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Egipto: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

  • UK FCDO advises against all travel to North Sinai and near the Libya border, and some travel elsewhere; Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Red Sea resorts are outside these zones. High risk of regional escalation.
  • Tramadol and some other painkillers and psychotropic medicines are illegal: tourists have been jailed for carrying them. Bring prescriptions and check before packing.
  • Visa on arrival now costs USD 30 cash at airport kiosks; Cairo airport also offers a USD 36 card-only digital visa since Aug 2026. The e-visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) avoids queues.
  • Drones, satellite phones and radio equipment are confiscated without prior permits.
  • Carry small banknotes for tips (baksheesh); tipping is expected for most services.

Entrada y visados

Many nationalities (incl. US, UK, EU, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan) can get a 30-day single-entry tourist visa on arrival (USD 30 cash) or apply in advance for an e-visa (valid up to 3 months). Travellers flying into Sharm el-Sheikh and staying under 15 days only in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba get a free entry stamp. Others need an embassy visa.

Formularios y permisos en línea

  • Egypt e-Visa ↗ opcional
    Apply at least 7 days before departure, as required by the official e-Visa portal · Eligible nationalities who prefer to skip visa-on-arrival queues

Validez del pasaporte: At least 6 months from arrival with at least one blank page.

En la frontera pueden pedir

  • Buy the visa sticker at the official kiosk before passport control (USD/EUR/GBP cash), or use the Cairo digital visa by card.
  • Use Uber/Careem or pre-booked transfers from airports; agree taxi fares in advance.
  • Expect hotel and site security scanners.

Aduana

  • Egyptian pounds: up to EGP 5,000 in or out. Declare foreign currency over USD 10,000.
  • Declare high-value electronics and professional recording equipment.
  • Satellite phones, radio equipment and drones need prior clearance; otherwise confiscated.
  • Exporting antiquities is illegal - keep receipts for replicas.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, blog.wego.com ↗, visa2egypt.gov.eg ↗

Dinero

Se usa sobre todo efectivo. Tarjetas sobre todo en ciudades y zonas turísticas.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — funciona en algunos sitios · Google Pay — funciona en algunos sitios

Dónde cambiar dinero

  • Bank branches and licensed exchange offices (e.g. Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt)
  • Bank ATMs of major banks (NBE, Banque Misr, CIB)

Dónde no cambiar

  • Unofficial street/black-market changers (illegal)
  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion at terminals

Cajeros: ATMs are common in cities and resorts and accept foreign cards; use machines attached to bank branches. Withdrawal limits per transaction can be low.

Propinas: Baksheesh is expected: 10–15% in restaurants (even with service charge), tips for guides, drivers, porters, toilet attendants and anyone helping at sites.

  • Hotels, malls, supermarkets and chain restaurants take cards; markets, taxis, small cafes and tips are cash.
  • Keep small notes (EGP 10–50) for tips and toilets.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad and Mir is not reliably accepted; bring USD/EUR cash or a foreign-issued card.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

  • Tramadol and some other prescription painkillers/psychotropics - tourists have received prison sentences.
  • Any drugs, including cannabis; severe penalties.
  • Drones without a permit; satellite phones and radio equipment without clearance.
  • Photographing military sites, police, bridges, the Suez Canal and government buildings; using a tripod or drone at sites without permission.
  • Buying, owning or exporting antiquities.
  • Same-sex relations can be prosecuted under 'debauchery' laws.
  • Criticising the state or religion, including online.
  • Eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight in Ramadan is frowned upon outside tourist venues.

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

  • Alcohol is legal in licensed hotels, bars and shops (incl. duty-free shops after arrival).
  • Carry your passport or a copy; police checkpoints are common on roads.
  • Professional photography at sites requires permits; some sites charge for camera/phone photography.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: newarab.com ↗, localguidetoegypt.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Islam (Sunni majority); Coptic Christian minority of roughly 10%.

Ropa: Outside resorts, cover shoulders and knees; loose clothing is respected. Women cover hair in mosques (scarves often provided); remove shoes. Swimwear only at beaches and pools.

Etiqueta

  • Bargain at markets; agree prices before services (taxis, camel rides, guides).
  • Firmly but politely refuse unwanted touts and 'helpers' at sites.
  • Use your right hand for eating and handing things over.
  • Ask before photographing people; some expect a tip.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Clima

Hot desert climate: mild sunny winters, very hot summers. Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) exceeds 40°C in summer; the Red Sea coast is warm year-round. Cairo shown; spring can bring hot, dusty khamsin winds.

Mes a mes
  • enero: Jan: 19°C / 9°C, mild; cool nights
  • febrero: Feb: 21°C / 10°C, mild; good
  • marzo: Mar: 24°C / 12°C, warm; khamsin winds
  • abril: Apr: 28°C / 15°C, warm; dust storms possible
  • mayo: May: 32°C / 18°C, hot
  • junio: Jun: 34°C / 21°C, very hot; Luxor 40°C+
  • julio: Jul: 35°C / 22°C, very hot
  • agosto: Aug: 34°C / 22°C, very hot, humid
  • septiembre: Sep: 33°C / 21°C, hot
  • octubre: Oct: 30°C / 18°C, warm; season starts
  • noviembre: Nov: 25°C / 14°C, pleasant; ideal
  • diciembre: Dec: 20°C / 10°C, mild; peak season

Mejor temporada: October–April for sightseeing; Red Sea diving is good year-round.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Qué llevar

  • Type C/F plug adapter (220V)
  • USD/EUR cash for the visa on arrival
  • Small EGP notes for tips
  • Loose clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Scarf for mosques and dust
  • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
  • Prescriptions for all medicines; anti-diarrhoea tablets

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

  • Tramadol and other controlled painkillers or psychotropics without checking
  • Drones, satellite phones, radio transmitters
  • Any cannabis or CBD products

Práctico

Enchufes: Type C/F, 220V, 50Hz

Agua: Do not drink tap water; use bottled water and avoid ice and raw salads in cheap places.

Circulación: por la derecha

Móvil y eSIM: Tourist SIMs from Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE at airports with a passport; eSIMs available.

Apps: Uber, Careem, inDrive, Talabat, Google Maps

Internet: Some news and VPN websites are blocked; most apps work normally.

Salud: No vaccinations required except yellow fever certificate from risk countries. Traveller's diarrhoea is common. Private hospitals in Cairo and resorts are good; costs can be high.

Seguro: Not required for entry; recommended including evacuation.

Emergencias: Police 122; ambulance 123; fire 180; tourist police 126

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.