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"Just home from Egypt with Ted! Absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend the trip. Would do it again with Ted, in a heartbeat." Eve, Oct 2023​

Provisional Booking for the GnT Egypt Experience March 2025 tour is open – dates TBC

Includes a day at the Grand Egyptian Museum

GnT Tours

"Just home from Egypt with Ted! Absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend the trip. Would do it again with Ted, in a heartbeat." Eve, Oct 2023​

Provisional Booking for the GnT Egypt Experience March 2025 tour is open – dates TBC

Includes a day at the Grand Egyptian Museum

FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

TRAVEL ADVISORY

This is the latest (edited) UK Foreign Office advice, updated on 29 September 2024. 

Given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, travellers may be worried about whether it’s safe to visit Egypt. The UK Foreign Office recently updated its advice, and cautions tourists that the situation is “changing fast” and to monitor its advice pages.

Egypt-Libya border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, where we advise against all but essential travel.

North Sinai

FCDO advises against all travel to the North Sinai Governorate.

Northern part of South Sinai

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.

Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.

Western Desert

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:

  • Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings

  • the Faiyum Governorate

  • the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh

  • the Marsa Matruh-Siwa road

  • the oasis town of Siwa

  • the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis

  • the road between Giza and Farafra (but FCDO advises against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)

  • Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert

The government adds that travel advice could “change at short notice” and holidaymakers should “continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.” Due to the Israeli government declaring a state of emergency across the whole country, international borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice.

The Foreign Office warns that “International borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt”. The Rafah border crossing is currently closed. When re-opened, Israel, Egypt and the authorities in Gaza may determine procedures for who is permitted to cross and when.

The Foreign Office also states that it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check that it provides sufficient cover before travelling. Here’s what you need to know.

There are no travel advisories in place for popular tourist spots in Egypt such as Cairo, cities along the Nile including Luxor and Aswan, and resorts by the Red Sea such as Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

GnT Tours is constantly in touch with people in Egypt up to ministerial level and at present sees no danger in planning our November tour. Obviously if the situation changes we will adjust accordingly. 

WHAT ABOUT VISAS?

Most travellers require a visa as well as their passport to enter Egypt.
Passports should have at least 6 months validity from the date of your arrival in Egypt.
Fortunately, there is a growing number of countries where travellers are able to obtain e-visas for entry to Egypt.
Electronic visa applications can be found at the following link:

Electronic Visa Portal

This is the official government site, do not use other sites that promise the same, they will charge you much more.
The application process is fairly simple, just go slowly as the site is not always clear as to what it wants you to do, but don’t worry you’ll get there. The cost at the time of writing this was 25USD payable by bank card.

You will get an emailed confirmation of your payment, and if successful, a link should be emailed to you in a few days, where you can then print out your e-visa. Take a paper copy with you to Egypt.

Many countries also have the option to obtain a visa on arrival. If you wish to obtain your visa on arrival at the airport, bring a black ink pen to fill in the form.

Visas on arrival can be paid for in US dollars, UK pounds or euros, and only in cash. Currently, the cost for a single-entry tourist visa is USD25. Be warned of people who will offer to help you get your visa, they are just going to charge you more money. You will be given a stamp to put in your passport.

Head for the immigration counters and passport control. You must show your passport, with your visa stamp or printed e-visa. You might be asked to show your planned itinerary along with documentation showing your accommodation and tour bookings for your time in Egypt.

If you’re not eligible to apply for a visa online, you’ll need to do so through your nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country. If this is the case, please do it well in advance as visas can take a while. Check with your Egyptian embassy or consulate for what is required.

Travellers must check the latest rules and protocols before arranging a trip to Egypt.

Departure
For your return home, you will need to check the necessary requirements for arrival in your own country.

These details are subject to change at any time, and it is advisable to check with the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country.

IS IT SAFE TO GO TO EGYPT

Our experience of Egypt is, yes, Egypt is safe. Like anywhere in the world, it depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. If you want to go back-packing across Northern Sinai, then perhaps no – it is not safe. If you want to wander around late at night on your own in Cairo, we would advise against it. We would advise against you wandering around any city late at night on your own. If you want to enjoy the historical sites of Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Alexandria, then yes, Egypt is safe.

Tourism
Tourism plays a large role in the GDP of Egypt, and although it suffered greatly immediately after the revolution of 2011, and again with the Coronavirus, it will improve, thanks not only to the great work that is being done by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, initially under the leadership of Dr Khaled el-Enany, and now Ahmed Issa, but also the tourists who have gone back home and loudly proclaimed what a fantastic time they have had.


Economy
Most Egyptians are very aware of the economic value that tourism brings to their economy and will treat you accordingly. Egyptians are friendly people and will do anything to help you. Sadly, their economy has been suffering and so many people are desperate, and usually such help comes at a price. For most tourists that price means very little to them financially.


Government
The Egyptian government is also aware of the importance of tourists and has noticeably increased the presence of police at most major sites, as well as increased the various security procedures around entering such places. The tourist police are also usually not far away. The stricter controls over where you can go in any given area are also there for your added protection.


Respect
When travelling in a foreign country you will have a far better experience by integrating with the locals than if you try and distance yourself. For a lot of travellers, Egypt might be their first foray into a Muslim country, and the different traditions and societal behaviours that go with that can be somewhat of an adjustment, but that is all it is, an adjustment. You are a visitor in their country, so you need to do the adjusting. To that end it is our advice that you always dress on the more conservative side, so as to not attract any unwelcome attention. If you are visiting tombs and temples, it is better to show a degree of respect for the sites that you are in.


Haggling
Haggling from street traders and shop keepers is a part of life, as is the constant demand to visit someone’s shop, take their horse-drawn cab, or spend an hour on their boat. It is a game, and if you approach it as so, you will not be disappointed. Better to not say anything than get drawn into conversation. Once you say something, then you are deemed to have begun the game. A dismissive wave, or if you must say something a quick “Laa shukran” (Arabic for “No, thank you”) will suffice.


Single Travellers
Egypt is perfectly safe providing you are aware of where you are and what you are doing. It is sometimes easier being in a group, rather than on your own, as single travellers look like easier targets. If you are a single traveller, usually you can tag on to one of the tour groups doing the rounds. GnT Tours will never leave you on your own.


Is Egypt safe? In our opinion, absolutely.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The answer to that must be, “How much would you like to spend?” Egypt offers a multitude of hotels, hostels, b&bs and apartments to rent. They all have a price, usually depending on location and the services offered. Getting around can be expensive unless you have some idea of what you are doing. Then there are the entrance fees to all the museums and archaeological sites. These prices also vary, depending on what you wish to see or enter. Food is always good value for money, but drinks, and certainly imported wines and beers, can cost quite a bit. The GnT Tours Egypt Experience is a single cost all-inclusive price that covers your accommodation for the tour, all your transport, all your food and all your entrance fees. You could, if you wanted to, get off the plane in Cairo and not spend anything extra until your departure. Ts & Cs apply.

WHERE SHOULD I GO?

There are many great places to visit in Egypt from the Mediterranean in the north to the beach and diving resorts on the Red Sea, from the Pyramids in and around Cairo to the magnificent tombs and temples of Upper Egypt in the south. The GnT Tours Egypt Experience is about Ancient Egypt, and to that end we begin and end our tour in Cairo with the Pyramids, while the middle section is in Luxor, home to the Valley of the Kings, numerous tombs and temples, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.

WHEN IS IT BEST TO GO TO EGYPT?

The best times to visit Egypt is between the end of September and March, autumn and winter, as the rest of the year can be unbearably hot. The summer months are ideal for lazing on the beaches of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, but are perhaps too much for spending time in the desert areas. The GnT Tours Egypt Experience runs in the autumn and winter as we spend a considerable amount of time outdoors on the edge of the desert.

The content of these frequently asked questions can change so if you have any other questions about the tour, about travelling to Egypt or just about Ancient Egypt – Contact Us

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