I’ve been fascinated by Egyptian culture for years (queue all the Mummy movies). As a result, I was super excited about heading to Egypt’s capital city, Cairo, with my best friend to explore.
Getting there (Flights/ Requirements):
Commercial flights are available from the US to Cairo, most having layovers in Europe as well as direct flights out of JFK to Cairo on Egypt Air. Be aware of the requirements to enter Egypt:
- Egyptian visa: Can be acquired online, at the nearest Egyptian Embassy or at the point of entry. I did mine online a couple days prior to my trip to get an e-visa. Upon landing, you can get one at Banque Misr. A 30-day tourist visa costs $15/£7.50
- A negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken a maximum 96 hours prior to flight departure.
Print copies of both the visa and test. Digital copies are not accepted. Lastly, temperature checks are in place as soon as you deplane.
Getting around:
Don’t rent a car if you plan to stay in Giza. There are NO stoplights! While natives are probably used to the chaos, the way cars merge into traffic probably would be overwhelming for most Americans to drive in.
But where you staying (Accommodations):
There’s no shortage of nice hotels in Cairo. I recommend staying in Giza for easy access to the Pyramids. Hotel Recommendations (~$150 USD/ night):
- Marriott Mena House or Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah. I stayed at Marriott Mena House and spectacular views of the pyramids with coffee for breakfast. Additionally, this area in Giza requires armed guards to enter, and the hotel stops all vehicles entering to check inside the car and each person’s temperature.
- Pyramids View Inn is a more affordable hotel choice, a boutique hotel also with pyramid views.
“Death is but the doorway to new life. We live today, we shall live again. In many forms shall we return.” ~ Egyptian prayer of resurrection
What to Do:
- Pyramids duh! Ancient Egyptians focused heavily on death and the afterlife, and as a result, they planned years for death. According to Egyptian beliefs, death isn’t the final state but more of a transition, and pyramids were built as tombs for Egypt’s royalty. It’s easy to spend a whole day basking in the marvel of the Pyramids. Be sure to check these out:
- Memphis: 1st Egyptian capital (2300 BC) and open museum for King Ramses.
- Sakkrah: Area including the oldest pyramid in the world and oldest all stone structure in world (4,700 years old). Scientist just discovered new temples and coffins at Sakkrah in January of 2021.
- Giza Plateau: Home to the iconic Egyptian monuments (3 tall pyramids and the Great Spinx). Check out the nightly light show.
- Memphis: 1st Egyptian capital (2300 BC) and open museum for King Ramses.
- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities: Home of the world’s largest
collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and the King Tut Treasure Room. A state of the art brand new museum is slated to open mid 2021, estimated at $1 billion and will house the largest collection of King Tut relics ever displayed. - Camel Ride: Camel rides are plentiful in Cairo and available in the Giza Plateau area (~$20 USD). Camel riding can be… tricky. It’s certainly not as smooth as a horseback ride but more fun and make for an amazing photo. Throughout Egyptian history, camels have served as a status symbol of wealth and a dependable source of transportation.
- Desert camping: I was a little too skeptical to camp out in the desert but for those that enjoy the outdoors, this could make for an unforgettable experience.
- Khan Al-Khalili Market: A medieval-style street flee market mall. The shops stock everything you can think of. Most shops and stalls open from around 9am to well after sundown (except Friday morning and Sunday). Be mindful, there are people selling tourist souvenirs, jewelry, hookah, etc, everywhere you look. Make sure to negotiate the price on anything you buy, starting at half the asking price.
- ATVs rides in the desert
- Guided Tours (optional): I hired a tour guide who provided historical context for all sites as well as helped navigate Cairo. Being women, it was super helpful as we felt much more safe having someone to guide us. The guide used was Ahmed Mido. He not only took amazing photos but provided comic relief.
- Nile Cruise: For dinner, be sure to catch a 2-3 hour dinner cruise of the Nile, showcasing Egyptian culture with belly dancing and great music.
Food:
Egyptian falafel is an all-time favorite street food and is eaten by many for breakfast daily. There are tons of American restaurants if you don’t want to venture and try new dishes (Starbucks, KFC, McDonald’s, etc)
OMG What do I wear?
- Although not mandated, I suggest women wear modest clothing (no low cutting shirts, super tight or short dresses). Additionally, the weather in December can be windy. Take a nice shawl or sweater to drape over your shoulders. However summer temperatures are over 95 degrees Fahrenheit so dress accordingly but respectful of the culture.
Helpful Apps/ Tools:
- Download the Currency App to convert from USD to Egyptian pound. ($1USD = E£ 15.69)
- Convert cash either before leaving the US or at the airport
- Don’t let anyone help with bags in the airport. They will expect a tip. Same with the market or tourist spots. They are very bold about asking for tips.
- When hassled to buy things: Say “la’a shukran” which means “no thank you” in Arabic, and they’ll leave you alone.
- Most people are friendly but be mindful of surroundings
- The city and most of the pyramids are very dusty so make sure to wear shoes that you’re ok getting dirty
COVD-19
- Besides PCR tests, note that masks were not often worn in public spaces or tourist areas.
- The CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Egypt due to COVID-19. For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov
If you do decide to travel to Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe and happy travels.
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