Advise for a trip to - EGYPT

Advise for a trip to - EGYPT

Author
Discussion

qooqiiu

Original Poster:

751 posts

204 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2009
quotequote all
So we're off to Egypt at the end of this month. It will be both mine and my girlfriends first time there. Sharm el sheick is the place (surprise)

The questions are...


1) What is the best currency to take? (we are all inclusive)

2) How much do you tip to get decent service? (the same lounger every day that sort of thing)

3) A day trip to the Pyramids...is it worth it?

Anything else you wish to add feel free.


Cheers smile

cupraglasgow

171 posts

185 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2009
quotequote all
1 Egyptian pounds are best bet

2 1 or 2 ep (20pence) each day for pool people and make sure you take lots of small notes as everyone expects a tip or "Baksheesh" even the guys at the airport who simply lift your bags off the convayer.

3 Pyramids are well worth a visit but from Sharm it would be a short flight 40 mins and about £100 or by bus for hours

grumbledoak

31,839 posts

240 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2009
quotequote all
Pretty certain I took GBP Travellers Cheques and credit cards, but it was a long time ago.

And, if you mean 'day trip' in the sense of 'bus trip' I'd steer clear; you'd have to be up in the middle of the night for a long, frightening bus ride, and in all probability arrive there at the hottest part of the day too knackered and thirsty to remember any of it. I did, though it was The Valley of the Kings IIRC.

bazking69

8,620 posts

197 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
1. Egyptian currency. If you are all inclusive you will need very little as apart from Naama Bay you will probably spend most of your time living free of charge in your hotel complex. I think we spent about £80 between us in a week, and that was only on numerous taxis, ice creams and 3 meals out.
2. Tip the barmen and pool guys heavy for the first couple of days (and by heavy I mean a quid or two a day) but keep tipping them on a daily basis. They earn peanuts and do appreciate it. On our first night we found ourselves waiting for 15 minutes before the chap came over. By the third day he was at the table with another round just as the final mouthful went down.
3. Pyramids. Stuck on a scorching coach for hours to see a pile of rocks. No thanks. It was 56 degrees at one point when we went. I can do heat but found Egypt too much even in the pool.

bridgdav

4,805 posts

255 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
1) Take both. USD and EGP, Egypt is becoming a haven for Eastern europeans over recent years so posibly Euros. Excursions can be paid by any currency. Local shops bazaars EGP

2) If you are AI, most hotel workers are not allowed to take tips, although they will always take them.

3) Depending how long you are there,
7 days - Pyramids take a lot of time effort(bus) and money (flight).
14 days - Worth the time and effort both.