OCEANROAMERS

USEFUL INFORMATION

Ramadan:
During Ramadan, most restaurants remain open all day, only serving tourists and offering a limited choice. In the evening, big banquets are organized around long tables in a convivial atmosphere.
The Cuisine is very varied.

Health:
mineral water in sealed bottles is to be preferred. People with delicate stomachs should beware of
raw vegetables.

Opening times:
fruit juice bars: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm –local sandwich and fast food from 10:00 am into the night - restaurants from 12:00 am to 11:00 pm or 1 o’clock in the morning.

Climate:
There are four climatic regions in Egypt: Mediterranean on the Alexandria coast, semi-desert in the Cairo region, temperate along the Nile valley and desert in the South of the country.

              Nov  Dec  Jan  Feb  March  April  May  June  July  August  Sept  Oct

Luxor      20°  16°  14°  16°   19°    21°    38°   40°   40°    39°    37°   34°

Cairo       19°  15°  11°  13°   14°    22°    28°   32°   34°    33°    32°    29°

Red Sea   24°  22°  20°  21°   24°    28°    30°   32°   33°   34°     32°    29°

From the end of September to the end of November: pleasantly hot (25 to 35°C from North to South).
Mid-December to mid-March: cold in the North of the country, pleasant on the Red Sea.
From June to September: hot and dry season 25 to 40°.

Population:
Egypt has a population of 72 million, 45% of whom live in towns.
Cairo: over 17 million inhabitants, Alexandria over 4 million.

Language:
The official language is Arabic. English and French are fairly widespread, particularly in tourist towns. German and Italian are spoken in many hotels on the Red Sea. Egyptian Arabic contains many local dialects including Coptic.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Formalities:
You must buy a visa to be allowed entry into Egypt. This can be obtained from the Consulate or at the airport (for some nationalities only) on your arrival in the country.
The list of countries for which this is true may be obtained from Egyptian consulates.
Your passport must be valid 6 months after the end of your visit.
Customs officers may ask to see your return ticket.

Time difference:
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Summer time begins the Friday before or after the 1st of May.
Wintertime starts on the Friday which follows the 30th of September.

Vaccinations:
No vaccinations are required for travellers coming from Europe.

Clothing:
Light cotton clothing, a hat, sunscreen lotion and sunglasses, but pack something warm for the cool evenings.

Women:
A woman can travel alone in Egypt.
Take care to dress appropriately (modestly especially when visiting mosques and churches).

Currency:
The national currency is the Egyptian Pound often indicated by the initials LE or EGP. In Arabic it is called the guineh. One pound is divided into 100 piasters or irsh in Arabic. You will find cash dispensers in large towns and some hotels.

Tipping:
‘Bakchich’ is not only widespread in Egypt, but it is a veritable institution. Anyone offering a service, however small, expects a tip in return. For example, it is normal in a restaurant, even when the service is included, to leave a small tip.

Opening times:
Offices are normally open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm every day, without interruption, except Friday and public holidays. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Most shops are open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day except Sunday.
Note: during Ramadan, all opening times are modified.