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Egypt Travel Info

Health – Safety – Visa

Health

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from:

National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries.

If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information regarding entry with specific medication, please see the medication section in Entry requirements.

Local medical care

In an emergency dial 123 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your travel company and your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

There are reports of some hotel doctors overcharging for treatment and medicines. Examine your bill closely and challenge excessive charges. Pharmacies outside hotels will often supply medication at lower prices.

Access to specialised treatment for psychiatric illness is limited and may not be available outside major cities.

Safety

Political and Security

Since January 2011, Egypt has experienced significant political turmoil and the political environment remains restrictive. This has sometimes involved violent protests and disturbances, which have resulted in a number of deaths.

Protests, marches and demonstrations have occurred across Egypt in the recent past. If you become aware of any nearby protests, marches or demonstrations you should move away from the immediate area as the atmosphere could change quickly and without warning. Police have previously used water cannons, tear gas, birdshot and live ammunition for crowd control.

Foreigners engaging in any form of political activity or activities critical of the government may be at risk of detention or other measures.

There are reports that personal electronic devices are being checked by security personnel, particularly around places of public gathering, such as Tahrir Square.

Crime

The crime rate in Egypt is generally low, but over the years visitors have sometimes suffered armed robberies, muggings (including in taxis), sexual assaults, and break-ins to accommodation and cars.

In 2020, the British Embassy responded to 2 cases of sexual assault and harassment against British nationals in Egypt, though many incidents often go unreported. Female travellers should exercise caution when travelling alone as they could be vulnerable to unwanted attention or harassment. If you are travelling on a microbus, avoid being the last passenger left on the bus. Take extra care when travelling alone, particularly at night, in taxis and microbuses.

Take care of your passport and valuables. Use hotel safes and beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers.

If you are the victim of any crime and wish to report it, you should do so to the tourist police immediately. Failure to report crimes before you leave Egypt will make it impossible to seek a prosecution at a later date.

Local Travel

South Sinai and Red Sea Governorates

The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, except the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

Security measures are in place in the resorts of Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Security forces are situated at airports, at checkpoints around the perimeter of the towns and throughout the South Sinai and Red Sea Governorates. Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airports and police are carrying out vehicle checks in towns.

Please note as our hiking tour runs in South Sinai outside the Foreign Office advised areas, you will need to ensure you have an insurance policy that will allow for this. Please contact us for further information.

Road travel

Accidents are common, mainly due to poor road conditions, dangerous driving and non-enforcement of traffic laws.

By law, seatbelts must be worn when travelling in the front of a vehicle.

Air Travel

Additional security measures are in place for flights departing from Egypt to the UK. You should cooperate fully with security officials at airports.

Visa

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa.

You can get a visa before you travel from the official Visa2Egypt portal or your nearest Egyptian consulate. Tourist visas granted using the e-visa system are valid for a maximum of 3 months. It is advisable to get a visa before you travel, particularly if travelling for work or business.

If you wish to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters.

The visa fee is US$25, payable in in pounds sterling, US dollars or euros. Visas granted on arrival are valid for a maximum of 30 days. There’s no need to buy a visa from an agent. In many cases agents will charge more than US$25 for a visa. If you’re harassed by an agent, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal.

If you’re travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days, you must get a visa.

If you have travelled to one of the South Sinai Red Sea resorts, entered without a visa and your plans have changed, you can normally purchase a visa at Sharm el Sheikh airport to allow you to travel elsewhere.

Applications for visa extensions should be made at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. You may have difficulties leaving Egypt with an out of date visa. You will not normally be allowed to leave without paying a fine if your visa is out of date by more than 14 days.

For further information and enquiries, contact the Egyptian Consulate in London.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Egypt.

Jordan Travel Info

Health – Safety – Visa

Health

Contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.

Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

Medical facilities outside Amman are basic. In an emergency you should seek treatment in Amman. Emergency treatment is also available in Aqaba. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Temperatures in summer months can be very high. Drink plenty of water and use high factor sun-block.

Two cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in patients from Jordan have been reported to the World Health Organization. Clinical updates on this virus can be found on the NaTHNac website.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Safety

Despite the unrest in the surrounding region Jordan has remained largely unaffected.  It remains a very safe country to travel in.

There are large numbers of Syrian refugees entering the country and the area around the border of Syria is not safe to visit, however this a great distance away from tourism sites and trekking regions.

Please refer to the Foreign Office Advice of your country for further guidance.

Visa information

For most visitors a visa is available on arrival. The cost is 50JD (Jordanian Dinar). Credit/Debit cards usually accepted on arrival

A foreign exchange is available on arrival at the airport.

The visa is valid for one month.

Alternatively, please check out the Jordan Pass using the following link: – Jordan Pass

This covers entrance fees to nearly all sites in Jordan and the visa charge.

Ensure your passport is valid for six months after the date of entry to Jordan.

Please consult your foreign office advice for further information.

Responsible Travel

It’s Our Duty

At Down to Earth Travel we are committed to responsible travel, aiming to benefit the local community wherever possible.

We use local people for all the services provided on tour & wherever possible we use locally run hotels and camps using locally sourced food products.

Maximum group size is 15 people to minimise the impact on the environment.

You can help in our commitment to responsible travel by doing the following:-

  • Switch off lights/air conditioning when not in hotel rooms
  • Avoid washing towels daily in the hotel
  • Take your litter with you or use bins provided
  • Interact with the local community
  • Bargain with humour
  • Learn about local customs and cultures

Protected Trust Services

A Service You Can Trust

Protected Trust Services (PTS) provides the customer with the highest level of financial protection against the failure of both the travel company you book with and the suppliers they use.

The protection lasts from the moment you book, to the point when you return.

Click on the PTS icon shown at the bottom of each page and you will be redirected to their website for further information.

Down To Earth Travel – Protected Trust Services Membership No. D05169

Covid-19 Travel Info

Hands – Face – Space

Governmental policies to contain and reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the ability for people to travel and move around the world.

However, for some regions and for some people travel is possible.
The health and well being of our guests, staff and the communities we visit are of utmost importance to us. Any trip Down to Earth organises will follow all local Public Health protocols and guidance.

All local guides are required to have up-to-date knowledge of the nearest local clinics, testing procedures and health policies in each destination.

Our guides and tour-leaders know the best time to visit sites to avoid congestion and can suggest restaurants that are practicing the highest level of hygiene and social distancing.

All our on-ground personnel are supported 24/7 not only by our local partners in each country, but also by our highly experienced teams in the UK and US. With over 100 years of experience between us, we are well-equipped to handle any situation.

All our tour-leaders are first-aid trained and carry the relevant equipment to assist you quickly where needed.