TRANSPORTATION

Moving around Cairo is simple! Just download Careem or Uber. Both apps are widely used, reliable, and save you from any hassle with directions or negotiating prices. A small but important tip: before you hop in, always double-check the license plate number in the app. This way you’re sure it’s the right car, and you can ride comfortably without any unexpected discussions at arrival. 

Link to Download Uber & Careem

CURRENCY

Egypt’s national currency is the Egyptian Pound, which comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 pound (pronounced geneh) notes. Currency is readily available throughout the country with currency exchanges in just about every hotel and airport, as well as banks that can be easily navigated to using a simple Google search. We advise you to exchange a small amount at the airport to pay for taxi and small expenses, as paying in $ or € to taxi won’t get you your change back. In the convention, mostly everything is provided, food, water, snacks and tea, for extra charges as alcoholic drinks or horseback riding and quads, you can pay the hotel with your credit card.

CULTURE & BEHAVIOR

Egyptians generally have a relaxed attitude towards time and strict punctuality is not commonly practiced. As a presumed rich agnabi (foreigner), you are expected to be liberal with baksheesh. The most common is tipping: a small reward for a small service – anything from waiter service to unlocking a tomb or museum room.

FOOD

Food in Egypt is delicious, varied, mildly spiced, and combines flavours and cuisines from many parts of the world as history brought different nationalities to Egypt and the Middle East. Egypt is a transcontinental country, part in Africa, part in Asia, and food influences come from such diverse places. Egyptian cuisine is made doubly fascinating by the way history has influenced its national and traditional dishes. Be sure to try such traditional dishes as koshari, molokhia, flat baladi bread, and Falafel (Taameya in egyptian arabic).

USEFUL ARABIC WORDS

• As-aalaam alaikum: Peace be upon you ( السالم عليكم)

• Sabah al-khair: Good morning (صباح الخير)

• Shukran: Thank you (شكراً) 

• Lazeeza: Delicious (لذيذ)

• Yalla: Let’s go (يلا)

• law samaht: excuse me (لو سمحت)

• Gameela: Beautiful (جميلة)

• Mayyah: Water (مياه)

• Habibi: My love (حبيبي)

• maa’ Al Salama: goodbye (مع السالمة)

Testimonials from EAC participants