Egypt is a comfortable 4 hours flying time from London, with services also available from various regional airports. Most major airlines serve Cairo airport, with some also flying to Luxor, and other cities. Cheap flights can be obtained from many of the consolidators and internet based operations now springing up, but be aware that by and large, these are not direct, and a change of aircraft is nearly always needed somewhere en route, adding considerably to the journey time. British Airways direct to Cairo from Heathrow Airport daily. Unfortunately at the time of writing, they do not fly to Luxor.
Different types of tours are available, varying in length and intensity, with some better than others. Some people are quite happy to relax on a 7 night Nile cruise, and force their way through the crowds that invariably descend on the sites when the boats all dock together, while others prefer a more intimate experience with more time to look around and see things at their leisure. At the end of the day each individual has their own unique reasons for wanting to visit Egypt, and own individual requirements. Fortunately the market caters for all of these needs.
The classic tour of Egypt tends to concentrate mainly on the various ancient monuments and the history surrounding them, and most commonly lasts between 10 and 14 days. This will generally include visits to the three main centres of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, probably, but not always in that order. It may also include a short Nile Cruise.
Most tours begin and end in Cairo, as this is the main point of entry. Time will usually be spent at the Giza Plateau and Saqqara, with perhaps a day in old Cairo, and also a visit to the Egyptian Museum. The tour will then move to either Aswan or Luxor, usually by air, but occasionally by train. There is much to see in Luxor, and usually this necessitates a longer stay, with visits to the West Bank, the Luxor and Karnak Temples and of course, the Valley of the Kings. If a cruise is included this is usually between Luxor and Aswan, and can be in either direction. Sightseeing in Aswan usually includes visits to the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk as well as Elephantine Island, and perhaps the Isis Temple at Philae. A frequent addition, usually at extra cost is a visit to the Temple of Abu Simbel.
In addition to the ancient monuments, many people also like to spend time at the beach, at the Red Sea Resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh. Another option is also a visit to Sinai.
Entry Requirements
The following advice applies only to British Nationals. Citizens or passport holders from other countries are advised to contact their travel agent or local Egyptian Embassy for up to date information.
At the time of writing (April 2004), visitors from the UK are required to be in possession of a passport which is valid for 6 months after the date of travel. Passport application forms can be obtained from larger Post Office branches. The Post Office also offers a passport checking service for a small fee. Applications received in this way are given priority by the Passport Office. Further details are available from the Passport Office.
Visas are required for both business travellers and tourists alike. A tourist visa is normally valid for 3 months from the date of issue, and can be either single or multiple entry. A single entry tourist visa costs £15, while multiple entry visas are £18. These can be obtained in advance from the Egyptian Embassy in London or alternatively, on arrival in Egypt. Further details are available from the Embassy website.
Copyright June Austin 2006-2007. All Rights Reserved.
