Egypt

Egypt rewards a little advance planning, especially if you want to combine Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea. A classic route might begin with the Giza Plateau and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, continue by overnight train or flight to Luxor, then follow the Nile south to Aswan before adding Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for beaches and diving. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to arrange flights, hotel nights, museum visits, and guided excursions in one itinerary. Check entry rules for your nationality before departure: Egypt’s official e-Visa portal says eligible travellers generally need a passport valid for at least six months and should carry a printed e-Visa. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, insurance, bookings, and visa. Egypt is hot for much of the year, while spring and autumn usually offer more comfortable sightseeing conditions. Build in unhurried time: Cairo traffic can be intense, and archaeological sites are larger and more tiring than they appear on a map.

For long distances, domestic flights save time, while trains are useful between Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. The overnight sleeper train can be convenient, but compare schedules and comfort with daytime first-class services before booking. Within cities, use reputable taxis or app-based rides where available, and agree on the fare before entering an ordinary taxi. Cairo’s Metro is inexpensive and useful for some routes, though it can be crowded; women’s carriages are available. A licensed guide and prearranged driver are especially worthwhile for the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and desert excursions. Avoid self-driving in remote areas: official travel advisories recommend careful planning, daylight travel, sufficient water and fuel, and professional operators for parts of the Western Desert. Keep your phone connected with a Hello eSIM—buy and activate it before landing so you can access maps, translation, ride apps, and hotel messages without roaming charges. Save offline maps as a backup, particularly for desert and Nile journeys.

Egyptian food is hearty, fragrant, and excellent value. Start with koshari, a satisfying mix of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, tomato sauce, and crispy onions. Try ful medames and ta’ameya—Egypt’s fava-bean version of falafel—for breakfast, then look for grilled kofta, shawarma, molokhia, and seafood along the Red Sea. In Alexandria, sample fresh fish; in Aswan, seek Nubian dishes and spiced stews. Street stalls can be delicious, but choose busy places with quick turnover and food cooked hot in front of you. Drink bottled or filtered water, and use it when brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. Mint tea, hibiscus karkadeh, and fresh mango juice are refreshing, but confirm whether ice is made from filtered water. Tipping is customary for restaurant staff, guides, drivers, and small services; keep a supply of small Egyptian-pound notes. If travelling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting feature can divide shared meals and tours, while budget tracking helps you monitor spending in EGP.

Egypt’s mosques, churches, markets, and ancient sites are living parts of daily life, so dress modestly when visiting religious places: cover shoulders and knees, and carry a scarf for mosque visits. Remove shoes where requested, ask before photographing people, and never climb monuments or touch fragile surfaces. At busy sights, keep valuables secure and be cautious with unsolicited guiding, shopping, or camel-ride offers; agree on prices and inclusions before accepting. The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards work in many hotels and larger restaurants, but cash remains essential for taxis, small cafés, toilets, tips, and local purchases. Exchange money through banks, reputable exchange offices, or hotels, and keep notes in several denominations. Hello’s budget tracking can record expenses directly in EGP, making it easier to see what remains for entrance fees, meals, and souvenirs. Take extra care in crowded places, follow local security guidance, and avoid restricted border and desert areas unless travelling with an authorised operator.