Frequently
Asked Questions from FLYING
CARPET TRAVEL
1. Visas.
2. Aida Operas and other Entertainment from the Cairo
Opera House.
3. Liquor.
4. Pets.
5. Getting Supplies, Brochures and other
Media.
6. Driving
Cars Into Egypt.
7. Photography in Egypt.
1. Visas:
Q:
We’re going to Egypt in the near future. Do we need a visa?
How
much do visas cost and where is the easiest place to get them?
A:
Yes, you will need a visa. They cost $15 (US) per person. Please
contact the Egyptian Embassy or Egyptian Consulate nearest you. In the
US, look for consulate locations here. For quick visas, look here.
Q:
I am currently in the UK and the other member of my party is in Canada.
We are both Canadian passport holders. The Egyptian Embassy in London
has told me that Canadians cannot obtain visas on arrival in Luxor and
the Egyptian Embassy in Toronto says that we can.
A: You can
obtain a visa in Luxor as an exceptional case if it is difficult for
you to get your visa otherwise. Normally you need a visa before
traveling.
Q: Could you tell me if UK
nationals require a visa if restricting their visit to the Sinai
peninsula?
A: UK nationals need visas
to enter Egyptian land, which the Sinai is.
Q:
Would you please tell me if a visa is needed to go to Taba, Egypt, from
Eilat, Israel. We only plan on being in Taba, as tourists, for part of
a day.
A: Yes, a visa is needed.
Q: I am an Indian Passport
holder and a Canadian permanent resident. What are the visa
requirements for a person with my status?
A: There is an Egyptian
Consulate in Montreal to which you can apply for a visa by mail. You
can contact them at (514) 866-8455.
Q:
I have just booked a week’s holiday in Luxor. At such short
notice it will be too late to apply for a visa. I am told that this
won’t be a problem, and that I shall be able to obtain a
week’s visa when I land in Luxor airport. Would I need
anything
special, (other than my passport) before this visa would be issued?
A:
It depends on your nationality. Please contact either the Egyptian
Embassy, Egyptian Consulate or Egyptian Tourist Authority office in
your country.
Q: Would
you know if visas are available at Hurghada Airport for tourists from
the Netherlands? Or would it be better to apply for visas at the Egypt
embassy in the Netherlands?
A: It would be better to
apply for visas in the Netherlands before traveling.
Q: Can you tell me if as a
Canadian I need a visa to visit Egypt?
A: Yes.
Q:
My wife and I are US citizens and hold US passports. We are currently
living in Shanghai, China. The travel agency here in Shanghai
can’t arrange the tour of our choice so we contacted our
travel
agent at home and they will set up the tour but they have to have a
copy of our Egyptian visa. How can we obtain an Egyptian visa this
quickly?
A: You will be able to
obtain your visas at an Egyptian airport when you arrive.
Q:
I am an American living in Stuttgart, Germany. I am planning a Nile
cruise with my girlfriend who is from the Czech Republic. Do we need
visas and can we get them when we arrive in Luxor?
A: Please contact the
Egyptian Embassy in Bonn or the Egyptian Consulates in either Frankfurt
or Hamburg.
Q:
We will be touring the Holy Land as well as the pyramids and I plan to
take a cruise down the Nile. My son tells me I will need "multiple
entry visas." Can you tell me where I obtain these?
A: Yes,
you will need a multiple entry visa. Please contact either the Egyptian
Embassy or the Egyptian Consulate in your country.
Q:
My family and I are traveling to Egypt. We have passports, however, we
do not yet have visas. Will we definitely be able to get a Visa when we
land in Cairo or should we get one ahead of time?
A: You will need visas
before you travel. Please contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate
nearest you.
Q: Is a multiple entry visa
required for USA citizens traveling from Egypt to Jordan and back to
Egypt?
A: Yes.
Q:
My wife and I want to take a flight from Israel to Egypt and then
depart on Air France from Egypt. We are US citizens, do we need a visa
in advance to do this trip? Do I need a tourist visa? What is the
easiest way to get one? Are they available at the Cairo airport?
A: You will need a tourist
visa in advance. Apply for it at the nearest Egyptian Embassy or
Consulate in your country.
Q:
I am a South African student studying in England. As a South African I
believe that I don’t need a visa to go to Egypt. Is this true?
A: You do need a visa to go
to Egypt. As you are currently in England, please contact the Egyptian
Consulate in London.
Q:
I am from Bolivia and I am studying in Germany. I will be traveling
with a group from my university to Palestine, but we are also planning
to visit Cairo. Do I need a visa?
A: Yes.
Q:
We will be taking a cruise of the Mediterranean. As one of the port of
calls, we are stopping for the day in Alexandria, Egypt. We know we
need to have a visa for Egypt, even for the day. Can we get the visa
when we arrive in Alexandria--at the pier--or do we have to get it
ahead of time at an Egyptian consulate in the US before we depart on
the cruise?
A: Please get the visa in
the US before you leave.
Q:
I’m a Palestinian working in UAE and I have a residency here.
I
have a Passport from Lebanon. I’ll marry this summer in
Lebanon
and I’m looking for a country to spend the honeymoon. It
seems
that Egypt is one of the countries that is really worth to visit but
can we get visas?
A: You will need to apply
for a visa approximately eight weeks ahead of time.
Q:
Please advise if a visa is required for entry into Egypt for a British
passport holder. If so can it be obtained at the point of entry? If not
please let me know how to obtain a visa for a tourist.
A: Yes, a visa is required.
Please contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
Q:
We hold Mexican passports and we are traveling to Egypt. We have been
told that we can get an Egyptian visa on arrival at the Cairo airport.
Could you tell us if that is true?
A: It is preferable to get
the visa in Mexico before you leave.
Q:
My wife and I will be visiting Egypt via a tour that will be entering
Egypt from Israel. I am an American. I have been told that Iwill need
to get an entry visa before the tour begins. I will not be able to get
one at the border. Is this true?
A:
Please try and get the visa in the US. It can be done by mail, or if
you apply in person, you will receive it the same day. Contact the
Egyptian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
Q:
I’m Mexican and currently I’m working in Aachen,
Germany.
I’m very interesting in visiting Egypt. I heard that I need a
visa to visit Egypt, is that true? If yes, would you please tell me
where are located the Egyptian embassies in Europe (maybe one is near
Aachen) in order to get my visa?
A: You will need a visa. The
Egyptian Embassy for Germany is in Bonn, and the Consulates are in
Frankfurt and Hamburg.
Q:
We are traveling to Egypt and have our visa forms completed. What is
the next best step? Either send it by post to the Consulate in London
or use an agency to handle it? I am a little hesitant to do the latter
as they charge £11.00 per visa to process it.
A: You can always use
express mail or submit the forms in person.
Q:
I’d like to know which documents are necessary to visit Egypt
for
tourism for one or two weeks. I’m an Italian citizen provided
with an identity card. Is this sufficient or do I also need a passport
to obtain a visa?
A: You need a passport valid
for at least six months to obtain a visa.
Q: Please tell me of the
nearest office to obtain a visa. I live halfway between Seattle and
Portland, Washington (USA).
A: Please contact the
Egyptian Consulate in San Francisco, California. Tel (415) 346-9700;
Fax (415) 346-9480.
Q:
I would like confirmation I can get a tourist visa at the airport on
arrival. Can you confirm this? I will be arriving from Qatar.
A: It depends on your
nationality. Please contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate nearest
you.
Q:
We have booked a tour for Egypt. I understand a visa is required. I
called the Egyptian consulate in San Francisco and sent a request for
visa applications. To date I have not received anything back from them.
Is it possible to acquire a visa upon arrival?
A: It is preferable to
obtain your visa before traveling. Please contact them again.
Q:
I had booked a holiday to Hurghada to go diving over the new year and
was told by the travel agent that I would have to go to the Egyptian
Embassy in London with a passport and photo to get a visa. Then the
tour operator canceled its flights to Luxor and the travel agent
offered me a week in Sharm El Sheikh instead. This I gladly took and
was told that I would get a free visa for Sharm or by a visa on arrival
at the airport if I want to go diving. As the main point of my holiday
is to complete the PADI Rescue Diver course can you please confirm that
I can get a visa at the airport in Sharm or do I need to take a day off
to come up to the Embassy and get one in advance?
A: Please contact the
Egyptian Embassy in London with your situation.
Q:
We are traveling to Luxor from London. Can we obtain visas on arrival
at the airport or must we obtain them in London before we leave? In
either case what is the cost? We are both UK citizens.
A: Please direct your
question to the Egyptian Embassy in London.
Q:
My husband, daughter & I are planning a trip to Cairo. I
realize
that we need visas, but in order to get the visa, we have to send our
passports to the embassy in Chicago. However, my daughter, who is 14
months old, hasn’t received her passport yet, and I am
concerned
that we will not have it in time to get our visas before we leave. I
called the embassy and they told me not to get the visas in the US, but
to wait until we reach Cairo and get all 3 visas at the airport. Since
my daughter will only be 16 months old at the time of our visit, will
she also need a visa? Secondly, we will be coming to Cairo from the
Amman airport, after a 10 day visit in Jordan. Do we need any
vaccinations, etc., before coming to Egypt?
A: Your daughter needs a
visa. You do not need any vaccinations. Please follow the advice given
by the embassy in Chicago.
Q:
My wife and I will be visiting Egypt via a tour that will be entering
Egypt from Israel. I am an American. I have been told that I will need
to get an entry visa before the tour begins. I will not be able to get
one at the border. Is this true?
A: Would it be possible for
you to obtain a visa before traveling? It is much more convenient.
Contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
Q:
I am married to an Egyptian who recently had to go to Egypt for an
emergency visit. He wants me to meet him there and us come home
together. He seems to be under the impression that I don’t
need a
visa. He says that since I am his wife, I am automatically an Egyptian
citizen. I asked the officials in the Government building where I got
my passport and they said that they didn’t know and I should
ask
someone from Egypt who has a similar situation.
A: As the
wife of an Egyptian you can obtain a visa at the airport for free.
However, you must provide proof of marriage otherwise you will have to
pay the full free.
2.Aida
Operas and other Entertainment from the Cairo Opera House:
Q: How can I obtain tickets
to Aida and other entertainment at the Cairo Opera House?
A:
Telephone +202 341 7313 or Fax +202 341 7314. Email opera@frcu.eun.eg
or opera@link.com.eg You may also contact most major Egyptian travel
agencies such as Egypt Tours and Travel or Travel Egypt.
3.Liquor:
Q:
We are four good friends traveling to Egypt during the millennium, and
are wondering what the restrictions for bringing in alcohol to the
country are. I mean, it is the new year and we would like to bring
some. Especially champagne. Can we?
A: Yes. Individuals may
bring in up to two liters.
Q: What is the legal
drinking age in Egypt
A: 21 Years Old.
4.Pets:
Q: We are planning a trip
to Egypt and wonder whether we will be able to bring our cat. Is this
possible?
A:
Yes. Pets may enter Egypt provided you provide a certificate of origin
and a health certificate. There are no forms for this, but a dated,
signed letter is acceptable. The certificate of origin may be provided
by the pet store where your pet was purchased or by a vet. The
certificate of health must be provided by a vet.
5.Getting
Supplies, Brochures and other Media:
Q. Where can I get printed
brochures, maps and other media about Egypt?
A.
Tour Egypt is the web facility for the Ministry of Tourism and the
Egyptian Tourist Authority, and as such, we do not have printed
supplies. The two best places to get brochures and other media are
either a travel agency, or your nearest Egyptian Tourist Authority
(ETA) Office. The travel agencies Advertised on the Tour Egypt site
specialize in Egypt and are some of the most respectable companies
agencies. They probably have as much in the way of printed material as
anyone. Also, travel agencies and schools may get quantities of such
supplies from their nearest ETA . Other material that people
have requested includes.
Maps
The
Globetrotter Travel Map Egypt can be found on-line on Amazon . However,
we like the Freytag & Berndt map of Egypt that we found at
Barnes
and Noble, but this map does not seem to be available on-line.
Guide Books
Our
two favorite printed guide books to Egypt are The Lonely Planet Egypt
which is available from Amazon, And the Knoph Guides to
Egypt, also available from Amazon. We believe these
two books compliment each other and supply most
of the
information any traveler would need.
Posters
http//www.art.com/ has
literally hundreds of Egyptian related posters. Give it a search.
6.Driving
Cars into Egypt:
Q. I wish to drive my car
into Egypt. What is required to do this.
A.
Unfortunately this cannot be done. Some cars may be ferried in, but in
general, you should not plan on bringing your car into Egypt. Once
there, you may rent a car, but in many instances I cannot even advise
you to do that. Particularly in Cairo, it is much safer to take a cab,
due to the driving habits of most people in Cairo.
7.Photography
in Egypt:
Q.
Am going to Egypt for the first time in March 2000 and would love some
tips on taking pictures there. Film speeds, etc. appreciated. Also,
places I should not missss. Also, travel tips. Some friends think I am
crazy to go, some respect the idea that I am looking to experience a
different culture than I have at home. Any info appreciated.
A.
With regard to taking photos in Egypt, thankfully, the main difficulty
most people encounter is that they are spoiled for choice when it comes
to things to shoot.
Normally, I take a mixture
of ISO/ASA 100
& 400 print film. This is due to the fact that you are,
virtually
guarenteed bright sunny conditions for outside photography, for which
ISO/ASA 100 is ideal, whereas ISO/ASA 400 offers greater flexibilty for
shots taken inside museums, temples, tombs. etc.
Although
I always recommend that people employ a polarising filter, to reduce
glare & enhance the colour of the gloriously blue sky on
outside
photos & reduce the reflections from glass cases in museums
(bear
in mind also that most of the open tombs are now fitted with perspex
screens to protect the walls from inadvertent damage), though if your
camera can't be fitted with one it isn't a major problem.One
advantage of the ISO/ASA 400 film is that, on most SLR cameras, it can
be pushed/pulled in speed from ISO/ASA 100 - 1600, thus allowing it to
be used for both brightly lit exteriors & the, somewhat darker,
interiors of tombs & museums (In both these cases flash
photography
is not allowed, due to it having the potential to damage ancient paint
- & also proving very distracting for other people.).
You will find that at
museums & tombs there is an additional fee for photography; LE5
- LE10 for
museums (but not the Karnak Open Air Museum) & LE5 per tomb.
Although this is sometimes reported as being just a means of ripping
off tourists, in some of the backpacker oriented guide books, the
actual amounts involved; less than £1 - £2
(Sterling), are
insignificant & do help in a big way to fund the activities of
the
Supreme Council of Antiquities.
In
respect of what I would consider unmissable, I am currently involved in
writing a guide to the monuments that one will encounter on the
"classic" first time tour of the Nile Valley; starting with the non-royal tombs of
the Theban West Bank (as a lot of the shorter tours start &
finish in
Luxor & never actually make it as far north as Cairo). This
should start to appear in the magazine, work schedules
permitting over the next couple of months, &, hopefully, should
be complete
before your trip.
Perhaps
one of the best things about any trip to Egypt is the fact that it is
quite possible, enjoyable & perfectly safe (despite the dire
warnings of some locally based foreign tour company rep's to the
contrary) to just go off for a wander along the streets &
amidst
the Egyptian people secure in the knowledge that there is sure to be
something new & interesting around every corner.
Additionally,
so many tourists listen so carefully to the spiel of the company rep
(Don't do this, it's dangerous/You aren't insured) that they miss out
on what is, probably, the greatest joy of any trip to Egypt, namely
the chance to get out & encounter the Egyptian people outside
of the
context of hotel staff. This is a real tragedy, as they will never come
to know a people who I feel are without doubt the
most friendly, welcoming, kind & generous in the world.
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