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Travel Information

Passports

A full 10 year passport is required by all EU and EEA citizens with at least six months validity beyond the return date. Requirements for citizens of other countries may vary. Please contact your local Egyptian embassy for more information.

Visas

A visa is required by all EU and EEA citizens, and can be bought on arrival at the airport. Visitors to Sharm el Sheikh do not require a visa if they stay within the resort; a visa is required for most excursions outside the resort. Requirements for citizens of other countries may vary. Please contact your local Egyptian embassy for more information and for current visa prices.

Health & Entry

Guests are responsible for complying with the entry and health requirements for all the countries they visit. These regulations can change so we recommend that you consult your doctor before booking and refer to any official advice offered by your government.

Local Time

Egypt observes „Eastern European Time“ all year, with no changes for daylight saving. This means that Egypt is 1 hour ahead of Central European Time in winter (2 hours ahead of UK/Ireland), and same as Central European Time in summer (1 hour ahead of UK/Ireland).

Money & Exchange

1 Egyptian pound (EGP or LE) = 100 piasters. Exchange rate 1 euro = approx. 18 LE. There are no limits on the import of foreign currencies. Money can be changed in the hotel or at major commercial banks. Most of our hotels have an ATM on site or nearby.

Language

The official language is Arabic. English, French and German are widely spoken in tourist areas.

Electricity

The electricity voltage is 220V and uses a European-style socket.

Mobile Phones

Your mobile phone provider will inform you of the charges for calls, SMS and data. Network coverage in tourist areas is good, although you may have some problems getting a signal in the more secluded areas.

Health & Safety

Your health and safety are of great importance to us. We take every step possible to maintain hygiene in our hotels, including using only treated water for cooking, and independent monitoring of our food safety and procedures. We recommend drinking bottled water, not tap water, and that you wash your hands with soap and water before dining.

Medical Care

Medical care is widely available in Egypt. Hotel doctors in tourist areas speak English and are available on call. Most hotels have a pharmacy on site or nearby. The provision of medicines is subject to state control. The level of professional care can be compared with Central European standards.

Religion

The main religion in Egypt is Islam. The second largest religion is Coptic Christianity. When visiting religious sites such as mosques, monasteries and churches, you will be expected to cover up, wear long trousers or a skirt, and in some case a headscarf. You may be asked to remove your shoes. If in doubt, we will be happy to advise.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the Holy month. Fasting starts before sunrise and ends at sunset. Those observing Ramadan may not consume any food or drink during this period. The dates for Ramadan change each year.

Dress Code

Most hotels have a dress code for dining in the restaurants in the evenings, or men and women. This usually means no swimwear, shorts, jeans or trainers, but the specific requirements may vary between hotels and individual restaurants, so check with your hotel on arrival.

Tipping

Tipping generally known as Baksheesh, is standard practice in Egypt, it is advisable to keep plenty of small change / notes for tipping purposes. The general rule is to tip little and often. You will be expected to tip porters, waiters, pool attendants, barmen, boat crew, coach drivers and taxi drivers, in general anyone who offers you any type of service.