Language

Arabic is the official language in Egypt. Egyptian Arabic is a separate dialect from the language spoken in other Arab countries with standard Arabic as the written form used for newspapers and literature. This will usually be understood in most places but there is a colloquial dialect or 'street Arabic' which varies throughout Egypt. The difference in speech between Cairo and Luxor is very noticeable.

But don't worry. Egyptians have an amazing ear for languages and most people who come into contact with tourists will speak English and/or several other European languages. Even before you speak your nationality will be accurately guessed by the way you dress and walk. In the most densely populated tourist areas children from two years old will know how to say 'welcome to Egypt', 'what's your name', 'baksheesh', 'pen', and 'give me money/sweets/cigarette' in lots of languages! The government is now encouraging foreign languages to be taught in schools and older children love to practice their skills.

Time Zone and DST

Egypt is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2) and operates Daylight Savings Time (+1 hour) from the last Friday in April until the last Friday in September.

Climate

A hot, dry country, the temperature of Egypt varies from North to South. Most tourists visit the country in its 'high season' - October to March. Summers are extremely hot, especially in Upper Egypt, where temperatures can easily reach up to 50 C (122 F) in June and July. The average midwinter temperature in Aswan is usually around 25 C (77 F) and 10 C (50 F) in Cairo. In the winter as soon as the sun has set it can feel very cold because of the contrast in temperature. Rainfall is quite rare in Upper Egypt, but you can expect a little rain in the winter months in Cairo and the Delta. A strong dry wind known as the Khamsin (literally 'fifty') blows in March or April for around 50 days from the Western desert, spreading fine particles of sand over everything it touches.

WHAT  TO BRING

Number one not to do is not to wear shorts and sleeves attire to the religious places in Egypt. Dress quite conservatively at your visits to mosques, churches, synagogues and bazaars. Especially women should be more careful about that. In places less used to tourists, you should even more careful.
You must pack:

-Hat
-Sunglasses
-Sun screen above factor eight
-Scarf for head and shoulders for the ladies
-Crease-free, comfortable clothing
-Sweater, jackets, coats and umbrella for the winter traveling (Alexandria, Cairo and night time desert can be quite cold and rainy in winter months such as December, January, February, March and April)
-A torch for the tombs and temples
-Your prescription drugs
-Sanitary pads and panty liners for the ladies.
-Good walking shoes.
-Swimsuits if you are planning to swim.

MONEY

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound. A pound= 100 piastres(pt). There are notes in denominations of 25 and 50 pt and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 pounds. Money can be officially changed at American Express and Thomas Cook offices, commercial banks, foreign exchange (forex) bureaus and many hotels. The most convenient place to exchange your money is the bank located in your hotel or the reception. Note that rates can vary quite a bit between banks though the variations seem to be minimal on the US dollar. Whatever method you use for changing money, make sure you have your passport with you. It's sometimes hard to use travelers' checks. Banks sometimes have a small handling charge on those. Well-known brands of travelers' checks are best and, ideally, you should back them up with your credit card.
You can obtain hard currency or travelers' checks from American Express using an American Express Card or, with a Visa or MasterCard, from Thomas Cook.
American Express, Visa and MasterCard can be used for purchases in a wide range of  stores displaying the appropriate signs.

Visa and MasterCard can be used for cash advances from many branches of Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt as well as Thomas Cook. Banque Misr generally charges no commissions for cash advances, and the limit appears to depend on the terms of your particular card. Outside the big cities cash advances are often impossible, so keep some travelers' checks and/or cash handy.

HEATSTROKE

Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel) can get pretty hot in summer months. Exposure to high temperatures can leave you vulnerable to heatstroke. You should avoid excessive alcohol or strenuous activity when you first arrive in a hot climate. Don't rely on feeling thirsty, drink nonalcoholic beverages and especially water as much as possible to avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Beware of salt deficiency, as well. Use a hat and sunsreeen with as many factors as possible.

FOOD & WATER

Please beware of diarrhea. Do not purchase food which are sold on the streets or in front of the open windows of stores. Do not drink tap water. Always drink the bottled water. Bring good antibiotics with you against tourist diarrhea.

EGYPTIAN MEALS

Although Egyptian eating habits may seem erratic, most natives begin the day with a light breakfast of beans (or bean cakes), eggs, and/or pickles, cheeses, and jams. Most families eat their large, starchy lunch around 1400-1700 and follow it with a siesta. They may take a British-style tea at 1700 or 1800 and eat a light supper (often leftovers from lunch) late in the evening. Dinner parties, however, are scheduled late, often no earlier than 2100, with the meal served an hour or two later. In restaurants lunch is normally 1300-1600, dinner 2000-2400.

Entry Requirements

Visitors are required to possess a passport valid for 6 months from the date of travel. Entry visas are also required from most countries. A tourist visa is valid for a period of 4 weeks and may be either single or multiple entry.

ELECTRICITY

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 hertz. Wall sockets are the round, two pin European type (though for some strange reason the socket holes are often too narrow to accept European plugs). Bring adapter plugs and transformers if necessary.

WHAT TO BUY

-JEWELRY: A cartouche with the name of a friend or relative in hieroglyphs makes a great gift.

-PAPYRUS

-TAPESTRIES AND CARPETS: Showing the daily desert life in natural colors.

-Leather, copperware & brassware, basketware, inlay & woodwork, perfumes, fezzes, cotton goods, spices, musical instruments and onyx.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Egypt is full of opportunities for great photography. It is allowed in many of the ancient sites, however, flash is banned in most of the tombs. At an increasing number of sites, the government charges fees for photography and taking videos. It is forbidden to photograph bridges, railway stations, anything military, airports and other public works. Signs are usually posted. Ask first if you want to take photos of people.