An Egypt Travel Guide From the Margins of My Notebook

Before you find yourself standing beneath pyramids or wandering through temple courtyards older than most civilisations, there are a few practical things to know for an Egypt tour.

Prepare for the SUN

Ah, the obvious one: Egypt is hot ( no pun intended). Not pleasantly warm, not summer holiday hot, but properly hot!

This becomes especially noticeable if you’re travelling further south to places like Luxor or Aswan, where the desert climate turns the thermostat up without much warning. In the warmer months, temperatures can comfortably push past 40°C, so dressing for it makes all the differen

You’ll usually find kiosks right at the airport selling tourist SIM cards from providers like Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and Etisalat Egypt. The process is fairly quick, show your passport, choose a data plan, and voila, you’re connected within minutes.

Alternatively, you could set up an eSIM before your trip and land with the internet already working on your phone, which can be even more convenient!

Mobile data in Egypt is quite affordable, and having internet access makes navigating the country far simpler. Maps, ride-hailing apps, and translation tools suddenly become invaluable when you’re moving through busy cities like Cairo.

While many hotels and cafés do offer Wi-Fi, it can be not-that-good at times. A local SIM with reliable mobile data is often the more dependable option when you’re out exploring.

The most popular time to visit Egypt is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler and sightseeing is far more comfortable. Exploring outdoor sites like the Pyramids of Giza or walking through ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings becomes much easier during these cooler months.

Summer (May to September) can still be a good time to visit, but temperatures in southern Egypt can become really hot as I mentioned earlier. But still, many travellers choose this period because there are fewer crowds and occasionally better hotel availability.

Planning a trip to Egypt? Connect with the destination experts at Cox & Kings to start planning your journey today!

Money works a little differently in Egypt compared with many other travel destinations. Understanding these small details will save you confusion throughout your trip.

Tipping Is Part of Daily Life

In Egypt, tipping, often called baksheesh, is extremely common. You’ll likely tip for many everyday services such as, hotel staff, guides and drivers, restaurant service and restroom attendants. So, keeping small Egyptian pound notes with you is very helpful throughout the day.

I can’t think of a better place that is as photogenic as Egypt. Ancient carvings, towering statues, colourful hieroglyphs, every place is worth filling up your camera roll…

However, photography rules can vary between sites. At many temples, outdoor photography is allowed, but certain tombs and museum sections may restrict photos or charge an additional ticket. Inside places like the Egyptian Museum, some galleries allow photography while others do not. Also, flash photography is usually prohibited, as it can damage ancient pigments and wall paintings!

Around Egypt’s major attractions, you’ll almost certainly run into enthusiastic street sellers who are as excited as you to be there offering everything from camel rides and souvenirs to the classic “perfect photo spot.”

For first-time visitors, the attention can feel a little overwhelming. But once you understand how it works, the interactions become much easier to handle.

The simplest approach is to stay polite but firm. A quick smile and a calm “la shukran”, Arabic for no, thank you, usually does the trick. Most vendors move along fairly quickly once they realise you’re not interested.

Early wake-ups for sunrise visits, full days exploring temples, and travel between destinations can add up quickly. Whenever the opportunity appears, on a long bus ride, during a transfer between cities, or in a quiet break between excursions, grab a short nap. Even twenty minutes can make the difference between feeling drained by mid-afternoon and still having the energy to appreciate the next temple, tomb, or monument!

It may not sound glamorous, but those small breaks help you stay energised for the moments that really matter…

Egyptian food is both flavourful and comforting. Dishes like Koshari, Falafel, and Ful medames are local favourites that travellers quickly grow to love. However, there are a few simple precautions to take note of, because a small mistake with food or drinks can derail a couple of days of your trip. Someone in our group learned that the hard way after ordering what seemed like a harmless iced drink.

So, make sure to drink only bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Peel fruits before eating  and wash hands frequently or carry sanitiser.

If You Have Dietary Needs, Plan Ahead

If you follow a specific diet; vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or anything similar, it’s worth preparing a little before arriving in Egypt.

While Egyptian cuisine has plenty of naturally vegetarian dishes, explaining

Egypt is filled with extraordinary sights, from towering pyramids and vast temple complexes to hidden tombs and the everflowing Nile River. But with so much history scattered across the country, figuring out the best things to do in Egypt can sometimes fee