Egypt Tours & Holidays

Most visitors to Egypt are required to have a visa, which can be arranged through Egyptian consulates worldwide, online via the official website:https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/, or upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport.

Visitors from the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the EU may purchase their visa stamp upon arrival in Egypt. South Africans need to arrange their Egyptian visa prior to arrival. Please note that single-entry tourist visa fee is USD 25 and it can only be paid in USD, GBP or Euro.

Passport validity entry requirements: Travellers entering Egypt must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.

This information is provided only as guidance, we strongly advise that you check with the consulate as this information can change at any time and with little notice. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the required travel documents are ready when travelling.

Yes, all passengers travelling with Travel Talk must have travel insurance before participating in any of our tours. Your guide will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip.

It is your responsibility to make sure you have an adequate and suitable travel insurance in place. You may read more about this here.

Egyptian summers are typically hot and dry throughout the countryside, and humid along the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coast. Winters are mild with occasional rain, but usually bright, sunny days and cold
nights. Spring and Autumn seasons are felt rather shortly,
and during the 50 days (khamaseen) between
the end of March and mid-May, dust storms can
occur sporadically. If you are travelling between
November and March on a tour that includes
trekking on Mt. Sinai or Nile-cruising, you
should expect temperatures to fall considerably
at night. At this time of the year, temperatures can
drop to below zero on Mt. Sinai.

Please make sure to check the Pre-departure file of your tour (found on each tour page online) for the average temperatures at sites visited.

Internet access has become increasingly common in hotels, cafes and restaurants in large Egyptian cities, however the quality of connection differs. Many internet cafes can be found in the cities as well.

Make sure to enable data roaming on your mobile if you wish to use 3G/4G abroad, although the connection may be unreliable in smaller towns and rural areas.

Purchasing an Egyptian SIM card for the duration of your tour may be a cost-effective option. Your guide will be happy to advise on this.

Mobile coverage is generally quite good in urban areas of Egypt, however may be spotty or unavailable at remote areas. Make sure to enable global roaming before leaving home to be able to use your mobile in Egypt. 3G access may be unreliable.

You can check with your mobile provider about your options. Alternatively, purchasing a SIM card in Egypt can be a rather cost-effective option; your guide will be happy to advise on this.

The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the currency of Egypt.
Please see some approximate prices to give you and idea;

• Falafel sandwich: 2-3 EGP
• Restaurant meal: 60-80 EGP
• Pastries: 5-6 EGP
• Cup of Coffee: 4-5 EGP
• Cup of tea: 1-2 EGP

It is not recommended to drink tap water in Egypt unless it is clearly stated to be safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and available throughout the country. However please consider using a reusable water bottle, especially if you’re on a longer trip, and reduce your use of plastic. ALternatively, you may carry water purification tablets with you.

Major credit/debit cards are widely accepted by large retailers, hotels and at touristic sites. However, small shops and vendors may not accept cards, we would recommend to carry cash with you for small purchases.

ATMs are easily found in large cities and touristic areas in Egypt, however are not as common in remote areas or smaller towns. Although they usually offer good exchange rates, some networks may charge heavy transaction fees.

Please note that cards may not be accepted in more remote areas, so we recommend that you have enough cash before departing urban areas.

All tours starting in Cairo include arrival airport transfer if your flight lands in Cairo on the first day of your tour between 5am and 11:30pm or if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, Airport Transfers.

You must inform our call centre or [email protected] of your flight details (date of flight, flight number, arrival time and name of travelers) at least 2 weeks prior to your departure date. If you do not receive confirmation that your pick-up is arranged, please contact us.

You will be picked up by a Travel Talk representative holding a Travel Talk sign at the airport.

For tours ending in Cairo, departure airport transfer is available on the last day of the tour between 05:00 and 17:00, or if you book post-tour accommodation in Cairo through us.

The welcome meeting will be held in the hotel lobby around 6pm with your group and guide. You can find the arrival information for Egypt tours here. If there is any change in your arrival hotel, we will send you an e-mail to inform you before the trip.

Don’t worry if you will miss the welcome meeting on Day 1 as some travellers arrive late in the day – just make sure to let us know in advance.

Depending on the dates and hotel availability, we may be able to arrange pre/post-tour accommodation in Cairo.

You can book pre/post-accommodation during the online booking process, or by contacting us.
Pre and Post-accommodation in Cairo include breakfast & airport transfer.

Solo travellers often join our tours to meet and travel with like-minded adventurers, forming longstanding friendships. We also strive to provide a relaxed and sociable tour experience to allow the group to weld throughout the journey.

Solo travellers will be roomed with another solo traveller of the same gender, or can upgrade to a solo room by paying the single supplement.

There are always solo travelers in Egypt travel. If you don’t mind being roomed with another single traveler of the same gender, you do not need to pay the supplement. Single supplement is for travelers who would like to stay in a single room for the duration of their tour.

Please note that the single supplement is not available on feluccas.

Please contact us with your request & we will do our best to arrange your room accordingly. [email protected] 0208 099 9596

Our tours do not include airfare to/from the destination, and we do not advise on, ticket or sell flights. It is your responsibility to make it to the starting point of your tour on time.

If you provide your dietary requirements at the time of booking, we will do our best to make the necessary arrangements where available. You can leave a comment under the “Notes” section when making an online booking or simply contact us. Please note that gluten-free & vegan options are quite limited in the country.

The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the local currency. Although you can pay with USD and EUR in some places, you’ll always get a better deal paying in the local currency. You can get EGP from ATM’s using your debit card or travel card — withdrawing cash on credit card is less favourable.

Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at tourist sites and large retailers in the cities, however may not be accepted in rural areas or smaller shops. Avoid changing the bulk of your money at the airport as the exchange rates are usually more favorable in the city. Your tour leader will be pleased to help if you need any assistance.

Good news, there isn’t any luggage restriction on our tours as long as you’re able to carry your own luggage – usually just for a very short distance.

If your tour includes felucca stay, we highly recommend to also bring a small bag. This will allow you to leave your luggage on the bus and take your smaller bag on-board for 2 nights.

Tipping service staff is very common in Egypt travel – typically around 10% for a restaurant meal. It is also standard to round up the fare or the bill, and to tip taxi drivers and porters. Please note that locals will expect tips for any service they provide to travellers, including taking a photo.

Your tour guide and crew would be especially appreciative and honored with this kind of traditional gratitude at the end of your tour.

You can join a tour late or miss the Welcome Meeting on Day 1 if you inform us prior to the departure date. Please note that it will be your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements to catch up with the group.

Please contact us at [email protected] or +44 208 099 9596.

For all emergencies, you can contact +44 208 099 7536.

Ramadan (Ramazan) is the Islamic holy month, during which Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset. Fasting means ‘nil by mouth’ including food, water and cigarettes. Ramadan dates move every year, please see below the dates for 2020 and 2021. Some local cafes and restaurants close during the day; however tourists are not expected to fast, and there are many cafes and restaurants that stay open to cater for you.

During Ramadan, you are encouraged to show your respect by not walking around in public eating, chewing gum, smoking or drinking (especially alcohol). It is fine to do so in your hotel or in a cafe/restaurant recommended by your tour leader. Your tour leader will organise lunches and dinners to make Ramadan easier for you. During the month you will find that tourist sites often close early to allow staff to return home in time to break their fast, and shops often open late and close early.

Ramadan Dates:
• 24 April – 23 May 2020
• 12 April – 11 May 2021

If your tour visits Luxor, hot-air ballooning is one of the optional activities on your tour. Please note that optional activities are not operated by Travel Talk and that hot-air ballooning depends on the weather conditions.

Feluccas are basic, traditional sailing boats that have been used on the Nile for centuries. They are very simple sailing boats without engines. Each felucca accommodates 6-8 people and is crewed by a captain and a deck hand – both of whom have grown up along the banks of the Nile. As well as being experienced Nile sailors, they also make the most delicious meals out of simple local ingredients. You may enjoy a lunch of local bread, white cheese, hummus and delicious fresh tomatoes or a dinner of pasta and mixed vegetables with tomato sauce. While the deck is covered with mattresses and cushions for a comfortable sleep on the deck, a light sleeping bag might be preferred if you are travelling in the winter even though blankets are provided.

Simple boats also mean no facilities on-board, however we arrange another boat with on-board facilities to tag along your journey, providing a more comfortable adventure.

Felucca experience is an essential highlight of Egypt travel.

You may have realized that some of our tours have very similar itinararies as each other, except for a few days. For example: Essential Egypt, Felucca Odyssey and Jewels of the Nile.

You will be visiting the same incredible highlights with all these options. The only difference among these is how you spend 2 nights along the Nile.

• Essential (Land) Tours: You will be staying at hotels and drive to the sites. There is still a daily felucca trip on the Nile to experience the Nubian lifestyle.
• Felucca Tours: You will be sleeping on the deck of a traditional felucca for 2 nights, sailing to the temples along the Nile durign the day. It will be a few days days of back-to-basics, recommended to adventure lovers. The most authentic way to experience Egpy.
• Nile Cruise Tours: You will be sailing on a luxury Nile cruise for 2 nights with en-suite facilities and swimming pool on-board.

Camel ride isn’t included in the tour. If you would like to do it, your guide can help you organize it in Giza.