Egypt Travel Tips -
experience the pyramids as well as the cafes!
Finally going to see the pyramids? Our Egypt Travel Tips will help you plan a trip that gives you more than the packaged deals (even if you're on a tour!) and gets you through navigating the bazaar, bartering for your camel ride and thoroughly enjoying yourself.
I've not personally had the opportunity to go to Egypt yet. My best friend since Jr. High is Egyptian though and I told her that since she went to Egypt without me (she left me behind to finish my winter finals- go figure) she owed it to me to give me her best Egypt travel tips for when I have to brave going myself. Of course, I told her I was also going to share them with all my readers because, well, not all of us speak the language.
The Language Speaking of which, the language is Arabic. Specifically the Egyptian dialect of Arabic. If you're learning a bit before you go, then you're in luck - its like speaking English like a Californian - it's the version of the language used most often in movies, TV, radio, books, etc. However, if you've learned Arabic in order to read the Koran, know that the dialect will be different. That's like Shakespeare's English to Madonna's English.
Ok. I know this is redundant on many of my pages, but it's also my number one Egypt travel tip - learn some basic Arabic. Like in any foreign language speaking country, try to learn a bit the language before you go - you'll get better deals, better bargains, more respect and be a novelty to the locals. Pimsleur language CDs are AWESOME! That said, Egypt gets a lot of tourists and English will get you around in most places.
Basic Egypt Travel Tips - Don't drink the water. This is one of the Egypt travel tips that my friend (whose parents were born and raised there) didn't know before she went. SERIOUSLY, listen to this one - Pharaoh's revenge is horrible. *note, the language most people use to describe it isn't that bland, but this is a family site.
- DO take a Nile cruise with a reputable company. However, make sure to give yourself a day or so at your first hotel to recover from jet lag or you'll sleep through stuff, especially if you're arriving from the US, which is almost 12 hours difference in some parts.
- Don't be afraid to barter and negotiate anything and everything from your hotel room cost to your tour price and amenities- it's expected and if you don't you'll get FLEECED and end up spending way too much.
- There will be beggars and children selling Chiclets. Be wary though, they often move in packs and will mob you if you patronize one and when that happens you're much more likely to be pick-pocketed by one of them.
- When you change your money, get Egyptian Pounds, not dollars. Getting dollars will mark you as a tourist and you'll get taken for higher prices at everything from the bazaar to your hotel.
- Take the first class train car - my friends had to have a guard posted to watch over them during their train ride across the country because, as foreigners (and women who don't shawl), they were easy marks for crime and, more likely, harassment.
- DO take the time to do the classic 'tourist attractions' of Egypt. The pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, the Museum of Antiquities, etc.
Egyptian Travel Tips from other travelers: Here's some "from the ground" advice from other travelers:"You MUST see Luxor and Aswan, and of course the Pyramids of Giza - they're all big tourist spots bot totally worth it and amazing."
"The bazaar called khen ill khalili awesome shopping! Just be careful- if you don't haggle you'll be taken for a lot of money..."
"Sharm ill Shaik its the resort part of the country and it is beautiful, if I go back again, I'd spend more time there..."
"Go to Cairo and the Museum of Antiquities to see King Tut's Tomb. Even if you don't like museums, it is worth the money to see!"
"The best of my Egypt travel tips? Right near the Pyramids of Giza is this little cafe - it's AMAZING and a great way to relax after your tour by sitting down, drinking some Turkish Coffee and taking in the view." Staying Safe
Here's our "on-the-ground" Egyptian travel tips for staying safe during your visit"I didn't notice really any crime... but its never a good idea to walk around with to much money on you."
"Use traveler's checks, and when you cash them get Pounds, not dollars."
"If you need to take the train form one end of the country to another make sure to take the first class train. As American girls on the train, we didn't feel safe and we were watched like we were aliens... eventually the train company had to post a guard to watch over us for the final 13 hour ride to the train station."
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