Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

There’s a lot about living in Cairo that’s hard to figure out from the outside today. Before deciding to go to Cairo, it’s always good to learn about living in Egypt as an expat. In our previous post, you can check the details about living in Egypt. Well said, there were a lot of things expatriates didn’t know about Cairo.

Now, what’s living in Cairo really like? Of course, we’ve written tons of travel stories about Egypt, from guides to interesting facts and downtown Cairo; the benefits of living in this capital city cannot be overemphasized. But in all my years as an expat in this country, I’ve never talked about the suburb where I live?

Guess what! There are many things to know. And that’s because some places are boring while others give extra-ordinary stories to love the place. Perhaps, it could be one of the best places suitable for expat today. Don’t get me wrong – there are some fascinating and exotic neighborhoods in this city.

From the leafy Zamalek full of old villas with Nile views to the historic downtown full of crumbling European-style gems, you’ll always enjoy your life as an expat in Cairo. Have you been surfing the internet to get the right information about living in Cairo as an expat? Look no further and read more.

In this article, we will walk you through the pros and cons of living in Cairo as an expat. Not only is that, but we will walk you through the interesting facts about living in this country as an expat. Would you love to see what we’ve unleashed for you? If that sounds like a yes, continue reading to know better.

10 Interesting facts about Living in Cairo

In recent years, we can tell you that no other city in Africa compares itself to this resplendent magnet city that stands in its ubiquitous grandeur, along with the languid tides of the Nile. These interesting facts about Cairo would help enrich your travel experience. Without further ado, below are these interesting facts.

1.    Home to the largest cities in Africa

Have you ever tried searching for the best or largest cities in Africa? I’m sure you want to skip this and check now, right? Well, save your data and don’t stress yourself. Cairo is located on the banks of the River Nile, and it is known for preserving the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Additionally, it is home to the Tahir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, which inhabits many Tutankhamen’s tomb treasures discovered by Howard Carter and his men. However, the site of the iconic pyramids in Giza is nearby. In fact, there are many interesting photographs and beautiful panting of Cairo alongside other remarkable facts in the country.

2.    The Pyramids and Sphinx are Located in Cairo

This is one of the center attractions of expat destinations in Egypt. The location of Egypt’s great pyramids was one of the most astounding discoveries since its inception. You’ll undoubtedly enjoy visiting this place as the pyramids are indeed still set in a vast open desert. But also, situated right on the edge of the UNESCO GIZA Necropolis zone, there are large luxury hotels and city sprawl.

3.    Friendly Locals Around

While there are local languages in Egypt, you can still get around and see people speak the English language. That being said, Egyptians are known for being welcoming to strangers and will always be up for having a chat or helping someone out. And of course, it follows that expats who are similarly open and kind will likely make fast friends with the locals.

4.    Range of International Schools

If you’ve wanted to travel to Egypt and enroll your children in some of the best international schools, worry less. As of the time of writing this article, we can tell you that there are more than 20 international schools in Cairo.

In fact, they offer parents some choice when it comes to selecting their preferred curriculum. Moreover, Cairo and Giza happen to be the parents’ choices when it comes to selecting their preferred curriculum. Also, finding a location that’s comfortable for your child to learn is essential, and this is why Cairo is special.

5.    Its Arabic name is Al-Qahirah

Have you ever heard of this fact before? Well, it may sound strange to your hearings, but the Arabic name of Cairo is al-Qahirah, which means ‘the conqueror,’ ‘the vanquisher, ‘or ‘the victorious.’ On the other hand, most Egyptians called Cairo ‘Masr,’ which is the Arabic of Egypt. Meanwhile, Cairo is also called the city of 1000 Minarets and Umm al-Dounia, the world’s mother.

Pros and Cons of Living in Cairo

While there are many reasons to fall in love with this city because of what it offers, always know that no city is perfect. This way, expect some of the bad sides when moving to the country as an expat. With over 200 countries across the globe, one may be wondering why on earth anyone would choose to go to Egypt to live or spend a holiday, right? Well, take a look at the pros and cons of living in Cairo as of today.

Pros

Cost of Living

Cost of living would always be the first thing to mention while discussing one of the largest cities in Africa. For the fact that Cairo is the largest and the capital city of Egypt, its cost of living is still affordable. Are you still wondering how that came to be? Check what we have for you!

Foreign currencies are hugely favored in Egypt because of the favorable foreign exchanges. Aside from that being mentioned, housing, transportation, personal care, clothing, and many others are all within reach and affordable in the country.

Employment Opportunities

It doesn’t matter whether or not you speak the official language of Egypt before you secure a job in Cairo. Moreover, many people who are of foreign nationalities have gotten employment opportunities in diverse sectors of the country’s economy.

Provided you’ve got the right certifications and qualifications for the job you. And this is because; when it comes to Egypt, there are always opportunities, especially in the tourism industry.

Culture and History in Cairo

Culture and history contributed to what makes this nation unique and awesome. About 2/3 of the world’s historical artifacts and monuments are found in this country. Not only is that, but there’s always a museum, a sight, a language, and a historical place to visit in your leisure time when you live in Egypt.

Part of the culture and tradition of this great country is the Arabic language which has always been in vogue for years. Renowned as the cradle of civilization, Egypt and Cairo are your proper place to live and learn Arabic. And some of the biggest iconic landmarks across the globe are located in Cairo.

Livability in Cairo

In terms of overall livability in Cairo, this wonderland scores above average. In fact, the rating is the sum of the city’s data points and factors, and then a weighting of these variables is used to determine a good standard quality of life compared to other cities

 Meanwhile, the livability score considers education, cost of living, crime, and resident’s overall happiness calculated as a predictive index through advanced statistical measures. This way, it is said that the citizens (both the locals and foreigners) enjoy a happy lifestyle in the country.

Low Crime Rate

A low crime rate is another thing to consider when living in a new country or location. In Cairo, crime rates are lower than in other Sparse Suburban areas, nationally and state-wide as of today. Every day, almost half of the population thinks about crime and safety, even today. But if you call Cairo home or are considering relocating here, odds are you shouldn’t worry as much, and it is a significant pro and consideration for living here.

Cons

High Prices

It’s no doubt that the price of any unit in a compound is much higher than any other unit outside. More so, you may be troubled if the compound is surrounded by some buildings that block your landscape and prevent you from enjoying it. Even it could be worse if these buildings don’t live up to the compound’s standards; in such a case, the value of the whole area is reduced.

Overcrowded Mall

You’ll certainly meet all your favorite brands in this city. However, there is a negative side to the mall in this wonderful city. As these famous malls make your compound a destination for several outings, it has a huge number of people, which makes it overcrowded most of the time. Not only is that, but the green spaces may be damaged. In this case, your maintenance deposit will be wasted.

Top 7 Tips to Travel to Cairo in 2021

From Pharaonic eras to Coptic, Islamic, and contemporary times, Cairo has been known as a city that’s rich in cultural heritage. To discover the city’s secrets without running into trouble, you’ve got to know at least some of the basics. Without further ado, below are the top seven tips for traveling to Cairo in 2021.

1.    Know what you want

How long are you planning to spend in Cairo during your first visit? Well, the answer is the key when deciding how you’re going to spend your time here. Whether it’s discovering the secrets of ancient Egypt, exploring Islamic Egypt, or perhaps sampling local food, time management is of the utmost importance. Nonetheless, to get the best out of your trip, consider carefully what you want from your time, especially if you’re not staying for long.

2.    Get yourself a Tour Guide

A tour guide is always crucial when you’re traveling to the country for the first time. If this is your first time traveling to Cairo and you don’t know much about the area, you need to get yourself a tour guide. Besides, you can use Showaround, a website that links you with locals who can help you move around the city and visit the best places. This, however, save you much time and effort in the country or location.

3.    Know what to Wear

Since Egypt is an Islamic nation, knowing what to wear is quite essential. For ladies, wearing revealing clothes is often not recommended. This is because; you’ll probably end up walking a lot, too, which requires comfy clothes and shoes. But, this is especially the case in desert and sandy terrains such as those around the Pyramids of Giza and around. In the end, it all depends on where you’re going in the city. That’s why it’s better to ask your guide or learn more about the place you’re visiting beforehand.

4.    Time to Visit Egypt

Whenever you want to travel, it’s essential to know when you should travel to this country. But we can tell you that the best time to visit Egypt or Cairo is the cooler months of the year: November through March. Moreover, in the southern part of the country, at Luxor and Aswan, rain is said to be unlikely.

Additionally, during the winter months, temperatures can be oppressive. And it can range from 40 to 55 °C (104 to 130°F). In Luxor and Aswan, you can experience dry heat, but up north around Cairo and Alexandria, the humidity can make the heat feel even worse.

5.    Prepare to Tip Anyone

Since you’re a newbie coming to the country for the first time, it would be better to prepare to tip anyone during your stay in the city. This will foster your direction or make you know where you’re going instead of walking endlessly.

Besides, you should prepare to tip the bathroom attendant before or after you might have used the bathroom. Meanwhile, a small change can be hard to come by, so save this for when you need to use the bathroom.

6.    Ensure You Have the Luxor/Cairo Pass

Have you ever heard of this Cairo pass before? Well, it is a ticket that allows you to visit all of the main sites in Giza and Cairo. Meanwhile, the Luxor pass is known as a ticket that allows you to visit all of the archaeological sites on the East Bank and West Bank of Luxor in the city.

Also, you should have it in mind that they are expensive passes, costing $100 to $200 USD, depending on the pass. This means, not everyone can afford it, and that’s why you need to put it into consideration whenever you’re visiting Cairo for the first time.

7.    Photography Passes in Cairo

Remember that you’re coming to the country’s capital, right? Of course, you should prepare for unnecessary bills! Whereas photography passes aren’t considered useful but something an expat needs to enter any tourist attraction in the city.

Also, inside of many tombs, temples, pyramids, and museums, you’ll need to purchase a photography pass in order to take photos with something other than a cell phone, point-and-shoot camera, and many others.

Best Expatriate Neighbourhoods to Consider

The capital city of Egypt, Cairo, is also known as the media hub for the Middle Eastern region. This city itself is quite crowded, much polluted and even over-crowded to some extent. In fact, about half of the numbers of the population in Cairo actually lives in informal settlements that lack infrastructure.

Finding a good location where expats can reside in peace and comfort is very important to anyone who rents or purchases a house in the city. Among many sites and amazing places you can visit in Cairo, it also contains many neighborhoods where Egyptians live and where you could see people speaking English. Below is the expatriate neighborhood to consider.

●        Sarayat El Maadi

Located in the south of Cairo, the suburb is home to over 100 thousand residents, including both foreign residents and locals. More so, the beautiful district of Maadi is close to this area, and other popular places within Maadi are the most populated, having a lot of Egyptians and foreigners.

In this neighborhood, there are plenty of international schools, great sports clubs, popular bars and restaurants, and even educational and recreational facilities such as well-known gyms, fitness centers, and different bars and restaurants.

●        Zamalek

This is another place to take into consideration when you’re planning to live in Cairo as an expat. Located practically on the border of the Nile River, Zamalek is considered one of the more affluent areas in the country. Despite that most Egyptians would face conflict because of the football club, they can admit that Zamalek is one of the best places to reside when it comes to living in Egypt as an expat.

●        Mohandeseen

This name literally means; the engineers in the Arabic language. This place was built in the early 1950s, and it contains many villas and luxurious apartments. But, in the 1970s, the city has faced an urban influence towards the culture and traditions, leading the neighborhood of Mohandeseen to be very crowded and full of household properties that you can pursue to purchase or rent. That being said, good health care and education can also be available and not too far away from this great district.

●        Heliopolis

A Belgium baron set foot in Cairo in 1904 as history disclosed. He started to build the city named Heliopolis, which is almost 10 kilometers away from the city’s center. Not only is that, but this area differs from many other areas in Cairo due to its more modern architecture.

When the city was still in construction and architectural style, it was built uniquely, making it easily remembered yet cherished. Although the architecture didn’t receive much praise or receive world fame in the process, but the architecture is still well preserved as the avenues are broadly designed.

●        New Cairo

Located far from the borders of Cairo, these cities are quite different from the norm that you can find within Cairo itself and other cities in Egypt. They are located more than 15 kilometers from the center of Egypt, where you can find large compounds, natural habitats, and tons of amazing properties such as apartments and villas for rent and for purchase.

Not only that, but the areas are known to be widespread where you can find the majority of the population being part of the middle and upper class of Egyptian residents. Again, these places offer some of the biggest shopping malls available in the city as well as food courts, popular cafes, and famous restaurants.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Cairo

What is living in Cairo like?

Living in Cairo simply means a wonderful lifestyle in modern Cairo. This is because; it’s a city much the same as it is in any other city in the world. Here, people get up in the morning, go to school or work, have their meals with family and friends, spend time with lovely people, and go to the supermarket.

Is it good to live in Cairo?

Of course, life is good in Cairo, but there are still some traces of violence scattered around the city. Regardless of this problem, Cairo is one of the best places to enjoy life as an expat in the country. And areas with high-end restaurants and hotels, as well as the many satellite cities, are considered safe places.

Is Cairo safe for a woman?

As a lady visiting Cairo for the first time, you need to adhere to the Islamic mode of dressing to be highly respected. Also, try and avoid going to bars alone or walking alone at night. Statistically, the country is very safe, and the locals are, by and large, very friendly and welcoming to travelers.

Is Cairo a good place to retire?

Egypt or Cairo is a great place to go if you’re looking for a country rich in history and culture with many things to see and do. And while there’s no shortage of awe-inspiring sights, the low cost of living seems to be the reason to retire in the country.

Conclusion

 Life as an expat in a new country will definitely grow your adulthood, womanhood, or manhood. You’ll have to depend on yourself, and this will certainly give you strength and purpose. If you’ve been planning to live in Cairo, it’s always good to know what it entails. Therefore, refer to this guide for more.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

While Egypt’s rolling desert landscape and iconic ancient pyramids are on many expats bucket lists, the country has a lot to offer expatriates. Those who move to Egypt in today’s world tend to be adventurous, engaging, active, and interested in connecting with communities. But, why is Egypt a suitable place?

Of course, there are many benefits of living in this country. As mentioned earlier, the ancient pyramids are among the most exciting places to visit. That being said, expats considering moving to Egypt should pay special attention to the country’s political situation, safety, and COVID-19 precautions and restrictions.

Though Egypt is not characteristically unsafe as riots and violence have become a problem in the country since 2011. And this is why many expats would love to reside in Cairo, a metropolis where the malaise of city life can prove intimidating but still safe. But, Egypt still remains a unique expat destination today.

In fact, expat should have no problem finding their preferred choice of accommodation. This is because; there are a range of options from simple studios to fully furnished large villas and condos. In addition, Egypt can be an adventure as there are varied modes of transportation available for expat to get around.

However, in this article, we have compiled the concept of living in Egypt as an expat. We will walk you through the pros and cons of relocating to this country in 2021. Not only that, but you’ll understand interesting facts, cultures, and why this place seems to be favorable for expat to resides in. Read further!

10 Interesting Facts about Living in Egypt

Many dreams about visiting the Pyramids of Egypt, but we can tell you that there are many things to explore in the country. This country is home to the Great Pyramid of Khafre, the Great Sphinx of Giza, ancient cultural heritage, and many others, to mention a few. Let’s quickly talk about the most fun fact.

1.    Makeup Is Not Only for Women

Did you know that it’s not only women that wear makeup in Egypt? This is because; it was fashionable for both Egyptian men and Egyptian women to wear it. And these trends often included detail around the eye, adding colour to the cheeks, accenting the mouth with a homemade lipstick remedy, and more.

2.    Cats Are Sacred Animal in Egypt

Whenever you think of Egypt, you should always remember the ancient times. While cats are still very much loved animals today, they were considered sacred animals in ancient Egypt. More so, it was believed that cats were magical creatures that held good luck to those who cared for them. Aside from this fact, it’s noted that those who were rich would treat their pets to valuable gifts such as clothes.

3.    Lover of Board Games

Have you ever seen a country with a passion for a board game, or do you want to experience one? Look no further! Egypt is among the best places to visit as a game called Senet is the oldest known board game in the entire world’s history. Aside from this fact, the game was discovered by historians in the tombs of those mummified, confirming their existence in 3100 BC.

4.    Ancient Egyptians Invented Toothpaste

This seems to be one of the greatest histories of all time. The toothbrushes we are using in today’s world have their origin in ancient Egyptian times. For the toothpaste, ingredients included ash, ox hooves, burnt eggshells, and many others in an attempt to look after their teeth. Moreover, it was believed that people who existed during this time had difficulty looking after their teeth.

5.    Egyptian Had Equal Rights

In Egypt, men and women of equivalent social status were treated the same way in the eyes of the law. With that being said, you should know that women could own, earn, sell, and even buy properties and inherit in the country. In fact, they could live unprotected by male guardians, and if divorced, they could raise their children on their own.

6.    Egypt Could Have a Woman as King

Ideally, the king of Egypt would be the son of the outgoing or previous king. But in Egypt, this was not always possible, and the coronation ceremony had the power to convert any king to an unassailable king. As history disclosed, women have taken a king’s throne on at least three occasions in the country.

7.    Home to Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites

It’s no doubt that Egypt is home to seven UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites. And this is one of the reasons why the country became popular. Not only that, but there are various international rights groups, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and many others in the country.

8.    Egyptians Kept Many Animals as Pets

This is another reason why Egypt seems to be the best expat destination. It’s home to ancient world history, and research has made it known that the Egyptians saw animals incarnations of the gods and were one of the first civilizations to keep a household pet. Moreover, they were particularly fond of cats, which were associated with the goddess Bastet, but they also had a reverence for hawks, dogs, and baboons.

9.    They Marry Their Relatives

Like many royals through history, Egyptian pharaohs weren’t averse to marrying within the family to preserve royal bloodlines in the country. More so, the marriage to sisters and daughters was not unheard of. Aside from this fact, studies of Tutankhamun’s mummified body have revealed that he was a product of incest, a fact that undoubtedly led to health issues and undesirable characteristics.

10. Egypt Invented Breath Mints

While specialized medicine existed in Ancient Egypt, historical accounts mentioned that doctors in the country were trained in many medical fields, and there were no dentists. Moreover, their oral hygiene was so poor, which is why they suffered from tooth decay. To mask this, Ancient Egyptians invented the first mints: a combination of frankincense, cinnamon boiled with honey, myrrh and shaped into pills.

Pros and Cons of Living in Egypt

With so many things to consider when moving abroad, it’s too easy for expats to feel excited. Being fully prepared for what to expect can make the relocation process a bit less jarring. Therefore, to give expats-to-be a jump start on this process, we have compiled the pros and cons of living in Egypt. Check it out!

Pros

Welcoming Locals

As research disclosed, Egypt is, on the whole, quite friendly and welcoming. They are quick to laughter and often enjoy interacting with expatriates. Of course, you’ll get the odd looney tune, like anywhere and wherever you go in Egypt, the common greeting is some variation of, ‘welcome to Egypt.’

Aside from this fact, the Egyptians are often interested in where expats come from and what you think of their country. Another positive trait about the locals is that if you’re ever confounded by something incomprehensible, you can be fairly confident that someone will rush to your aid in the country.

Weather in Egypt

The weather in Egypt is another thing to consider as an expat. With a winter temperature of about 15C, the country feels more like Yukon summer. This means you can walk out of your apartment at any time without facing weather obstacles. More so, no need for coats, mittens, scarves, and all the paraphernalia of a Canadian winter. And then, in the fall and spring, when Egyptians consider being cold, you can still go to the beach and have it all to yourself.

Vegetables in Egypt

You might think this is a bit weird, but the veggies in Egypt are just better. Moreover, it might have something to do with how fresh they are. In fact, the United Kingdom gets about 12 percent of its vegetables from Egypt, but they have to wait until it gets there. And sometimes, when you pick up a few kilos of veggies and fruits, it may feel weird to just paying 20 EGP.

Excellent Educational System

Although the educational facilities in this country are not the standard of the United Kingdom and America but the citizens cherish their own education system. And since education is a very important thing in Egyptians’ lives, everybody, including women and slaves, attend a certain level of schooling to ensure that they learn how to read and write. Besides, education is crucial to locals regardless of race or gender.

Cost of Living in Egypt

According to the research that breaks down the cost of living comparison between cities by personal care, entertainment, housing, and clothes, Cairo is 60 percent cheaper than Washington, D.C., the city I lived as an expat before moving to Egypt. With heavily favorable exchange rates, foreign currencies go a long way in this country. So, if you’re craving for a low cost of living, Egypt should be on your list.

Ease of Doing Things

Something Egyptians take for granted, but for most expats, it’s something special to them. Everything delivers at all hours you request for it. Forget the water cooler; the office boy will make you coffee at a reasonable price. And you can get pretty much anything you want in downtown Cairo. Would you love to change some Euro on the black market? There’s a sidewalk café on the left side at the end of Tallat Haarb Street.

Cons

Traffic in Egypt

It’s no doubt that this happens to be one of the major problems in the country. If you’re relocating from a western world where you’re not used to this system, it would be better to prepare ahead. And you know when you relocate abroad, and you find yourself doing a million things a day? Unfortunately, you’re lucky if you find yourself doing two things in Egypt. This is because; you might spend four hours a day staring at a Nissan pickup, which could affect your day but thank God it’s not like China traffic that could last for 12 days.

Sexual Harassment in Egypt

Why you may be happy to relocate to Egypt, you should also know that sexual harassment is a major problem. Besides, just on your 30-second walk from your car to the café, you can manage to get verbally assaulted by no less than ten lowlifes who have nothing better to do than shout obscenities your way.

Unhealthy Lifestyle in Egypt

Weirdly, even though the country has great access to fresh fruit, Cairo is a very unhealthy place to live, and we can tag them just like the Indians. Also, according to the survey disclosed by the World Health Organization, more than 62 percent of Egyptians are overweight. Also, Egypt has one of the highest child obesity rates in the world, and it’s of no surprise here because everything is cooked in fat and fried in oil.

 Animal Maltreatment

Unlike other countries where animals are considered a pet, it’s quite different in Egypt.  The level of animal maltreatment is on the rise in Egypt, and it’s just baffling. More so, there are hundreds of thousands of stray cats and dogs living on the harsh streets of Cairo. And by saying harsh, we meant that their whole life is a constant struggle for survival.

Bribery and Corruption

If you’ve been thinking that India is the leader when it comes to bribery and corruption, you’ve never been to Egypt. This is because; people cheat, and nobody and nothing are ever on time without bribes. Aside from this fact, always know that everything works through connections and money, both on high and low levels. So, be expecting embezzlement, nepotism, bribery, and corruption during your visit.

Cost of Living in Egypt

According to a website that tracks countries’ exchange rates worldwide using live mid-market rates, a single U.S dollar may be equivalent to £17.86. And given how said markets are always liable to change, this information is accurate as at the time of writing this article. Below are aspects of Egyptian life.

Housing/Accommodation in Egypt

According to a survey, we discovered that you could rent a furnished 900 square-foot apartment in Cairo with an estimated cost of about £5,800 in what is categorized as an expensive area in the city. Also, the same accommodation in a normal area goes for about £3,0005 a month, while utilities for two tenants cost approximately £600 per month.

Utilities and Food in Egypt

If an expat wants to live in a furnished studio (480 square feet) in Egypt, you should be expecting to pay £4,000 in an expensive area and £1,800 in a regular area. However, a single tenant’s utility bill comes out to £500 while a high-speed internet (8 MBps) costs £300 per month. On the flip side, the food in the country tends to be over around £7, which is the two pounds of potatoes up to £55, and this is the cost of a fast-food combo meal in Egypt.

Transportation in Egypt

It’s easy to get around in Egypt, and a monthly bus pass runs at about £300. Moreover, taking a five-mile taxi ride during a business day is £34. On the flip side, if you’d rather have more control over the transportation, you can purchase a new car of approximately £420,000 with a liter of gas costing £3.92 in the country.

Schooling in Egypt

Egypt’s schooling system is affordable, and they adhere to the 6+3+3 framework, meaning 6 years of primary school, 3 years of secondary school, and 3 years of senior secondary school. More so, education is mandatory for children aged six to fourteen, and it goes from grades one through nine. According to Numbeo, private preschool costs £2,200 a month for a single child, and the yearly tuition at an international private school is listed as £40,800 for one child in Egypt.

Travel Tips to Egypt in 2021

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, it’s no doubt that you’ll have a lot of questions. What are the latest travel guides to Egypt? Should I hire a tour guide? What do I need to pack? And the most popular question in recent times is; is Egypt a safe country to visit? Well, let’s quickly walk you through the tips.

Right Place to Visit

Of course, when it comes to the right place to visit, there are many recreational centers in the country. With that being said, we can’t tell you the night place as it depends on your budget and financial capability. However, everyone is familiar with the great pyramids on the Giza Plateau, but there’s a lot more to Egypt than just the pyramids.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Egypt is in the cooler months of the year: November through March. More so, in the southern part of the country, at Luxor and Aswan, rain is unlikely, whereas, in Cairo, haze can be an issue in the morning during the winter months. That way, it’s best to time your visit to the country.

Get your Visa on Arrival

Undoubtedly, most visitors to the country will need a visa. If you’re a citizen of the United States of America, Canada, the European Union, Russia, Norway, or New Zealand, you can obtain a Visa on Arrival at the airport. Also, in the Cairo International Airport, just before passport control, there’s a bank window where you’ll purchase your visa, so take the visa and your passport to the passport control.

Be Prepare to Tip Any Attendant

Since bribery and corruption are a norm in the country, it is customary to tip this attendant before or after you use the bathroom. In fact, you can tip anyone in anywhere, but it doesn’t have to be much because small change can be hard to come by, so save this for when you need to use the bathroom.

Discount for Children and Students

If you’re traveling with your children, you’ll likely get a discount. Research also revealed that at most tourist sites, kids that are 5 years and below could get free entry. Children ages 6 years to 12 years can also get a 50% discount. And for those aged 12 to 30 can qualify for a 50% discount.

Frequently Asked Questions about Egypt

What are the living conditions in Egypt?

Living standards in Egypt are low by international standards and have declined consistently since 1990. Meanwhile, some 20 to 30 percent of the population, according to United Nations, live below the poverty line. And this way, you need to check the living conditions before you plan your relocation.

Why’s Egypt known as a poor country?

Beyond illiteracy, there’s an increase in inflation in the country, and this has also driven many of the locals into extreme poverty. In June 2016, the yearly rate of inflation in the prices of consumer goods was 14.8 percent, so with this factor, the country has been living in poverty while still affecting the citizens.

Is Egypt the best place for expat?

Egypt is considered among the best places to live theoretically because of the weather and the demographic diversity it has. While Egypt is the biggest and the strongest in the Middle East despite all the problems they have, it’s far better than many other European countries if you have enough resources.

Is Egypt an Arab country?

Egypt is long known for its ancient civilization and is also known as the largest Arab county. Meanwhile, it has played a central role in Middle Eastern politics in recent years. This means we can conclude that Egypt is known as one of the notable Arab countries in the world.

Are all Egyptians rich today?

Based on our research and methodology with the official expenditure and income data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egyptians have been placed into two categories: the richest 10 percent and the poorest 10 percent. In addition, the richest 1 percent of Egyptians own half the wealth of the Egyptians, according to the data revealed in 2019.

Conclusion

Indeed, the most resounding benefits cited by many expats to live in Egypt cannot be overemphasized. However, the cost of living is low; the locals are friendly and also welcoming. Nonetheless, you may need to consider the cons before relocating to this country. In other news, refer to this guide for more details.