Regional Information
Egypt
At a Glance
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP, £)
Population: Approx. 78.8 million
Language: Arabic, English, French
Local Time: Irish and UK time +2 hours
Voltage: 220V – international adaptors purchased in Ireland and UK can be used
Flight Duration: Approx. 7 hours
Airport: The airport is located 24km (15 miles) northeast of Cairo. Journey time to the city centre is about 60 minutes
Climate: The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to September and a cool season from November to March. Summers are hot and dry and winters are moderate.
Overview
The republic of Egypt is a country in North Africa that includes the Sinai Peninsula, a land bridge to Asia. Covering an area of about 1,001,450 square kilometres (386,560 square miles), Egypt borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast. On the north and the east are the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea respectively. Travellers have marvelled at Egypt’s archaeological wonders for centuries, ever since the Ancient Greeks visited the pyramids. Today, the ancient wonders attract millions of tourists each year to the pyramids, temples, mosques and great monuments of the Nile Valley, as well as the stunning diving resorts of the Red Sea.
Highlights
Cairo - The name of the capital city of Egypt means “The Vanquisher" or "The Triumphant”. While Al-Qahirah is the official name of the city, in the Egyptian Arabic language it is typically called by the name of the country, Masr (Egypt). It has a metropolitan area population of about 15,200,000 million people. Cairo is the seventh most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is also the most populous metropolitan area and the most populous city in Africa.
The Valley of the Kings - Also called Wadi el-Muluk in Arabic, it is a valley in Egypt where tombs were built for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom, the 18th through 20th Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. The Valley was used for primary burials from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC and contains some 60 tombs. The Valley of the Kings also had tombs for the favourite nobles and the wives and children of both the nobles and pharaohs. Around the time of Ramesses I (ca. 1300 BC) the building of the Valley of the Queens began, but some wives were still buried with their husbands.
Nile Cruise - Explore the mystical world of Egyptian antiquities while cruising up the river Nile between Luxor and Aswan. It is a romantic, relaxed and convenient way to visit the many temples scattered on the shores of the river and is truly an experience of a lifetime. The variety of authentic food on board leaves little to be desired, with rich buffets complemented by the European as well as the oriental menus.
Hurghada - founded in the early 20th century, Hurghada remained a small fishing village until just a few years ago, when it became the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international centre for aquatic sports. Anything taking place in or on the water can be done here, whether it is diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing or swimming. Restaurants are located mostly along the main road. A must-see is Hurghada’s museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea.
Getting Around
Transport facilities in Egypt are centred in Cairo and largely follow the pattern of settlement along the Nile. The main line of the nation's railway network runs from Alexandria to Aswan and is operated by Egyptian National Railways. The streets of Cairo are well supplied with taxis, which may have a fare meter but it is not likely to be used. Fares vary and should be negotiated beforehand. Taxis from hotels tend to cost double that of hailed taxis. There are bus and minibus services operating in the city.
Health/Security
The crime rate in Egypt is low; however, tourists should take the usual sensible precautions they would at any major tourist destinations. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
There are no essential vaccination requirements for entry purposes to Egypt. It is advisable to drink bottled water, which is cheap and widely available. It is safe to eat fruit and vegetables, as long as the food has been washed well.
Passport/Visa
Irish/UK citizens require a visa to enter Egypt. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you and carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.
Useful Contacts
Irish Embassy: 22 Hassan Assem St Zamalek, Cairo
Tel: + 20 227 358264, + 20 227 358547, + 202 273 64653, Fax: + 202273 62863
Web: www.embassyofireland.org.eg
British Embassy: 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Garden City, Cairo
Tel: + 202 27916000, Fax: + 202 2791 6130
Tropical Medical Bureau, Ireland: 34 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: + 353 1 850 487674, Fax: + 353 1 671 9211
Email: graftonstreet@tmb.ie
Web: www.tmb.ie/contact.asp
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, UK: Mortimer Market Building, Capper Street, Tottenham Court Road,
London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 20 7950 7799
Web: www.thehtd.org
Local Emergency Services: Ambulance 123 / Fire 180 / Police 122
Calling Egypt from Irl/UK: 00 + 20 + area code + the number
Calling Ireland from Egypt: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Egypt: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Local Tourist Office: Cairo Abassia Square,
Cairo, Egypt
Tel: + 202 285 45 09, + 202 284 19 70
Useful Websites
www.egypt.travel
www.antor.com/Egypt