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Useful information
Prior to the start of the journey, tourists are recommended to study the rules for insuring the risk of medical expenses and select the optimal rate that corresponds to the intended vacation type. Depending on the insurance company or the insurance rate, it may or may not include the coverage of insured events which take place in a state of alcoholic or drug intoxication or in the course of engaging in active sports. Besides, various insurance companies may offer different insurance coverage and different deductible amounts.
The information on the ways of activating the medical insurance is provided to the tourists at an information meeting with the hotel guide.
Tourists are not recommended to seek medical assistance from doctors who work at hotels or get invited at the hotel’s initiative. All the services offered by such doctors are provided on a paid-for basis only and are not covered by insurance policies.
In case of health problems, the tourist shall contact the insurance company via email or by calling the phone number indicated in the insurance policy. There are three ways to call the insurance policy: using a SIM card issued in the home country and connected to roaming (the price of the call depends on the mobile provider’s rates), using a local SIM card (the price of the call depends on the mobile provider’s rates), and from the hotel’s reception (at the hotel’s rates). If the tourist experiences difficulties with contacting the insurance company, or if the tourist’s state does not allow him or her do so, the tourist may contact the hotel guide who will provide the necessary assistance.
The DMC’s staff assists tourists in contacting the insurance company but assume no responsibility for the completeness and quality of the provided medical services. The tourists’ treatment is performed by a medical institution defined by the insurance company. All further treatment-related communication takes place directly between the tourist and the insurance company.
In case health problems are experienced by tourists who have arrived at the airport and are awaiting the return flight, they shall assess their state and decide whether they will be able to visit the doctor upon arrival in the home country. If urgent medical assistance is needed, tourists can contact the insurance company to receive the treatment and solve the issues related to the provision of accommodation for the period of treatment and the return flight. In case of minor illness which cannot hinder the return flight, tourists can visit the medical office at the airport. Before obtaining medical services at the airport, tourists shall study their price since such amounts are to be paid by tourists themselves and will not be compensated by the insurance company.
Useful information
The Egyptian pound is a very volatile currency with an unstable exchange rate, so the Central Bank of Egypt prohibits the reverse currency exchange. Tourists are recommended to exchange currencies for Egyptian pounds in small amounts since the reverse currency exchange into US dollars or euro is not possible. In Egypt, tourists can exchange US dollars or euro for Egyptian pounds at the airport, in ATMs that enable currency exchange, at exchange offices or in banks. The exchange rate in hotels is not convenient for travellers. Many shops accept cash payments in US dollars and credit cards. When paying with US dollars, the change is given in Egyptian pounds, so the travellers are recommended to go on vacation with small denomination bills ($1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50). If after the vacation is over tourists still have cash Egyptian pounds, it must be spent before the customs control since the export of the national currency from Egypt is prohibited.
We draw the tourists’ attention to the need to comply with the currency laws of the country of temporary stay. We ask the tourists not to use the services of illegal exchange offices and individuals who offer currency exchange at non-official rates. In case of illegal currency exchange, there is a risk of obtaining counterfeit banknotes, falling victim to fraudulent payments, or being detained by the police for the violation of the monetary laws. In the event of police detention, neither the DMC nor the tour operator can influence the prompt and successful resolution of such situations since this is the issue of the tourist’s personal responsibility for the compliance with the currency laws of Egypt. State officials hold no negotiations with third parties except for lawyers hired by the travellers for representing their interests and other official representatives of the embassy/consulate of the tourists’ country of citizenship.
Tourists are recommended to study current rules for currency import and export which apply during the period of the trip.
Useful information
Currently there are four main mobile operators in Egypt: Orange, Etisalat Egypt, WE, and Vodafone Egypt.
Some mobile providers offer special tariff options for tourists. SIM cards with such tariff options expire in a month and are also unavailable for the locals. In order to buy a SIM card, a passport must be produced.
Examples of tourist tariff planes offered by Etisalat Egypt:
Examples of tourist tariff planes offered by Orange:
In Egypt, there is a communication tax equal to 6.1 Egyptian pounds » 0.2 US dollars. It gets levied when purchasing a SIM card or when a monthly payment is debited. Tourists are recommended to check the information on the communications tax before buying a SIM card.
Useful information
The majority of people in Egypt are Muslim. However, foreign visitors are not required to follow a strict Islamic dress code or adhere to the rules of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Yet, tourists shall abstain from visiting non-tourist areas and religious places in open clothes, shorts, and tops.
We kindly ask tourists to treat both local residents and other tourists respectfully, not to make photographs of people without their permission, not to make photographs of military and police officials and checkpoints, and not to visit public areas in a state of alcoholic intoxication.
Tips as a form of gratitude are not obligatory and are given at the tourists’ discretion. When in the hotel, tourists can reward housekeeper maids, bartenders, waiters or bell boys for their good job. The tip size is usually 1-2 US dollars or more, as the guest deems most appropriate. The size of the tip to be left in a restaurant outside the hotel is determined by the guests. According to the unspoken rule, it should be around 10% of the bill amount.
When in public places, tourists shall exercise caution and not leave personal belongings unattended to avoid theft. When exiting the hotel’s premises, tourists are recommended to carry a photo or a copy of their passports, leaving valuable belongings and documents in an in-room safe.
Egyptian laws strictly prohibit the export of corals, seashells, stones, and antiques, which are any object that is more than 100 years old.
Useful information
Export of medicines by tourists is allowed for personal use only. However, the maximum quantity is not established by law and remains at the discretion of customs control officials. Experience shows that usually not more than four types of medicines are allowed to be exported, and not more than two packs of each type.
Customs control officials are entitled to require that tourists produce a doctor’s prescription for the medicines purchased in Egypt, if such medicines are prescription drugs. However, even if the doctor’s prescription is available, the customs control service may confiscate the medicines if they suspect their subsequent commercial use.
Neither the tour operator nor the DMC assume any responsibility for the actions of tourists, state officials or third parties, including the customs control service’s decision to confiscate tourists’ medicines.
