Budget trip to Egypt: What to keep in mind
Egypt has a reputation as a luxurious resort destination, only fit for those that have money to spare. Whether it be the resorts at Sharm El Sheikh or the beaches of Hurghada, luxury relaxation is one of Egypt’s main drawing points. But a budget trip is certainly also possible in Egypt. Here, we’ll go over some important things to keep in mind when planning a budget trip to Egypt, as well as some handy tips on how to get the visa.
Hostels or camping
Of course, if you’re planning a budget trip, you want to avoid the resorts along the Red Sea. While there are “budget” resorts for people with a smaller budget, these are generally still more expensive than what someone would consider a “budget holiday”. In the larger cities, you will have plenty of choices for a hostel or dorm room, with rooms going for as little as £3.50 per day. If you want to get the cheapest rooms, you want to travel during the low season between June and August. Take into the account the scorching sun, though. You can also check sites like Airbnb for cheap apartment options, where you can get more comfortably locations for £10 to £20 a day.
Another option is camping. Egypt doesn’t really have free-range camping, and it’s also not recommended to try it yourself, as the country has various regions that are considered dangerous due to things like unexploded mines. Aside from the famous resorts, the areas along the Red Sea also have camping sites. Just make sure to keep in mind that, since camping isn’t as popular in Egypt as it is in Europe, facilities are limited. However, for many that only adds to the adventure.
Local cuisine
Because it is a popular tourist destination, many of the dining establishments in Egypt cater to Western tourists. These are a money trap, however, as they cost more precisely for that reason. If you stick to the local cuisine, not only will you be much cheaper off, you will also get to experience the vintage Egyptian lifestyle. You can find anything you want at the street food stalls, from falafels to larger shawarma dishes.
Check if you need a visa
A mistake many people make is getting a visa when they don’t need one. For example, you don’t need a visa if you’re staying at a resort in the South Sinai for 14 days or less. These include Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, Dahab and Nuweiba. However, the issue here is that you won’t be allowed to leave this area during your stay. Most budget trips are adventure trips, so you’ll like need a visa.
If you’re planning a budget trip, you will likely want to go for the visa type you can get at the airport in Egypt, the visa on arrival. These cost $25 and must be paid for in cash (bank cards are not accepted). Pounds and euros are accepted. This visa allows you to stay in Egypt for up to 30 days.
If you would rather play it safe and avoid any potential issues at the airport, you can also consider the online Egypt visa, the e-visa. This is a bit more expensive, but comes with the reassurance that you have your visa paperwork sorted out in advance, so you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Like the visa on arrival, it’s valid for a stay of 30 days.
Haggle whenever you can
Egypt is a country of haggling. While in Western countries this may seem like an impolite thing to do, in Egypt it’s considered a normal thing. Everyone haggles, and so should you, especially if you’re planning a budget trip. Prices can drop with as much as 50% if you haggle properly. This doesn’t mean you should feel bad for the person on the other end. Almost always, they intentionally inflate the initial prices because they know their customers will haggle, making the end price often very close if not equal to the regular cost of the product or service. They particularly prey on (Western) tourists who are unfamiliar with this practice, in the hopes they will pay far above the actual price of the product.