In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the dos and donts of driving in Egypt. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-20591071', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car in Egypt. Road signs are similar to those in Europe, but speed limits are usually posted in Arabic numerals. Why do we consider this topic sensitive? In fact, you are free to choose whether or not you wish to hire an individual tutor for your driving lessons. Narrower thoroughfares may be termed darb, haret, sikket or zuqaq. Motorcycling could be a good way to travel around Egypt, but the red tape involved in bringing your own bike is diabolical (ask your national motoring organization and the Egyptian consulate for details). There's a 5,000 cash limit of Egyptian pounds that you are allowed to bring in or take out of Egypt. Accident and damage insurance should be included, but make sure. more. Renting and driving a car in Egypt - Cairo Forum - Tripadvisor Many tourists cough up for a bed in a sleeper car (wagons-lits), which may comprise an entire train, or be limited to a couple of carriages tacked on to a regular service. We spent 12 days in Egypt at the end of December 2019. They can be far and few between outside cities, so it may be a good idea to fill up your tank when you get the chance. Book your individual trip, stress-free with local Branches of Misr Travel, and numerous local tour agencies, can fix you up with one, or you can charter a taxi. Highlights include Karnak temple, Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut temple and an optional visit to Abu Simbel. Famed for the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, the Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt has a glut of tourist attractions. Corniche al-Nil, Ma'adi, Cairo, Cairo. Luxor's Temples & Tombs. We are looking for contributors to help make this the ultimate guide for expats. Go tailor-made! Police or military road checks signposted in English as Traffic Stations occur on the approach roads to towns and oases and along major trunk routes. For serious accidents in which people have been injured, get emergency help first and then immediately contact or drive to your embassy. The traffic is horrible, the unwritten laws numerous, and one has to be an extremely good driver to be able to maneuver a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Traffic lights are mostly absent, and the few that do exist are often out of order. The peak seasons for travel are summer for Alexandria and winter for Upper Egypt. Talk to your hotel and they are sure to recommend a variety of reliable options. Wear your seatbelt (mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers). More about travel to Egypt you can read here. Students with ISIC cards get at least a third off on all fares except on sleepers. Please try again later. Numerous bus routes in Egypt connect the countrys major cities, but many of these intercity buses can be overcrowded and uncomfortable. Answer 1 of 4: My husband and I are thinking about driving in Egypt, not in Cairo, and we would like to hear from other people who have done it before. Definately not like you are used to in Canada, take cabs they are cheap. The average rate for each kilometer (0.62 mi) after that is around $0.25. Jul 16, 2022 8 Min read. Expats should try and form a relationship with a trusted taxi driver so that they always have someone reliableto call if they need to be somewhere quickly or need a driver for the day. Consider changing the search query. The documents will be returned when you leave. Budget. Generally, this is only possible with cars from Hertz, Avis or Budget. By following these tips, you can make your experience driving in Egypt a safe and enjoyable one. More than 50,000 people visit annually, drawn in by what some call the crowning jewel of the Red Sea. You'll also need an international driving license. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. In principle, permits to visit restricted areas in the eastern and western deserts are obtainable from Military Intelligence (Mukaharabat), whose office is next-door to the Nasser Mosque at Abbassiya in Cairo (youll need two photos and photocopies of the identifying pages of your passport and your Egyptian entry visa, plus a detailed intinerary), but in practice, you are very unlikely to get a permit by approaching them directly, and its much easier to go through an authorized travel agency or, failing that, Misr Travel, 1 Sharia Talaat Harb, Cairo t 02 2393 0010, e misrtrav@link.com.eg. They operate on a wide variety of routes, are generally quicker than buses and trains, and fares are very reasonable. Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained. You need to know the right fare in advance; hand it over with confidence when you arrive, together with any tip you consider appropriate. Authorities have recently installed cameras at intersections in parts of downtown Cairo to catch drivers who cross intersections. Cairo International Airport, Heliopolis, Cairo, Cairo. Beyond the inner city traffic of Cairo, Egypts roads take you along winding coastlines and deep into the majestic mountains. Egypt. Major routes are plied by a/c buses, usually new(ish) and fast. If you like chaos, you will love driving in Cairo. This area is one of Egypts most protected wilderness sites, and you can snorkel, book hiking and cycling trips or go birdwatching. More importantly, however, is that driving is a bit of a game of roulette. Its difficult to rent a machine except in Luxor or Hurghada. Deluxe boats with swimming pools can be wonderful, but not all offer value for money. Cairo International Airport, Heliopolis, Cairo, Cairo. Even if you self-drive, you must join a convoy, making it impossible to travel on your own timetable. On the Nile you can indulge in feluccas or cruise boats, while in the desert theres the chance to test your camel-riding prowess. Europcar. Always take extra water when traveling long distances, especially on the desert roads. Here are a few tips for driving in Egypt: Drive defensively: Egyptian drivers often ignore traffic laws and drive recklessly. You can rent a car or drive your own. There is also a Pink Taxi company in Egypt with all female drivers and riding services that are for women only. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Taxi's etc. Always reconfirm 72 hours prior to the journey, as overbooking is commonplace. Some of the horses and buggies are in pristine condition; others painful to behold. In Upper Egypt, tourist traffic is organized into guarded convoys that follow set routes at set times each day. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-20622090', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Egypt. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". After three bites of macarona bechamel, I foreshadowed returning to my room at the Steigenberger Hotel Cairo and collapsing onto my bed in a calorie-laden stupor 'til morning. In most countries, drivers wait for a sign that their fellow road users are giving way. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. During this time, we visited Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Abydos and Dendera, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Egypt Tourism Egypt Hotels Egypt Bed and Breakfast Egypt Vacation Rentals Flights to Egypt Egypt Restaurants Things to Do in Egypt Egypt Travel Forum Egypt Photos Egypt Travel Guide . With your own vehicle, or a chartered car or 4WD, Egypt offers some excellent adventures by road. You can arrange on through the hotel you are staying at. Second class superior (daraga tania mukayyifa) is less plush and more crowded but two-thirds the price of first class. Egypt is the land of ancient wonders, a country full of a spectacular and glorious history that carved a path from the millennia by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and medieval explorers. Report inappropriate content 1-2 of 2 replies Sorted by 1 Make sure that your car-rental company provides you with the contact details or a 24-hour emergency number to call in case of any problems. However, it is not uncommon for drivers to exceed these limits, especially on highways where speeds in excess of 140 km/h are not uncommon. Most gas stations in Egypt are full-service, and it's customary to tip the attendant who fills up your car a pound or two. Local ferries, generally battered, crowded and cheap, cross the Nile and Suez Canal at various points. All rights reserved. Begin your Red Sea coast trip with a stay at one of the resorts and water parks at Makadi Bay, and take a boat out to Giftun Island to enjoy its breathtaking reefs. Passengers on a/c services are usually assigned a seat (the number is written in Arabic on your ticket), but seats on local buses are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. In winter season, its wise to book at least a week ahead for flights between Cairo and Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel or Sharm. Most sail from Luxor to Aswan (or the other way), a three- to five-day trip, stopping at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. You can also charter a taxi useful for day excursions or on odd routes, but youll have to bargain hard to get the right price. Taxis are widely available in Egypts major cities. The final leg of your trip from Kom Ombo to Aswan only takes an hour, and the drive is best done before the sun sets. 02/5243006; www.smartlimo.com. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that you may bring in, but you must declare all amounts exceeding US$10,000 (or equivalent) on arrival. Vehicles and the driving standards will be a MAJOR cultural shock. Now that you know the basic things to consider when driving in Egypt as a tourist, its time to hit the road! Smart Rental. I have used them they have fixed rates and decent cars. If you break down miles from anywhere, however, you can pay a lot to get towed back. Those who want to travel via something more exciting than a bus or atrainshould consider taking a boat down the Nile River. For those driven by nature, landscapes and the open road, Egypt is the perfect road trip circuit. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-20618745', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars in Egypt aim at people. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Wherever you travel by road in Egypt, you meet police checkpoints. Renting a car pays obvious dividends if you are pushed for time or plan to visit remote sites, but whether youd want to drive yourself is another matter its not much more expensive to hire a car and driver. Mount Sinai, Egypt: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy Other drivers will be constantly fighting to get ahead of you, as will pedestrians, stray animals, etc. In the case of an accident, get a written report from the police and from the doctor who first treats any injuries, without which your insurance may not cover the costs. If you are traveling along the Nile Valley in Upper Egypt by car, you should travel with a guarded traffic convoy. The advantages of driving yourself are that you are completely independent, you can drive where and when you want. Whether you self-drive, have a driver, book a day tour, or travel in an organized itinerary, you'll have to work within the convoy system and travel at prescribed times. However, drivers do sometimes try to take advantage of tourists. If your destination is obscure or hard to pronounce, get it written down in Arabic. If you rent and intend to park at your hotel between journeys, you'll be asked to hand in the car registration document and your driving license at the security gate during your time in the hotel complex. 7 Hours. To make the most of this stop, spend a night or two at one of the citys resorts. Driving in Egypt - Egypt Guide - Expat.com Schedules usually posted in Arabic only change frequently. Driving in Egypt can be chaotic, so its important to know what to expect before getting behind the wheel. Finally, for security reasons, the government organizes all tourist traffic along the Nile Valley into convoys, which run a certain fixed hours. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. The authorities control all traffic but particularly vehicles carrying foreign tourists. That said, it's worth mentioning that public transport is not always the most comfortable way to travel in Egypt. Its easy to arrange a cruise yourself, and several tour operators offer packages. The minimum age for driving in Egypt is 25 years, the maximum is 70. Well also offer some tips for staying safe while behind the wheel in this unique country. So, pack light, prep your favorite playlist and get ready for a cross-country adventure or five. 30 Egypt Travel Tips To Know Before Visiting - Find Love & Travel The second edition of Lonely Planets bestseller presents an all-new ranking of the greatest places to visit on Earth. Most business is along specific routes, with more or less nonstop departures throughout the day on the main ones, while cross-desert traffic is restricted to early morning and late afternoon. Ive heard the driving and traffic there is really unbelievable to that of the driving I am use to in Canada. Drive on the right-hand side of the road. If youre planning on driving in Egypt as a tourist, there are some things you should know. Helpful information for anyone trying the same. Do not drive around Cairo unless you are a very, very experienced driver. Covering a limited network of routes (Cairo to Alexandria, the Delta and the Canal Zone, along the coast to Mersa Matrouh and up the Nile Valley to Luxor and Aswan), Egypts trains are best used for long hauls, when air-conditioned services offer a comfier alternative to buses and taxis. Most people recommend that tourists in Egypt dont take driving into their own hands. Feluccas, the lateen-sailed boats used on the Nile since antiquity, still serve as transport along many stretches. You can approach almost any taxi and negotiate hiring it for the day. There are many ways to hire a car and driver for the day. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So, whether youre a first-time visitor or a seasoned pro, read on for everything you need to know about driving in Egypt! Planning to travel here? I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. The actual drive time is a total of four hours, but give yourself 23 days in Luxor, 34 days in Aswan, and one day of adventure on the road. Calches (or hantour) horse-drawn buggies are mainly for tourists, who are often accosted by drivers in Luxor and Aswan, Alexandria and at other places.