Airports
See --> Brusselsairport.be & Schiphol.nl & Aeroportsdeparis.fr & London Gatwick & Manchester Airport & Flughafen Düsseldorf International.

Baggage & Hand-luggage
Try not to travel overloaded. When going on a diving cruise, use bags as much as possible instead of suitcases. Suitcases are very unhandy on board and furthermore they are twice the weight of bags. Be aware of the fact that some airlines relentlessly charge for overweight. Scuba equipment must be within the weight allowance allowed by the airline - usually 20 kg and 5 kg extra for hand-luggage. Check with your airline, some give additional 10-30 kg for dive gear. Fragile parts of diving equipment (dive computer, mask, camera, ...) should be carried as part of your hand luggage.

We don't need to tell you what a disaster it is when luggage gets lost. Please MARK your luggage, preferably with your home address as well as the address of our diving centre: BLUE PARADISE Diving Centre, (between Hilton Plaza & Three Corners Village) Hurghada, tel: 065/354.43.54. Furthermore, we recommend taking out a baggage insurance.

Banks
Banks are open from 9am - 12pm and from 6pm - 9pm. Most of the major credit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard & Visa, are accepted in various hotels. If you want to use an ATM machine (LE), they mostly accept Visa and MasterCard. Note that in Egypt it is not always possible for banks to provide a cash withdrawal against your Visa card. It is also important to know that ATM machines are often empty and are not working. So it's handy to bring some cash. Traveller's cheques are only accepted by banks. You need to present yourself in person and show your passport to the bank clerk (count on a average of 1 hour waiting time). Exchange cash is also possible. Also don't forget to take along your passport and visa. Most hotel resorts have their own bank. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Car rental
To drive a car in Egypt, an international driving license is required. However, we dissuade you from renting a car. Being one day in Hurghada, you will know why. Drive into oncoming traffic, no respect for the right of way, illogical sections of the roads, lack of road marking, ... So be aware, driving habits are special.

Corals
It is strictly forbidden by law taking home shells and corals. Who get caught, will be fined heavily!

Currency
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (LE). Do not purchase Egyptian currency before you depart as you will get a better rate at banks and exchange-offices. The exchange rates vary: € 1 = 7 - 8 Le & $1 = 5 - 6 Le. It's handy to bring as many small notes with you as possible (to cover drinks and tips).
See also --> The Universal Currency Converter.

Day of rest
The official day of rest in Egypt is on Fridays. Official institutions (as for example banks) are closed on this day. Shops and exchange-offices are open only from 2pm.

Diving equipment
Taking diving equipment? If so, see check list below.

* weightbelt: Try to bring a regular weightbelt with a good clasp. Soft lead is not available in Egypt. You can always put lead blocks in your soft weightbelt, however it can easily tear.
* Suit:
- November to April: 7mm is recommended;
- May, June, October: 5mm is sufficient, 7mm for those who are sensitive to cold;
- July, August, September: shorty is sufficient, 5mm for those who are sensitive to cold.
* Fins and boots (BOTH) or pool fins
* Mask & snorkel (drift dives)
* BCD
* Regulator with depth gauge, pressure gauge, LP inflator (to connect to the BCD; some manage to forget this) and octopus.
* Torch with good battery + charger
* Dive computer

HANDY TO BRING ALONG :
* Compass
* Surface Marker Boy (drift dives)
[ with regard to diving cruises to the Marine Parks: SMB per diver and 1 torch per buddy team is MANDATORY. Diving cruises St. John's/Deep South: SMB per diver is MANDATORY. ]
* Extra strap for mask and/or fins

NOTE:
* Gloves are forbidden!
* In principle a dive knive is prohibited, though can be handy to have on a wreck dive.

DO NOT FORGET :
* Valid diving certificate & possible Nitrox certificate
* Logbook
* Medical certificate (not required but recommended)

Diving insurance
We are members of the “El Gouna Deco chamber” which was opened in June 1999. This clinic meets the Western norms and has 2 recompression chambers and the necessary facilities to handle emergency situations. A personal diving insurance is available for € 6 per person for the duration of 3 weeks. This diving insurance covers only decompression treatment. The recompression chambers are located in El Gouna, Safaga and Marsa Alam. It is not obligatory but recommended to take a deco insurance. In case of a diving related accident, all medical treatment needs to be paid locally. Foreign medical insurance plans cannot be used. A treatment in the chamber costs about € 1.500 per hour, so a proper diving insurance is highly recommended.
See also --> Dan Diving Insurance .

Doktor
With growing tourism along the Red Sea coastline, medical facilities have developed as well. Nowadays all major hotels have medical facilities and have a doctor on call. For more serious matters hospitals & private medical centres are available (only the governmental hospital is not recommended). Don't forget to ask an invoice for the travel insurance or medical insurance.

Drinking-water
Tap water is not drinkable. Drink only bottled water! It is also strongly recommended to clean your teeth only with bottled water. Always check if the seal is still intact.

Electricity
220 Volt/50hz and plugs are two pin round fittings.

Internet
You should have absolutely no difficulty finding an internetcafé in Hurghada. In the old and new city centre of Hurghada, there are a growing number of internetcafés. Most of them are open round the clock and offer cheap rates (around € 1/hr). Big hotel resorts offer also internet access, but their rates will be more high.

Language
Arabic is the official language and most of the Egyptian people working in tourism speak a least some English. Big hotel chains have staff speaking the language according to their origin; mainly English, German and French.

Medication
Don't forget to bring your personal medication. There is always a MFA-kit on board. But bring your own insect repellent, rehydration sachets, sunblock, medication against diarrhoea (Tarivid 200 is available at the local pharmacy), stomach complaints, headaches and fever. For those who get seasick easily, you can purchase Emeral at the local pharmacy. For divers who have sometime problem with equalizing, it is recommended to bring along 'Clarinase' (also available on the spot). Don't forget your (reading) glasses, contact lenses or mask with prescription lenses.
Always drink plenty of bottled water! Short term diarrhoea is a common complaint for new arrivals at Egypt. Avoid ice in drinks and unpeeled fruit. At the onset of diarrhoea drink as much fluid as you can to offset dehydration, avoid alcoholic drinks, take Tarivid and Imodium or something similar and rest. Symptoms should clear up in less than 12 hours.

Passport
Check your passport in time! Passengers travelling to Egypt must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Egypt. Belgian, German and Italian tourists can now visit Egypt without international passport, they only need to take their national valid ID. The visitor will fill in an immigration form on which a 30 day, 1 entry visa will be granted and an ID picture will be attached. Entry and exit stamps will be put on this immigration from, which has to be kept secure by the visitor. Possession of an international passport is therefore not required anymore.

You are permitted to enter the country with 250g of tobacco or 50 cigars, one litre of alcohol and personal effects. Animals must have a veterinary certificate attesting to their good health and a valid rabies certificate. Cigarettes are not expensive in Egypt, so no need to bring any except if you are smoking rare brands and you don't want to miss it. Persons travelling with expensive electronic equipment such as cameras, video cameras, or computers may be required to list these items in their passports to ensure that they will be exported upon departure.

Pharmacies
Most European medicines are also available in Egypt. You don't need a prescription of a doctor. Pharmacies are available in every street in Hurghada and are usually open from 9am to 11pm. Medication is subsidized by the government and is inexpensive. Prices of medication are usually written on the package.

Public Transport
Big Hotel resorts are well equipped with indoor facilities. You will find different restaurants, souvenir and clothing shops. In case you wish to take a look around the area (visit the old & new city centre of Hurghada), you have the following transportation possibilities:
- Hotel shuttle bus
- Taxis (recognizable by the blue & orange colour)
Taxis are available at anytime and at any place. Usually they line up in front of hotels or restaurants. You can also stop empty taxis on the street by waving your arm. It is a good idea to be informed about prices before actually entering the taxi.
- Mini-bus
Mini-busses are the main transportation for locals. You can stop a mini-bus on the street by waving your arm. It is also a good idea to be informed about prices before actually entering the mini-bus. It is the cheapest transportation available, around 1-2 Le per person.

Shopping
Away from the turquoise waters, the Red Sea Riviera is also known for its excellent shopping facilities. Have fun haggling with the locals as you barter for good value leather goods and Egyptian ornaments in the local bustling bazars. Away from the hustle and bustle of the markets, take a trip out to the new city centres in Hurghada where you can shop to your heart's content in sleek boutiques and glossy department stores. Most shops are open till midnight or later. Some are closing on Fridays at 12pm for prayer, but are open again from 2pm.

Telephone
If you'd like to give your family/friends a ring from Egypt, there are possibilities to call abroad from either hotels or public phones. An international call from your mobile phone will be rather expensive.

The cheapest time to place your call is after 8pm. The cheapest way to call abroad is from a public phone that work with phone cards, available at any supermarket. You can choose between phone cards of for example 10Le, 50Le or 100Le. The cheapest phone card should give you around 3 minutes of calling time. You will find public phones in the streets around your hotel. To call any country outside Egypt, dial your country code, then city code then number.

Mobile phones are popular in Egypt. The networks Mobinil and Vodafone are offering roaming facilities. You may purchase a mobile phone sim-card during your stay, it will give you an Egyptian number so that you can make phone calls and family & friends can reach you. It will save the roaming charges.

Time
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
See also --> worldtimeserver.

Tipping
Tipping is known as ‘baksheesh', a word that every traveler to Egypt gets well acquainted with. In Egypt, it is a custom to tip the person who did for you a good service. For this reason it is important to carry around a good number of 50p (50-piaster) notes and 1LE (1 Egyptian pound) bills in your pocket. Porters, doorkeepers, housekeepers and many others will expect this of you. Don't wait to tip till the last day of your holiday. You will notice that service will get better.

Travel insurance
We advise you to take out cancellation / travel insurance. This can be obtained from your travel agent, tour operator or insurance agent.

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are officially required for travel to Egypt. It may be a good idea to be up to date with Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice, please consult your travel clinic.
See also --> www.traveldoctor.co.uk.

Visas
A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required for all nationalities. The visa has to be purchased from your travel operator upon arrival at the Hurghada airport (around 20 Euro per person - price depends on the travel operator - also payable in $). For those who booked a flight only; try to buy the visa at the Egyptian bank counter in the arrival hall of the airport (around 15 Euro per person - also payable in $). If you purchase your visa from your travel operator, you will normally pay more as they also charge for the accompaniment and transfer to the hotel. Glued into your passport and stamped by the immigration officer, the visa gives you access to anywhere in Egypt!