Practical Info

This is a list of the information most requested by our visitors – plus quite a bit more. If there is anything you need to know that we have not covered here, please let us know. We will be glad to advise you and, if necessary, add the new details to this page.

You come to packing for your trip, you might consider also taking a look at our Checklist. Don’t be one of the many travellers who leave something important behind.

Luggage and Dive Equipment

Divers and surfers coming to the Red Sea often bring their own equipment. Please be aware that normal luggage allowances vary between 20 and 30kg per person, and excess weight is increasingly frowned upon and expensive. Some airlines outside the UK allow an additional 30kg of sports equipment. It must be registered in advance and packed in a separate bag. Remember security restrictions on luggage items, plus a few diving related requirements, like removing batteries and bulbs from dive torches, and making sure that nothing contains pressurised gas (e.g. pony cylinders).

Most general holiday accessories can be purchased in Egypt, but, whether you buy them here or before you come, there are certain basic items you should consider packing for Egypt, e.g.:

Visas and other documents

On the plane to Egypt you should receive a landing card, which must be completed and submitted at Passport Control. They are not always distributed on flights, but they are available, on request, in the Arrivals Hall at the airport. A similar card must be completed before going through passport control on departure from Egypt. This is normally given out at check-in.

Visas are available from the Egyptian Embassy in your home country, but it is easier - and usually cheaper - to purchase one on arrival in Egypt. The one-month visa (there are others, but we suggest that everyone should obtain this to avoid travel restrictions - on boat trips from Sharm, for example) consists of two sticky stamps, which must be attached to a page of your passport BEFORE going to Passport Control. At Sharm Airport, the quickest (and, usually, the cheapest) place to buy your visa is at one of the small bank counters immediately on the left as you enter the Arrivals Hall. The cost can vary (!), but, as a rough guide, you should expect to pay about $20, around 15 Euros, or £10.

Please note: your passport should still be valid for at least six months when you enter Egypt.

Insurance

It is highly recommended that you arrange good travel insurance before travelling. Some policies offered by, for example, banks and credit card companies, as added incentives for customers, often leave much to be desired when it comes to claims. Be sure to read the small print! Also, verify with the insurance company that any sporting activity you might take part in is covered by your policy – that should include horse riding and quad biking, which are very popular in the desert. We advise divers to obtain a comprehensive diving insurance with DAN (www.daneurope.org), or one of the other reputable insurers recommended by the major diving agencies (PADI, BS-AC, etc.).

Health

There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for Egypt. However, it is highly recommended that you be vaccinated against polio, hepatitis A and tetanus.

Although stomach upsets are relatively rare these days, diarrhoea treatments are advisable inclusions in your personal first aid kit, although pharmacies are numerous, and will provide most common prescription and non-prescription medicines and toiletries.

You should be aware that Egyptian medical services are not free, and that hospitals, doctors, dentists, etc, are unlikely to come up to the standards that the residents of most European countries have come to expect.

In the event of a diving incident, there are excellent hyperbaric and medical facilities available at the major diving venues. However, the accumulated costs of hyperbaric treatment for pressure accidents, specialised medication and hospitalisation, plus possible emergency repatriation, can be prohibitive, so it is wise not to economise on insurance. Please see the above recommendations (Insurance) regarding cover for divers and diving activities.

Dehydration can be a serious problem, especially during the hotter summer months. The recommended daily water intake is an absolute minimum of 2 litres per person. Divers should add another litre for every dive they do. In case of mild dehydration, it is usually sufficient to drink rehydration salts dissolved in water (30g/day), but more serious cases will require medical attention.

Climate

South Sinai enjoys a hot, dry, desert climate, which, in the summer, can produce temperatures in excess of 40°C. In the cooler winter months, temperatures can drop to below 10°C at night and rise to 25°C during the day. Bear this in mind when packing clothing (see also Clothing below). Sinai is worth visiting at any time of year, but you should choose the period that suits your preferences on temperature. Please use the following table as a general guide:

Average Temperatures

In actual fact, the sea temperature can rise as high as 28°C during August and September, with air temperatures occasionally reaching an extreme 45°C.

Click here for a current weather forecast for Dahab.

Money

The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (LE). 1 Euro is currently worth about 7.5LE, and £1 Sterling will fetch about 11LE. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are acceptable for exchange at any bank. Opening hours at small exchange branches can vary, but are normally from 9:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00, except usually on Fridays (the Muslim “Sunday”) when opening times are often reduced, and some banks do not open.

The choice to bring travellers cheques, your own currency or Egyptian pounds is entirely up to individuals. It is worth noting that exchange rates can often be better in Egypt than the home country. Many shops, small hotels and dive centres can not accept credit card payments or cheques, so, if you do not bring cash, be prepared to use ATMs to draw on your cards to cover many purchases or even your holiday balances. ATMs are relatively common in major holiday towns (Sharm, Dahab, etc.), allowing you easily to draw money on various credit and debit cards: e.g. Visa, Mastercard (Eurocard), Maestro, EC and Cirrus card.

Telephone and Internet

The mobile phone net functions very well in many parts of Egypt. Mobile phones with roaming option work almost everywhere. Phone cards are readily available, and calls can be made from local telephone shops for about 1 Euro per minute. Internet cafés, most of which have high-speed internet, are abundant, with charges around 0.70 Euros or 45p per hour.

Cultural Customs

Please respect local customs and rules, many of which are religion based. Women should try not to wear too revealing or provocative clothing in public places. Although such clothing is increasingly frequently seen on the streets, it is generally considered to be disrespectful, and many locals (Egyptians, Bedouins - who have very strict moral codes - and even a lot of expatriates) find it displeasing and offensive. Bathing attire is best worn only on the beach or beside the pool.

Security

Each year, more than 8 million tourists visit Egypt without significant problems. Compared with European and other “Western” countries, crime rates are very low here, although parts of some of the large cities, like Cairo, may prove the exception.

Tourism police have a significant presence everywhere, so do not be surprised if you are requested to present your passport at security checkpoints. Your hotel might require that you deposit your passport at Reception on arrival. If you decide to travel between towns, you should be sure to collect your passport before travelling, as you will almost certainly be asked for it at some point in your journey. (Do not forget to collect it before departing for home!) Many police officers speak some English, and, although they carry guns, are usually quite helpful.

Shopping

Holiday resorts have many shops and facilities to fulfil most of your needs. Dahab has numerous small grocery shops and super markets (not quite like the ones back home!), which offer fresh and packaged produce and imported goods. Plenty of shops around the bay and central town street sell clothing and souvenirs, but be prepared to negotiate over prices. You must expect starting prices to be very high, but, depending on your ability and determination, they can usually be brought down considerably. Haggling, often over a cup of Egyptian tea (frighteningly sweet!), is expected and welcomed.

Clothing

Light, casual, cotton wear is recommended for much of the year. T-shirts are fine, but remember that arms burn, too, and the sun can burn fair skin through thin material. A healthy respect for the sun is essential, because it can be several times stronger than in most of Europe. For that reason, headwear of some description can also be useful. In winter months and early spring, sweaters and/or a light jacket would be advisable for the cooler evenings, especially in the desert or if, for example, you plan to climb Mt. Sinai to see the sunrise, in which case, a strong pair of boots is also recommended, although not essential. Please see Cultural Customs, above, regarding standards of dress.

DIVING REGULATIONS

The Egyptian Diving Federation, representing the Egyptian Government, has imposed a number of rules, which should be strictly observed by all divers who are diving in Dahab and the Red Sea. The major ones are as follows:

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