Useful information about Egypt

Egypt
Useful Information

Arabic. English is widely spoken.

Egyptian Pounds (LE).

220 volts AC, 50 cycles. An adaptor, generally 2-pronged, is necessary.

Tipping, or baksheesh, is almost a way of life in Egypt. It is customary and appreciated to tip guides, drivers, hotel staff and your boat/dive crew.

Shop opening times vary according to the time of year. In summer, most are open 9am-1pm and 5pm-8pm, with winter hours 10am-6pm. During Ramadan, some shops do not open at all, while others open 9.30am-3.30pm and 8pm-10pm.

Banking hours are 8.30am-1.30pm Monday to Thursday and 10am-12noon on Sundays. During Ramadan, banks are open 10am-1.30pm.

When visiting holy sites such as mosques, you may be required to observe customs such as covering your head, shoulders and legs. Please respect such local customs.

Much of Egypt is desert, and as such is subject to hot days and cooler nights. Beach resorts are often cooled in the day by sea breezes, however, Nile towns can become stifling, especially in summer months. Lightweight clothing is recommended for days, although a fleece or sweater may be required during the winter months. A pullover or acket for evenings, may also be required in winter. Shoes are not worn on board dive boats and liveaboards, so please take this into consideration when choosing which footwear to pack. Suitable clothing such as walking boots aans a windproof jacket is recommend for touring itineraries.

A full 10-year passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of return is required for travel to Egypt for all British, EU and EEA nationals. British passport holders also require a visa to visit all parts of Egypt except for the Gulf coast of Sinai for stays of less than 15 nights. Visitors to the Gulf area wishing to stay 15 nights or more, or those wishing to visit other parts of Egypt including Cairo and Ras Mohammed, must obtain a visa. Visas can be obtained by contacting the Egyptian Embassy on 020 7235 9777. For up to date information on visa requirements, visitors are strongly advised to contact the Embassy prior to travel.

Cameras and video cameras may not be taken into temples, tombs and archaeological sites, or a charge may be levied. Bags over 35cm may not be taken into such sites.

The following festivals and associated holidays for 2008/2009 are celebrated in either or all of the countries featured in this brochure. During these times, resorts may be busier than usual and services may be reduced.

MUSLIM FESTIVALS
Muslim religious festivals may vary by one or two days. For further details, please contact the Egyptian State Tourist Office or the Jordanian Information Bureau.

Ramadan* 2 Sep - 2 Oct 2008
Eid Al Fitr** 2 - 4 Oct 2008

Eid Al Adha* 8 - 11 Dec 2008
Popular amongst the Muslim population of Israel, with large numbers visiting Red Sea resorts to celebrate.
New Year (Hijri Day) 29 Dec 2008
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday** 9 Mar 2009
Ramadan* 22 Aug - 20 Sep 2009
Eid Al Fitr** 20 - 22 Sep 2009

*Dates of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are confirmed only shortly beforehand and vary from year to year by one or two days. During Ramadan, the pace of life during daylight hours is slower and offices and shops keep shorter opening hours between sunrise and sunset. Hotels may limit facilities, and excursions and entertainment can sometimes be affected.

**These festivals are subject to change by one day before or one day after as the moon governs them.

EGYPTIAN FESTIVALS

Revolution Day 23 Jul 2008
Armed Forces Day 6 Oct 2008

Christmas Day 7 Jan 2009
Sham El Nesim 21 Apr 2009
Sinai Liberation Day 25 Apr 2009
Labour Day 1 May 2009
Revolution Day 23 Jul 2009
Armed Forces Day 6 Oct 2009

JORDANIAN FESTIVALS

King Hussein Remembrance Day 14 Nov 2008

King Abdullah’s Birthday 30 Jan 2009
Labour Day 1 May 2009
Independence Day 25 May 2009

HM King Abdullah’s accession to the throne 9 June 2009

Army Day 10 June 2009

JEWISH FESTIVALS

Festivals, including the Sabbath, begin the previous day at sunset. Shops and offices generally close at 1pm. Sabbath is from Friday evening until Saturday sunset when hotels offer a limited menu for hot meals and most shops will be closed. Hotels may offer only a limited range of activities on festivals.

Festival of Lights (Chanuka) 22 - 29 Dec 2008 Joyous Festival.
Purim 10 Mar 2009
Passover (Pesach) 9 - 16 Apr 2009
Food restricted, no bread or beer. Shops, offices and restaurants close early the day before Passover and the majority are closed on the first and last days. Preparations usually commence a week ahead and restrictions may occur earlier than the dates given.
Holocaust Memorial Day 21 Apr 2009 Restaurants closed, no entertainment.
Remembrance Day 28 Apr 2009
Solemn day - no entertainment, restaurants closed.
Independence Day 29 Apr 2009 Many shops closed.
Pentecost (Shavuot) 29 - 30 May 2009 Harvest Festival.
New Year (Rosh Hashanah) 30 Sep - 1 Oct 2008 and 9-20 Sep 2009. All shops closed.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) 9 Oct 2008 and 28 Sep 2009.
Solemn day - no entertainment, restaurants and amenities closed. Shops, offices and restaurants close early on the day before Yom Kippur.
Tabernacles (Succot) 14 - 22 Oct 2008 and 3 - 10 Oct 2009 Joyous Festival.

Restrictions may also apply on Public Holidays. Call Reservations for more information.