Middle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a vast region where ancient history and modern skylines sit side by side. One week you might be wandering the medinas of Marrakesh and Fes, the next you’re watching the sun rise over Wadi Rum or drifting along the Nile. Distances can be big, so start by choosing a few hubs—perhaps Istanbul and Cappadocia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, or an Egypt–Jordan combo—and build out from there using Hello’s trip planning to keep flights, trains, and desert tours in one place.

Weather shapes everything: summers in the Gulf can top 45°C (113°F), while winters in cities like Amman or Tunis are mild and ideal for sightseeing. Dress codes vary—Riyadh is different from Beirut—so pack light, breathable layers and a scarf or shawl to be respectful in mosques and conservative neighborhoods.

On arrival, you’ll find English widely spoken in major tourist centers, but a few phrases of Arabic, Turkish, or French (in North Africa) go a long way. Download offline maps and buy a Hello eSIM before you land to avoid airport SIM queues and surprise roaming charges. With reliable data, you can hail local ride-hailing apps, translate menus, and keep ride directions handy even if street signs switch alphabets on you.

Food in MENA is a highlight, from smoky shawarma stands in Amman to seafood tagines in Essaouira and mezze spreads in Istanbul and Beirut. Expect generous portions and a culture of sharing. A typical affordable meal might be:

• Morocco: a clay pot tagine for around 60–90 MAD (about 6–9 USD)
• Egypt: a hearty bowl of koshari for 30–60 EGP (roughly 1–2 USD)
• Turkey: a plate of kebap and salad for 120–200 TRY (around 4–7 USD)

Many restaurants automatically bring bread and small starters; ask if they’re included to avoid surprises on the bill. In conservative areas, alcohol may be limited or only served in hotel bars, while café culture is strong everywhere—pull up a chair, order mint tea or Turkish coffee, and watch the city move.

If you’re traveling with friends, big mezze tables and rooftop dinners are perfect for sharing; use Hello’s expense splitting so you can pay once and divide the bill later in local currency. Street food is generally safe in busy spots with high turnover—follow the crowds, and use your Hello eSIM to quickly check reviews or locate popular, budget-friendly places nearby.

Costs in the Middle East and North Africa can range from ultra-budget to ultra-luxury, often within the same street. Markets in Marrakesh, Cairo, or Tunis invite bargaining, while supermarkets and malls have fixed prices. In souks, start by offering about 50–60% of the initial price and move up with a smile; bargaining is as much social interaction as transaction.

Local currencies differ widely: Moroccan dirham (MAD), Egyptian pound (EGP), Jordanian dinar (JOD), Emirati dirham (AED), Turkish lira (TRY) and more. ATMs are common in cities, but smaller towns and desert camps often prefer cash. Many taxis are cash-only, and card acceptance can be unreliable during network outages.

To stay on top of spending across currencies, use Hello’s budget tracking to log purchases in local money and see a clear overview in one place. This is especially useful if you’re hopping between, say, Dubai, Muscat, and Amman on a single trip. For group trips, combine budget tracking with expense splitting so shared costs like car rentals, desert tours, and Nile cruises are recorded automatically. Keep small notes for tips—rounding up taxi fares or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated in many parts of the region.

Moving around MENA involves a mix of planes, trains, buses, and the occasional camel. High-speed trains link Casablanca–Tangier and Jeddah–Mecca, while long-distance buses connect cities in Jordan, Turkey, and Morocco at reasonable prices. For shorter distances, taxis and ride-hailing apps are often easiest—agree a fare in advance for unmetered taxis in places like Cairo or Tunis, and keep small change handy.

In the Gulf, cities like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh are spread out and car-centric. Metro systems help in some areas, but you may still rely heavily on rideshares—having constant data is crucial for pick-up points in sprawling malls and new neighborhoods. In more rural regions, such as the Atlas Mountains or Sinai, shared minibuses or private drivers are common; confirm prices and routes ahead of time.

To avoid juggling SIM cards at every border, install a Hello eSIM before you depart and activate coverage when you land. This lets you:

• Use maps and public transit apps instantly
• Call or message accommodation hosts if your flight is delayed
• Coordinate with friends and drivers via chat or calls

Combine this with Hello’s trip planning so tickets, booking confirmations, and directions all live in one place, even as you hop from desert camp to coastal city to ancient ruins.