General Information on Egypt

This handy guide answers all the most frequently asked questions about travelling to Egypt. Learn which travel documents are required, whether you need vaccinations, what currency to buy, and even what plugs to bring!

Egypt's Main Cities

Get to know the most important cities in Egypt and discover what to see in each one: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

Egypt Travel Advice

As well as all the usual tips and tricks, this guide gives you all the information you need to have the best possible trip in Egypt.

How safe is Egypt?

While Egypt has suffered turmoil both historically and more recently, tourists are welcome in much of the country and most trips pass without incident.

Time Zone

GMT+2 in summer and GMT+3 in winter. This is two and three hours more than in the UK throughout the year.

Vaccines

To visit Egypt no vaccines are needed.

Electricity and Plugs

Plugs are the same as those in Europe, so if you have an adaptor from another trip, that would work. The voltage is 220V.

Climate

In Egypt, the climate changes greatly from place to place, as well as from season to season and throughout the day. Find out more about the weather here

Safety and where to avoid

If you don't leave the main tourist centres, Egypt is a relatively safe place to visit. There are areas such as Assiut, Sohag, Minya and Quena which should nonetheless be avoided. We recommend that you read the UK foreign office recommendations before travelling.

For more information, check out our section on travel safety.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Police: 122
Tourist Information: 126
Egypt Prefix: 20
Emergency number for the British Embassy in Cairo: +2 (02) 2791 6000

History of Egypt

One of the world's longest documented histories, Egypt's fascinating past dates back many millenia. Learn all about the ancient civilisation.

The River Nile

The Nile is the second longest river in the world after the Amazon, passing through ten countries on its journey from source to the Mediterranean.

Red Sea

The Red sea is a paradise filled with clear waters, making it a firm favourite among the many tourists who choose it as a holiday destination.