First time traveller to Egypt.

Dans_Girl

Hello,

My partner and I are going on holidays to Sharm el Sheik next week.

Does anybody have any helpful advice for a first time traveller to Egypt?


Thanks

jackieblack

I was told by a friend (who had learnt from experience )
Don't drink the tap water.
Don't take ice cubes in your drink (because they may have been made with tap water)
Don't rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth with tap water - use bottled water.
Don't accept a bottle of water in a restaurant unless you've seen it being opened. (It may have been an empty bottle which they have refilled with tap water)
Don't eat salads (they may have been washed in tap water)

dmg24

jackieblack wrote: »

I was told by a friend (who had learnt from experience )
Don't drink the tap water.
Don't take ice cubes in your drink (because they may have been made with tap water)
Don't rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth with tap water - use bottled water.
Don't accept a bottle of water in a restaurant unless you've seen it being opened. (It may have been an empty bottle which they have refilled with tap water)
Don't eat salads (they may have been washed in tap water)

Whilst I agree that you should be careful, you should be ok for cleaning teeth and eating salads. I'm at the end of my third day (in Luxor) and no sign of any problems yet!

OP, you'll probably get some hassle to buy things, but a polite 'no thank you' is all you need to get rid. Remember that it is a terrible time for locals, they have very little anyway and the tourists are not coming. It is very sad to see - I have already set aside some money for local childrens and animals charities.

One of the main reasons that people do fall ill is too much sun and dehydration - take breaks and drink lots!

ariba10

jackieblack wrote: »

I was told by a friend (who had learnt from experience )
Don't drink the tap water.
Don't take ice cubes in your drink (because they may have been made with tap water)
Don't rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth with tap water - use bottled water.
Don't accept a bottle of water in a restaurant unless you've seen it being opened. (It may have been an empty bottle which they have refilled with tap water)
Don't eat salads (they may have been washed in tap water)

And wash your hands well after handling money and before you eat.

We had three wonderful weeks there a few years ago with no problems but some members of our party did not.

lollipopsarah

have you checked for vaccinations?
otherwise just go and enjoy yourself, take heed of the bottled water and take lots of sun lotion stuff, keep well hydrated and have a siesta.
please let me know how you get on.
happy holiday
x

Zoetoes

We had the vaccinations before we went but you don't have to.

Perhaps take some hand gel with you.

I didn't find we got hassled (apart from at the pyramids) and I was on my own with the kids.

Do the quad biking, it's about £20 each, both myself and the kids said this was our best day. We used sharmexcursions for both trips and found they were trustworthy and reliable.

We had a really good time and it was our best holiday, enjoy yourself!

lady1964

We've been to Egypt 6 times, 4 times to Sharm but never at this time of year. The advice I would offer is the same as everyone else has already given, can't stress enough about using hand-gel constantly, especially after handling the local money, which by the way, I would change sterling to Egyptian pounds in Sharm, you'll get a better exchange rate.

Don't overdo it on drinks and sunning yourself, the heat will be fierce, we've struggled in late April before now. You won't need any cardi's or wraps, will be hot during the evenings/night.

Be firm if hassled by traders, try not to catch their eye and don't go into the shops when they tell you they have a bargain just for you, heard some scary stories of people being kept there for hours.

Overall, have a great time

Lady1964

tunathe_cat

Egyptian bugs need Egyptian Drugs!
Beware of ice in drinks/ icecream. Food at buffee that are not covered! if possible cook to order. try falafel yum yum.
liquid talc we find keeps midges from biting you.
check price before getting into taxi and negotiate make sure it price per travel not each person!
liquid hand wash to keep in bag at all times, and dont forget to use.
bug bands are good they last for a few days and can be worn in water!
stay on tourist excersions - real Egypt is wonderful but an eye opener sharm is tourist area and clean and quiet.
To drive a car in Egypt is a novel experience no rules!
If you go to cairo fly donot take bus its soo long. in cairo water museum fantastic would recomend. pyramids night lazer show is good both shows have english speaking staff. Or go to resturatantboat on nile . Have been to all with and without our Egyptian relatives.
Have fun relax and dont worry when someone says it only a few minutes .. hours later . its all a different pace.
Take £ coins as tips you will be very well looked after. The pay out in Egypt is poor.

poe.tuesday

whilst getting upset tummy can be caused by unclean water it can also be caused by dehydration so make sure you do drink and add a bit more salt to you meals - also take out some dehydration sachets and imodium as if you do get ill you will need these - you can also get medicine out there which will do the trick but best to take some with you

I have been to egypt 6 times and was only ill the once and that was the first time and due to dehydration, since then, i have always done the above and been fine, I also eat out in the local cafes and eat their salads too, the tomotoes are yummy

just be careful drinking loads of beer etc in the middle of the day and keep out of the midday sun too if you can

most importantly, have fun

lady1964

Hi,
To add, Antinal is your friend in Egypt should you get a dodgy tum, it's cheap & you buy it from the pharmacy there, Immodium can work but in my experience, Antinal is better.
Lady1964

escortg3

I have been once 5 years ago and like you was worried. Ok here is my findings

The bus driver at the airport actually wanted a one pound coin each before he would put our bags on the bus.

when at the hotel we found waiters were coming around and asking for us to change pound coins into notes. (obviously there tips)

We went out of the hotel and the hotel booked us a taxi. We paid in advance for a return trip and was told to only get into the same taxi coming back. Apparently there are fake taxis out there so we were told.

Out of the hotel you are not allowed to drop cigarette butts on the floor. We saw some english getting fined by the local police.

Drink plenty of water as it was really hot. My friend ate alot of salads and had a dodgy stomach, i was fine but i ate mainly bread.

I took factor 15 and 30 suncream but to be honest if i went again i would take a factor 50 for my face and sensitive area's.

Finally at the airport on the coming home there was very little to eat and none of it looked very appetising. Also very little to choose from in duty free. So dont expect to spend your left over money.