Egypt Travel Guide
Season • Note
Are December and January good months to visit Egypt?
December
Semi-high
season
January
Semi-high
season
Did you know?
The surface area of Egypt is 387 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 31 in terms of the area in the world.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Cairo (EG) and Washington D.C. (US) is 5810 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Cairo click here
Country Comparison
Compare Egypt to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.
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Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Egypt
| Miles | Cairo | Alexandria | Luxor | Aswan | Port Said | Hurghada | Sharm el-Sheikh | Edfu |
| Cairo | - | 114 | 310 | 423 | 105 | 250 | 237 | 363 |
| Alexandria | 114 | - | 413 | 525 | 141 | 364 | 349 | 467 |
| Luxor | 310 | 413 | - | 114 | 384 | 127 | 184 | 53 |
| Aswan | 423 | 525 | 114 | - | 497 | 224 | 279 | 62 |
| Port Said | 105 | 141 | 384 | 497 | - | 295 | 262 | 436 |
| Hurghada | 250 | 364 | 127 | 224 | 295 | - | 57 | 166 |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 237 | 349 | 184 | 279 | 262 | 57 | - | 221 |
| Edfu | 363 | 467 | 53 | 62 | 436 | 166 | 221 | - |
A Brief History of Egypt
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
3100 - 332 B.C.
Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt is established when a king named Narmer unifies the Upper and Lower kingdoms. Egyptians develop hieroglyphic writing. The pyramids and the Sphinx are built.
332 B.C.
Alexander the Great conquers Persian-controlled EgyptAlexander the Great, of Macedonia, conquers Egypt. He begins a dynasty that rules for 300 years.
30 B.C.
Romans take control of EgyptAfter romances with Romans Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, Queen Cleopatra is believed to have killed herself with the bite of a snake. Rome takes control of Egypt.
642 - 1517 A.D.
IslamizationArab leader Amr Ibn al-As captures Alexandria. During this period, many people convert to Islam.
1869
Suez CanalThe Suez Canal opens, linking the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. The canal took 10 years to build and cut in half the distance ships travel between Europe and parts of Asia.
1914
British control over EgyptEgypt is declared a protectorate of Britain, giving Britain control over Egypt.
1922
Independence from BritainEgypt declares independence from Britain. A monarchy is established, and Fuad I is named king.
1952
Army seizes powerThe Egyptian army seizes power. Later, Gamal Abdel Nasser becomes president.
1967
Six-Day WarIsrael defeats Egypt, Jordan and Syria in the Six-Day War. Israeli troops occupy Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
1970
Nasser's deathPresident Nasser dies and is replaced by his Vice-President, Anwar Sadat.
1971
Aswan High DamThe Aswan High Dam is completed. It improves irrigation, agriculture and industry in Egypt.
1978
Camp David Peace AccordsEgyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem begin signing the U.S.-sponsored Camp David Peace Accords. Israel returns the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for a promise of peace.
1999
Hosni Mubarak's fourth termPresident Hosni Mubarak begins his fourth term in office.
2002
Bibliotheca AlexandrinaA giant library, called the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opens in Alexandria. With room for about five million books, the library is built partly to pay tribute to the ancient library that stood in Alexandria some 2,500 years ago. That library was destroyed by fire.
2011
Anti-government protestsAfter several days of anti-government protests, President Hosni Mubarak steps down. He is later arrested over allegations that he ordered the killing of protesters.
Best Ways to Experience Egypt
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreEgyptian Pound (EGP)
- EGP
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- EGP
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
| = |
Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Egypt.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Egypt for tourism
A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).
- Allowed stay: 30 days
- eVisa issued for 30 days.
- Visa-free travel for tourists arriving at Sharm El Sheikh, St. Catherine, or Taba airports and remaining in the Sinai resorts up to 15 days.
Electricity
220V (50 Hz)
In Egypt the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type FFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 14 / 231 Ranking | 102 334 404 Egyptian 99.6% |
Area | 31 / 230 Ranking | 387 thous. mi² It is approximately 11% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 119 / 196 Ranking | 74 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 72.5women 75.6 |
Median age | 41 / 157 Ranking | 24.1 Average age of population expressed in years.men 23.8women 24.5 |
Population growth | 35 / 172 Ranking | 2.17% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 99 / 131 Ranking | 71.2% Ability to read, write and count.men 76.5%women 65.5% |
GDP | 105 / 194 Ranking | 12 602 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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