Happy Travel Tips To Egypt

No matter how great your destination is, without some planning, you may not have the nice and happy trip you've been hoping for. Spontaneous travel is a lot of fun, but even so, you need some basic planning to make sure you don't spend your entire vacation just trying to figure out the logistics. How much you need to plan ahead of your trip depends on where you're going, what your expectations are, the size of your budget, and, of course, your personality. 

In this article we will take you to Egypt, a glorious land right in the center of the world, standing one leg in Africa and the other in Asia. Officially named the "Arab Republic of Egypt," this state has one of the longest histories of all nations. Egypt, being one of the Ancient Civilizations, has an appeal like no other. We have all seen the Great Pyramids of Giza and the well-known Great Sphinx in photos, but they are real historical sites that attract so many tourists to Egypt. The remains of archaic cities such as Memphis, Karnak, and Thebes are also worth spending endless days in.

Below are some of the recommendations for planning your trip to Egypt. These are by no means absolute, although they will definitely help you to become a happy traveler!

Choose Where To Visit

The map of Egypt is very large, and depending on what your priorities are and how much time you have, you can only visit so many of them. Are you a lover of history or nature? In Egypt, you get both and this is the main reason why people find traveling in Egypt so fascinating. You can see the pyramids in the morning and snorkel in the Red Sea in the afternoon. Egypt is not just a matter of history. The country has a lot to offer to those interested in its modern component, the megapolis of Cairo in particular but just as many come to Egypt because it's a perfect place to spend a relaxing holiday on the beach soaking in the sun.

Here are some of the top recommendations by the Egyptian traveling site Cleopatradeals.com;

• The Great Pyramids of Giza with the Sphinx
• The Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings in Luxor 
• The Egyptian Museum 
• The Abu Al-Abbas Mosque, the Royal Palace and Library in Alexandria
• Khan al-Khalili Market in Cairo
• Hurgada Red Sea resort or if possible Mount Sinai and Sharm el-Sheikh in South Sinai Peninsula

Budgeting Your Trip To Egypt

Budgeting for Egypt is not the hardest task, nevertheless, you should approach it with a few things in your head. The major one being is that you should expect tons of extra small payments every single day. Tips and bribes are assumed by most in the tourist industry, from your taxi driver to (shockingly!) temple guards at the historic sites. With the local currency, Egyptian Pound or simply L.E, falling substantially over the years, many locals think of new ways of supplementing their income. Whether you like it or not, that is just the reality of the current state in the Country, and you should prepare for it. Have tons of small cash that you will let go of on all occasions when it’s required.

For most Middle Eastern countries, and especially Egypt, you should be aware of the ceaseless hassling and bargaining that is waiting for you. On the one hand, it can be annoying always arguing and settling on the price of every little thing. But the good thing is that you can actually find something that fits you and your budget best. Being a tourist, many will try to overcharge you, so you should ask around to get an idea of the real price, and start bargaining at around half of that. 

The daily cost of traveling in Egypt ranges widely, starting with as little as 500 L.E (around 30$), but for a more comfortable journey expect to pay twice as much( at least 1000 L.E/day). For more budgeting tips in Egypt, check out this traveler’s guide.  

When To Travel

From May to August, we would actually recommend you to not visit Egypt. It is uncomfortably hot there during the Summer, in a way that would deter you from getting the best or even a positive experience out of your visit. Any other time as late as April or starting at September is just fine. During Ramadan, most citizens observe it and fast during the sacred month. Business hours will change for many places, apart from the main tourist attractions. Your trip is very much unlikely overall to be affected by the festivities anyhow, it may even add an extra authentic vibe to your excursion.

Visas

41 countries including states in the European Union, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US are eligible for an Egyptian visa upon arrival. For most other countries it's easy to secure a visa ahead of time online. A visa costs 25$, and if you are planning to visit sometime again, you can get a multi-entry visa for 60$.

Water

Do not drink tap water. The quality of it in the country is horrible, and you should not even brush your teeth with it without boiling. Drink only safe filtered water or bottled.

Safety

Hassling and even scams are unfortunately very common in Egypt, and safety is always a concern. While safety cannot be guaranteed anywhere in the world, in this country you must take extra precautions. The best bet would be to book your tour with an experienced Tour Company, that is well-known and does everything to keep you safe. This is especially important if you plan to travel around Egypt. Book any tours from your hotel and not from anyone approaching you on the street. Make sure to choose a hotel with adequate security, as they are a common site for terrorist attacks. Substantial military personnel presence should be expected all over the country because of the said safety concerns, thus do not be easily alarmed when you see them. It can be intimidating at first, but you will get used to it.

Planning a trip doesn't have to be more than gathering some tips like those mentioned in this article. Some people cannot travel without a detailed itinerary, and others prefer to take the day as it comes. As a general rule, traveling to countries with a foreign language, religion and culture tend to require a little more planning, but whatever your destination, it's fair to say that the more prepared you are, the more spontaneous you can afford to be. The result is a happy, relaxing vacation!