Before Your Trip

Egypt
(Updated Jan 2026)
 

Passport and Visa

• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months behind the completion of your trip. Enough blank visa pages in valid passports are required for entry and exit stamps.     
• U.S. Resident Aliens need both passport and Alien Resident Card for re-entry to the United States. 
• Carry emergency contact person’s name, address and telephone number with you.
• Safeguard all travel documents, including your passport, credit cards, cash and airline tickets. Store copies separately from the originals or email them to yourself for easy digital access.
• Be sure you have all the necessary documents and money before leaving for the airport.
• Entry visa is required for all non-Egyptian passport holders and is the traveler's responsibility.
  • U.S. citizens can apply for an Egyptian E-visa at http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home prior to departure; OR obtain a renewable single entry 30-day tourist visa upon arrival at the Egyptian airport for a 25 USD fee.
  • For information regarding other passport holders, check the Egyptian consulate websites: http://egyptembassy.net , http://egyconsulatela.com

Consular Information

The U.S. Department of State provides country-specific information, travel alerts, and warnings. Access this information by calling 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444, or online at travel.state.gov

Baggage 

• Baggage regulations are subject to the operating airline and may change at any time; all costs and responsibility are borne by the traveler, who should check the airline's website before the trip.
• DO NOT pack prescription medicine, valuables and other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry-on bag.
• Baggage allowance on coach: Ritz Tours welcomes each passenger to bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag on coach. Due to the limited capacity for luggage storage on the vehicle, Ritz Tours does not accept more than one suitcase per person in order to avoid any additional charges for excessive luggage.
• Consult www.tsa.gov for information on TSA approved locks and USA airport luggage restrictions.

Health and Insurance

• Travelers are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance prior to departure for their own protection. 
• It is important to familiarize yourself with any potential health issues or concerns related to your destination, and so we strongly recommend consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines and medications. Visit them online at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or call 800-232-4636. 
• Protect yourself from the sun, which can often feel cooler than it really is due to coastal breezes and low humidity. It is advisable to drink plenty of water when spending time outside during the day.
• Plan to visit your doctor or local travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions. Consult your doctor for suggestions on prevention and treatment.
• Pack your prescription medicine in your carry-on luggage in sufficient quantity for the duration of the trip and ensure it is clearly labeled for easy inspection by Customs.
• Restrooms in Egypt usually cost 20 Egyptian Pounds per person, per use. You can exchange small bills with your tour guide upon arrival for convenience.

Weather

• Use a website such as www.weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfalls during your travel times.
• Egypt lies at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, bordered by Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, and Israel to the east. The southern region encompassing Luxor and Aswan is known as "Upper Egypt," as the Nile flows north through the capital city of Cairo to the Mediterranean Sea near Alexandria. Throughout the country, days are typically warm or hot, while nights remain cool. Egypt has two distinct seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. In coastal regions, temperatures range from a low of 41°F in winter to a high of 108°F in summer.

Electricity

Egypt electrical current is 220V, 50Hz, and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plug. Travelers are advised to bring international converters and adapters for the trip.

Clothing and Things to Bring

• Use a website such as www.weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfalls during your travel times.
• Egypt is well-accustomed to tourists; for sightseeing at popular attractions like the Pyramids or the main sites of Upper Egypt, shorts and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable. However, we recommend observing a more conservative dress code when walking in central Cairo, other major cities, and especially rural areas.
• To respect the local culture, when visiting mosques or other religious sites, casual, comfortable clothing covering knees and elbows is best.
• Around the hotel pool or on a cruise, attire such as low necklines, sleeveless shirts, and shorts is perfectly acceptable. At beach resorts, feel free to dress in comfortable, casual clothing.
• During the summer, bring a light jacket for strong indoor air conditioning. For Egypt’s intense sun and desert sand, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a face mask for protection.

Arrival Airport and Customs

• Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, Ritz Tours’ local English-speaking tour manager will meet the group inside the terminal before Immigration and Customs, holding a distinctive “Ritz Tours” sign.
• Use Ritz Tours’ badge and luggage tag. These brightly colored markers help us identify you and your luggage quickly.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Egypt, English and French are widely understood and spoken. 

Time Differentials  

Egypt is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST), 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco (PST).

Currency and Credit Cards

• The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP or LE). You are limited to carrying no more than $10,000 USD in or out of Egypt: 1 EGP = 100 Piasters. Notes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Pounds; coins include 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 Piasters and 1 Pound. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged at airports, hotels, or banks. (Exchange rate as of January 2026: 1 USD = 47.69 EGP).
• Before your trip, contact your credit card company to notify them of your travel plans and confirm your credit limit. Most large stores, restaurants, hotels, and airports in major cities accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard). Both US cash and credit cards are convenient to use. Be sure to bring sufficient travel funds and have local small banknotes or change ready for convenience.

Food and Drink

• Tour fare does not include any drinks. During your stay in Egypt, it is advised to drink only bottle water and to avoid eating from street stalls.
• Arabic food is the main type of food in Egypt. Muslims are prohibited from eating pork. Hotels generally have substitutes such as beef sausages and veal rashers on their menus. 

Shopping

• Although the local guides will be happy to assist you with any shopping requirements, Ritz Tours does not assume responsibility for any items purchased at shops while on tour. You are never required to purchase any items while on tour and must be responsible for your own purchases. Any after-sales correspondence must be between the passenger and the shop in question.
• It is travelers’ responsibility to observe US Customs restrictions when bringing in any goods from a tour. Consult the US Customs and Border Protection website at http://www.cbp.gov for details.

Culture and Photography  

• Egypt is an Islamic country, and attention should be paid to respecting the local religion and customs.
• When visiting a mosque, please remain quiet, and women should not wear overly revealing clothing. Avoid intimate gestures such as hugging in public places.
• Photography is prohibited in sensitive locations such as government buildings, military facilities, museums, galleries, and private residences. When taking photos in a mosque, you must obtain permission beforehand. Unless you are photographing a crowded public area, you should ask for permission before taking pictures of local people.

Telephone and Internet Access

• Egypt international access code 00, country code 20; USA international access code 011, country code 1.
  • Call from Egypt to USA: 00 + 1 + City code + Local number
  • Call from USA to Egypt: 011 + 20 + City code + Local number
• American Consulate in Cairo, Egypt: Tel: (20) 2 2797-3300 or visit: http://eg.usembassy.gov
• Free Wi-Fi is provided in most of hotels in Cairo. Free WiFi is also available on board the Nile River cruise ship, but for email browsing purposes only.  

Tipping

Please note that gratuities are not included in your tour cost. Tipping is customary in Egypt, and its purpose is to encourage and reward quality service. Our tour managers, local guides, drivers, hotel porters, and other service personnel do their utmost to make your trip smooth and pleasant. However, tips are NEVER mandatory. Ritz Tours suggests $18 USD x 9 days = $162 per person.

Other Notes

• Travelers’ safety has always been our number one concern. For your safety, you should notify the tour guide ahead of time if you plan to go out at night or roam in your free time alone.
• Always be cautious when staying at a hotel. Never allow strangers into your room.
• Keep an eye on your personal belongings and valuables at all times.
• To ensure your travel is as stress-free as possible, allow sufficient time for check-in, security screening, and boarding: 2 hours for U.S. domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights. In the event of a flight delay, cancellation, or any other emergency, please contact Ritz Tours immediately:

For flight delay, cancellation, or any emergency, please contact Ritz Tours immediately: 
Office Hours: 
Mon-Fri                   9:00am-5:30pm Pacific Standard Time
Headquarters:        (626) 289-7777, 1-888-345-7489
After office Hours:  (626) 677-3415