Capital:
The capital of Egypt is Cairo.
Tongue:
The official language of Egypt is Arabic. English, German and/or French are often spoken in tourist areas.
The time difference:
Egypt decided to reintroduce daylight saving time in 2023. This will not happen at the same time as we switch to DST in Denmark. From April 28, Egypt is ahead of Danish time by 1 hour.
Currency:
The Egyptian currency is the pound, and 100 pounds corresponds to approximately 22 Danish kroner. In many places you can also use euros or US dollars. Major credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas, and there are ATMs, although they are regularly closed.
OBSERVATION: Egyptian banks no longer accept Danish kroner, so Danish money cannot be used as payment anywhere in Egypt. Bring euros or dollars if you want to exchange locally.
Many foreign companies accept payment in Danish kroner. This means that in some places you can pay in Danish kroner when paying abroad with a Visa/Dankort, MasterCard or Maestro card. However, you should be aware that the odds are rarely in our favor.
Religion:
In Egypt, 95% of the population is Muslim and religion plays an important role in the daily lives of local Egyptians. You won't notice this in the Red Sea holiday destinations, but if you're going on a trip to Luxor or Cairo, we recommend that you dress appropriately. Make sure shoulders and knees are covered.
Ramadan:
Ramadan plays an important role in Egypt. Although not everything is closed in tourist areas, it is important to keep this in mind. Ramadan 2023 will be from March 22 to April 20, but the exact date may still change (depends on the lunar calendar).
Special Luggage:
If you wish to bring special baggage, you can indicate this in "Step 1" of your online booking. If you tick this, we will contact you after placing your order for further arrangements. Examples of special baggage include: kitesurfing equipment, diving equipment, golf equipment, bicycle, surfboard, musical instruments and fishing equipment.
Please note that your special baggage may not always be included in a regular transfer. In some cases, the inclusion of special baggage in a regular transfer incurs an additional fee. Diving equipment can be brought by regular transfer at no extra cost. In some cases, a special transfer may be required. You bear the costs associated with this at your own expense. If you have specified special baggage when booking online, we will consider transfer options at a later date.
Observewhich are strictly prohibited from being brought into Egypt by drone. In this case, the drone should be left at the airport.
Current:
Egypt uses 220 volts, as does Denmark, but plug holes are generally narrower than Denmark, so an adapter may be required.
Passport and Visa:
If you are going on holiday to Hurghada and Marsa Alam, you need a visa.
A visa can be purchased in several ways:
1. Directly at the time of booking or through the Sunweb call center. Together with your travel documents, you will receive a voucher to be given to your local Sunweb representative upon arrival at the airport in Egypt. It costs 230 DKK.
2. At the bank counter at the airport (cost approximately USD 27 + taxes. This price is subject to change by the authorities). Waiting times can be long here. It is recommended to bring cash with you.
You will often pass faster if a visa has already been purchased in advance. You'll also avoid having to deal with currency fluctuations and carry cash in your pocket when traveling. The price includes the service provided, so everything is organized for you online and at the airport. Prices from local visa providers may differ from our prices. We have no influence on this as exchange rates may fluctuate.
On the plane, an "entry card" is issued, which must be completed before customs clearance. It depends on the visa.
* This type of visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. After leaving the country again, the visa expires.
* If you want to stay in Egypt for 30 days or more, you must apply for a visa at the Egyptian embassy.
* You are not a Danish citizen? You can then contact your embassy or consulate for more information.
Please note that travelers to Sharm el Sheikh can usually settle for a Sinai Only visa, which is available free of charge at the airport upon arrival and is simply an entry stamp. With a Sinai-only visa, you can only stay in and around Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab, as well as the surrounding desert (excursions such as general diving, snorkeling, quad biking and Bedouin nights can be undertaken). The visa is valid for 15 days. However, if you want to go on a trip to Cairo or Luxor, you need to buy a visa to Egypt for approx. 230 DKK per person.
The passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of return. Everyone, regardless of nationality and age, must have their own passport when entering Egypt, incl. babies.
Food and drinks:
Egyptian cuisine combines several different cuisines. Persian, Greek, French, Turkish and Italian influences can be found in Egyptian dishes. In Egypt, you can find a lot of falafel, a chickpea dish served in pita bread. It's delicious with yogurt and garlic sauce! Lentil soup also regularly appears on the menu. Egyptians also like sweets. They drink sweet tea and coffee. After a meal or during a relaxing evening, it is customary to smoke sisha (hookah).
Hotel/apartment restaurants often serve mostly international buffets.
The water in Egypt is not like the water you are used to in Denmark. It is not recommended to drink tap water. It is best to buy bottled water at the supermarket or at your accommodation.
Meat in Egypt is halal.
Tip:
Baksheesh is the Egyptian word for tip and it is normal to put around a 10% tip. It is very normal to tip the waiter, housekeeper, cleaning staff, bartender, porter, bus driver and many others.
Please note that the service charge is not a tip but a tax levied by the government.
Opening hours:
Shops are usually open from 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 10pm, and rarely close in the middle of the day in tourist areas. It is not uncommon for some shops to be closed on Friday and Saturday.
Holidays:
*Croptic Christmas (celebrated only by the Coptic people): January 7
* Sinai Liberation Day: April 25
* Labor Day: May 1
* Ramadan: dates vary from year to year
* Suez Canal Evacuation Day: June 18
* Revolution Day: July 23
* Offerfest: July 30 to August 3
* Defense Day: October 6
* Suez Days: October 24
* Victory Day: December 23
Mobile network:
If you have an international phone plan, you can use your phone in Egypt. However, since phone charges are high, it is recommended to limit the use of mobile phones.
Wi-Fi:
Some of our hotels offer free Wi-Fi throughout or in part. However, keep in mind that the dimensions of these Wi-Fi installations are generally not excessive, and the quality varies greatly. Connections can be especially difficult during periods when individual hotels and resorts have many guests.
If you need an internet connection, for example at work, we recommend that you buy a landline connection at your hotel, if possible. Alternatively, you can get a local data card for less.
Vaccine:
Up-to-date information on vaccines can be found at: https://www.sikkerrejse.dk/vaccinationer/egypten/
Health:
There is a doctor in all hotels. He is on call 24 hours a day and often consults at the hotel. Pharmacies are also open 24 hours a day and can be identified by the word "pharmacy".
Emergency:
If you need the police while on holiday, call 122 and in case of fire call 180. If you need an ambulance call 123.