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Egypt is a country on the northeast corner of the African continent. It is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel to the northeast. The country is also bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the East.

The River Nile flows through Egypt, creating a ribbon of habitable land in an otherwise barren desert landscape. Due to the monumental artifacts of its ancient civilisation, Egypt is today one of the biggest tourist destinations of the world. Less spectacular perhaps, but not less important, is Eqypt's medieval heritage represented by the many ancient churches, monasteries and mosques of Coptic Christianity and Islamic origin, that can be found and visited all thorough Egypt.

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Fast Facts about Egypt
  • Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt
  • Capital: Cairo (8,700,000)
  • Population of Egypt: 78,887,000
  • Languages: Arabic (official), English, French
  • Currency: Egyptian Pound
  • Religions: Islam (94%)
  • Size: 995,450 sq km (384,343 sq miles)
  • Region: Africa

  • When to visit Egypt

    Definitely not during summer, June to August, when it is unbearably hot during the day. December to February is the best time to visit, when the temperature becomes more pleasant.

    What to wear in Egypt

    Lightweight cotton clothes, long sleeves, hat and scarf are all useful items to wear, along with a good pair of sunglasses. Apply sunblock to exposed skin. During evenings, a jacket will keep out the chill. Umbrellas are not necessary, but you can bring a parasol to keep out the sun.

    Getting into Egypt

    Cairo International Airport is the primary gateway for international visitors to Egypt.

    Egypt Entry Requirements

    The nationals of US (US$15), Australia (A$45), Canada (C$25), Britain (L15) and other EU countries (US$15) need a visa when entering Egypt. The amount is as shown in brackets.

    Where to stay in Egypt

    Click on the name of the towns listed below to view hostels and budget accommodation available for booking there.

    Click here for Budget Hostel Listing with Price and Room Availability
  • Alexandria
  • Aswan
  • Bahariya Oasis
  • Cairo
  • Dahab
  • Dakhla Oasis
  • Hurghada
  • Luxor
  • Marsa Alam
  • Nuweiba
  • Sharm el Sheikh
  • St.Katherine

    Looking for a hotel room in Egypt?
    Click here to look for one, powered by TripAdvisor!

    User Feedback on Accommodation
    We compile the accommodation listing above with the good faith that it will be useful to you. If you have used any of the accommodation listed above, please write to us with your feedback, whether you enjoyed your stay there or not, and we will share it with others. Your feedback will benefit others when they choose their accommodation. We will not de-list any of the accommodation just because of a negative feedback from anybody, but will let you decide for yourself based on the feedback you read. User feedback is listed in http://www.earthdocumentary.com/hostel_feedback.htm

    Getting around in Egypt

    To visit the many ancient monuments, it is best to book a tour. Perhaps the best option for internal travel is by domestic flights, all through the national carrier, EqyptAir. Be aware, though, that foreigners pay more for the same seats. Always book in advance, especially during peak periods. All trains are operated by the Egyptian National Railways. By all means, get first class seats for your train travels in Egypt, as all other classes may be way below the desired expectation, especially where the rest rooms are concerned. Ramses Station is the main railway station in Cairo, and has different booking windows for different classes - check with the locals for the correct window.

    Sightseeing Tours of Egypt

    The following are local tours that are available for you to book:
  • ASWAN Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
  • CAIRO Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
  • HURGHADA Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
  • LUXOR Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
  • SHARM EL SHEIKH Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator

    Money matters in Egypt

    The local currency is the Egyptian pound. L1=100 piastres. Banknotes are available in denominations of 25 piastres, 50 piastres, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100, while coins are available in 5, 10, 20, 50 piastres and £1. At time of writing (Oct 2007), US$1.00 = E£5.64, E£1.00=EGP8.00 For the latest exchange go to the Oanda Currency Converter.






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