Egypt travel tips (itinerary already sorted).

[SobranieCocktail]

We're (family of five, three teenagers) going to Egypt next week, visiting Cairo, aswan and Luxor, including three nights on a sailboat.

I've only ever really travelled within Europe, and I'm wondering if there are any tips/ considerations that might not have occurred to me.

I'm aware of the need to dress modestly in places. I know it's also going to be pretty hot.

What might I need to know about currency, tipping, safety, mobile data etc? (I've googled a bit, but reckon you lot might have extra info!). Thanks!

I saw a lot of people with really bad blistering from sunburn. I went with loose long sleeved clothing and a wide brimmed hat, and didn't burn despite pale skin. Take diarrhoea remedies with you. And carry toilet paper. Avoid salads like the plague, as they'll have been washed in tap water. Use bottled water to clean your teeth. The combo of hat and dark sunglasses was useful for avoiding eye contact with hassling hawkers. Amazing amazing country, enjoy.

Wash your hands a lot, especially after handling money. We’ve been to Egypt several times and all of us get an upset stomach for a day or two, so be prepared. Don’t let any tap water into your mouth, use bottled water even for brushing teeth. I forgot in the shower once and got water in my mouth, stomach was cramping within hours.
Use mozzie repellent.
Dont take taxis on the street, some scam you for more money, always ask your hotel to get you a taxi.
Hawkers can be a bother, just say No thank you very firmly, generally they don’t hassle you.
Generally I’d say Egyptians are helpful and friendly but many live in very different circumstances than we do in this country so be aware of this, tip accordingly, don’t flash cash or expensive items and be considerate to the locals.
We go out and about a lot and have never encountered a problem.

Thank you for these tips! Slightly concerned about the water/salad issue as I'm vegan and imagine I might end up with not much choice but salady stuff.

I would endorse the advice re handling money. Use hand sanitiser every time you touch the money. When we went to India we were told it is the money which gives people infections, not the food.
Are you travelling independently? A good tour manager will tell you where it is safe to eat salads. The best advice is to eat only hot food (unless advised it’s safe) and to avoid rice which is kept hot for hours.

Pack immodium, enough for all of you. It's the only way I made it through the flight home!!
It's years since i went but we found men to be very lecherous, if you have teenage daughters you might want to warn them!

Tipping is expected to the extent that DH had a complaint that he hadn't tipped highly enough for the guy who took his case without being asked the ten or so steps from the boat to the dock side..

Do NOT eat the salads.

Or IME the "specials"

Or the mousse type desserts (or any desserts that have been sat around).

Ive been to Egypt a fair bit and I'm going again on Monday. Worst food situation was eating a pudding which a friend cut open to find live maggots inside of..

I went with Ds . I hated shopping..Ds teen.. could shop no hassle.. even when he was with me shocked at the difference..no prices in shops

Also the accept egyprian, euros or pounds.

We went to Egypt for 5 days and came back and were in bed for a week with awful food poisoning - we only ate at the 5 hotel, you can't trust any food - and 5 never means 5*! The hassle/attempts to scam were also constant and horrendous, they continue inside the places you're visiting too. I've been to Morocco, Jordan, Turkey, Cambodia etc and none of them were anything like it. I'd never go back for that reason but I'm really glad I went once as it is amazing.

Don;t say anything to people who hassle you, just smile and shake your head, anything you say - even no - just encourages them. They also then don't know what language you speak - if you speak something obscure though like Welsh then reply in that as it will throw them! People want tipping for everything and whatever you give them will never be enough.

We always refused ice in drinks and would never have had an ice cream unless it was one in a tub or wrapper. Make sure when you have water you see them opening the bottle to make sure it was sealed!

Definitely no ice & no tap water.
But, realistically, even with the best quality food, the flora & fauna are just DIFFERENT (so Egyptians would get tummy bugs when they come here) - be prepared for the old Pharoah's Revenge! Imodium is your friend 😆

Always wear a hat when out & about, and avoid midday sun.

Use mozzie spray - the strongest you can get, with Deet- especially at dusk.

Buy a bottle of whisky in Duty Free on the way out & have a tiny nightcap at bedtime - it won't fix any ailments as such, but will help you sleep.

Treat the locals with respect, and remember that loose, floaty clothing is not just for modesty - it also helps to keep you cool.

Find out how your local Premier League football team is doing, so you can chat with the locals when they ask where you're from!

But it is a marvellous country - worth all the inconvenience & minor ailments. You will never go anywhere else like it - enjoy!

I'm vegetarian and ate wonderfully in Cairo. So much delicious vegan friendly food so you should be fine on that front. We stayed in an amazing hotel and I never (thankfully) had any stomach troubles while there (although I did in Tunisia 🤢)

Be prepared for the poverty and the dirt. It really was shocking to me. Very sad.

We only went out in Cairo with a tour guide or an Egyptian friend we knew. I felt very safe with the tour guide and am not sure I would have liked it on our own - 2 single women. We got followed a lot and had a lot of seemingly unpleasant comments made to us.

Definitely only get taxis your hotel has booked for you.