Before you go · Cairo
Cairo essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, checked against official sources on 28 October 2026. Entry rules change: always check the official sources before you travel.
Updated October 2026
Visas and entry
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online on the official Egypt e-Visa portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, run by the Ministry of Interior, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports. Since 1 August 2026, visitors arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival by card. Check the current fee on the official portal, and never pay a third-party site.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your arrival date, with a blank page (UK government advice, 27 October 2026).
Travel advice
Check your own government’s travel advice before you travel. On 27 October 2026, the UK government’s advice did not advise against travel to Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan or the Red Sea mainland resorts; it does advise against travel to some border regions.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound. Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and most restaurants, but Egypt is still largely a cash society, the Egyptian Tourism Authority notes: carry small notes for taxis, tips and the bazaar. ATMs are widely available.
Mosques, churches and dress
Cover shoulders and knees in mosques and churches, and take off your shoes in mosques; women should carry a scarf for their hair. Avoid visiting mosques during Friday midday prayers.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, museums and sites keep shorter hours (the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists them site by site), and many restaurants open after sunset. The evenings are festive, with lanterns in the streets.
Emergencies
Call 123 for an ambulance, 126 for the Tourist Police and 180 for the fire service (Egyptian Tourism Authority). See our health page for hospitals and pharmacies. Carry travel insurance that covers medical costs.
Questions and answers
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most visitors do: apply on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports.
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Ambulance 123; Tourist Police 126; fire 180.
Is Tutankhamun’s mask still in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir?
No: Tutankhamun’s treasures are now at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Entry rules and timetables change, sometimes at short notice. Check visa2egypt.gov.eg, egymonuments.gov.eg, gem.eg and your government’s travel advice before you travel.