Arriving in Egypt: Airport Tips for a Smooth Start

Travel Tips · 5 min read · Published 2025-08-05

Visa, currency, the taxi scrum. A little knowledge makes landing in Egypt stress-free. Here's what to expect.

The first hour in a new country sets the tone, and a little preparation makes landing in Egypt smooth rather than stressful. Here's what to expect when you arrive.

The visa on arrival Many nationalities can buy a visa on arrival at the bank windows before passport control, or you can sort it in advance with the e-visa, which we recommend for a smoother arrival. See our <a href="/blog/egypt-visa-guide">visa guide</a> for the details. Have it ready before you reach immigration.

Currency and cash There are ATMs and exchange desks in the arrivals hall. It's worth withdrawing some Egyptian pounds straight away for tips and small purchases, keeping a stash of small notes. Card works in many places, but cash rules for the little things.

The taxi question This is where unprepared travellers get caught out. The arrivals area can be a scrum of drivers offering rides at inflated, unmetered prices. The single best move is to have a pre-arranged transfer waiting for you, so you walk straight to a named driver and skip the haggling entirely.

Meet and assist On our trips, a representative meets you inside the airport, helps with the visa and luggage, and walks you to your private vehicle. After a long flight, having someone hold a sign with your name and take it from there is worth a great deal.

A few practical bits Keep your passport, visa and hotel details handy, have a charged phone, and don't feel rushed by anyone. A calm, prepared arrival means your trip starts on the right foot.

The easy start Every tour we run includes airport meet-and-assist and a private transfer, so your Egypt adventure begins the moment you land, hassle-free. Browse our <a href="/tours">tours</a>.