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The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era.

          The architect of the building was selected through an international competition in 1895, which was the first of its kind, and was won by the French architect, Marcel Dourgnon. The museum was inaugurated in 1902 by Khedive Abbas Helmy II, and has become a historic landmark in downtown Cairo, and home to some of the world’s most magnificent ancient masterpieces.

          Among the museum’s unrivaled collection are the complete burials of Yuya and Thuya, Psusennes I and the treasures of Tanis, and the Narmer Palette commemorating the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king, which is also among the museum’s invaluable artifacts. The museum also houses the splendid statues of the great kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the builders of the pyramids at the Giza plateau. An extensive collection of papyri, sarcophagi and jewelry, among other objects, completes this uniquely expansive museum.

Opening Hours

Our insider tips, last ticket.

Tickets window closes at 6:00 PM

Free tickets

Except Friday, Saturday and public holidays: 1. Egyptians and Arabs seniors aged 60 and over 2- Egyptians and Arabs special needs 3- Orphaned children 4- Public schools trips primary and preparatory school

Photography& Video Tickets

FOREIGNERS: Photography: EGP 50 Video: EGP 300 EGYPTIANS\ ARABS: Photography: EGP 20 Video: EGP 300 - Photography (Personal Use – without Flash) - With the exception of King Tutankhamen’s Mask Room

Photography

- Private photography is permitted inside the museum after paying ticketfees. - Please refrain from taking photographs of other visitors or staff as it may violate their personal rights. - Please refrain from taking video recordings (cell phone, cameras) in the galleries unless you have paid the appropriate ticket fees. - Taking photographs and video recordings for commercial use (TV, cinema, programmes, advertising, documentary clips, etc.) are permitted only after obtaining permission from the concerned authority and paying the daily rate. - Please refrain from using flash photography. - Please refrain from using camera holder until after purchasing its ticket.

General Policies

- Please do not touch any exhibits or showcases. - Food and drinks are not allowed within the galleries, except for small water bottles. - Smoking is prohibited throughout the museum. - Please refrain from disorderly, disruptive, and offensive language or actions. - Please be mindful of others, and be quiet when using your cell phone. - Audio players are not permitted throughout the museum. - For the safety of the exhibits, please do not use flashlights or laser pointers inside the museum. - Appropriate attire is requested. - Please do not lay down on seats or on the floor, and do not remove your shoes. - Please follow all posted signs and visitor instructions.

- In times of emergency such as an earthquake or fire, please follow the instructions of museum staff. - In the event of an earthquake, please move away from large sculptures, displaycases, and other objects that may fall down.

With regards to the students of Art Faculties, please conduct yourself respectively in regards to the following: - The use of pens and pen markersare prohibited in all galleries: only pencils may be used in taking notes or sketching. - Sketchbooks exceeding 18 x 24 inches are not permitted. - Please do not hinder visitor traffic flow in the galleries by blocking visitors or walking paths.

Items that Are Not Allow

Large bags, large backpacks, Luggage or parcels larger than 40x40cm are not permitted into the museum, but you will beallowed to store them in the cloakroom. Bags and backpacks may be subject to search at any time. Do not bring any sharp itemsor dangerous materials into the museum, such as knives, screwdrivers, scissors, and firearms. These items must be stored in the cloakroom. Do not bring umbrellas into the museum, please leave store them in the cloakroom. Do not bring folding seats or any other type of transportable seatinginside the galleriesbefore you obtain permission from the museum security. Animals or pets are not allowed to enter the museum. Musical instruments are not allowed inside the museum. Do not bring any advertising banners or carry placards or signs inside the museum unless you obtain approval from the concerned authorities.

Families with Children

Children must be accompanied by an adult inside the museum at all times. For the safety of your children and the exhibits, please ensure that children do not run, play, or bump into exhibits or visitors.

Ramadan Visit Hours

09:00am – 04:00pm Last Ticket The tickets window closes at 3:00 PM

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Achieving 30m tourists yearly.. egypt’s minister reveals figures, statistics.

Hanan Mohamed

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - 10:26 GMT

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt

CAIRO - 15 December 2022: Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt, explaining that his ministry plays its role as an organizer and supervisor of nearly 8,000 tourist facilities.

Issa said during a meeting with journalists covering the tourism and antiquities sector, that the Supreme Council of Antiquities, spent about LE 3.1 billion during 2022, from the council's income along with part of the state budget, within the efforts to establish new museums, develop archaeological sites and maintain antiquities.

He pointed out that revenues from visit tickets amounted to LE 1 billion during the same year.

The Ministry of Tourism spent LE 800 million on promotional campaigns abroad, during the fiscal year 2022/ 2023, in addition to LE 850 million to support and stimulate direct tourism aviation, with a total of LE 1.65 billion, the minister added.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the amount spent is not considered large compared to the volume of the huge work produced. “We have in Egypt approximately 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 museums, of which 31 are open for visits,” he said.

He elaborated that the ministr , as an owner, has more than 40 museums and 2,000 archaeological sites, of which 130 sites and 31 museums are open to visit, and there are about 250 archaeological missions working in the field of excavations for antiquities, while as an operator, it supervises 1,300 tourist restaurants, 1,200 hotels, 2,200 bazaars, and 480 diving centers,  other than clubs licensed for tourism activities.

Issa added that the Supreme Council of Antiquities extends its role as a scientific and cultural institution that preserves, protects and records Egyptian antiquities in addition to excavating them, indicating that there are 250 foreign archaeological missions in Egypt that excavate for antiquities.

The minister affirmed the state's interest in developing cultural tourism and increasing the targeting of cultural tourists interested in archaeological sites and museums, because it is a competitive advantage that Egypt enjoys due to its archaeological sites, museums, treasures and monuments.

As for the ministry role, he stated that the ministry plays its role as an observer, organizer and catalyst, all with the aim of protecting the final consumer, who is the visitor or tourist, in order to improve the tourism service and the tourism experience provided in Egypt, and to advance the tourism industry.

Regarding the tourism promotion programs and aviation stimulus programs, the minister revealed that nearly LE 1.6 billion was spent on them during the fiscal year 2021/2022, in order to advance the tourism industry.

He added that global spending programs are being directed to serve the tourism industry and promotion programs are being prepared by launching various campaigns in a number of tourism-exporting markets in Egypt, in addition to civil aviation stimulus programs that will continue until next April.

Targeting to reach 30 million tourists

The minister clarified that the ministry is working on studying the challenges faced by the sector in order to reach 30 million tourists, noting that the highest tourist rate reached by Egypt was 14 million tourists in 2009/2010 season, followed by a decline in the rates to rebound in 2019 before being affected by the repercussions of COVID-19.

“Tourism is like other industries, that needs to study the challenges and problems in it to come up with solutions and set priorities, which is what is being worked on within the ministry at present,” he noted.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the Tourism Promotion Authority currently has six foreign offices in a number of countries in order to promote and stimulate tourism in Egypt.

According to Issa, since assuming his duties, he has been working on a number of tasks and setting priorities, perhaps the most important of which is reaching the 30 million tourists who visit Egypt every year.

He added that the assignments of Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly were to reach $30 billion in tourism within the 2030 plan, which the ministry is currently working on.

“Three priorities have been identified on which the ministry is based with regard to the tourism sector, the first axis, which is aviation, and there is joint coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on a regular and continuous basis to increase the number of flights, seats and low-cost aviation, and the second axis is working to improve the tourism experience in Egypt.  The third is based on improving the tourism investment climate,” Issa stated.

The minister also pointed out that reaching 30 million tourists annually requires an increase in the growth rate of tourist rooms in Egypt by 25% annually to accommodate these numbers, and therefore the ministry is working to encourage and attract tourism investments in Egypt, especially since the state has spent a lot and succeeded in rehabilitating the infrastructure and regional roads.

Furthermore, he stated that the ministry is seeking a diversity of hotel rooms, especially three-star rooms, and distributing them to the governorates, especially Luxor, Aswan and Qena, which urgently need hotel rooms, indicating that he will do a "Master Plan" for 3-star hotel rooms with the Ministry of Housing.

"Today we have a vision of a number of problems that the industry suffers from, and we seek to develop a scientific vision to reduce them, and I am optimistic about the year 2023,” the minister said.

He showcased that there are 1,200 hotel establishments in Egypt, 1,325 tourist restaurants, more than 2,400 tourist attractions, 480 diving centers and marine activities, in addition to more than 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 antiquities museums.

The Aviation Sector

The work on the current aviation incentive system will continue until May 1, 2023, as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to support the incoming tourist movement to Egypt in light of the increased demand to visit Egypt, he stated.

Issa added that the number of incoming tourists has improved at the present time, and according to the official statistics that were sent to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, what is being done on the ground of the state's efforts has directly contributed to restoring the tourism movement.

Issa added that in the coming period, the focus will be on increasing the capacity of direct tourism aviation thrice the current capacity, which is expected through incoming traffic from 12 foreign countries, while providing an appropriate climate and fertile environment for investment, noting that the first steps to work on increasing the effectiveness of government efforts were  developing an accurate description of the role of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as an owner and operator, in order to make the best use of the available capabilities.

He added that his meetings with the associations of tourist investors during the past period witnessed an emphasis on the need for a common language between the ministry and investors, and continued understanding and joint work, to serve Egypt's primary goal of attracting 30 million tourists.

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The statue of King Ramses II after it was transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum in September 2019. Reuters

Final construction work on the interior of the hotly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum will be completed by the end of September so that staff can begin preparing to welcome visitors, Egypt's tourism ministry has said.

In an update on progress at the site — one of the largest national projects of the government of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi — the ministry on Monday said construction work on the museum's exterior and surrounding area is expected to be fully completed by June 30.

Work on the museum’s exhibition halls, which are expected to display the treasures of one of ancient Egypt’s most recognisable pharaohs — King Tutankhamun — alongside a variety of other relics for the first time ever, will also be completed by September 30, the ministry said in a statement.

“It is paramount that everything be completed by September 30 to provide as much time as possible for the ministry to conduct a dry run of the museum's facilities,” the ministry said.

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled El Anany, “has expressly mandated that all the preparations for the museum's opening be completed by their deadlines, both inside the museum and out,” the ministry said in a statement.

The museum, which will be the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation, was meant to open in November last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The museum is expected to transform the nearby Giza plateau — home to the famed pyramids and Egypt's most-visited site — into a modern tourism hub.

One of the most anticipated exhibits is a separate showroom for the recently relocated Khufu solar boat, which was moved in an ostentatious ceremony from the Giza plateau where it was unearthed to the new museum in August of last year.

In preparation for the large numbers of visitors expected to travel to the site, two of the main motorways surrounding the GEM complex have been undergoing significant renovations in the past few weeks.

Hotels and other businesses catering to tourists in the vicinity of the museum are also being revamped before the opening, with the renovation of the surrounding area also expected to be completed by June 30, the ministry said.

Monday's update on the museum opening followed a meeting of the country’s top tourism officials, during which the road map for the opening of the GEM was finalised.

The ministry’s timeline suggests that it will stick to its rumoured November opening for the Grand Egyptian Museum, which would also coincide with the centenary of the excavation of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.

The ministry said that a campaign to promote the museum as a new destination for tourists would begin after work on its interior was completed and include documentary films and a social media campaign.

Middle East Today

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Archaeologists Discover 4,300-Foot-Long Tunnel Under Ancient Egyptian Temple

Researchers have been digging near the Taposiris Magna Temple in hopes of finding Cleopatra’s long-lost tomb

Daily Correspondent

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an underground tunnel at Taposiris Magna, a temple dedicated to  Osiris , the god of death.

Kathleen Martinez , an archaeologist with the University of Santo Domingo, located the 6.5-foot-tall, 4,300-foot-long tunnel roughly 43 feet underground at the temple, which is situated west of the ancient city of Alexandria. She also found two Ptolemaic-era alabaster statues and several ceramic vessels and pots, reports  Artnet ’s Sarah Cascone.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities shared the find in a statement last week and described the tunnel as a “geometric miracle.”

Part of the tunnel is submerged underwater, which could be the result of several earthquakes that struck the region between 320 and 1303 C.E. Archaeologists suspect that those natural disasters caused the temple to collapse.

The tunnel is “an exact replica of Eupalinos Tunnel in Greece, which is considered as one of the most important engineering achievements of antiquity,” Martinez tells  Live Science ’s Owen Jarus. The  Tunnel of Eupalinos , located on the Greek island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, was an aqueduct that carried water for more than 1,000 years.

During previous excavations at the site, archaeologists found a variety of other artifacts, including coins featuring the names and images of Cleopatra VII and  Alexander the Great . They’ve also found figurines, statues of the goddess  Isis , a mummy with a gold tongue and a cemetery full of Greco-Roman-style mummies.

Cleopatra —who ruled  Ptolemaic Egypt from 51 to 30 B.C.E.—and her longtime lover, the Roman general  Mark Antony , died by suicide in 30 B.C.E. Historians believe they are likely buried together, but they don’t know where.

Martinez, a criminal lawyer turned archaeologist, has believed for many years that the ancient queen was buried at the Taposiris Magna Temple. After successfully petitioning the Egyptian government to conduct research in the area, she began digging—and though she hasn’t found Cleopatra’s tomb yet, she’s made many other important discoveries over the past 15 or so years, including the tunnel.

She is continuing her attempt to locate the ancient queen’s long-lost tomb, and she thinks she’s getting closer. As she told the Heritage Key blog in 2009, “If there’s one percent of a chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her.”

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

Newsletter of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (2023)

Newsletter of the egyptian ministry of tourism and antiquities (2022), newsletter of the egyptian ministry of tourism and antiquities (2021), newsletter of the egyptian ministry of tourism and antiquities (2020), newsletter of the egyptian ministry of antiquities (2016-2019), other files relating to the egyptian ministry of antiquities (moa).

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Egyptian Streets

Independent Media

Stolen Statue of King Ramses II is back in Egypt

By Belal Nawar

Senior journalist.

A 3,400-year-old head from a statue of King Ramses II, which was stolen and smuggled out of Egypt over three decades ago, was returned to its home country on Sunday 21 April. 

The artifact, part of a group statue depicting the ancient Egyptian ruler alongside deities, was confiscated in Geneva during criminal proceedings. 

Last July, it was handed over to the Egyptian embassy in Bern and has now been entrusted to the care of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, the head of the department dedicated to the repatriation of antiquities, highlighted the significance of this return, emphasizing the joint commitment of Switzerland and Egypt to combating the illegal trade of cultural property. 

Mohamed Ismail Khalid, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of various entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Cooperation Office of the Public Prosecution Office, Swiss authorities, and the Egyptian embassy in Bern.

The recovery of this statue is part of the broader ongoing plan by the tourism ministry to retrieve Egyptian artifacts that have been smuggled out of the country.

In 2013, Egyptian authorities first spotted the artifact when it was being offered for sale at an exhibition in London. It had traveled through several other countries before ending up in Switzerland. 

The Ramses II temple in the ancient city of Abydos in Southern Egypt, from where the statue was originally stolen, holds immense historical and cultural significance. 

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, was one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, ruling from 1279 to 1213 B.C. 

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Egypt Tourism Ministry at ITB China for first time

For the first time, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Egyptian Tourism Authority, has been participating in ITB China Exhibition in Shanghai, September 12-14 to promote Egyptian tourist destinations.

“Taking part in this exhibition is an opportunity to learn about the Chinese market and the requirements of its tourists,” CEO of Egyptian Tourism Authority, Amr el-Kady, said.

“We will cooperate with Chinese tourism companies and media platforms to attract more incoming tourism traffic from China to Egypt after a 3-year hiatus period due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

El-Kady held several meetings with Chinese tour operators and tourism companies, including C Trip and CYTS, to discuss ways to attract more Chinese tourists.

He also held a meeting with exhibition organisers of ITE Hong Kong, which is one of the most important tourism exhibitions in Hong Kong, to discuss Egypt’s participation in the coming years.

The 99-metre-square Egyptian pavilion is in a distinctive design that reflects ancient civilisation and the tourism products that the Egyptian tourist destination enjoys.

It includes four Egyptian tourism companies and EgyptAir.

To promote tourist destinations, the pavilion organised a competition for its visitors that includes questions about Egypt. The winners will be announced at the end of the exhibition activities and a tourist trip will be offered to them to the Egyptian tourist destination.

Shanghai is the second largest tourism exporting city in China after the capital, Beijing. It is also considered a gathering of the largest tour operators and tourism companies in the Chinese market, and nearly 50 countries are participating in the exhibition this year.

Salwa Samir

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USEFUL INFORMATION

All you need to know to plan your trip.

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime! Whether you’re visiting Egypt for the first time or you’re returning to experience more, here’s everything you need to know and some insider tips to help you start planning your trip today.

Tips to Plan Your Trip

Travel Safe

How to Get There

Practical Info

Getting Around

Useful Numbers

We love welcoming people from around the world, which is why we strive to make your entry to Egypt as easy as possible. There are currently 78 nationalities that qualify for a visa upon arrival or an electronic visa that can be obtained via our portal . Additionally, more than 180 nationalities can get a tourist visa upon arrival if the passport holder has a valid and used visa for the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, Japan, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

You can check the full list of eligible countries and apply and pay for your visa online using Egypt’s visa online application portal, Egypt Visa . Alternatively, you can obtain your visa through Egyptian consulates worldwide or get your visa upon arrival for USD 25 from the bank counter in the airport’s passport control area.

If you’re travelling directly to Sharm al-Sheikh, Nuweiba, and Taba with a limited stay of up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permit stamp upon arrival that allows you to move freely across South Sinai destinations, including Dahab. If you intend to travel beyond this area or stay longer than 15 days, you will need to get a visa.

Here are all the essentials to prepare you for landing in Egypt! After reading through the “All You Need to Know” details, the only thing left to do is book your ticket, pack your bags, and count down the days until you start your dream vacation.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Egypt?

Egypt’s climate is temperate and has short seasonal transitions, and its moderate winter extends from November to March and summer from May to September. Winters are cool and mild, with certain regions in the south remaining warm year-round, and summers are hot and dry with cooler, more humid weather on the Mediterranean coastline and even less humidity on the Red Sea coastline. Almost every day is a sunny day in Egypt, with average daylight ranging between 10 and 14 hours, depending on the time of year.

What Should I Pack?

Light, loose cotton clothing is highly recommended when visiting Egypt, and a light-medium jacket or windbreaker should be sufficient if you’re visiting during fall or winter. Make sure to pack all your hot and sunny weather essentials: sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, and sunglasses! Carrying a scarf or light cardigan is encouraged, as visitors will be expected to cover their arms and legs when visiting certain landmarks and sites, such as mosques, churches, and synagogues. Don’t forget comfortable shoes for visiting archaeological sites.

Will I Be Able to Communicate?

Arabic is the official language of Egypt, spoken by the entire population of over 100 million citizens. In urban centers and popular tourist destinations, many locals understand and are fluent in English. In tourist areas, other European languages—such as French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Italian—are also commonly spoken.

What Is the Official Currency?

Egypt’s national currency is the Egyptian Pound (geneh), and the design of each note depicts the country’s rich cultural heritage! Beautiful designs reflect images of ancient Egyptian figures, Islamic civilization, Arabesque patterns, and Arabic calligraphy. Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. The one pound is also circulated as a coin. Currency exchanges are readily available all around the country in nearly every major hotel, tourist destination, and airport. Commercial banks offer ATMs with currency exchange services 24/7.

Will I Be Able to Go Online?

If you don’t have roaming services enabled, all of Egypt’s major telecom operators offer temporary holiday lines for tourists. Visit any WE, Orange, Vodafone, or Etisalat shop and ask for a temporary line with plenty of minutes and internet data to last throughout your trip. If you are working remotely, you can also inquire about buying a MiFi device with a large data package. All telecom service providers will need to make copies of your passport in order to process the required paperwork. The majority of hotels offer free WiFi services for guests to use during their stay.

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 travel advisory and regulations for tourism, click here .

To safeguard the wellbeing of Egyptian citizens and visitors, the Egyptian government has instituted the following safety regulations:

A Vaccinated Workforce: To enhance the safety of interactions between tourists and staff, all staff members working in the tourism industry have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes, and is not limited to, staff working in hotels, resorts, cafes, restaurants, bazaars, and archaeological sites.

Hygiene Safety Certificate: Hospitality and tourism establishments, archaeological sites, and museums have obtained a Hygiene Safety Certificate to ensure the implementation of proper health and safety practices.

Periodic Inspections: Joint committees have been formed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Chamber of Hotels Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to conduct regular inspections of certified hotels. Violations result in the suspension of the establishment's license.

Egypt has several international airports that you can choose from depending on where you wish to start and end your trip.

You can fly in and begin your trip from several places around the country. Below is a comprehensive list of Egypt’s airports:

• Cairo International Airport
• Sphinx International Airport (opening soon)
• Hurghada International Airport
• Marsa Alam International Airport
• Sharm al-Sheikh International Airport
• Taba International Airport
• Luxor International Airport
• Aswan International Airport
• Borg al-Arab International Airport
• Al-Alamein International Airport (opening soon)
• Marsa Matruh International Airport
• Asyut International Airport
• Suhag International Airport

Domestic Airports

Fly domestically on EgyptAir Nile Air, and Air Cairo.

• Port Said Airport
• Al-Kharga Airport
• Abu Simbel Airport

You can also enter Egypt through several sea ports:

• Alexandria Port
• Hurghada Port
• Safaga Port
• Taba Marina Port
• Nuweiba Port
• Ras Ghaleb Port

We want your trip to start on the right foot, so here are some insider tips to help! As soon as you land and switch on your phone, you should receive an SMS with a welcome note and important hotlines to call for all the information and services you may need—we’ve got you covered!

Photography & Filming Permits

Whether you’re standing in awe of the Giza Pyramids, riding a camel by the shoreline in Marsa Alam, or staring out over the mountains from the top of Mount Sinai, taking stunning photos of your trip is encouraged!

Taking photos and videos for personal, non-commercial purposes is allowed without a permit, and free of charge in public places using any type of camera. This includes photography at archaeological sites and museums but without the use of flash photography indoors.

Taking photos of children is forbidden, and Egyptian citizens can only be photographed after obtaining their written permission.

Photography without a permit is also prohibited in institutions such as ministries, legislative councils, government facilities, police stations, buildings and sites belonging to the Armed Forces, and other sovereign and security authorities.

If you are using the following types of equipment, you will need to obtain a special permit:

• • Shooting equipment, such as professional photography umbrellas
• • Outdoor artificial lighting gear
• • equipment that occupies or blocks public roads

For more information regarding commercial photography and videography at archaeological sites and museums, please contact the Cultural Relations Department at the Ministry of Tourism.

Email: [email protected]

To ensure smooth entry, please make sure you declare your professional camera equipment and drones at the airport, as the use of this type of equipment requires special permits issued by the government.

Insider Tips

Although credit cards are accepted in all the major cities and tourist destinations, Egypt is still a cash-based society, especially when dealing with taxis, small shops, etc., so make sure to always carry enough Egyptian cash.

With ride hailing apps widely used, navigating the streets of Greater Cairo and Alexandria is no trouble at all. Taxis are readily available and required by law to have a working meter. Make sure that the meter is turned on once you start the ride.

Here’s all the information you need about traveling from city to city inside Egypt!

A short, 60-minute domestic flight will get you to most places inside Egypt, transporting you swiftly to beaches, resorts, mountains, and temples. Check out the extensive list of airports Here . Book your flight online with Egypt Air, Nile Air, and Air Cairo.

Egypt’s air-conditioned trains are a good option for scenic travel between Cairo and Alexandria, Marsa Matruh, the Delta, and the Canal Zone, as well as for heading south to Luxor and Aswan. Tourists can opt for first class ticketing, at reasonable prices, giving you access to waiter service, reclining armchairs, and on-board entertainment. If you’re looking for more luxury, then go for sleeper cars with a two-bed cabin, sink, plus access to a dining car and a bar serving breakfast and dinner. Schedules and online tickets are available on the Egyptian Railways website . Seats can be reserved up to seven days in advance, but return tickets are not necessarily available for purchase from your journey’s starting point.

Hit the road and travel across Egypt by bus! Egypt’s three main bus companies crisscross the country. The Upper Egypt Bus Company connects Cairo to the Nile Valley, Fayoum, the inner oases, and Red Sea Coast all the way down past Marsa Alam. The East Delta Bus Company crosses over to Sinai and the Suez Canal Zone, while the West and Middle Delta Bus Company heads north to the Nile Delta and Alexandria and northwest to Marsa Matruh and Siwa. Tickets can easily be booked online .

Rent a Car, Motorcycle, or Bicycle

Renting a car can give you the freedom and autonomy to zip around and make your own schedule! For slightly more money, you can hire a driver if tackling the streets of Egypt proves to be overwhelming. Several private rental companies are readily available, with online booking and pickups from airports or hotels. Another great way to get around small beach towns, local sites, or remote beaches is by motorcycle or bicycle. Explore places like Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Dahab, Sharm al-Sheikh, Al-Gouna, and Siwa from the seat of a two-wheeler and add to your holiday experience!

Sail down the Nile like the ancient Egyptians! In Cairo, speedy Nile taxis are available to shorten the trip between neighborhoods. A quick internet search will provide you with rates, online booking options, and drop-off and pick-up points. Dozens of cruise ships operate along the Nile, with most sailing from Luxor to Aswan (or vice versa) on three- to seven-night trips with stops at major attractions. Luxury Dahabeyas operate between Aswan and Luxor. Local ferries are also available to cross the Nile and Suez Canal at various points. Don’t miss floating up and down the Nile in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan on a felucca for transportation and sightseeing while enjoying the serenity of the river.

If you’re planning on exploring the marvels of Egyptians deserts or going on an adventure to one of the more secluded sites and hidden gems around the country, make sure to check with your hotel, licensed guide, authorized travel agency, or tour operator if the destination is open for visitors and ask them to help you make the necessary arrangements.

We wish you a pleasant stay, but just to be extra safe, keep these numbers handy for quick and easy access in case of inquiries, suggestions, or emergencies! They will be sent to you via SMS upon arrival.

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Egypt Wins Membership of AMA: Health Ministry

• Wednesday، 24 April 2024 - 11:48 AM

The Ministry of Health and Population announced that Assistant Health Minister for Public Health Projects and Initiatives Mohamed Hassani won the membership of African Medicines Agency (AMA).

The announcement came during the activities of the 3rd exceptional conference for the parties of AMA Treaty held in Addis Ababa for three days.

Spokesman for the Health Ministry Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said that the inaugural session was attended by representatives of 30 African countries.

Hassani represents Sahel & Sahara Gathering which includes 23 Arab and African countries, Abdel Ghaffar said.

Egypt's win comes to assert its pioneering role in Africa, the pivotal role it plays in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing and the swift development in the system of monitoring medicine in Egypt, he said.

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