Useful hints for travellers and tourists

Etiquette

It is integral to Egyptian culture to be courteous to foreigners. A conversation, whether business-related or not, is usually accompanied by coffee, tea or juice. Social rules dictate what is appropriate for greeting people in business meetings. Close same-sex friends will sometimes greet with a kiss on each cheek, although a handshake will do. It is advisable not to drink or eat in public during Ramadan.

Dress

Men are expected to wear formal business attires for meetings, generally a suit and tie, while women should dress conservatively to avoid receiving excessive attention. In circumstances outside of the work environment, modest clothing applies. When visiting mosques or churches, women must cover their shoulders and wear shorts or skirts below the knee. It is acceptable, however, to wear more Western-style clothing at nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and bars, as well as in other tourist destinations.

Health

Visitors are recommended to have health insurance, as well as vaccines for hepatitis A and B, typhoid and yellow fever. Drinking bottled water and taking precaution when choosing a place to eat are advisable. Some of Cairo’s international hospitals include Misr International Hospital, As Salam International Hospital and Badrawi Hospital.

Visas

Visas upon arrival are required for EU and US citizens. Visitors are able to purchase them at the airport for a fee of $15 and they are valid for a period of one month. However, they can be extended by one-month intervals thereafter. Visitors from other countries should enquire at their local Egyptian embassy about travel requirements, as it may be necessary to obtain a visa prior to departure.

Language

Arabic is the official language. The Egyptian dialect, aamiya, is understood across the Middle East. However, English is widely spoken in the business community. Furthermore, the upper segments of society have traditionally spoken either English or French. Newspapers, books and public information are published in Arabic, and increasingly, in English.

Currency

One Egyptian pound (LE) is composed of 100 piastres (PT). There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pound bills and 25, 50 and 100 piastre coins. The exchange rate is around LE7.15:$1.

Electricity

Electricity sockets are designed for 220-V/50-Hz, two-pin round plugs. Adapters are needed for other plugs, although these can generally be obtained at most hotels.

Tipping

A special service tax of 12% will be added to the bill by bars and restaurants, but it is expected to tip waiters on top of that. Most travellers will face requests for additional cash for a variety of services, a practice known as baksheesh that is widespread across the country. Low-ranking bureaucratic officials will occasionally ask for extra money in order to compensate for their low wages.

Business Hours

The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Most private companies will run from 9am to 5pm, while the public sector traditionally operates from 8am to 2pm. Stores generally open at 10am and close at 11pm. Some restaurants and shops remain open after midnight.

Communcations

There are currently three mobile operators: Mobinil, Vodafone and Etisalat, and Telecom Egypt will become the fourth one soon. A SIM card costs around LE25 ($3.5). Access to the internet is becoming more and more widespread, including in many bars and restaurants. All three mobile operators offer USB modems.

Transport

Cairo’s roads are typically highly congested. Taxis are cheap and abundant, and can be a practical way to move around the city. There are yellow and white cabs, the latter being more modern and offering metered fares. If the taxi does not include a meter, fares must be negotiated before setting off. The most efficient way of travelling to southern Egypt, the Red Sea and the Sinai Peninsula is by air. Cairo has the first full-fledged metro system in Africa, with three operational lines. The third line is currently under expansion and plans are under way to build a fourth.