There is always the possibility of planning the best Egypt vacation for a first-time visitor! Is this your first time in Egypt? Visiting such an ancient nation needs some preparation, such as reading about its history, which can be obtained via our themes and our Egypt travel guide. It is also a good idea to know what to avoid and what not to avoid. Do not go to Egypt, or any other Middle Eastern country, without first researching it.
When visiting Egypt for the first time, avoid these common mistakes.
Don’t chat with strangers. They will likely try to sell you something or charge you for a tip, called a “Bakshish.” Avoid taking a camel or horse ride at the Giza pyramids, Saqqara, or the Nubian village unless your local tour guide is present. You can trust them to organize the experience.
Locals might try to talk to you while you walk alone on the street. They may ask for directions or just start a discussion. Avoid them and do not even stop. They work with local stores and try to lead tourists to shops where they will pressure you to buy things.
Do not take a taxi or Uber to tourist attractions like the Pyramids. These drivers will take you to tourist traps, like expensive camel or horse rides. They might charge you a significant amount, up to $400 USD. They will also lead you to local souvenir shops that sell poor-quality items at extremely high costs.
Avoid drinking tap water. Eat as few fresh vegetables and fruits as possible. Also, avoid any cold drinks made of water unless you are certain they are made with bottled mineral water. Your local tour guide is a great resource for this.
Avoid scheduling any low-cost tours. They often have hidden costs and clever methods you won’t enjoy. Do not cross the street as the locals do. There are no traffic signals in Egypt except in the big main squares of major cities. People cross the street at any time, which is very unsafe for tourists.
For a great first-time Egypt vacation, try these activities:
When you eat out, make sure you tip the servers. Give them 10% of the bill personally. Try the Egyptian beans, Fuol, and Ta’mia. Also, try Kushary, a typical Egyptian pasta dish. For a classic meat meal, try kebab and kofta.
The metro is one of the best ways to get around Cairo. You should get a local SIM card to make inexpensive phone calls. To really enjoy your visit, have a local by your side.
You can take pictures of locals. Egyptians are very friendly and usually do not mind you photographing them. Taking a trip to Islamic Cairo is a good idea. You will get amazing photos of local landmarks and people. It also has a beautiful, authentic atmosphere.
Egypt, with its vast history and everlasting civilization, has a lot to offer, and it is without a doubt one of the countries that, with its kind people and outstanding tourist sites, will make your visit epic and unforgettable. It is advised that you book your Egypt tour packages through a reputable tour operator, such as Egypt Fun Tours, if you are a first-time tourist. We also provide Nile river cruises and safaris in the desert. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to personalize your Egypt vacation with us.
I never had a more positive experience and educational time than this tours. Learning about a variety of kings and queens was amazing! The tour guide was super nice and helped me and my friend every step of the way! Including bargaining for a few souvenirs! I will never forget
Really excellent tour from Mohamed, and we learned so much about Egypt and went to places we never would have found as tourists at home. My girlfriend had a 12 hour stop over on the way to Ethiopia and it was the perfect way to see Cairo. I hope people
My friend and I planned a whirlwind trip to Dubai, the Dead Sea, Petra, Cairo, Luxor, and Sharm el Sheikh for early November 2011 – 6 cities in 10 days! We allotted one afternoon and evening for Cairo, and we wanted to see as much as we could! We drove
My husband and I had a ten-hour layover in Cairo and luckily found Egypt Fun Tours while researching tour companies online. The owner, Hamada, picked us up from the airport and brought us around Cairo. He took us to see the pyramids, which was a memory I will never forget.
Several weeks ago, I reached out to Egypt Fun Tours regarding a 9-hour layover in Cairo. From the very beginning, Hani Ahmed was responsive and professional, quickly providing a well-organized itinerary tailored to our limited time. The itinerary included a visit to the pyramids, other historical sites, a delicious dinner,
