Egypt for the first time - do's or don'ts?

virgin_moneysaver

Hi, me & DH off to Egypt in 3 weeks time, staying in Sharm, 5* all inclusive - our 1st hol abroad in 7 years

any advice welcome on what we should or shouldn't do

daft question, bit like how long is a piece of string, but if we are AI how much spending money roughly are we gonna need for the week, seeing as we intend to stick to the hotel for meals - an acquaintence in the travel industry has just come back from the hotel & recommended it to us & said the food was really good so no need to go out looking for food

mgdavid

if you don't leave the hotel then next to nothing - postcards, tips for pool/towel chappie, and for housekeepers, anything you need from hotel shop - suncream, souvenirs whatever. There may well be a cash machine in the hotel so easy to top up if you take too little ready cash.
But I *do* recommend you go into town a couple of evenings, taxi cheap, shuttle bus cheaper. Town provides good variety of local and other food, open air restaurants are better than inside hotel. Personally I feel like a POW after a couple of days in an AI hotel. You might like an afternoon-evening camel ride into the desert with something to eat under the stars, magical atmosphere.

mick_vandick

Don't over-tip. Genuinely friendly staff will be friendly and helpful no matter if you tip them or not. You may find you get better service if you do tip, you may not. I've seen both happen.
Leaving 20 or so Egyptian Pounds £2) after a night at the bar may mean that next time you won't wait for a drink, it may also mean that you get some crisps!
Tip the maid around 50 Eg £ a week (just under £5) and you will get some extravagant towel art and maybe some extra water
Don't change your money until you get there as you will get a much better rate. To get some small change just go and buy something small from the shop or ask at reception.
Don't get herded into the queue for visas on arrival. If you have no intention of leaving your hotel or the Sharm area you do not need a visa. Write Sinai only on the back of your landing card which you will be given on the flight and proceed straight to passport control. If you intend on leaving Sharm, and this includes visits by land or sea to Ras Mohammed National Park then you will need a visa. Visas cost $15 and if you head to the desks the airport staff tell you to go to it will cost you around £15. What you need to do is head for the banks on your left when you enter, they used to have a sign on them saying $15, and just hand them your passport and the money. if you give them £10 they may ask for another £1 now due to the exchange rate or just change up $15pp before you go and give them that. They will put a sticky visa in your passport and off you go.
The 'reps' at the airport may be quite heavy handed and tell you that you need a visa even if you are staying the Sinai and tell you to head for their desks. Just tell them no firmly and head for the bank if you do want one or passport control if you don't.
Also at the airport, watch out for people trying to help you with your luggage, they will expect a tip, and the man who puts your bag on the transfer bus will also expect a tip. Just tell him 'no change' and walk away.
Don't eat any food from street stands if you do head into Naama Bay.
In Naama Bay get used to the fact that you will get hassled. Give them a smile and a firm no and keep walking.
Don't forget your snorkel! The Red Sea is amazing and never fails to excite me as you always seem to see something new. Get an underwater camera to take some pics of it.
Factor 50 sun cream or a t-shirt is also a good bet for snorkelling. Burnt backs are not much fun!
Take some bottled water for the airport on the way back as it's stupidly expensive in there, as is food. You may find they take it off you at the baggage check but you should be okay.
A smile and a pleasant attitude goes a long way in Egypt with the people.
Have a great time!

bcl999

2 Arabic words I find essential -
La = No
Shukran = Thank you.

pingu

thinking about going to egypt first time in july for 2 weeks can anyone recommend hotel/resort please
family of 3 including 16 year old used to turkey but looking for a change

thank you

sarah69696pink

I've stayed in a few of the Hiltons in Egypt and had a great experience everytime.

bcl999

sarah69696pink wrote: »

I've stayed in a few of the Hiltons in Egypt and had a great experience everytime.

Not the cheapest but I agree.

The Iberotel chain generally gets good reviews too but never used them.

mick_vandick

thinking about going to egypt first time in july for 2 weeks can anyone recommend hotel/resort please
family of 3 including 16 year old used to turkey but looking for a change

Do you want to be able to walk out the hotel and go somewhere or just stay pretty much at the hotel?
Do you want to snorkel/dive while there and how if so, how important is doing this to your holiday? I ask as some places you can do it from the shore and others not.
Do you prefer hotels with numerous eating/drinking options or smaller hotels?
Are you interested in seeing the old sights (Cairo/Luxor)or not bothered?
Let me know and i'm happy to make some suggestions!

Mr_Wang

sarah69696pink wrote: »

I've stayed in a few of the Hiltons in Egypt and had a great experience everytime.

I bet the Hilton Golf resort doesn't factor into that?

Awful place.

pingu

mick_vandick wrote: »

Do you want to be able to walk out the hotel and go somewhere or just stay pretty much at the hotel?
Do you want to snorkel/dive while there and how if so, how important is doing this to your holiday? I ask as some places you can do it from the shore and others not.
Do you prefer hotels with numerous eating/drinking options or smaller hotels?
Are you interested in seeing the old sights (Cairo/Luxor)or not bothered?
Let me know and i'm happy to make some suggestions!

we usually do 1 or 2 day trips but not always depends on the how expensive they are to be honest

i do go walk about like to see local life culture etc
no water activties im not fan of water:o
have stayed in holidays villages and small hotels so its not that important
had a look last night at iberotel luxor and kirosiez resort naama bay
and the look nice

bcl999

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I bet the Hilton Golf resort doesn't factor into that?

Awful place.

Not heard of that one. Where is it? Does it go by another name?