What should a tourist know before a trip to Egypt? If you are flying to Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for the first time, it is better to settle some questions at home — then there will be fewer surprises after landing. We have put together a short memo on the visa, documents, money and other practical things that will come in handy on a holiday in Egypt.
Egypt visa for Russians
For a trip to Hurghada, tourists from Russia need a visa — it costs about $30. In Sharm El Sheikh, for a holiday within South Sinai you can use the free Sinai Only stamp. If you plan excursions outside the permitted area, for example to Cairo, you will need a regular Egyptian visa.
At the airport you do not have to use intermediaries — you can buy the visa stamp yourself at the official bank window before passport control. It is worth checking the current visa requirements on the website Russian embassy in Egypt.
Arrival card
Before passport control you need to fill in an arrival card — sometimes it is handed out on the plane. Take a pen in your hand luggage: a small thing that saves time right after landing.
Passport
Before departure, check the validity of your passport. For a trip to Egypt it must be valid for at least 6 months on the date you leave the country.
Do Russian cards work in Egypt?
Visa and Mastercard bank cards issued by Russian banks do not work abroad. So tourists from Russia should take cash dollars for the whole trip.
Which currency to take to Egypt
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). In the tourist areas of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, dollars and euros are also widely accepted, so it is not necessary to exchange the whole amount into pounds in advance.
Can you drink tap water?
Tourists are not advised to drink tap water. For drinking it is better to buy bottled water — it is sold in every shop and is inexpensive.
Sun protection is needed all year round
The sun in Egypt is strong even in winter and in windy weather. It is especially easy to get sunburned on a sea trip, on the islands, while snorkeling or on a safari. Take SPF 50 cream, sunglasses and a hat.
Internet and mobile connection in Egypt
Hotel Wi-Fi does not always work reliably and often only catches in certain areas. If you constantly need messengers, maps and taxis, it is more convenient to buy a local SIM card with mobile internet in advance or set up an eSIM for Egypt while still at home.
Electricity and sockets in Egypt
Egypt uses European type C and F sockets, and the mains voltage is 220 V. For most chargers and devices from Russia an adapter is not needed, but for appliances with a different plug type it is worth taking an adapter in advance.
What to arrange before departure
Three things that are easier and cheaper to sort out at home than on the spot.
Travel insurance
It is better to arrange a medical policy in advance. Compare offers and check whether it covers excursions, diving and active recreation.
eSIM for Egypt
Install the eSIM via QR code while still at home, and the internet will work right after landing. Suitable for phones that support eSIM.
Tour with flight
The search shows offers from tour operators in Moscow: dates, meals and hotel are chosen in one place.
What a tourist should know: what to take to Egypt
- Passport and a copy of the first page.
- Cash dollars and some small bills.
- A pen for the arrival card.
- SPF 50 cream, sunglasses and a hat.
- Swimwear and comfortable shoes.
- A local or international SIM card if you plan to buy one on the spot.
- A socket adapter if your devices have a non-standard plug.
What to see in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh
Do not limit your holiday to the hotel grounds. In Hurghada there are the Red Sea, islands, coral reefs, El Gouna, the desert and historical excursions; you can see the program options on the page excursions in Hurghada.
In Sharm El Sheikh there are Ras Mohammed, White Island, coral reefs, the Sinai mountains, canyons and desert safaris; more details on the page excursions in Sharm El Sheikh. In both cities it is easy to combine a beach holiday with one or two excursions without overloading the trip.
In short: what a tourist should know before a trip to Egypt
The visa, arrival card, passport validity, cash dollars and a local SIM card are simple things worth clarifying before departure. This saves time at the airport and spares you unnecessary surprises on holiday. Most items in this memo take a couple of minutes at home but noticeably simplify the first day at the resort.
Egypt is much more than a hotel, a beach and "all inclusive". Save this memo if you are planning a trip to Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, and share it with those who are flying to Egypt for the first time.
If you are still wondering what a tourist should know before a trip to Egypt, save this article — it will be useful both when preparing for a holiday in Hurghada and when planning a trip to Sharm El Sheikh.
