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Advice for Visiting EgyptKnow What to Expect/Watch for when Choosing Your Egyptian Vacation
Enjoying Egypt depends upon choosing the best options for you in regards to transportation and accommodations. Also, many archaeological sites have their own rules.
TransportationThere are only a few ways to travel in Egypt.
Nearly all tour groups make use of the Nile River and offer cruises from Luxor to Aswan. Clients fly into Luxor, board the cruise boats, and use that as their base. Because of the amenities onboard, like dining facilities, swimming pool, programs and shows, and accommodations, few tourists find themselves mingling with the Egyptian people or exploring the local restaurants and shops. Visitors are transported via tour buses to the archaeological sites.
To transverse the entire country via the Nile, the Egyptian train is for the independent traveler. The cars are divided into first, second, and third class. First class and second class are reserved for tourists only. The differences between the two are the cost and cleanliness. Third class is strictly for locals' use. On all tourists cars, armed train marshals are visually present and roaming throughout. When the train pulls into a stop, the security personnel monitor the boarding platform until departure time. The trains provide an exceptional view of the towns and villages along the Nile as well as the Nile itself. Tourists can travel from Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea to Cairo to Luxor to Aswan. The trip from Alexandria to Cairo is about two and a half hours via the Turbo train. Cairo to Luxor is approximately fifteen hours, and Luxor to Aswan is around three and a half hours. A Sleeper Train is also provided for tourists from Aswan or Luxor to Cairo.
In the local areas, including Cairo, taxis are the only mode of transportation. Tourists are better off negotiating for their own taxi rather than having their hotel. Hotel personnel charge heavily for getting the taxi, but tourists are still expected to tip the driver.
By no means should visitors ever attempt to drive in Egypt unless they were raised there. Rules of the road are virtually nil, and even pedestrians risk their lives crossing the streets, especially in Cairo. Accommodations/HotelsEgypt has a variety of hotels, but the biggest selections are in Cairo/Alexandria. Beyond these cities, the selections are fewer.
These cities have the major chains, like Sheraton, Marriott, etc., but you pay the price. A room at the Sheraton Cairo runs $150 USD/night. Not a bad price, but the tax per room runs the same amount! With a little research in travel guides and on the Internet, local hotels can be found for anywhere from $45-$75 USD/night. These are clean, safe, and often include a continental breakfast.
The East Bank offers some well-known hotels such as the Winter Palace and numerous locally owned hotels. Again, these are smaller, simpler, and safe. Most include a continental breakfast. Costs are from $35-75 USD/night. For a lively visit, stay on the East Bank in the city of Luxor. A quieter more small town feeling is best experienced on the West Bank. The local ferry across the Nile costs $0.50 USD for a round trip making it easy to access the shops and restaurants on the East Bank.
Aswan has several small hotels and some excellent bargains. A room with private bath at a hostel runs $17 USD/night. They will also fix guests a box breakfast to take on the tour to Abu Simbel. Archaeological Sites
All of the major sites along the Nile require tourists to purchase a ticket. In Cairo, tickets may be purchased for the sphinx and the pyramids right at the sight. In Luxor, the entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens allows visitors to see only three tombs at each site. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo charges a fee to get in. Then in order to visit the section housing the mummies, the charge is double the original entrance price.
Some venues like Nabu Temple outside of Luxor require a ticket purchase offsite that only taxi drivers or tour guides know about, thus discouraging tourists from traveling on their own. The only site that has no entrance fee and no hustlers is the Colossi of Memnon. It is located on the West Bank on the way to the Valley of the Kings. Tickets may be purchased on site for the Luxor and Karnak Temples.
The only way to visit Abu Simbel is by military caravan out of Aswan. Shuttle drivers pick up at the hotels. Tourists on cruise ships are usually treated to a large tour bus. All vehicles meet at the designated departure site and leave in mass promptly at 4 am. The cost of the shuttle or tour bus does not include the entrance fee. Final AdviceTraversing Egypt with a tour or as an independent tourist will be more rewarding for the prepared. Hustlers abound all over the country. Be warned that known locals are admitted free to all sites and continually try to hustle tourists for money whether they are alone or with an organized tour group. Be vigilant. When going by taxi, the price of the taxi does not include entrance to the sites. Don't be afraid to travel alone in the cities and towns. Egypt is quite safe, and the people are friendly. Crimes against tourists are very low, but the Egyptians will not hesitate to scam a tourist if given the opportunity. Be vigilant. Above all, keep a sense of humor. Laughing with them is better than being laughed at or laughing at them.
The copyright of the article Advice for Visiting Egypt in Egypt Travel is owned by Cheryl Carpinello. Permission to republish Advice for Visiting Egypt in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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