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Weather
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Cairo's weather is mild in winter, hot in summer. Summers and winters are dry. Rain is rare even in winter and sand storms are common in spring.
Average temperature:
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Celsius |
18 |
21 |
24 |
34 |
33 |
35 |
37 |
35 |
32 |
30 |
26 |
20 |
| Fahrenheit |
65 |
69 |
75 |
93 |
91 |
95 |
98 |
95 |
90 |
86 |
78 |
68 |
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Banking Services
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Egypt is a cash community. ATM machines, cashing money on credit card, or changing traveler's checks are accessible at major hotels as well as any bank in the streets. The US Dollar is well received almost everywhere.
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Drugs
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Drugs are strictly prohibited and the consequences for use can be very severe. Don't even consider it.
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Crime
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Crime is low, rape rare, aids is almost non-existent, and arguments may flare up over a traffic violation, but are usually over quite quickly. It is safe to walk the streets at any time of day, like all cities you should be cautious and attentive to your whereabouts.
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Telephone, calling cards and Internet Cafes
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4/5 star hotels will have direct line dialing and international services. Some hotels have data ports and even their own Internet cafes.
Egypt has calling cards available for sale everywhere to be used in the local call boxes.
There are Internet cafes in all major cities; they usually range from $3 to $6 an hour with a minimum 15 minutes charge.
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Negotiating prices
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It should be noted that it is more cost effective to book with a tour operator or a travel agency with Egyptian contacts than it is to try to book independently.
If traveling independently using a Guide Services will save you a great deal of time and money. The guide will negotiate rates on your behalf. Guides aren't necessary for resort stays in Hurgada or Sharm El Sheik. It
traveling with an escorted tour be sure to ask your guide for advice on buying. Check for quality and of course the final price you pay is your decision.
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Drinks
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Please note that drinks are not included with any meals in Egypt, this includes water and soft drinks. Coffee or teas are served for free with breakfast but all other drinks must be paid for. It is important to check the prices of drinks before you order.
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Water
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Although water is treated, please be cautious and use bottled water which is available everywhere.
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Food
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The cruise ships and large hotels serve a wide variety of European and North American style food as well, and there are numerous choices of restaurants particularly in Cairo.
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Washrooms
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You would be wise to carry tissue with you all the time, as Egyptian public washrooms some times do not provide tissue. Most times there will be an attendant who will supply a napkin for drying your hands. Tipping will be accepted so try to carry 1 LE notes for both male and female washrooms.
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Baksheesh (Tips or Gratuities)
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In Egypt tipping (or baksheesh) is a general practice everywhere (even among the Egyptian themselves), and ensure extra services at monuments, museums etc.
If you have a guide with you, check with him beforehand where tipping is expected. They normally take care of any baksheesh at the sites, and for included meals etc.
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It is customary to tip guides and drivers at the end of the time approx 3$ for driver per day and $3-5 for guide per person per day, the same for cabin services and waiters on the cruise ships and the restaurants.
The best way is to use an envelope, and put in the tip with a little note if appropriate and hand it to them is person at the end of their services.
Note: the above are guidelines on tipping, and it should be noted that although tipping is customary and expected it is entirely up to you how much you tip and whether to tip or not.
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Shopping
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Shopping can be great fun in Cairo, whether for an everyday souvenir or for something a little more valuable. Egypt has many malls with boutique style stores but no department stores that could be compared to Europe and North America. Street markets, food carts and small stores are everywhere and they are the normal way of shopping in Egypt.
Unique Shopping Items:
Gold Cartouche's: with your name in Hieroglyphics
Papyrus Pictures: again you can have your name put on in hieroglyphics, they are popular and perhaps a little more tasteful than stuffed camels or models of the pyramids.
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T-Shirts in Egyptian cotton: with Egyptian logos or names in hieroglyphics.
Hand-made Carpets and Wall hangings.
Alabaster Carvings
Unique Perfume Essences: these are wonderful. Many French perfume houses source their supplies from Egypt, and in the perfume shops pure essential oils are for sale.
Note: Check over any purchase carefully, you may ask your guide for advice but the final price and quality of any articles you purchase are your own responsibility.
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Customs & Culture
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Egyptians keep themselves and their homes very clean. Litter is a problem, particularly in the poorer areas where solid waste disposal is lacking. The noise level in parts of the cities is quite high, and Cairo in particular is a 24-hour city when most stores and activities go on around the clock non-stop.
It is common form of greeting to see men or women holding hands, linking arms, and embracing on the cheek with others of the same sex. This is their culture and there are no sexual overtures to it.
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Men and women do not show affection to each other in public. It is acceptable to hold, or link arms with your partner in public, but that is it. Kissing and hugging your partner or boy/girl friend is not appropriate in public.
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Medical Requirements
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Normally no immunizations are required or needed. If you have recently been travelling in an
area known to be experiencing problems you should obtain a health certificate
before arrival. While in Egypt drink the filtered bottle water or
the mineral water.
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Also be sure to bring any prescriptions you
might need. And don't forget to prepare for the Pharaoh's curse
with a bottle of Imodium or similar. Be careful of fresh fruit juices as they
may be diluted with local non-filtered water
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