Practical information about the Red Sea and Sinai

INTRODUCING YOURSELF TO EGYPT

To enter the nation, you must have a valid passport, and you may also need a visa in certain cases.

This may be acquired in advance in your own country or bought for a small fee at the airport where you will be arriving.

If you want to remain in the main South Sinai area during your visit, you will not be needed to get a visa.

If you want to go to the Gulf of Aqaba or St Catherine’s via land, you will be issued a 14-day residence permit, which means you will not need a visa to do so.

If you want to enjoy a memorable trip in Egypt, check out our Egypt Excursions with our certified Egyptologist and Egypt travel guide.

TRANSPORT

Egypt Air, the national carrier, has a very efficient international and domestic airline network that connects Egypt with the majority of countries in the world as well as the majority of tourist destinations in Egypt.

Whatever your starting point, you can discover a plethora of aircraft companies that provide service to the popular tourist destinations of the Red Sea and Sinai.

Taxis are readily available in the region and are quite reasonably priced.

Buses and coaches with air conditioning provide a comfortable way to travel while taking in the landscape.

It is possible to rent a vehicle if you have a valid driving license and other papers.

CLIMATE

The great news is that the area is really a year-round resort, with plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the sunlight.

Temperatures throughout the day will vary from the mid-20s in January to roughly 37 degrees Celsius during the summer months.

It is not a hot and humid climate, and the soothing sea breezes from the Red Sea are one of the numerous attractions of this destination.

Rainfall is uncommon, however, you may get a few drops in January and February if you’re lucky.

LANGUAGE

Even though Arabic is the primary language spoken in the country, English and other major global languages are widely heard in tourist regions.

HEALTH

There are no special vaccination requirements for visiting the region, however, if you are traveling from a high-risk location, you will be expected to provide the standard documentation.

The quality of the doctors and hospitals is excellent, and the pharmacies (which are typically open late) are really useful.

The qualifications of Egyptian pharmacists are of the highest medical caliber, and they are competent to provide both advice and medicine prescriptions.

GOING OUT TO EAT

Restaurants and cafés serving foreign cuisine may be found in abundance in the popular tourist destinations of the Red Sea and Sinai.

Be daring, though, and savor the flavor of Egyptian culture. Local cuisines make good use of spices and make excellent use of fresh seafood, meat, and veggies from the surrounding area.

Great Egyptian foods such as falafel and koshari are available (lentils, rice, and tomato sauce).

Also available are ful madammas (a dried fava bean stew) and ta’amiyya (tomato and cucumber soup) (mashed broad beans and spices).

Among the most popular dishes is koshary, which is a mouth-watering combination of pasta, fried onions, lentils, chickpeas, chilies, and garlic.

Not to mention the authentic Arabic coffee, which is a million miles apart from the poor instant version you may be used to at home!

Keep in mind that it’s hot out there, and drink lots of bottled water.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Taking photographs or filming of tourist attractions is permitted, however, you may encounter notices prohibiting photography or videography at holy sites or near military bases.

Some museums also prohibit photography, so keep an eye out for signs or just ask to be included on our list.

SHOPPING

You’ll discover some excellent bargains at the stores and marketplaces – particularly in cotton, leather, spices, and handicrafts made by the locals.

SPORTS

Despite the fact that diving and water sports are the main draws, there is much more to do in the area.

According to the book, there is a vast variety of activities to choose from, including high-quality golf courses, horseback riding, and tennis to mention a few.

COMMUNICATIONS

It’s really simple to stay in contact with the area — just remember to turn off your phone and take in the sights and sounds of your surroundings!

Mobile Coverage is excellent in major tourist destinations, and if you haven’t brought your own phone, hotels, or call boxes will be able to offer you satisfactory service.

Internet access is becoming more ubiquitous, with many hotels now offering high-speed connections in their guest rooms as a standard feature.

Alternatively, hotel kiosks and internet cafes are available, allowing you to stay in contact with family and friends while making the rest of the workplace envious. In Sharm el-Sheikh, there is currently excellent wireless internet access.

Post offices are where you may purchase stamps and mail your correspondence; however, keep in mind that, like other public facilities, they are closed on Fridays.

Most hotel receptions will also offer stamps and will be able to send your mail on your behalf.

MONEY

The Egyptian Pound (abbreviated LE on price listings) is the national currency, which is split into 100 piasters and is divided into 100 cents.

ATMs are readily accessible in banks and at a huge number of major hotels.

When it comes to exchanging cash, banks and bureaux de change are widely accessible.

Despite the fact that most shops, hotels, and restaurants take credit cards and travelers’ checks, cash payments are still common at markets and smaller venues.

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign cash that may be brought into or taken out of Egypt.

CHILDREN

It is often believed that the Egyptian people put a strong priority on family life, and you will discover that children are especially well received.

A number of hotels and resorts, as you will have seen throughout this book, take great delight in providing top-notch children’s amenities and activities for families.

Children appreciate the freedom to enjoy the sunlight and water when on vacation, but it is important to remember to keep your children safe while on vacation, just as you would at home.

DATE, TIME, AND ELECTRICITY

Egypt is GMT + 2 hours ahead of the U.S. (3 in summertime). In most cases, the voltage is 220 volts, and adapters are easily available if you’ve forgotten yours.

Hours of Operation and Holidays for the General Public.

Banks and government offices are typically open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays.

Shops are typically open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. The majority of individuals take advantage of the sun and water throughout the day and go shopping after dark.

Public holidays in Egypt include the following: January 7 (Coptic Christmas Day), April 25 (Sinai Liberation Day), May 1 (Labor Day), July 23 (Revolution Day, celebrating the beginning of Egypt’s the Arab Republic), and October 6 (National Day) (Armed Forces Day).

There are also certain changeable dates that fluctuate from year to year due to the Muslim calendar and the phases of the moon.

These dates are shown below.
Check the most up-to-date information about the dates of Ramadan (when Muslims fast during daylight hours) and Eid — the huge family festival and feast that occurs when Ramadan is over.

Don’t miss to check our Egypt Vacation Packages