Egypt Travel – Getting there and around

Egypt’s mystical and timeless appeal has foroptions to get around the country in an easy and
centuries seen the ancient country being rankedcomfortable way. The options range from car rental,
among the most spectacular sightseeing destinationsluxury trains, and coaches to domestic flights to
in the world.connect tourist cities.
Egypt is reached by air, water as well as road andIf you are coming in through Cairo International, you
rail. Those travelling by air can come in through Cairohave the option of renting a limousine with fixed fees
International Airport, Alexandria, Nozah, Luxor andaccording to your accommodation location from the
Aswan in Upper Egypt, Hurghaba in the Red Seaairport, or use Cairo airport transportation service
area, and Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai.which covers all the country and airports. You can
There are several airliners that offer Egypt flightsrequest for this service through your travel agent or
including British Airways, Alitalia, Turkish Airlines,from the information desk at the airport.
Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, and ThaiThe easiest and most common way of moving within
Airways International.any city is by taxis. This are easily available in the
In addition to airports there are a number of marinemajor cities, Cairo, for instance, has a fleet of
harbors for those that prefer to travel by sea. Forair-conditioned and metered yellow cabs. One is
those travelling on the Mediterranean Sea, the portswhoever advised to book their taxis at least an hour
of Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta are all possiblebefore their intended time for their trip. In some
entry points. There is also a port right at the Gulf ofcases it is recommended that you ask for a receipt
Suez and another, the port of Nuweiba on the Gulfas proof of payment to avoid any inconvenience
of Aqaba. The Red Sea offers three options forlater.
travellers; the ports of Hurghaba, Safaga, and SharmAlternatively one could catch a regular taxi on the
El-Sheikh.street or even in front of their hotel. They are
For those who prefer road trips, there are threeusually coloured depending on the city they operate
overland entry posts. The Salloum entry post isin. in Alexandria they are yellow and black, in Cairo
located on the northwestern border (for thosethey are black and white. It is very important to
coming in from Lybia). The famous Rafah crossing isknow the colour codes in different cities so that you
on the northeastern border for those coming in fromminimize risks.
the Gaza strip, the Occupied Territories, and Israel.Egypt’s major cities have a healthy bus system
On the eastern border there is a post at Taba forwithin and between the cities. Examples of which are
those coming in from Israel.Super Jet, Delta and Upper Egypt buses. They go
Getting the right paper work and visa is essential tofrom city to city and they provide catering facilities,
a stress free entry into Egypt. Non-Egyptian visitorstoilets and on board entertainment. The con in
arriving in Egypt are required to be in possession of atravelling with buses is that they stop far too often
valid passport. Visas can be obtained from either thethus taking too long especially on long distance trips.
Egyptian Diplomatic and consular Missions Abroad, Rail travel is highly recommended for long distance
the Entry Visa Department, or from Immigration andtravel.
Nationality Administration (TDINA). However it is The underground, which is comprised of two long
possible for visitors to obtain an entry visa at anylines, is the cheapest and fastest way to move inside
major points of entry.Cairo and Giza governorate especially in the rush
Visitors entering Egypt at the overland border posthours (from 2 pm to 5pm). The first, from Helwan to
to Taba to visit Gulf of Aqaba coast and St.El Marg has 33 stops; the second, from Giza to
Catherine can be exempted from visa and granted aShoubra El Khema has 18 stops. Note that the first
free residence permit for fourteen days to visit thecarriage on each train is always strictly for women.
area. Citizens of the following countries are requiredSummer working hours are from 6:00 am to 1:00 am
to be in possession of a pre-arrival visa: Afghanistan,and winter working hours are from 6:00 am to 12:00
Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh,pm.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya, Croatia, Georgia, India,Many transportation companies offer a wide choice
Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia,of luxury cars and coaches with well trained drivers.
Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldavia,Car rental agencies are represented in the major
Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Thecities as well as the international and domestic
Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sri-Lanka,airports. The train is one of the best ways to travel
Tadzhikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,between major Egyptian cities.
Uzbekistan and all African countries.Three kinds of trains are available: the ordinary, the
Those in possession of a residence permit in Egyptexpress, and the turbo. The express and the turbo
are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leaveare the more expensive options, but they come with
the country and return to it within the validity of theirthe advantage of a pampered journey taking you to
residence permit or within six months, whicheveryour destination rapidly with all catering facilities and
period is less.air-conditioning. An excellent turbo train service is
There are three kinds of visas to Egypt. Tourist visasavailable between Cairo and main cities around the
are usually valid for a period not exceeding threecountry. The train takes about   two hours to go
months and granted on either single or multiple entryfrom Cairo to Alexandria.
basis. Entry visa are required of any visitors arriving inFor those who prefer to travel by air locally, Egypt
Egypt for purposes such as work, and study that areAir - the national carrier - links most of the tourist
not related to tourism. This visa is necessary for thecities in Egypt with its reliable domestic flights. It is
completion of the residence procedure in Egypt.possible to fly directly from Luxor to Sharm El Sheikh
Transit visas are made available to travellers transitingor Alexandria.
through Egypt. Once in Egypt, visitors have different