General Information & Travel Tips
Wear the right shoes!
At the Pyramids and at the Citadel, wear closed sports shoes as you will be walking over sand and pebbles. The Bazaar streets are sandy too, so wear good walking shoes. Save the high heels for nightclubs and dinner rendezvous, or buy new in Egypt! At the hotel, sandals are fine.
Jet Lag Busters
Rest, peppermint tea, peppermint oil, ginger tea and sunlight are all jetlag busters. Yoga stretches can also help with jetlag. You will be very busy on the first day attending the Opening Ceremony - so please plan to get rest when you can.
Medications & Toiletries
Any pharmaceuticals are inexpensive and readily available in Cairo, in case you need antibiotics or have tummy problems. If you take medications, bring them plus have a copy of the name of the medication with you just in case. You may wish to pack yourself a small travel kit with the basics - Imodium, aspirin, antiseptic cream, a few Band-Aids and a muscle balm. Contact lense fluid and toiletries are easy to find. Hairdressers and beauticians are easily available and the fees are very affordable.
Save on Phone Bills with an Egyptian SIM
Leave your SIM card at home in an old phone, with someone who can take calls. Get an Egyptian SIM card in Cairo (they are cheap) plus some credit. You'll feel safer - store all Egyptian contacts on this phone.
Currency
You can withdraw money from most ATM with your bank or credit card, in LE (Egyptian pounds) converted at the daily rate. There is usually a bank fee involved. You exchange foreign cash at any bank.
Keep Fresh Wipes with You
Arabic food is often eaten by hand - bread, dips, etc. It’s a good idea to carry antiseptic wipes with you and wipe your hands before eating. Antibacterial foods help; raw ginger, ginger tea, garlic, and lemon.
Bottled Water
It's sensible to always carry a bottle of water with you, and avoid drinking from the taps. Bottled water is inexpensive in Egypt when you buy it from local stores rather than from the hotels. You can brush teeth and wash fruit with bottled water, but there is no need to be paranoid as intestinal flora often takes a day or so to adjust to the new environment.
What to Eat
Egypt offers a variety of delicious cuisine. If you are traveling for the first time, or have a sensitive stomach, you may wish to eat cereals and cooked vegetable dishes the first day and gradually introduce fresh produce. Salads and fresh fruits are fine as long as they are fresh or served in a good hotel or cafe. Egyptian, meat, chicken and fish is excellent and recommended; superb Egyptian cuisine. However, avoid eating meat and cheeses from street vendors.
Basic Greetings:
| Hello and welcome |
ahlan wa sahlan |
| Answer |
ahlan bik! |
| Good morning |
sabah el kheir |
| Good evening |
misae el kheir |
| How are you? |
Izzayak/izzayik? |
| I am fine thanks to God |
Ana kwaiss/a el hamdulilah |
| Where you from? |
enta/enti minein? |
| What is your name? |
ismak/ismik eh? |
| Goodbye |
maasalema |
Helpful Words for Travelers:
| Yes |
aiwa |
| No |
laa |
| Maybe |
yimkin |
| It is possible |
mumkin |
| It is not possible |
mish mumkin |
| Thanks |
shukran |
| You're welcome |
afwan |
| Sorry |
ana asif/a |
| Pardon? |
Efandim? |
| Where is... |
feyn...? |
| What? |
Eh? |
| Why |
Leh? |
| When |
emta? |
| Please |
minfadluk/ik, |
| Alright |
tayyib |
| I am tired |
ana taebana, |
| I am happy |
ana mabsoota, |
| I need a taxi |
Aiz/a taxi |
| Right |
yemeen |
| Left |
shemel |
| Straight ahead |
ala tool |
| Good |
kwaiss |
| Very good |
kwaiss awi |
Cairo, Egypt Facts & Travel Info
| Government: |
Arab Republic of Egypt |
| Capital: |
Cairo |
| GMT: |
+ 2 hrs |
| Location: |
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea |
| Geographic Location: |
27 00 N, 30 00 E |
| Area Total: |
1,001,450 sq km |
| Land: |
995,450 sq km |
| Water: |
6,000 sq km |
| Climate: |
Desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters. During the summer time, sun protection is the most important single consideration for an Egypt trip, especially for the fair-skinned. Wearing a sunhat is essential. Cheap, and pure cotton, sunhats are made locally and available everywhere. Travel clothing should be light and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best and robust shoes are a must! The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to October and a cool season from October to May.
|
| Health & Medical: |
www.worldtravelguide.net/data/egy/egy080.asp |
| Currency: |
Egyptian pound (EGP) |
| Currency Converter: |
www.oanda.com/convert/classic |
| Language: |
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes |
| Electricity: |
220v 50c AC |
| Driving: |
International license |
