your guide though because a lot of them are not very good. Some of them will only give you a very quick tour and you won’t get that much in-depth information about the history of the site. If that’s something that really interests you, it’s important that you find the right guide. It’s also a good idea to plan your own itinerary instead of relying on the guide to plan everything for you. A lot of the time, they act more as a chaperone than a guide, so be prepared for that.
Isabella Juskova
Alternatively, you should look at joining a tour instead of taking a guide on your own. Before you go, you should look for some budget Egypt tours and book a place on one. You tend to get a more informative trip and it’s great if you are traveling on your own because you will meet a lot of people along the way. However you decide to do it, you will need to spend a bit more planning your itinerary when you visit Egypt if you want to get the full experience.
Always Tip
Tipping can be tough when you are traveling because every country has its own etiquette. In some countries, it’s just not a thing, while in other countries it’s expected and considered very rude if you don’t tip. Egypt is one of those countries. A lot of the locals rely heavily on tourism and their wages are not that high. That means that they make their living from your tips. It’s not just when you are eating out either, it’s expected everywhere. Baggage handlers will carry your bags from the car to the hotel door and expect a tip, and there are toilet attendants looking for tips all over the place as well. Your tour guides will also expect tips on top of their fee as well. That’s why you should always try to make sure that you have plenty of small change on you at all times. If you are unsure who to tip and how much to give them, you can give your tour guide an amount at the start of the day and they will distribute it for you throughout the day.
Adam Jang
Be Aware Of The Extra Charges
Tipping isn’t the only cost that you need to think about when you are visiting Egypt because there are a lot of extra charges at the attractions. For example, if you visit the valley of the kings, you will have to pay extra for a photo permit if you want to take pictures. When you buy a ticket for the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, that doesn’t get you into the Royal Mummy Exhibit. If you want to see that, you need to pay an additional charge for a separate ticket. The pyramids will charge an additional fee to get into the burial chambers as well. A lot of people get caught out by these charges because they don’t factor them into their budget. As a general rule, you should add around 30 to 40 percent extra on your budget for the extra charges.
Ali Hegazy
Don’t Try To Bring A Drone
This might sound like a bit of a strange tip, but more people are bringing drones when they travel because they’re great for taking photos. Egypt is the ideal place to use one because you have some incredible landmarks to photograph. Unfortunately, it’s illegal to own or use a drone in Egypt and they are very strict about it. Some people think that it’s ok to risk it but you will have it confiscated and it’s likely that you will be taken aside and questioned for a long time about why you are trying to bring it in. In some cases, they may even charge you with a crime, so it’s really not worth it. You can still get some great photos without it anyway.
Be Prepared For The Military
There is a big military presence in Egypt and you are likely to see a lot of guns at the big landmarks. This is a big culture shock for most people and it can be a bit intimidating. But they’re there for security reasons and you don’t have anything to worry about, just be prepared for it.
If you keep these simple tips in mind, your first trip to Egypt will be a huge success.
Header image by Bailey Zindel
This post is a contribution to HandZaround.com
