Egypt - Egypten

Egypt is a country that despite being located in Africa also counts Middle East.

Planning before the trip

Visa requirements for Swedes. The easiest way is to buy a tourist visa at the airport, today it costs 15 USD or the equivalent in Euro. Payment for visas can only be made in foreign currency (not Egyptian pounds). For longer stays, you should obtain a visa through the Egyptian Embassy.

To take with you to Egypt

A great deal of patience. Be prepared that most things are totally different from Sweden, Egypt has the charm of the Middle East and those who are not prepared for it, a visit can be disappointing. People are friendly, curious and happy to help, if you just take it easy and show patience, you get a completely different treatment than if you get annoyed and upset. The concept of time in Egypt is not like in Sweden, which means that meetings are often delayed and that most things usually take longer than expected. Anyone visiting Cairo should also be prepared for a first impression is chaotic with lots of people and cars everywhere and that roads, sidewalks, queuing systems and infrastructure are not like in Sweden. If you visit the seaside resorts on the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, it is a completely different pace and you can enjoy swimming and sun in peace and quiet.

You should bring diarrhea, such as Imodium or similar, if you are not a regular traveler in the Middle East. Despite the fact that the situation has improved with the increasing tourism to the country, it is not uncommon for visitors to suffer from tourist diarrhea.

To bring with you from Egypt

Egypt has a large tourism industry and there are lots of souvenirs to buy in hotels, bazaars and tourist areas. As usual, it gets cheaper the further away from the pure tourist areas you are and you should bargain. Try to find out price levels from the locals as there are no fixed prices. Anyone who knows the price level and is skilled at negotiating can get things for a tenth of what a careless tourist pays.

Things to buy and take home:

• Hookah
• Egyptian perfume
• Galabeya (Egyptian traditional dress type night shirt)
• Cartouche, a pendant of gold or silver with hieroglyphs
• Leather goods
• Cotton products (clothing, fabrics, etc.)
• Spices and nuts

Facts about Egypt

Egypt is today one of Africa's richest nations after South Africa and Botswana. Despite this, just over 9% of the population lives in poverty. 78% of the population has an income of 50-70 SEK per day. Tourism to the country reached its peak in 2010 with 14.7 million tourists annually, a figure that due to the Arab Spring dropped to 9.8 million in 2011, making the country one of the most popular destinations after South Africa.

Egypt's revenue from tourism in 2011 was approximately SEK 42 million, which corresponded to 3.9% of the country's GDP.

History

Egypt has a rich history and developed on the Nile River one of the world's first civilizations beginning 5,000 years ago. The country's history of pyramids and pharaohs is among the world's longest, most extensive and famous.

A united kingdom arose towards the end of the 3rd century BC and a series of dynasties ruled Egypt for the next three millennia. From 525 BC Egypt ruled with the exception of a few decades of independence from Persia until 332 BC. when the Greeks took over the dominion, later followed by Gypsy from 30 BC Egypt was one of the first countries to which Christianity spread. The Christian population, known as the Copts, is now an ethnic minority in the country.

In the 6th century, the Arabs introduced Islam and the Arabic language, and ruled for six hundred years. A local military group, the Mamluks, took control in 1250 and continued to have a strong influence even after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Empire in 1517. During the 19th century, Egypt became independent from the Ottoman Empire. After the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, the country became important for the connection between Europe and Asia, but was also deeply indebted. UK occupied Egypt to protect its investments in the canal, but formally the country was independent until 1914, when Egypt became a British protectorate. On February 28, 1922, Egypt became independent and in 1936, Britain withdrew some of its troops. However, it was not until after World War II that the previously strong British influence diminished sharply. In 1953, Egypt became a republic.

The locals

Climate

Egypt has a dry subtropical climate with warm, sunny days and cooler nights. On the Mediterranean coast in the north, it is significantly cooler than in the capital Cairo, which in turn is significantly cooler than in desert areas such as Luxor and Aswan in the south. On the Mediterranean coast, precipitation is abundant during the winter (December to March), with 2-3 rainy days per month in Cairo but rarely in the south. The temperature in Cairo during the winter is about 20 degrees during the day but where the temperature at night drops to about 10 degrees while maximum daytime temperature during the summers is just over 35 degrees.

Due to the extremely hot summers in Luxor and Aswan with temperatures above 45 degrees, the tourist season is there during the winter when the daytime temperature is around 25-30 degrees.

Holidays

Regions

Alexandria (government) Aswan (government) Asyut (government) Beheira Beni Suef (government) Cairo (government) Ad-Daqahliyya Damietta (government) Faijum (government)

Al-Gharbiyya Government Giza (government) Ismailia (government) Kafr el-Sheikh (Government) Mersa Matruh (Government) Al-Minya (government) Al-Minufiyya Al-Wadi al-Jadid North Sinai (China ash-Shamaliyya)

Port Said (Government) Al-Qalyubiyya Qena (government) Red Sea (al-Bahr al-Ahmar (Government)) Ash-Sharqiyya Sohag (government) South Sinai (Sina al-Janubiyya) Suez (Government) Luxor (Government)

Cities

• Cairo (capital)
• Alexandria
• Giza
• Sharm el-Sheikh
• Hurghada
• Aswan
• Asyut
• Ismailia
• Luxor
• Port Said
• Suez

Getting to Egypt

It is easy to fly to Cairo with scheduled flights from most major international cities. Charter flights fly mainly during the winter months from Sweden and the continent to the large charter paradise Hurghada in southeastern Egypt and to Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula.

It is possible to travel all the way from Israel to Egypt by bus via the Taba border station.

From the Jordanian seaside resort of Aqaba, it is possible to travel to Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula by ferry. This makes it easier for those who want to travel to Arab states without risking being denied entry due to an Israeli passport stamp. It should be noted, however, that Egypt, Jordan and Turkey have friendly relations with Israel.

Relocation in Egypt

Egyptian railways form the backbone of passenger transport in Egypt. The air-conditioned passenger trains normally offer 1st and 2nd class service while the non-air-conditioned trains only offer 2nd and 3rd class service. Most of the railway network covers the densely populated areas of the Nile Delta with Cairo and Alexandria as central locations.

A popular tourist option is the Alexandria-Cairo-Luxor-Aswan train route with daily trips in both directions in air-conditioned trains with sleeping compartments and offers the possibility to take a night train with sleeping space during the long distance between Cairo and Luxor. There is also a high-class express train that connects Cairo with the Mediterranean city Mersa Matruh at the Libyan border.

It is easy to rent a car in Egypt through the international car rental companies such as Hertz and Avis. These normally have accommodation at airports and hotels. Driver's license is required, for a Swedish tourist a Swedish and an international driver's license are required. Right-hand traffic applies but the traffic is very dense and almost chaotic and it is poorly signposted.

The art of taking a taxi in Egypt is just about one thing: being able to bargain. Start low, and be sure to come up with the first suggestion. Feel free to ask at the hotel, for example, what is a reasonable price and start the negotiation a few Egyptian pounds below it. Then the driver notices that the customer knows how much it will cost and leaves quite soon.

Lifting in Egypt is a bit difficult, if you mean by lift to go for free. All Egyptians lift themselves and that is as part of their public transport. It is therefore implied that you pay when someone stops to pick you up. Therefore, it is usually easy to get a lift but it becomes a bit impersonal and more like taking a taxi. Knowing a few phrases in Arabic can be very valuable.

Payment

Payment is usually in local currency (Egyptian Pounds). In most shops it is possible to bargain. You are expected to pay tips for services and when someone helps with something, for example carrying a bag.

All trading is done in domestic currency, the Egyptian pound. There are exchange offices at airports and hotels where you can exchange local currency for the most common travel currencies. The most common exchange rate currency is the US Dollar, then the Euro. In the larger exchange offices, other major currencies are also exchanged, for example, the yen, the British pound and currencies from the local region.

In tourist resorts and larger stalls, traveler's checks can be redeemed at banks or special offices by the checkers' exhibitors.

In larger cities and tourist resorts, payment by debit / credit card is accepted at hotels and in most major restaurants and shops. It is always best to ask before as you sometimes charge an extra fee for these payments.

ATMs are available at larger hotels and at banks in larger cities and tourist resorts where you can withdraw money with Swedish cards linked to the international credit card companies such as Visa or Mastercard.

Accommodation

Drink

It is inappropriate to drink the waters of Egypt. Therefore, buy bottled water. Make sure the bottle has not been opened. Also use purchased water when brushing your teeth. Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol, wine or beer are not served in restaurants, but in most tourist hotels.

To see

• The blue hole in Dahab is a must if you are on the Sinai Peninsula. Incredibly beautiful snorkeling.
• The Pyramids of Giza. When you see them in real life and up close, you realize the enormity of building them.
• The steppe pyramid in Sakkara
• Mohamed Ali Mosque
• Pharaonic Village (Cairo)
• White desert

To do

Egypt has a fantastically rich selection of things to do or visit, e.g.

• Tutankhamun's gold mask at the Egyptian Museum in Kario
• The Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza
• The Valley of the Kings in southern Egypt
• Nagiub Nafouz Cafe and Bazaar Khan El Khalili (Cairo)
• Bathing in the Mediterranean
• Snorkeling in the Red Sea
• Dive among shipwrecks in Sharm El Sheikh (Red Sea)
• Play golf all year round
• Desert safari to Siwa
• Fish nile perch in the Aswan pond
• Go feluka (sailboat) on the Nile
• Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan
• Experience belly dancing

Work

Communication

Well-developed mobile network with both 2G and 3G that covers built-up areas. Roaming works for most Swedish operators. To save on roaming fees, you can buy prepaid cards from the local operators (Vodafone, Etisalat or MobiNil) upon presentation of a passport. The Internet is widespread, available at hotels and internet cafes.

There are several local TV channels as well as some international ones in English, French and German. Movies are shown in the original language and subtitled in Arabic.

Security

During the 2000s, several serious terrorist attacks, targeting mainly Israeli tourists, have occurred at popular Egyptian resorts.

Respect

Problem solver

Other

• Egyptian Museum in Cairo
• Bazaar area Khan el Khalili (especially in the evening during Ramadan)