Egypt2024-01-10T11:08:51+01:00

Egypt

Travel tips for Egypt

Top 5 Experiences

The land of the pharaohs surprises its visitors with colossal statues, architectural masterpieces, the picturesque Nile Valley and the wonderful underwater world of the Red Sea. The highlights include:

Kairo - (c) Alex Azabache -Pexels

Cities of pharaohs

The numerous time-honored cities, which include parts from different epochs, are home to historically significant buildings, mosques, traditional markets, teahouses, public baths and much more. In Cairo, the second largest metropolis in Africa and the oldest city in the world, one can find the pyramids of Gizeh, the Sphinx and the famous Egyptian Museum.

(c) Jeremy Zero - unsplash

Nile

With a length of 6,671 km, the Nile is the longest river in the world and is known as the worldwide largest open-air museum. The surrounding Nile landscape is rich in contrast and alternates between green spaces and desert landscape. The animal population is also very diverse: during a Nile cruises one can observe a wide variety of bird species such as flamingos, Egyptian geese and pelicans as well as discover numerous hippos in the Southern area of the Nile.

(c) Alberto Capparelli - Pexels

Cultural heritage

Due to its ancient civilizations, Egypt is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Along the Nile one can admire the huge temple complex of Ramses II in Abu Simpel or the oldest monastery in Christendom. Well-preserved ancient cities such as Thebes and Abu Mena as well as the necropolis of the Valley of the Kings near Luxor invite one to travel back in time.

(c) Taryn Elliott - Pexels

Sahara

The largest dry desert on Earth covers most of Egypt. The impressive landscape consists of sand dunes, stone deserts, mountains and valleys. The sunrises and sunsets in the Sahara and the Eastern Mountain Desert offer a wonderful play of colors that should not be missed. On the Sinai Peninsula one can still meet Bedouins and their traditional way of life.

(c) Pexels- Julia Näther

Red Sea

The Red Sea is a paradise for nature lovers with its dream beaches and coral reefs. Over 1,200 fish and more than 250 coral species, starfish, dolphins and much more make the underwater world one of the most beautiful experiences. There are many seaside resorts, port cities and fishing villages along the coast that invite to relax.

Tourist infrastructure

Egypt has a well-developed flight network, which handles both domestic and international flights with numerous international and national airports.

The infrastructure of the North African country has been significantly expanded in recent years. Cairo is the hub of the entire rail, road and air transport network and has the only fully developed subway network in Africa. Buses and taxis are the main modes of transport in the small and large cities of the country.

The choice of accommodation in Egypt is huge, especially in the big cities and around the Red Sea! It ranges from renowned resorts and boutique hotels to North African riads to ship cabins for river cruises. Some accommodations seem to derive from a dream from 1001 nights.

Climate and travel season

With its mainly mild climate, Egypt is a year-round travel destination. Even in winter the temperatures reach an average of 22°C, but it can cool down to 5 °C at night. The climate varies depending on the region – at the coast or around the Nile Delta there is a Mediterranean climate, while in Cairo, Central and Upper Egypt, the temperatures are desert-like. In the summer months it can get very hot and dry with temperatures around 35 °C. The best travel time for the whole country is from mid-March to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-November.

Visa and entry

To enter Egypt, Germans, Austrians and Swiss need a passport which must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip. In addition, a visa is required. This can be applied for as an e-visa at the embassy or online on the Visa2Egypt platform. An e-Visa costs € 34.95. It is also possible to obtain the visa „on arrival“ upon entry. The latter is issued directly at the airport counter and costs 25 USD (approx. € 21.50), but requires waiting times.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Egypt

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Country information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    Entry into Egypt is possible for tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland via the international airports. Due to the currently stricter entry restrictions, it is recommended to apply for a visa before departure. Due to Covid-19, entry controls and temperature measurements can be expected at all airports. All entrants must present a negative PCR test result, not older than 72 hours, in English or Arabic. When entering via Frankfurt Airport, the test result must not be older than 96 hours. Children under six years of age are exempt from the obligation to test. Alternatively, proof of complete vaccination status with a WHO-approved vaccine can be provided.

    In case one directly enters through Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Marsa Matrouh, one has the option to have the required PCR test carried out for a fee upon arrival at the respective airports. Until the result is available, travelers must immediately enter a quarantine in their hotel room. If the test is positive, further quarantine measures are taken. A health card with information about the health insurance must also be filled upon on arrival.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Für Einreisende in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in einem Risikogebiet aufgehalten haben, besteht seit dem 08. November 2020 die Pflicht, sich unverzüglich in eine zehntägige Quarantäne zu begeben. Darüber hinaus müssen Reisende vor ihrer Ankunft in Deutschland ihre Einreise unter https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de ➝ anmelden und den Nachweis über die entsprechende Anmeldung mit sich führen. Nach frühestens fünf Tagen können sich die Reiserückkehrer Covid-19 Test unterziehen. Mit einem anschließenden Negativergebnis kann die Quarantänepflicht frühzeitig beendet werden.

ACHTUNG: Wer sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in Deutschland in einem Hochinzidenz-Gebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet aufgehalten hat, muss bereits bei Einreise einen ärztlichen Nachweis oder ein negatives Testergebnis bei sich tragen und diesen bei Aufforderung der zuständigen Behörden vorlegen können. Der Test darf nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Einreise sein. Darüber hinaus ist das negative Testergebnis auch vor Antritt der Rückreise dem entsprechenden Beförderer vorzulegen. Sollte es den Einreisenden aus etwaigen Gründen in einem Hochinzidenzgebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet nicht möglich sein, sich vor Abreise testen zu lassen, können die entsprechenden Beförderer vor Abreise einen Schnelltest durchführen und bei Negativergebnis die Beförderung vornehmen. Der Beförderer darf den Test maximal 12 Stunden vor Abreise durchführen. Dieser Test muss den Anforderungen des RKI entsprechen: https://www.rki.de/tests ➝

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    In Egypt, a minimum distance of 1.5 m must be maintained throughout the country. When traveling within the country, health exams with temperature measurements and tests for Covid-19 can take place. In the event of a positive test or symptoms of illness, isolation in government hospitals can be required. Offices and public institutions as well as sports facilities, parks, museums, restaurants and shops are open to a limited extent.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    Egypt requires mouth and nose protection in public places.

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    It is recommended to wash hands regularly. Further information on a valid catalogue of measures is not available.

Status: 01.10.2021

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