How much money to take to Egypt

How much money take on vacation in Egypt, if you go on All Inclusive (AI) ? How much will it take without ai ? What are the prices for souvenirs, transport, excursions? How much food and drinks are in shops and restaurants? Read the answers in this article.

Prices and other information in this article are relevant for May 2021. Over the past year, prices rose due to coronavirus. Of course, the authorities are reporting on record-low inflation 6% in 2020. But in reality, the Egyptians complain about the rise in price primarily.

ALL INCLUSIVE AND WITHOUT – Like the difference in expenses?

If you go on All inclusive, then skip the sections about food, drinks (non-alcoholic) and local alcohol.

If you drive without all inclusive, then read all sections that consider themselves relevant.

Final list of spending options See at the end of this article.

Attention! Fee for an arrival visa

In Egypt, the visa on arrival costs 25 dollars. Until April 30, 2021, this fee was temporarily not charged to support the tourist flow during the Pandemic period COVID-19. But, now "Halyava is over".

These $ 25 per person are the inevitable expense. Only in the resorts of Sinai can be obtained free "Sinai stamp". Details in the article "Visa to Egypt". We advise you to prepare money without passing, because in the window of buying visas does not always have a passing from large banknotes.

1. Communication – Internet and calls

First bad news: VoIP is blocked in Egypt and solve the problem of calls using WhatsApp or Skype will not work. Although sometimes works, because the control and blocking system works at impaired. You can use VPN, but for most tourists it is too difficult.

The Internet is very cheap on Egyptian SIM cards, the price of a package of 20 gigabytes – 250 Egyptian pounds. Current pound course, see our article "Money in Egypt". In roaming, the Internet will cost many times more. Details in our article "Internet in Egypt".

With calls the situation is reverse. If the minutes you need a lot (up to 45 minutes per day), then it is most profitable to include "zero without borders" for 145 rubles a day. If the minutes you need quite a bit, then better local SIM. Details in our article "Calls from Egypt Deshevo".

Eventually. If you do not want to limit yourself in minutes and gigabytes, then prepare 250 pounds per vacation + 145 rubles a day.

2. Gifts and souvenirs

Souvenirs and gifts in Egypt inexpensive. Medium-sized papyrus will cost 15-20 dollars. Picture of sand in a bottle – from 3 to 10 dollars, depends on the size. Fruit is unlikely to gain more than 10 dollars. All prices in our detailed article "What to bring from Egypt".

We recommend highlighting a decent set of souvenirs and gifts. If you want an extended set, prepare 100 dollars.

Separately, we want to tell about one popular gift – culbbles with silver and gold hieroglyphs. On such coulides with hieroglyphs write the name of the owner, they usually do under the order. Silver price – from 25 dollars, gold – from 100 dollars.

We do not recommend buying such souvenirs at all. Silver and gold authenticity nobody guarantees. Sell ​​or lay such a decoration will not be able without an examination, which is comparable to the price of the product. There is no point in that.

3. Excursions

Local excursions (within the resort of stay) cost 20-30 dollars. For this money, can be lit with fish or ride on local free attractions.

Excursions in the region (as part of the province of stay) cost 40-60 dollars. For example, in Sharma, this is a trip to Moise or Canyon. In Hurghada, you can go to Luxor for 60-80 dollars.

Excursions to Cairo from Hurghada and Charma can cost from 60 to 120 dollars, depends on the quality of lunch, the composition of the visits, whether tickets are included in the sights. Excursions to Cairo with the flight cost $ 160-200.

When calculating the cost of excursions you need to consider one nuance. Most tourists travel to Egyptian resorts in All Inclusive hotels. If you are going on a tour for the whole day, then we lose the paid all inclusive.

4. Places to Attractions and Entertainment

Over the past few years, prices for attractions in Egypt rose at times.

In Cairo. To just go to the giza plateau and see the great pyramids, you need to pay 200 Egyptian pounds. To get inside the pyramid of Heops, pay another 400 pounds.

In Luxor. Just enter the valley of the kings – 240 pounds. View tomb of Tutankhamon – another 300 pounds. But the most "expensive" landmark of Egypt is the Tomb of the Network I – 1000 pounds for the entrance.

At the resorts, the situation is no better. In Hurghad, entrance to the museum – 250 pounds, Grand Aquarium – 25 euros, Sand City Park – 10 Euro. But visiting water parks in Hurghada is inexpensive – 20-30 dollars per person.

In Sharm el-Sheikh for the show in Dolphina Dolphinaria – $ 20, recently outdoor Sharm Museum – 200 pounds, Cleo Park and Aqua Blue water parks – 25 dollars.

5. Taxi and other local transport

In Egypt, one of the cheapest taxis in the world. However, many tourists from their own experience believe that taxi is expensive. How so it turns out?

Taxi price strongly depends on how to order it. The cheapest option is to catch a white or orange (yellow) taxi in the counter, then pay 6-10 Egyptian pounds for landing and 2.5-4 pounds per kilometer. If you order a Uber or Careem through the application, then pay 7.25 for landing and 2.7 per kilometer.

If you order through the reception of the hotel or agents, you will pay 3 or 4 times more expensive. Know the right ways, and you will not overpay! All the details in our article "Taxi in Egypt".

In Egypt, there are minibuses in the resorts, but they are difficult to use them. Inscriptions about the destination is usually only in Arabic. But if you know the number of the desired minibus, you can save. Fare price – 1-2.5 pound, depends on distance.

In Cairo there is a subway, the fare is 5, 7 or 10 pounds depending on the distance. Details in our article "Metro Cairo".

6. Intercity transport

If you drive to a resort city or from it, then the only available option is long-distance buses. View map and distances See our article "Map of Egypt Resorts".

Prices for tickets for tickets Acceptable: Charm El Sheikh-Cairo – from 180 pounds, Hurghada Cair – from 180 pounds, Hurghada Luxor – from 135 pounds. There are buses of different service classes, prices for the most budget class "Classic" have GO BUS’s bus company (El Gouna).

Between cities in the Nile Delta is the most convenient to move on trains. Ticket prices will greatly differ depending on the class of the train and the class of the Vagon. Cairo Alexandria – from 58 to 130 pounds. Cairo Luxor – from 110 to 255 pounds.

You can move on the aircraft, but it is expensive – 100-120 dollars per ticket back and back. But it is not always convenient, since you need to get to the airport, come in advance, undergo security control. Flight time is 1 hour, but taking into account the additional time spent 2-3 hours or longer.

7. Drinks (non-alcoholic)

The price of bottled water – 3.5-4 Egyptian pounds for 1.5 liters. If you buy at once in bulk, then cheaper. For example, now in Carrefour there is a supply of 12 bottles of 1.5 liters for 40.75 pounds.

Hazing: 5 pounds for the bank Coca-Cola 0.33, 13-15 pounds for 2 liters Coca-Cola. Local soda types are cheaper by 1.5-2 times. ENERGY RED BULL – 20-25 pounds.

Juices: from 7 to 12 pounds per liter, depends on the manufacturer. As with us, the price of juice does not depend on the fruit (or berries), from which the juice is made. What in turn generates serious doubts about the natural nature of the product.

Very popular "Asab" is a sugar cane juice. The juice is cheap, since sugar cane in Egypt is growing a lot. Price – 1.5-2 pounds. Often Asab sold on the streets, but we still recommend drinking it at least in cafes or eaters, so safer.

eight. Food – Street Fud, Cheap cafes and eaters

We categorically not recommended to eat in Egypt in cheap catering establishments. Food poisoning in Egypt has long become ordinary phenomenon. After all, the climate is hot here, and food flies quickly.

That’s just a recent loud incident that Al Watan newspaper wrote. In one of the villages in the Nile Delta in the province of Buchira staged a wedding on October 2, 2020. Guests were fed by meat cutlets "Köfte", which were spoiled meat. Result – more than 100 people hospitalized. And about the miracle! All recovered. Mass poisoning without fatal cases is a rarity in modern Egyptian realities.

But if you are ready to risk, it will be very cheap. Pie with vegetable or meat stuffing – 4-8 pounds per piece depends on the filling. Cochara is a dish of noodles, rice and nuta – 5-12 pounds for a portion. Falafel – 5-8, ShaURma – 15-20.

Some tourists manage to eat in Street Fudge and eaters for 5 dollars a day. But it is better to count on 10 dollars a day.

nine. Food – fast food

In Egypt, there are all international fast foods. Eat safely but very expensive!

McDonalds: Big Mac now (May 2021) costs 42.5 Egyptian pounds, Big Testi – 67 pounds, 9 Nuggets – 45.5, Cheeseburger – 16.5, double cheeseburger – 35. In Egypt, there is the same Lifehak, as we have: Cheaper to buy two cheeseburgers and connect them than buying double.

In KFC Set 6 Stripks + Potatoes Fries + Salad + Bun + Drink will cost 88 pounds.

Burger King: Bowper – 50 pounds, steakhouse – 55 pounds, Cheeseburger – 16, double cheeseburger – 32.

The price of a small pizza in Pizza Hut – from 70 to 100 pounds.

If you are going to eat in fast foods, then count by $ 15-25 per person per day.

ten. Food – restaurants

Talk about prices in restaurants is difficult, as restaurants have a different price level. Let’s try to bring prices for mid-level restaurants. Four in cheap restaurants in Egypt may be dangerous in the same way as in Street Fud.

Prices in restaurants differ from the region to the region. In the upper (southern) Egypt prices are the lowest. In Cairo and Alexandria, prices can be called medium. At the resorts of the Red Sea expensive – by 20-30% more expensive than in Cairo.

Salad is an average of 80-100 Egyptian pounds. Main dishes are 250-300 pounds. Desserts from 60 to 120 pounds, drinks another 40-60. For lunch or dinner, prepare from 450 to 600 pounds per person.

If you’re going to eat in restaurants and at the same time do not refuse. Then cook 70-100 dollars per person per day.

eleven. Food – food from the store

If you can cook, then the cost of food is sharply reduced.

The average price of the pack of pasta Macaron is 400 grams – 7 pounds, rice – 10 pounds per kilogram, potatoes – 8 pounds per kilogram, tomatoes and cucumbers – 10.

Meat in Egypt is: 120-150 pounds per kilogram of beef, 150-170 pounds per kilogram of lamb, 70-90 per kilogram of chicken breast.

Milk – 16-18 per liter, soft cheeses – 30-40 per kilogram, eggs – 20 over a dozen, fish – 100-150 per kilogram, sunflower oil – 25 per liter. All the details in our article "Product prices in Egypt".

If you summarize, it can be said that food prices in Egypt are comparable to our. If you cook yourself from the products from the supermarket, then the cost of food is 5 dollars per person per day.

Some tourists feed on fruit or make sandwiches from the products from the supermarket. Not the most useful diet for health, but then cheap and safe. In this case, it is realistic for $ 3-5 per day.

12. Local alcohol

If you go on All Inclusive, then local alcohol will be without restrictions. But it will be drinks "Middle" and "below average". The Egyptian company Al Ahram has a Bolanachi brand for these purposes.

If without all inclusive, then local alcoholic beverages can be bought. Not all stores in Egypt have the right to trade alcohol, but you can find such a store. DRINKIES stores are on all major resorts.

The times of cheap alcohol in Egypt have long passed. Prices are very high – beer from 20 Egypt pounds for 0.5 liters, wine and strong drinks from 70 Egyptian pounds. Now in Egypt very high alcohol taxes – on beer 200%, on wine and strong 150%. It is not surprising that alcohol is more expensive than we.

Read more about drinks, prices, shops and rules of trade, read our article "Local Egyptian Alcohol".

13. Imported alcohol

Imported alcohol is easiest to bring with you, but the customs rules allow only 1 liter maximum. If this is not enough, then you need to buy.

Imported alcohol in Egypt to buy difficult. The most affordable option – Duty Free shops. In Egypt, a special situation with Duty Free stores, they are located not only in buffer areas at airports, but also on the territory of the country. Tourists have the right to buy them within 48 hours from the date of arrival. You can buy up to 3 liters of imported alcohol. All the details in the article "Alcohol in Egypt".

Logic, prices in Duty Free must be super-low, because there are no taxes, duties and excise. But in practice, prices in the Egyptian Duty Free are about the same as in our supermarkets. But in our supermarkets now there are big discounts and promotions, and in the Egyptian Duty Free there is no.

Eventually. Imported alcohol can allow themselves 4 liters – 1 of the house + 3 of Duty Free. Prices can be viewed in the nearest supermarket, in Duty Free in Egypt, prices will be about the same.

fourteen. Cigarettes

Smoking in Egypt now is not at all cheap pleasure. Passed those times when cigarettes were worth 2-3 times cheaper than we.

Winston bundle – 30 Egyptian pounds, pack Marlboro – 44 pounds, tutu Kent – 38 pounds. The most popular Cleopatra cigarettes in Egypt – 18 pounds per pack.

These were prices in ordinary cities stores. At the resorts, these same cigarettes sell 1.5-2 times more expensive. In stores at hotels 2-3 times more expensive. The taste of Egyptian cigarettes may be an unpleasant surprise. All details and prices in our article "Cigarettes and smoking in Egypt".

Therefore, we advise: take cigarettes with you. You can import to 200 pieces (1 block), it should be enough for all vacation.

Another option – to buy imported cigarettes in Duty Free. Prices are high, there is a limit – not more than 1 block (200 pieces) per passport, no later than 48 hours from the moment of arrival in Egypt.

If you prefer Wipe (Warry) or IQOS, then the supply of liquids or styles should be taken. Why? Read in our article "Waip and IQos in Egypt".

15. Unexpected expenses

Unforeseen expenses may be greater than it may seem at first glance.

First, insurance in 99% of cases contains the conditions of the franchise. This is when with the insured event, the first part of the tourist pays himself, and then the insurance company. For example, you put seams on a wound for $ 200. 30 Place yourself (franchise), the remaining 170 is already insured. These are these 30 dollars need to have.

Secondly, there are no dinners on many excursions or dinner drinks paid. Perhaps forget something important, such as coral slippers or sun cream.

You may want to thank the guide or someone else from the staff. You can very want some kind of souvenir who did not plan to buy. Or want to try some kind of dish, the image of which has just seen on the restaurant showcase.

We recommend to have $ 100 in stock. If nothing unexpected happens, then bring this money back.

RESULTS

If you go on All Inclusive and do not plan to leave the hotel. Then take $ 100 for unforeseen expenses and $ 50 per souvenirs and gifts.

If you go on All Inclusive and planning excursions. Then take an additional 150 dollars, which should be enough for a couple of interesting excursions. The same money should be enough for independent trips to attractions – by taxi and tickets.

If you drive without all inclusive. Then expenses depend on the nutritional format.

– To eat in good restaurants, take 70-100 dollars per person per day;

– if you eat in network fast foods, take 20-30 dollars per person per day;

– If you are ready to eat in streets or cheap eaters, take 10-15 per person per day. But we remind you that in Egypt, it is fraught with poisoning;

– If you are ready to eat fruit and sandwiches from the products from the supermarket. Or if you can cook (for example, remove the apartments). Then you can do 5-10 dollars a day.

What else is important to know

– Remember that in Egypt without problems you can change dollars and euros on Egyptian pounds, but it is almost impossible to change back. Do not change a lot, read our article "Currency exchange in Egypt";

– fruit is the most popular gift from tourists. About fruit prices, read in our article "Fruits in Egypt";

– What else to take with you except money, read the article "What to take to Egypt".

Have a good holiday in Egypt, and read our interesting articles about this country (List of articles below).