Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026The cradle of one of the oldest civilizations — pyramids, the Nile, temples and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Easy to visit with a little planning. Here is the essential, verified (including a tip about WhatsApp calls).
Travel essentials
European citizens easily get an eVisa online or a visa on arrival at major airports. African passports (Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal) are generally outside the eVisa and need a consular visa obtained in advance — start early. Yellow fever is only required for arrivals from an endemic zone.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal · Spain · France · United Kingdom | eVisa online or visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Angola · Cabo Verde · Guinea-Bissau · Nigeria · Ghana · Senegal | Consular visa required (obtain before travel) | — |
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Health
Yellow fever is only required for arrivals from (or transiting) a country with risk — without a certificate there is a risk of quarantine. Keep routine vaccines up to date.
Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages. Overstaying can lead to fines.
Arrival & Safety
Airport
Gateways from Europe: Cairo International Airport (CAI), Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Luxor and Alexandria. In Cairo, expect multiple checkpoints on arrival and departure.
Getting in
In Cairo’s heavy traffic, Uber and InDrive are legal, active and the most reliable way around — they avoid the fare disputes and language barrier of the white street taxis. Carry small notes for the ever-present tipping (baksheesh).
Safety
Most visits are trouble-free (Level 2, US), with a strong tourist-police presence at major sites. DO NOT TRAVEL to North and Middle Sinai (except Sharm El-Sheikh) and parts of the Western Desert and the Libya/Sudan borders. Common crime is low; use normal big-city precautions.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Money
Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP). ATMs are common in cities and resorts; cards work in hotels, Nile cruises and many restaurants, but always carry cash for markets, taxis and tips (baksheesh).
Connectivity
Operators: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat (and WE/Telecom Egypt). Good 4G in cities and resorts, with 5G starting in Cairo and Alexandria.
SIM queues at Cairo Airport are notoriously long. A pre-installed eSIM saves time and avoids aggressive upselling at the terminals.
⚠️ Important: Egypt blocks WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime voice and video CALLS — text messages work, but to call family by voice/video you often need a VPN. Browsing and messaging work normally.