PASSPORTS
You will need an official passport, valid AT LEAST 6 months. Australian Passport holders may purchase the Visa Stamp upon arrival at the airport. The cost is around $15 USD ( and can be paid in AUD). You can also apply and receive your visa stamp before arriving by sending your passport plus application for visa to the nearest Egyptian Consulate or Embassy in your country. You need one available page in your passport.

CHECK ALL VISA/PASSPORT/ENTRANCE information on your own before making travel arrangements to be sure there have been no changes.

MEDICAL & TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you carry full medical coverage insurance to cover hospital and any other medical expenses (check to see if coverage you may already carry in your country is valid in Egypt, and if so, at which locations). There are many types of travel insurance to cover flight cancellation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, etc.

HEALTH & FOOD CHOICES IN EGYPT
Be prepared for a change from your regular diet. It often takes your body a little time to adjust to the different food, water and weather. Therefore, bring some Imodium to stop possible diarrhea and stomach pain as well as a general antibiotic (such as Cipro). I recommend visiting your general practitioner and letting them know you will be traveling to Egypt. They may suggest certain vaccinations and/or prescriptions based on the most recent reports form the World Health Organization. Most things you could need are available here but please bring any necessary medicines/prescriptions you are already taking with you. Regarding the water in Egypt: please do not drink tap water or use it for brushing teeth (although it is chlorinated it can still cause stomach upset). Bottled water is very inexpensive and available everywhere. Play it safe. Bring vitamins and electrolyte supplements. Steamed veggies & cooked meats are fine and usually bacteria-free. Egypt is suitable for vegetarians, though you may find fewer choices at meal time.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARDS & ATMS
Egypt is quite reasonable in terms of daily expenses, though if you choose to eat at "Westernised fast food outlets" the price is quite comparable as in Australia. The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound or "guinea" (LE). US dollars and Euro are quite common but there are still some Exchanges that will change Aussie Dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, clubs and at some shops - however keep in mind that many of the costume designers DO NOT accept credit cards. ATMs are widespread, and there is usually one located in your hotel. However, you can only withdraw up to 2000 LE per day in most cases. I recommend, in addition to your ATM debit card and one or two credit cards, bringing your dollars with you which you can place in the hotel safe. I DO NOT recommend bringing Travelers Checks to Egypt. Relatively few places cash them and they can be quite a hassle.

NOTE: BE SURE to tell your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling in Egypt and they should expect to see charges from there on your account, otherwise they could freeze your account if they see activity from the Middle East. I also recommend bringing more than one credit/bank card in case one does get frozen or lost.

WEATHER
The northern half of Egypt tends to be cool in the early part of the year, until March...warming up in April, warmer still in May, with a very hot and humid summer June through September. Please check weather predictions and pack/plan accordingly.

CULTURE
The "work" week is generally Sunday through Thursday. The weekend is Friday (this is the Muslim holy day) and Saturday (though many places are open Saturday that may not be open Friday). Coptic Christians hold Saturday and Sunday as their weekend generally. Etiquette: Please - when visiting places of religious significance, dress appropriately. You should have your legs and shoulders covered and be prepared to leave your shoes at the entrance of any mosque (you may want to bring socks). In general, it is acceptable to be congenial but not overly, for a woman to a man (stranger) situation, and do beware of the touts that will offer you assistance at some times the most inopportune moments. It is fine to tell them you are not interested and ask them to go away. If you find someone following you offering you guide services, perfume, papyrus, this-or-that, you should tell them you’re not interested (unless you are, in which case, good luck – these folks can be real clingers!) and that you are with a friend who lives in Egypt and you have everything you need.

Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. Everyone tips everyone and Egyptians also tip each other. It is normal to tip our drivers and archeological guide at the end of the tour a token amount as recognition for their great service. However, also, on a day-to-day basis, there are situations you may find someone waiting for a tip for a service provided (for instance, when you use the toilet in an establishment or marketplace, an attendant might offer you toilet paper – take it - use it - and tip her 1 LE). "Porters" are everywhere offering to help you carry your bags from shopping, etc – if you use their service, tip them. This is a cultural "duty" in Egypt - please carry appropriate change for these services.

CLOTHING
What to wear? During the day, casual clothing is fine. Comfy pants, shirts and shoes are perfect (short sleeve shirts are fine – but definitely bring long sleeve light sweaters/shirts too). Smart casual goes for evening and some night time events, but be prepared with "dressy" clothing for nightclubs and the like. So, bring your casual conservative clothes, your dressy clothes and heels and bring some things in-between. Don’t bother bringing shorts for Cairo unless you want to wear them inside your hotel room, or you like being stared at!

Also bring sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Yes, bring your bikini/swimsuit – especially if you want to swim in the hotel swimming pool!

ELECTRICITY
Electrical current in Egypt is 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin round plugs are standard. Buy an electrical adaptor for your camera and other electrical equipment you may take before you leave home.