In the event you’re searching for a tremendous journey vacation spot that offers you an important tradition shock, then look no additional than Egypt! This land has been fashionable amongst European vacationers who’re looking for a Lively and taking place place to go on trip with periodic 2-for-1 journeys to well-known locations like Luxor and Cairo.
I grew up seeing many individuals journey to Egypt solo or with their households, and it’s no shock that Itraveled there myself after highschool. Although it wasn’t a ‘sizzling spot’, I loved my expertise so muchthat I went again independently a second time! In the event you’re contemplating touring to Egypt, right here is everythingyou have to know together with some useful ideas.
Security in Egypt
Earlier than the rest, let’s deal with the query everybody has on their thoughts: is Egypt protected? The reply is sure! I traveled to Egypt again in 2008, and at the moment security wasn’t actually high of our issues. These days, plenty of the Center East is caught up in political or social unrest– however we frequently overlook to see the distinction between Egypt and the remainder of conflict-ridden international locations within the area. There are some areas which aren’t as steady, however general most areas are completely superb for vacationers. Similar to every other nation or metropolis, there’ll all the time be pockets of instability. Nevertheless, from my expertise folks had been extremely welcoming and hospitable throughout my keep– in every single place I went I used to be informed that get pleasure from myself and really feel like house.”
You may be conscious that the U.S Division of State doesn’t have Egypt on both the journey alert or journey warning listing.
The vacationers sights in Egypt are usually not solely protected, however the Egyptian persons are a few of the most hospitable I’ve ever encountered. They love vacationers! In my expertise, I by no means felt unsafe or like somebody was attempting to benefit from me. Quite the opposite, locals went out of their means to assist me and ensure I had fun.
When to Go to Egypt?
Don’t make the identical mistake I did on my first journey to Egypt in the summertime. Within the solar, temperatures can attain as much as 45 levels Celsius, making Luxor and Aswan disagreeable. Needless to say in a single day temperatures could also be chilly; carry a sweater and a pair of heat socks. You’ll thank me later should you do that!
Between October and April is the optimum time to go to Egypt. The height season for vacationers is from December to February, so should you come at a time aside from throughout this era, you’ll lower your expenses on lodging and fewer folks. Moreover, keep away from visiting Egypt throughout Ramadan.
How A lot Cash Do You Have to Journey to Egypt?
Not a lot. In the event you’re coming from a developed nation, Egypt is kind of cheap. You’ll normally pay round $4 for a mattress in a dorm, roughly $12 per night time at a guesthouse, and something above that’s in all probability too expensive. For beneath $30 per day, it’s best to be capable to survive with none difficulties should you’re backpacking.
Essentially the most precious factor I spent cash on in Egypt was a hot-air balloon journey ($50). All the time have plenty of cash and small payments on you. You’ll be required to “tip” quite a few instances every day for a wide range of causes. Whereas this isn’t essential, it’s customary to present some cash to a toilet lady who palms you a number of sheets of bathroom paper.
After seeing the poverty in neighborhoods like Cairo and Luxor, I didn’t thoughts parting with a number of further cash right here and there as ideas.
Meals in Egypt
I appreciated the meals in Egypt. I attempted totally different sorts of dishes, from Koshary (a mixture of rice, macaroni, and lentils topped with tomato-vinegar sauce and fried onions) – which is a really conventional dish in Egypt- to kebabs and native greens combined with rice.
Native hostels and resorts typically present company with an extreme quantity of meals, particularly for breakfast. I might often discover myself with a number of bread rolls, 8 balls of falafel, hummus, an omelet, arduous boiled eggs, french fries, yogurt and a recent smoothie – greater than sufficient for one particular person!
Find out how to Journey Egypt Effectively
Aircraft
Each EgyptAir and NileAir supply nice home flights at reasonably priced costs. For a flight from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, you’ll be able to count on to pay $50-80 a technique. The flight time is just about an hour, making it an important choice should you’re quick on time.
In the event you’re actually attempting to stay to a funds, think about taking the bus as a substitute. Go Bus presents snug buses which are simple to e-book on-line or by way of their app.
Practice
As a lot as I might have liked to take the sleeper practice, my funds disagreed- my flight was only some {dollars} costlier.
Boat (Nile Cruise)
Many vacationers suppose the one solution to get see some locations is by taking a cruise on the Nile, which tour firms capitalize upon. In actuality,These locations might be reached simply as simply by bus or automotive–although needless to say it doubtless gained’t be an genuine expertise should you’re hanging out at luxurypools and consuming touristy meals onboard. In the event you’re searching for a less expensive choice that can nonetheless allow you to discover native tradition, think about staying in guesthouses as a substitute.
Uber & Taxis
In Cairo, you should utilize Uber to journey cheaply. For instance, a taxi journey from the airport into downtown Cairo ought to value 50-60 LE on common, whereas a visit out to the Pyramids will run you 100-110 LE.
