Practical Informations
Entry formalities in Egypt
A visa is obligatory.
It can be obtained from any Egyptian Consulate abroad. The following documents are:
- Passeport still valid for 6 months minimum
- One identity picture
- Visa application form available at the Egyptian Consulate
- 25 € in cash corresponding to applied fee for a tourism visa.
For holders of European passports, an entry visa can be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport. Applied fee is 15 USD (or equivalent in € or Egyptian Pounds).
Embassy and Consulates of Egypt in France
Paris / Embassy
56, avenue d’Iéna – 75116 Paris
Tel : 01 53 67 88 30
Fax : 01 47 23 06 43
ambassadedegypteaparis@hotmail.com
Paris / Consulate112-114, rue de la Boétie – 75008 Paris
Tel : 01 45 00 77 01 / 74 27 / 01 45 01 99 89
Fax : 01 45 00 35 28
Marseille / Consulate
166, avenue de Hambourg – 13008 Marseille
Tél : 04 91 25 04 04
Fax : 04 91 73 79 31
Health
Vaccinations
No vaccination is required for travellers from France to Egypte. However, it is recommended to French citizens to update their anti-diphteric, anti-tetanos, anti-poliomyelitic vaccinations and against hepatitis A.
For long stays, it is highly suggested to be vaccinated against typhoïd, hepatitus B and rabies.
Swine flu
Few cases of swine flu have been detected on Egyptian soil. The relevant authorities have taken necessary actions such as controlling body heat temperature on arrival at the airport.
In case of doubt by the sanitary authorities, this control can lead to isolation, analysis and blood test.
Jet lag
There is a one-hour time difference between France and Egypt : When it is 2 p.m. in Egypt, it is 1 p.m. in France.
Safety
For most of the Foreigners living in this country, Egypt is considered as quite a safe country. However and due to persistent regional tensions in the Middle-East, demonstrations can occur in front of mosques and university campus.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid gatherings or riots and to be kept informed of development of national and regional situations.
The touristic police, deployed all over the capital, can be reached by phone: 126 (to dial from a fixed line or from a mobile within Great Cairo area).
Transportation in Cairo
The use of cabs is the most practical mean of transportation in Cairo and its surroundings. Besides the traditional “black and white taxi”, you will now find “yellow cabs” and “white cabs”. Generally part of private companies, these taxis are more comfortable, air-conditioned and most of all equipped with functioning taximeters.
Exchange rate (on September, 9)
1 Euro = 8,00578 Egypt Pounds ; 1 Egypt Pound = 0,124886 Euro
Nature of the electrical network
220 Volts (50 Htz).
Traditions
What to wear
It is highly recommended to wear decent clothes in public. In particular for women, arms and legs (down to knees) should be covered. In general, one must be cautious to its external looking when in contact with the local population.
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol is forbidden in the street. It is however allowed in luxury hotels and touristic restaurants.