- Important points
- Choosing wings
- Hotel or apartment
- Transport subtleties
- Nightingales are not fed with fables
- Useful details
- The perfect trip to Egypt
The land of grandiose ancient structures, a bright sea and colorful oriental bazaars, Egypt has long and firmly occupied the top line of the rating of the most favorite resorts of Russian tourists. The land of the pharaohs has everything for an amazing and memorable vacation - clean beaches and a varied buffet menu, an exciting excursion program and comfortable hotels, tireless animation by the pools and world-class diving. The popularity of travel to Egypt among a Russian citizen can only be compared with the indispensable outings to barbecues with the onset of spring, with the only difference that the country of gray pyramids is ready to unfold its self-assembled tablecloth at any time of the year.
Important points
- Russian citizens need a visa to Egypt, but the process of issuing it does not cause any particular problems. You can get the cherished entry permit right at the airport in the arrivals area by paying $ 25 and presenting a passport valid for at least another six months.
- If you are planning a vacation in South Sinai (the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh is located there) and do not intend to travel outside the country during the entire trip to Egypt, you will be issued a visa upon arrival free of charge.
- Egyptian customs officers can inspect the baggage of a tourist leaving the country. The purpose of the inspection is items prohibited for export. Seashells, corals and ivory make up this list.
Choosing wings
Due to the fact that direct flights between Russia and Egypt were suspended by the decision of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, direct charters between Russian cities and Egyptian resorts were temporarily canceled. Prices for regular connecting flights are significantly higher than for charter flights.
You can get to Egypt with connections in most European countries:
- A flight from Moscow to Hurghada will be the cheapest with Turkish Airlines. A ticket costs about $ 400, and you will have to stay in the sky for about 6 hours.
- You will have to pay a little more for a ticket on board Brusseis Airlines or Smart Wings. The flight Moscow - Hurghada with a docking in Brussels or Prague will last a little over 7 hours, excluding the transfer. Issue price - from 450 $ -500 $.
- Flights from the capital of Russia to Sharm el-Sheikh are operated by Turkish airlines and some Europeans with connections in Istanbul, Frankfurt, Prague, respectively. The cost of such a flight exceeds $ 500.
Hotel or apartment
Hotels in Egyptian resorts are represented by a wide list of both global chains and local brands. The all-inclusive system, loved by the Russian traveler, is popular both in Hurghada and Sharm, and any tourist can choose the hotel of his dreams here.
The "Fives" in Hurghada are reasonably inexpensive and advance booking allows you to find an excellent hotel at a price of $ 40 per night with breakfast and free internet. These hotels boast a well-groomed green area, several swimming pools, including children's pools, proximity to the sea and an excellent animation program. Food and drinks are available throughout the day at the buffet and in bars throughout the hotel.
Hotels with four stars on the facade in Hurghada are even cheaper and you can rent a room for $ 35 per day. Guests are guaranteed cozy, comfortable apartments with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Younger guests will love the water slides, while adults will enjoy a wide selection of national cuisine in several restaurants in each hotel. The hotel beaches are closed to outsiders, and the spa offers wellness massage treatments.
Hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh are a little more expensive and a 5 * room will cost from $ 50 * in the "low" season, and you can stay in a "four" for $ 40. All inclusive meals are included in the price.
Renting an apartment or house in Egyptian resorts is even cheaper, but for security reasons this is not recommended.
Transport subtleties
Traveling around the country is more convenient, safer and fastest by plane. Prices for air tickets in Egypt are highly dependent on the season, but with advance booking, you can fly from Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo and back for only $ 50-$ 60. Such an excursion to the pyramids and to the Cairo National Museum will not tire even young tourists too much. The flight from Sharm to Luxor can be booked for $ 150.
The second popular type of Egyptian transport among travelers is buses. They run between all major cities and resorts. It is advisable for foreigners to choose tourist-class buses, which are more comfortable, although cars for locals, called baladis, are quite suitable for short-distance travel.
Urban transport is represented by local "minibuses" and taxis. Travel within the city limits is not too expensive and is approximately $ 0.30. A taxi will cost a maximum of $ 3 -4 $ during the day and one and a half to two times more in the dark. Agree on the price of the trip in advance, as Egyptian taxi drivers tend to extort extra money upon arrival at their destination.
Nightingales are not fed with fables
Egyptian cuisine is quite varied. The basis of dishes in the menu of local cafes and restaurants are meat and fish, seafood and vegetables, flavored with a solid portion of Arabian spices and seasonings. In Egypt, excellent coffee is prepared, which is served with oriental sweets, halva, a variety of pastries and honey.
The average bill in a good restaurant will be $ 15 -20 $, and in a simpler cafe you can keep within $ 6-10. Street food is available starting at $ 2 per serving. Street vendors' menus include falafel and kebabs, shawarma and grilled meats, fried fish and couscous with vegetables. The portions are usually generous.
You can easily diversify your dinner with alcohol by including beer (from $ 0.50 per glass) or wine (from $ 10 per bottle of local) to your order.
Useful details
- Car rental in Egypt is not for the faint of heart. The peculiarities of local driving do not leave the European a chance to enjoy driving. Pedestrians should also be careful when crossing the street.
- To have a stable and inexpensive telephone connection, buy a SIM card from a local Egyptian operator. A minute of conversation with Russia will cost about 10-15 rubles, and the minimum card price will be $ 2.
- Try to change money at banks, as exchange offices at hotels offer extortionate rates, and street assistants almost always try to deceive tourists.
- When choosing a hotel, ask for a safe in your room and do not forget to put your valuables and money there.
- Avoid ice in drinks and peeled fruits offered by street vendors. use only bottled water for drinking.
The perfect trip to Egypt
If you can handle the heat easily, Egypt boasts beach-friendly weather all year round. In summer, the heat can reach + 50 ° С, but we are talking about the desert regions of the country. And in the resorts, the intense heat is softened by the proximity of the sea, and even in July and August, Egyptian beaches are full of vacationers.
The optimal time to travel to the Red Sea resorts is April-May and October-November. At this time, the temperature of the air and water in the sea averages + 28 ° C and + 26 ° C, respectively, and relaxing on the beaches is especially comfortable and healthy.
The excursion program in Egypt can be planned for the winter. In December-February, there are few tourists, the average daily air temperature rarely rises above + 20 ° C, and therefore walks in Giza, where the pyramids are located, in Luxor or Cairo with its famous museum of antiquities will be pleasant and stress-free.
