Egypt is a destination that has truly captured my heart. Unfortunately, it often gets a bad reputation when it comes to tourism, which I find unfair and saddening. Before my trip, I was nervous because of the negative perceptions many people have. Most people who I told about my trip looked very concerned or uncomfortable when I mentioned Egypt. But I felt completely at home there! Egypt exceeded my expectations in many ways, and I want to share my experience to help future travellers. If you’re planning a trip, here are some important things to know before visiting Egypt.
I understand that every city in Egypt has its own unique atmosphere, so my observations are based mainly on Sharm El Sheikh and a little bit on Cairo, as these were the two places I visited on this trip.
1. The People Are Incredibly Friendly
One of the first things I noticed was how warm and welcoming Egyptians are. My first taste of their humor came from the immigration officer stamping my visa at the airport, and this sense of humor continued throughout my trip. Egyptians are social, talkative, and very funny. I had conversations with people about all types of things—food, culture, and life in general.
2. Egyptian Men & Safety as a Woman
Egypt doesn’t always have the best reputation when it comes to the behaviour of men, but my personal experience wasn’t as bad as I had feared. Yes, I encountered a few men making silly comments, but they usually stopped when I ignored them or gave them a dirty look—just like in many other countries. I felt safe walking around on my own, and nobody tried to touch me. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, but I wouldn’t let this stereotype stop you from visiting Egypt.
3. Plan Everything in Advance
Booking things in advance will save you money and hassle. I used Booking.com to arrange my airport transfers for just £5 (GBP), whereas my hotel and other providers were quoting me four times the price. The same applies to tours; book them ahead of time to avoid getting overcharged. Egypt is facing economic challenges, and tourism is a major source of income. Some locals will significantly overcharge tourists because their salaries are low. I would advise anyone visiting to be mindful of this and always compare prices before buying something.
4. Tipping Culture
Tipping is a huge part of Egyptian culture, and it’s appreciated in restaurants, hotels, taxis, and tours. However, be careful when tipping street beggars, especially children. I was warned that some are controlled by others who take the money from them. If you want to tip, stick to service workers like hotel staff, waiters, taxi drivers, and tour guides. I felt like tips were expected a lot more in Cairo than in Sharm-El-Sheikh, but being a busy capital city, the service was understandably not as good there.
5. High Security Everywhere
This actually made me feel safer. There are frequent police checkpoints on the roads, and my hotel had a metal detector at the entrance. They even checked underneath every car with a metal pole device, which I assume was to detect explosives. Whenever I left my hotel, the security staff would write down the number plate of my taxi/tour bus and the name of my driver, who also had to show ID.
6. The Old Market is Overpriced – Shop Smarter!
The Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh is a popular tourist attraction, but I found it ridiculously overpriced. Some items were actually more expensive than in England! Haggling is expected, but it can be exhausting if you have to negotiate at every single shop. The only thing I sat down and negotiated for was a bottle of oud (oil based perfume), because I really wanted it. If you want fair, fixed prices, I highly recommend Fix Price Market. They sell everything—souvenirs, snacks, spices, clothes, beauty products, and essentials. Everything is affordable, and you don’t have to negotiate, which makes shopping easier and stress-free.
7. Beware of Fake Papyrus
Papyrus is one of the most popular and unique souvenirs in Egypt, but not all of it is authentic. Many shops/ stalls sell fake papyrus made from banana leaves. If it’s real, it will have vertical and horizontal lines when you hold it up to the light. It should also have a rough texture and feel slightly stiff. Water should slowly absorb into real papyrus, while fakes will repel it. I learned all of this from the Papyrus Institute in Cairo.
8. Sharm El Sheikh Airport is Extremely Slow
If you’re flying from Sharm El Sheikh Airport, arrive at least three hours before your flight. The security process at this airport is painfully slow. There are multiple security checks, and all solo travelers seemed to go through an additional security screening at the boarding gate.
9. Dress Conservatively
Egypt is a conservative Muslim-majority country, so dressing modestly is important. In Cairo, it’s a lot more traditional, and I’d strongly recommend covering your shoulders and knees to avoid unwanted attention and show respect for local customs. In Sharm El Sheikh, which is a resort city, wearing shorts and sleeveless tops is generally fine, but it’s best to limit this to the beach and hotel areas. I noticed that showing arms felt more accepted than showing legs.
10. You Can Pay in Multiple Currencies
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), but many businesses accept Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), and US Dollars (USD). A lot of places will quote prices in USD by default because they prefer it. If you pay in a foreign currency, make sure to check the exchange rate to avoid being overcharged.
Egypt is an incredible destination and I really enjoyed my trip. It was a welcoming, interesting, and safe place to explore. Like any country, it has its challenges, but with good planning and awareness, you can have an amazing experience.
I hope this has helped highlight some important things to know before visiting Egypt. Am I going back there? Absolutely!
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