Egypt travel guide
Egypt is a country where the ancient world is still in plain sight. In a single trip you can stand before the Pyramids of Giza, sail the Nile past temples at Luxor and Aswan, wander the old lanes of Islamic Cairo, and then swim over coral reefs on the Red Sea. Few places combine so much history with such easy access to warm water. Choose Cairo for the pyramids and medieval mosques, Luxor and Aswan for the great temples and tombs, Alexandria for Mediterranean atmosphere, and Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab for diving and beaches. Siwa Oasis offers a quiet desert interlude. Between the monuments there is always a new market, a river view or a plate of fresh falafel waiting. The most comfortable time to travel is October to April, when days are warm rather than fierce. Egypt suits history lovers, divers and first-time visitors who want a classic journey. Plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Cairo.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Egypt
- Currency
- EGP £
- Emergency number
- 123 / 122
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Expected
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- EGP 60-100 per withdrawal
Cities in Egypt
- Cairo The Arab world's largest city and Egypt's beating heart — a sprawling metropolis of 22 million where ancient and modern collide on the…
- Luxor The world's greatest open-air museum — a city built atop ancient Thebes, Egypt's New Kingdom capital for five centuries. The East Bank…
- Sharm El-Sheikh The Red Sea's most internationally famous resort — a polished, purpose-built dive and leisure destination at the southern tip of the Sinai…
- Hurghada Egypt's premier Red Sea resort city — 40 km of coastline with warm, crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reefs and year-round sunshine.…
- Aswan Egypt's southernmost tourist city and its most serene — a relaxed Nubian city on a majestic bend of the Nile framed by golden desert dunes,…
- Alexandria Egypt's Mediterranean soul — a layered, cosmopolitan city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE that was once the ancient world's…
- Dahab The Red Sea's most beloved bohemian hideaway — a former Bedouin fishing village on the Gulf of Aqaba that has evolved into a low-key haven…
- Siwa Oasis Egypt's most remote and enchanting oasis — a Berber island of emerald date palms and olive groves floating in the midst of the Libyan…
Frequently asked questions about Egypt
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Egypt?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly. Stay: Typically 90 days from issue. Fee: USD 30 (single entry) / USD 65 (multiple entries). Apply only on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg.
- What currency is used in Egypt?
- The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (E£). £1 is about ₹2.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Egypt?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Typical ATM fees: EGP 60-100 per withdrawal. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Egypt?
- Tipping in Egypt: expected. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Egypt?
- Drink bottled water. Unsafe (drink bottled water only).
- What plug type does Egypt use?
- Egypt uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Egypt?
- Emergency: 123. Police: 122. Ambulance: 123. Tourist helpline: 126.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Egypt?
- SIM and eSIM available in Egypt.
- What is the capital of Egypt?
- The capital of Egypt is Cairo. Time there: IST - 2 h 30 min.