Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a visa is required. French nationals can obtain it on arrival at Cairo, Luxor or Hurghada airport, or apply online before departure via the official portal egyptonline.visa.gov.eg. The cost is around 30 USD.

The Egyptian tourist visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry. It can be obtained either on arrival (in cash in USD, EUR or GBP) or online before departure. A single visa covers the entire stay regardless of duration, up to the 30-day limit.

The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). The best rate is obtained at official exchange offices or local banks. ATMs are available in all major hotels and city centres. It is advisable to carry small denominations in Egyptian pounds for tips.

No. With a private multilingual guide (French, English, Spanish, Italian, German), you have no language barrier throughout your trip. In hotels and tourist sites, French and English are widely understood. Your guide handles all local interactions.

No vaccination is mandatory to enter Egypt from France. However, it is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines (hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus). Consult your doctor or an international vaccination centre at least 4 weeks before departure.

No. Tap water is not safe to drink for foreign tourists in Egypt. It is essential to drink only bottled water, which is available everywhere and inexpensive. Also avoid ice cubes in non-tourist establishments.

In pharaonic temples, dress is unrestricted, but it is advisable to cover shoulders and knees out of respect and for sun protection. When visiting mosques such as the Mohamed Ali Mosque in Cairo, women must cover their head, shoulders and legs. Light cotton clothing is recommended for comfort.

The main risk is traveller's diarrhoea (digestive upset) linked to food or water. Avoid raw food bought on the street and drink only bottled water. The sun is intense — bring high-protection sunscreen, a hat and stay hydrated. No serious tropical disease is present in tourist areas.

On a group tour, you share the bus, the guide and the schedule with strangers whose pace and interests may differ from yours. On a private trip, the guide, the car and the entire programme are exclusively dedicated to you. You choose your own schedule, stop wherever you want and ask as many questions as you like without group constraints.

A multilingual guide (French, English, Spanish, Italian, German) explains Egyptian history, mythology and architecture in your native language, with all the cultural nuances. Understanding is incomparably deeper than with an approximate translation. For sites as rich as Karnak or the Valley of the Kings, the quality of the guide determines the quality of the experience.

For an essential discovery (Cairo + Luxor), allow at least 6 to 7 days. To include Aswan, a Nile cruise and possibly the Red Sea, plan for 10 to 14 days. A stay that is too short risks turning the trip into a race against the clock — Egypt deserves to be visited at a relaxed pace.

Yes, Egypt is an excellent destination for families. The pyramids, the mummies at the museum, the boat on the Nile and the Red Sea fascinate children. On a private trip, the pace is adapted to your family — breaks, schedules and visits are organised according to your needs. It is advisable to avoid July-August with young children due to the extreme heat.

Yes, all our programmes can be adjusted according to the length of your stay and your flight constraints. Whether you have 5 days or 15 days, we adapt the itinerary to optimise each day without rushing. Contact us with your dates and we will build the itinerary that matches your availability exactly.

Yes, all our programmes include transfers to and from the airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle. A representative welcomes you on arrival with your name displayed, and takes care of your transfer to the hotel. No arrangements are needed on your part on arrival.

A classic Nile cruise is a large motor boat carrying 100 to 150 passengers, with a fixed group programme. A Dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat for a maximum of 8 to 16 people, which sails slowly and silently, stopping at sites that large boats cannot reach. The experience is incomparably more authentic, intimate and peaceful.

Yes, this is one of our most popular combinations. Cairo for the pyramids and museums, Luxor for the temples and the Valley of the Kings, then Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh to relax by the Red Sea. The Luxor–Hurghada journey takes about 4 hours by private car.

The Nile cruise connects Luxor to Aswan over 4 to 7 nights, with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. The Lake Nasser cruise departs from Aswan and goes up to Abu Simbel, with stops at Nubian temples often deserted by tourists. Lake Nasser is more isolated, more spectacular geographically, and its temples are less crowded — a rarer experience.

In all our programmes, entrance tickets to the sites mentioned in the itinerary are included in the price. You have no surprises on site. Only optional excursions such as the Sound and Light show are paid extras.

Allow 3 to 4 hours for a complete and unhurried visit of the Giza plateau: the three main pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. If you wish to enter inside a pyramid, allow an extra hour. The visit is ideally done in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat and crowds.

Luxor concentrates more than a third of the world's ancient monuments. Must-sees are the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple illuminated at night, and the funerary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Allow at least two full days.

From Aswan, Abu Simbel can be visited as a day trip (3 hours by road or 45 minutes by plane). The best option is to include Abu Simbel in a Lake Nasser cruise departing from Aswan — you arrive by boat at sunrise, which is a unique experience.

Karnak is a huge temple complex built over more than 1,300 years by dozens of pharaohs — it is the largest and most complex religious site of ancient Egypt. Luxor Temple is more compact, better preserved as a whole, and particularly spectacular at night thanks to its lighting. The two are complementary and only 3 kilometres apart.

Yes, the Egyptian Red Sea is one of the best destinations in the world for snorkelling and diving, with exceptional visibility and remarkable marine biodiversity. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh offer coral reefs directly accessible from the beach or by boat. No prior experience is needed for snorkelling.

Yes, Tour Egypte operates under the official licence of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, number 1200. This licence guarantees that all our guides, vehicles and services meet the official tourism standards in Egypt.

Tour Egypte was founded in 2000. With 26 years of experience organising private trips for clients from across Europe, we know every site, every hotel and every service provider in Egypt to offer you the best possible experience.

Most private tour operators in Egypt accept international bank transfers, card payments via secure platforms, as well as cash payments on arrival for certain local services. It is advisable to confirm payment terms directly with your operator before booking.

Yes, all entrance tickets to the sites mentioned in the itinerary are included in the price of your programme. You have no unexpected expenses on site regarding visits. Only optional extras such as the Sound and Light show are paid separately if you choose to take part.

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, covering medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation and luggage. Insurance offered by French banks (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold) often covers basic trips, but check the medical reimbursement limits. Specialist insurers such as AXA Assistance or Allianz Travel offer tailored plans.