Before Visiting
Medical requirrments: Normally no immunizations are required or needed. If you have recently been traveling 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. 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.
Currency: The local currency is the Egyptian pound (LE). 1 LE = 100 piasters. Banks are opened in major hotels for 24 hrs. Credit cards are widely used in major hotels & restaurants. Charges will be in Egyptian pounds. The exchange rate floats and changes daily. You can check the current rate on-line Here You do not need to change money prior to arrival as most currencies are accepted, especially US dollars, by all establishments EXCEPT you must use Egyptian pounds for antiquity site entry fees.
Climate: he best season is from October through May when the temperature is Cairo is comfortable in the daytime, and cool or even cold at night. Weather in Upper Egypt, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel is comfortably warm. During the summer months in Cairo is hot and dry, upper Egypt is extremely hot, sightseeing is done early in the morning. Average temperatures can be:
| Cairo |
Aswan |
|
| Jan | 45/67
F |
52/76
F |
| March | 55/79
F |
59/89
F |
| May | 65/95
F |
72/101
F |
| July | 73/99
F |
80/110
F |
| Sept | 70/95
F |
76/105
F |
| Nov | 55/80
F |
60/89
F |
Clothing Winter months: Bring sweaters, a light coat or jacket for the cool Cairo evenings. Women should bring slacks and one evening dress for nightclub visits. Men should bring at least one warm jacket. Pack a bathing suit if visiting Luxor and Aswan if taking a Nile cruise. Summer months: light weight cotton clothing. A sweater for cool Cairo evenings.
Holidays The weekly day of rest is Friday. Islam is the principal religion of Egypt. So the “weekend” is generally Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a normal business day although a good percentage of the population is Eastern Orthodox Christian. Islamic Holidays are based on the lunar calendar and change annually. The Eastern Christian holidays are generally different than the western Christian ones. For instance Christmas is on January 06. Tourist attractions (antiquity sites) are open every day except New Years day. Some sites that are of an active religious type (monasteries, mosques, etc.) close for their appropriate sabbath.