Before your first visit

Passport and visa information

Use the official Egyptian e-Visa portal, rather than assuming a search advertisement is the government service. Check the portal's eligibility information for your nationality and passport, and the requirements for your particular trip. If your circumstances are not covered, seek advice from the relevant Egyptian consulate before making plans.

The portal's published process includes awaiting approval, then downloading and printing the e-Visa for presentation on arrival. This guide does not establish your eligibility, a current visa fee or admission to Egypt. Immigration requirements and a resort's visitor-entry arrangements are separate checks.

Insurance and contacts

Keep your travel insurer's assistance details with your booking. Check whether your intended activities, such as diving or other watersports, are covered by your actual policy. The government getting-help page explains contacting your provider and insurer after a serious incident. Save the guide's emergency contacts before you travel.

A working phone

Arrange data and calls as well as an airport pickup. Buying a SIM and registering an imported handset are separate questions. The phone registration section explains the official tourist guidance and where to check an individual device. Download the host's arrival instructions while you still have a connection.

Money and the first evening

Use the cash and ATM guide to identify published locations, then establish which machine you can actually access. Do not rely on an ATM inside a hotel being open to non-guests. Agree the currency and payment method for your transfer, home handover and any food arranged for arrival; this guide does not publish a live exchange rate or a standard tipping amount.

Your exact booking

Match the accommodation name to Find your stay. For an apartment, also obtain the development, building and entrance instructions. Ask the accommodation what documents it requires for your party; do not assume every hotel or private-home host applies the same policy.

The final three arrangements are practical: who meets you, what happens if you arrive late, and how you get food and water that evening. Continue with Getting here and the guest arrival checklist.