Travel The City Of A Thousand Minarets - Cairo Cairo Travel Tips: 
- Safety: Be careful of touts especially in market places like the Khan- el-khalili market. Simply say no thank you to touts and walk away without arguements. Be very careful when someone offers you help in Egypt as they always want money from you and this includes the tourist police and guards at the pyramids. Unescorted women are vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.
- Drinks: Anyone wanting to have alcohol on hand (aside from that served in restaurants and bars) should buy it at the airport upon arrival. Liquor sold in stores in the city is considered unsafe. Note the names on the bottles: Johnny Walker will be labeled Johnny Walther, but with an amazingly similar label. Egyptians are forbidden from drinking in public places during Ramadan and therefore alcohol is seldom served outside hotels during this month and you may have to show a passport to prove that you're not an Egyptian. Ramadan is a 30 days celebration in Egypt.
 Etiquette: Pay close attention to which hand you use: The left hand should never be used to shake hands or to accept and offer items, including business cards, pens, etc. Avoid pointing at people or using the thumbs-up gesture. Avoid sitting in any manner that would permit the sole of your shoe or foot to be seen, which would be taken as an insult. Remember that shoes are often removed in homes and always in mosques.- Clothing: Women should dress modestly. Although Egypt is not as strict as some Islamic countries with regard to covering the head and legs, women's outfits should be loose and should conceal as much of the body as possible. Men should always wear long pants and shirts with sleeves.
- Food And Water: The tap water in Cairo is generally considered safe because it's heavily chlorinated, but it tastes terrible. Bottled water is recommended, which is available everywhere. Eating food from street stalls can be risky, especially late in the day when the food has been unrefrigerated for hours. Wash all vegetables and fruits carefully or, better, peel them.
 Weather Protection: Cairo can get very hot, especially in summer, so drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and heatstroke, use lots of sunscreen and wear a hat and protective clothing. Pack your baggage according to the season of your traveling time to Cairo. It’s extremely cold in the winters between November and February. Be prepared for the temperature changes and bring suitable clothes, light cotton clothing for hot and warm clothes and a small blanket for temperatures around zero degrees.- Time To Visit Cairo: The best time to visit Cairo is between September and April when the weather is fairly pleasant. When planning your trip it's also worth considering the timing of the various Muslim festivals as during Ramadan or the Islamic month of fasting, several tourist sites shut early and many restaurants open only in the evening.
- Medical Insurance: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
 Custom Regulations: Egyptian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Egypt of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment, currency, and ivory. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, D.C. or one of the Egyptian consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Egyptian law allows for the imposition of duties on photographic and video equipment.- Photography Rules: There are restrictions on photographing military personnel and sites, bridges, and canals, including the Suez Canal.
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