Preparing For Your Trip To Egypt
Egypt is culturally diverse offering visitors 6000 years of history. It is both exciting and pleasant to visit. To get the most out of your trip, you will want to be prepared.
* You must have a valid passport with a validity of a minimum of 2 months. Western travelers are required to have a visa unless you carry a National Identity Card that has been issued by France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal or Germany.
* Book all travel and accommodations in advance. Plan on arriving to Egypt by plane. Once in Egypt you can find reliable bus and train service, but the best way to travel around Egypt is by plane. You can also travel around Egypt by car either through a car rental or by hiring a driver with a car.
* The best time to visit Egypt is in the fall (September through November) and in the spring (February through April). You will find it much colder during the months of December through January, however, in the south the winter is pleasant. Avoid traveling to Egypt during the summer (June through August) as it is extremely hot, filthy and muggy. Residents of Egypt take their vacations during this time for this reason.
* Currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (LE), although, you will find that many services and accommodations charge in U.S. dollars or Euro. Other currencies are easily exchanged in Egypt. The Cairo International Airport has many 24 hour banks which give the same rates as in town. ATM's, which were very hard to find in Egypt, are quite common now offering good exchange rates, however, some charge large transaction fees.
* While in Egypt, refrain from eating in restaurants that do not serve a high volume of foreigners and only drink bottled water. Otherwise it is possible for you to contract illnesses such as including hepatitis and cholera as well as diarrhea. You will also want to avoid the muddy banks of the Nile and other spots of water as a parasitic disease caused by flatworms called Bilharzia or Schistosomiasis live near the shore.
Following the tips above should allow you to have a stress free trip to Egypt.
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