Practical information Egypt

Yes, a visa is required for French and European nationals. Two options: the e-visa to request online on the official egypt.travel website approximately 7 days before departure (25 USD, valid for 30 days), or the visa on arrival issued at major international airports (Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh) at a cost of 25 USD payable in cash, dollars or euros. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have a blank page. For stays only in Sharm el-Sheikh and the southern Sinai zone, a free 14-day permit is issued upon arrival, but it does not allow you to visit Saint Catherine or the rest of the country.

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Egypt from France, except yellow fever if you arrive from a country where it is endemic. We recommend being up to date on universal vaccines (DTP, MMR, pertussis) and planning for hepatitis A, which is systematically recommended due to varying sanitary conditions. Typhoid is advised for long stays or trips to rural areas. Hepatitis B and rabies can be discussed depending on the duration of your stay. Malaria no longer affects the classic tourist areas but persists in Fayoum during summer. Dengue is marginal. A consultation at an international vaccination centre 4 to 6 weeks before departure remains the best approach to adapt the protocol to your itinerary.

For a comfortable trip, budget between €80 and €150 per day per person excluding international flights, based on two people sharing a double room. This range covers 4-star hotel accommodation, private transfers, site entrance fees, English-speaking guides, and full board on the cruise. The main expenses are the Nile cruise (between €400 and €900 for 4 nights depending on the boat), domestic flights (€80 to €150 per segment), and multiple site entrances at archaeological sites (between €8 and €25 each, with the Tutankhamun tomb as an additional fee). Plan for approximately €5 to €10 per day for tips (baksheesh), a deeply rooted local custom.

The ideal period extends from October to April, with peak visitor numbers in December-January. Temperatures in the Nile Valley range between 22 and 28°C during the day, with cool nights in January. March, April, October and November offer an excellent balance between pleasant weather and moderate crowds. From May to September, temperatures climb above 40°C in Luxor and Aswan, making visits to archaeological sites uncomfortable in the afternoon. The Red Sea, on the other hand, can be visited year-round with water temperatures between 22 and 28°C. If possible, avoid the first week of Ramadan and the immediate period after Eid, when certain services operate at reduced capacity. Our English-speaking team adjusts visit schedules according to the season.

Given the long distances (1,000 km between Cairo and Aswan), we prioritize domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh, operated by EgyptAir with multiple daily rotations. The Watania Sleeping Trains overnight train connects Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, an appealing option for travelers looking to save a hotel night. On the ground, we systematically arrange transfers in air-conditioned private vehicles with a driver, as the road network is adequate but driving can sometimes be chaotic. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan remains the smoothest way to visit the Ptolemaic temples. In cities, Uber operates in Cairo and Alexandria.

Egypt's main tourist destinations can be visited with peace of mind. Archaeological sites, Nile cruises, the Red Sea, and major cities (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria) are secure and benefit from visible police presence. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, advises against the northern Sinai, border areas with Libya and Sudan, and certain parts of the Western Desert outside organized tours. Standard precautions apply: watch out for pickpocketing in the souks, drink only bottled water, and be cautious of touts around sites. Women traveling alone are welcomed without difficulty, though clothing covering shoulders and knees is recommended outside beach resorts. Our Cairo team remains available 24/7 throughout your stay.