🇪🇬 Egypt

Egypt straddles Africa and Asia where ancient pharaonic heritage collides with Arab Islamic identity creating complex national character. Egyptian culture emphasizes family honor, hospitality codes older than Islam itself, and 'inshallah' (God willing) philosophy reflecting spiritual approach to unpredictable daily life. The concept of 'ahwa' (coffeehouse) defines social interaction - smoke-filled traditional cafés where men debate politics, play backgammon, and solve neighborhood problems over endless glasses of tea. Coptic Christians (10-15% population) maintain ancient traditions predating Arab conquest by 600 years, creating religious mosaic most Egyptians navigate peacefully. Post-2011 revolution generation grapples with economic hardship, political uncertainty, and social conservatism while staying connected globally through smartphones and social media. Mediterranean coast cities like Alexandria maintain European cosmopolitan heritage distinct from Upper Egypt's conservative villages. Egyptians will feed you until uncomfortable, insist you stay longer, and take personal offense at refusal of hospitality - guests are gifts from God in culture where family reputation depends on generous treatment of strangers.

Prayer Time Respect: Five daily calls to prayer starting 4:30-5 AM depending on season, Friday noon prayers (12-2 PM) mean traffic chaos around mosques and reduced business hours. Ramadan Rhythm: Month-long fasting means restaurants closed or limited until sunset, cities transform into night markets post-iftar, travel during this period requires flexibility and patience. Conservative Dress: Cover shoulders and knees everywhere, women should bring scarves for mosques and conservative areas, coastal resorts more relaxed but still modest compared to Western beaches. Right Hand Protocol: Eating, greeting, and money handling always with right hand (left considered unclean for bathroom use), locals immediately notice violations of this rule. Haggling Is Expected: Markets and taxis require negotiation, starting price often 3-5x real value, walking away brings vendors chasing with better offers. Tipping Culture: 'Baksheesh' expected for every service from bathroom attendants to helpful strangers, small bills (5-20 EGP) essential for daily interactions. Photography Permissions: Never photograph military installations, bridges, or government buildings, always ask before photographing people (especially women), tourist sites charge camera fees. Traffic Survival: Crossing streets requires confidence - wait for locals and move with group, cars rarely stop for pedestrians, defensive walking essential skill.

Egyptian society revolves around extended family, religious identity, and historical pride balanced against economic frustration. 'Inshallah' culture means appointments and promises always conditional on God's will - flexibility and patience required when locals say 'bukra' (tomorrow) knowing it might mean next week. Regional identities strong - Cairo urbanites differ from Alexandria's Mediterranean cosmopolitanism, Upper Egypt (Sa'id) maintains conservative tribal traditions, Nubians preserve distinct language and culture. Coffeehouse philosophy centers male social life - ahwas serve as democracy forums where taxi drivers debate politics with professors, but traditional venues remain male-dominated despite modernization. Gender dynamics complex - cities show educated women working professionally while villages maintain traditional gender separation, harassment exists but locals protective of foreign women once relationships established. Coptic-Muslim relations generally peaceful in daily life despite occasional tensions - shared Egyptian identity and neighborhood bonds transcend religious divisions for most people. Revolution fatigue pervasive - 2011 hope replaced by economic hardship and political disillusionment, but Egyptians maintain dark humor and resilience through struggles. Loud communication normal - what sounds like argument to foreigners is just locals discussing weather enthusiastically, gesturing wildly while standing closer than Western comfort zones allow.

Spring (March-May): Perfect weather 20-30°C, fewer crowds than winter, Coptic Easter and Sham el-Nessim spring festival bring cultural celebrations, desert blooms briefly after rare rains. Summer (June-August): Brutally hot 35-42°C in cities, scorching in Upper Egypt, coastal areas like Alexandria pleasant with Mediterranean breezes, locals flee Cairo for beaches, budget travelers benefit from low prices. Autumn (September-November): Comfortable temperatures return 25-35°C, tourist season begins, Nile cruises resume full schedule, cultural events and festivals increase. Winter (December-February): Peak tourist season with ideal 18-25°C weather, can be surprisingly cold at night (10°C), occasional rain in Alexandria and delta, Christmas and New Year bring crowds to major sites. Ramadan Considerations (March 10 - April 8, 2025): Reduced business hours and restaurant closures until sunset, unique cultural atmosphere during evening iftars, Eid al-Fitr celebrations bring 3-day shutdown.

Trains: Egyptian National Railways connects major cities, 1st class air-conditioned trains Cairo-Alexandria (2.5 hours, EGP 100-200) comfortable, sleeping trains to Luxor/Aswan recommended, locals warn 2nd/3rd class overcrowded. Buses: Go Bus and other companies serve intercity routes, Alexandria-Cairo (3 hours, EGP 80-150), advance booking essential for popular routes, locals prefer buses over trains for reliability. Metro: Cairo Metro three lines covering downtown and suburbs, EGP 5-7 per ride, women-only cars during rush hours, locals use extensively despite crowding. Microbuses: Shared minivans on fixed routes, locals negotiate fares (EGP 5-25), no schedules - leave when full, chaotic but authentic local experience. Taxis: Traditional black-and-white taxis negotiate prices beforehand, Uber and Careem apps provide transparency and safety, locals prefer apps to avoid haggling. Nile Ferries: Local boats cross river cheaply (EGP 1-5), tourist feluccas for leisurely sailing (negotiate EGP 100-200/hour), cruise ships for multi-day Luxor-Aswan journeys. Driving: Chaotic and stressful for foreigners, traffic rules more suggestions than laws, parking nightmares in cities, hiring driver recommended if not comfortable with aggressive driving culture.

Budget Travel (EGP 200-400/day or €8-16/day): Hostel dorms EGP 150-300, street food and local restaurants EGP 100-200, public transport EGP 20-50, free mosques and markets, living like locals on tight budget possible. Mid-Range (EGP 400-800/day or €16-32/day): Budget hotels EGP 400-800, restaurant meals EGP 200-400, occasional taxis and Uber EGP 50-150, museum entries EGP 100-300, comfortable travel with authentic experiences. Luxury (EGP 800+/day or €32+/day): International hotels EGP 1,500-5,000+, fine dining EGP 500-1,500, private guides and drivers, Nile cruises EGP 3,000-10,000 for 3-4 nights, still fraction of Western prices. Egypt incredibly affordable - middle-class Egyptians earn EGP 3,000-8,000/month, tourist budgets go far, quality-to-cost ratio excellent for accommodations and experiences.

Arabic (Egyptian dialect) is primary language with distinct pronunciation and vocabulary from other Arab countries. Egyptian Arabic is most widely understood dialect across Arab world due to film industry dominance. Essential phrases: 'Ezzayak/Ezzayik' (how are you, m/f), 'Shukran' (thank you), 'La shukran' (no thank you - essential for vendors), 'Inshallah' (God willing), 'Malesh' (sorry/never mind), 'Aywa/La'a' (yes/no). English spoken in tourist areas and by educated younger generation, French legacy remains among older Alexandrians. Coptic language survives in church liturgy. Learning basic Arabic phrases brings genuine smiles and better prices - locals deeply appreciate efforts to speak their language. Note the 'g' sound in Egyptian dialect (gamīl for beautiful) versus 'j' sound in other Arabic dialects.

Egypt generally safe for tourists with low violent crime rates but harassment and scams exist. Women face verbal harassment and occasional groping in crowded areas - travel confidently, dress conservatively, ignore catcalls, join women-only metro cars. Tourist police (brown uniforms) stationed at major sites speak English and assist visitors. Avoid political demonstrations and gatherings - photographing protests illegal, security forces respond aggressively. Check travel advisories for Sinai Peninsula - North Sinai restricted, South Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh) generally safe but monitor situation. Drink bottled water exclusively - tap water unsafe for foreign stomachs, brush teeth with bottled water. Traffic main danger - crossing streets requires caution, aggressive drivers, defensive walking essential. Scams target tourists - unofficial guides at pyramids, overpriced papyrus shops, taxi meter 'broken' excuses, carpet shop pressure. Emergency numbers: 122 (police), 123 (ambulance), 180 (fire), 126 (tourist police). Healthcare good in Cairo/Alexandria private hospitals, limited in rural areas, travel insurance essential. Religious sites require modest dress and behavior - remove shoes at mosques, women cover hair, respect prayer times.

Egyptian Pound (EGP/LE/جنيه) is currency. Currency controls and black market exchange exist - use official exchange at banks and hotels for safety despite slightly worse rates. ATMs abundant in cities, limited in rural areas, daily withdrawal limits apply. Cards accepted in upscale hotels and tourist restaurants, cash essential for markets, street food, taxis, and small establishments. Typical costs: Tea EGP 5-10, Street food EGP 15-50, Restaurant meal EGP 80-200, Museum entry EGP 60-200 (foreigners pay more than locals), Taxi across Cairo EGP 40-100. Tipping (baksheesh) culture omnipresent - 10-15% restaurants, EGP 5-20 for small services (bathroom attendants, bag carriers, helpful strangers). US dollars and Euros accepted for major purchases and tourist services but exchange to EGP for better rates and daily use. Keep small bills (EGP 5, 10, 20, 50) as vendors rarely have change for EGP 200 notes. Inflation affects prices - costs may increase faster than guidebook updates.