Visa, information form and exit from the airport: useful things to know before arriving in Egypt

Make sure you know what to expect regarding visas, customs, landing cards and more before landing in Egypt.

Stage 1: Landing in Cairo, Egypt

To enter Egypt, you must bring with you proof of a negative PCR test taken no later than 72 hours before your flight to Egypt. Passengers from some countries of departure have up to 96 hours, so please check with your airline.

Some airlines also require the negative PCR test to be printed and do not accept electronic copies. So be sure to check with your airline (or bring a few hard copies to be on the safe side).

These negative tests are verified both by the airline before you board as well as when you land at the airport in Egypt, so make sure you don't lose them during your flight.

These tests must be in English to be accepted. Vaccinated persons are exempt from the PCR test. Please note that Egypt does not recognize single-dose vaccinations after contamination. Make sure you have written 2/2 for the number of injections on your vaccination certificate.

Step 2: Leaving Egypt

If the country you're returning to from Egypt doesn't require a PCR, then that's it - it was nice to have you! But if they need a PCR, airline representatives will ask for it at Cairo airport (or any other Egyptian airport you've landed in) before you're allowed to board your flight.

You can get a PCR test in Egypt for around 800 EGP (40 Euros) at most major labs. I recommend Cairo Lab or TIba Lab in Dokki - they accept walk-in visits, there's no waiting and the results are ready and printed for you the same or next day.

Now that we're done with the covid-19 part, let's get straight back to what else you need to know before arriving in Egypt.

Step 3: Visas

For Europeans, the visa can be bought directly on arrival, you can buy it in banks just before the border police. The price is 25 dollars, you can pay 25 euros and the person will give you back the difference in Egyptian pounds.

You can buy the visa online at Egyptian Ministry of Interior website . However, I don't recommend this option, I had to pay 3 times last time to get it.

In any case, I invite you to go to the website of the embassy of your country to find out the entry conditions according to your nationality.

Those considering applying for an e-visa: whatever you do, be sure to purchase it from the site Official web of the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and NO on the dozens of other Egyptian e-visa websites that are not affiliated with the government.

The price on the ministry's website is $25 for a single entry visa, and it's the same price as a visa on arrival.

As for multiple entry visas, you need to purchase them from the Department of Interior website for $60. They are not available upon arrival.

Passport expiry: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. For the French, a simple identity document is enough to enter Egypt.

Step 4: Information sheet

Usually, before landing at Cairo airport, flight attendants will start handing out information sheets to fill out. There is one for Egyptians (in Arabic) and one for non-Egyptians (in English). You fill in pretty standard information - name, date of birth, passport number, address of where you are staying in Egypt, etc. If you are a married couple or a family, all you have to do is fill out a card.

Keep the card as you will need it to go through passport control, but if for some reason you lose or misplace it, don't panic - just ask the flight attendant for a new one or airport staff. Often they have a bunch of them at the counters before the passport lines, and if they don't, someone will have one for you. Absolutely no need to panic - Egyptians are both laid back and helpful.

Just give the card to the police officer with your passport and that's it. He keeps it and you don't need it to leave Egypt after your trip.

Step 5: Insider Recommendations

Don't listen to anyone who tells you to follow them so they can guide you down the "fast track". These people are just looking for tips and their "fast lane" usually isn't much faster than the queue, so no, big no.

Also, while you are in the bank getting your visa, it would be wise to exchange some money into Egyptian pounds. Egyptians mainly use cash, so it is best to always have some on hand. You can also get money from the many ATMs at the airport or in Cairo.

Bring a pen! Or actually, preferably bring more than one pen and make sure you're not particularly attached to them, because you'll find plenty of fellow travelers asking to borrow one to fill in their disembarkation cards and heaven knows pens are easy to misplace or forget with someone.

Step 6: Baggage claim

The last step before being free in Egypt is to collect your luggage and go through customs.

The baggage claim area is fairly straightforward and baggage carts are free. They're not installed in a specific location, so pay attention and you'll spot one available sooner or later.

You will also find a few porters next to the belt who will be happy to help you with your luggage. Slip them a dollar/euro or 10 Egyptian pounds and you'll both leave happy.

If you don't need help and they insist, just say "no thanks" clearly and politely and remove your luggage yourself.

Step 7: Customs

It's usually a few messy lines leading to baggage x-ray machines. Random travelers (and sometimes everyone else, if the queues are light) are asked to put their bags in the x-ray machine.

They are basically looking for the following: Dutiable goods, illegal substances or items (like drones, FYI - for a full list of unexpected illegal things in Egypt), large sums of money (above of the amount, which is $10,000 - nothing more needs to be stated) and basically anything fishy.

To be on the safe side, make sure that when packing, you consider the following:

Open all new electronics and remove them from their original packaging so they don't look like they're bringing them in to sell.
Foreigners are not allowed to consume more than 1 bottle of alcohol when entering the country, whether from Cairo Airport Duty-Free or purchased prior to arrival.
Your clothes should not have price tags.

If your bag is as boring as ours, you'll go through the whole process in a minute (once you reach the start of the queue, that is). If your bag is marked on the machine, expect the officials to run through it briefly, but it shouldn't take long unless they find something that needs further inspection.

Step 8: Duty Free

Depending on the terminal you arrive in, Duty-Free is either next to baggage claim or after customs control.

Alcohol is completely legal in Egypt, and if you want to drink hard liquor on your trip, Duty-Free is the best place to buy it, as imported liquor is only available in hotels and some bars/restaurants; the alcohol available for purchase outside the airport is entirely local and not to everyone's taste (stick to local beer and wine).

Step 9: Leaving the airport

As you walk out of the arrivals hall, you'll suddenly be bombarded by many hopeful touts who continually ask, "Taxi? Taxi?", on a loop. It is therefore recommended that you have planned your method of transport in advance.

If you are staying in one of the big 5 star hotels you can arrange with them, they will send someone for you for a fee. Otherwise, here are your options:

1- Airport shuttle

You can book online or go to their desk in the arrivals hall, but it's best to book in advance to ensure you have a waiting car. They have flat fees for different car types and different destinations, so you don't have to worry about bargaining. The price is per car, not per person, so it's ideal if you're a couple or a small group.

Airport shuttle prices are here.

2- London Cab

Note: If you've never driven in Cairo before, you might want to think twice before renting a car. Driving is extremely stressful and the highway code very little respected.

My take: The airport shuttle and London Cab are probably the easiest, but if you're on a budget, Uber/Careem is your best bet.