The country’s official language is Arabic, but many Egyptians also speak English and French, especially in the tourist areas.
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The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, which is broken down into 100 piasters. Major hotels and restaurants usually accept major credit cards. Any traveller’s cheques not in US dollars or British pounds are charged extra to exchange. The tourist areas of Cairo have ATMs that accept major cards.
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Egypt’s international country code is 20. To call to another country, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code. Hotels can be very expensive to call from, so head to one of the 24-hour Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices in the major cities. Most of the main tourist areas have Internet cafes.
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Tipping in Egypt is called “baksheesh” and is part of the Egyptian culture. A bit of change is expected for most services and can literally open doors for you. Even though most restaurants and hotels add a service charge to the bill, it’s customary to give a 5 per cent tip directly to the waiter. Tip taxi drivers 10 per cent.
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Terrorism and political instability pose a threat to Egyptian tourism.
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Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations and check with your doctor before travelling to Egypt. You are recommended to get vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis A and polio. Bring plenty of sunscreen and make sure to keep yourself hydrated in the intense heat. Stick to bottled water, and only eat food cooked through or fruits you’ve peeled yourself to avoid diarrhoea. Do not bathe in or drink the Nile’s water; it’s contaminated. Make sure you carry health insurance.
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The electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz and use European-style, two-pinned plugs.
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