Driving licence. Road or other taxes. Costs

International Driving Licence: Required. 

Vehicle Insurance: Purchase on arrival at border.

V5: Check Owner and vehicle details are correct. Especially engine and VIN Numbers match. Only submit copies, retain the original.

Carnet de Passage: Not required but Carnet's are accepted. Vehicles can be imported using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). A deposit may need to be paid.

Letter of Authority. Should the vehicle not be owned by the Driver, a letter of authority authorising Drivers and Passengers to use the vehicle should be available.  

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Logistics

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Roads: Road accidents are quite common in Egypt, make sure you drive with extra caution and care particularly at night. There are some toll roads in Egypt, the most relevant one being the Cairo-Alexandria road. There are also a handful of other toll roads in the country.

The only way for foreigners to travel between Sudan and Egypt is to take the Nile Navigation Company (NNC) ferry down Lake Nasser from Wadi Halfa to Aswan, and to book a separate passage, on freight barges, for their vehicles. This journey holds a special place in the mythology of African over-landing – and the stories are enough to scare away even the brave.

Things to Bring Along. Here's a breakdown of some things to take along when driving in Egypt:

• Full UK Driving licence

• International driver's licence

• Warning triangle in case of an accident.

• A road map of the local area that you are planning to drive in.

• A first-aid kit inside a car is required.

Rules & Regulations. Please read through this guide before you start driving in Egypt.

• Drive on the right hand side.

• The use of seat belts are mandatory in Egypt for all occupants of the vehicle.

• Children under 7 years of age are not allowed to sit in the front seats.

• The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.

• The drink driving Blood alcohol level allowed is 0.05.

• Traffic lights in Cairo do not always work, if that’s the case there will be police officers at intersections signalling what cars have right of way.

• Pedestrians have right of way.

Please make sure that you are aware of all the road regulations before you start your trip in Egypt.

Speed Limits. The Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers when driving in Egypt are as follows:

• 60 kph in built up areas.

• 90 kph on motorways.

• 100 kph on the desert highway between Cairo and Alexandria.​

Parking. Parking in Egypt can be difficult particularly in big cities. There are plenty of people who can help you in exchange for a tip.
 

Fuel: Most petrol stations can be found in the cities, along the coast and Nile Valley. 

• Mobil petrol stations in Egypt.

• Total runs a network of 239 service stations throughout the country. Initially, TOTAL chose to develop its network in the Delta (with an average of seven new stations per year) with a large diesel offering. Given the rapid urbanization within the past few years, it has also launched a new type of station, such as Maadi Cornish , Marina on the Mediterranean coast or Katameya in New Cairo, which is cropping up in the newly formed cities. These stations offer gasoline, a large shop with a coffee corner in partnership with Cilantro and various food offerings as well as many integrated services such as tires, in partnership with Bridgestone.

• Emarat Misr petrol stations in Egypt

• Eni / Gastec are to establish modern service stations with natural gas dispensers. Gastec currently have 89 gas stations in Egypt.It is not clear whether they will allow filling of bottled gas cylinders. 

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Water: Tap water in many locations is not potable. It is best to drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and filtered. Well-known brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be safe if the seal is intact.

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Food: It is generally safe to eat freshly prepared cooked food in hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and in mainstream restaurants. When selecting a restaurant, select a clean and reputable place,eat only freshly prepared, cooked foods, avoid all uncooked food including raw fruits and vegetables.

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Tyres: TBC

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Vehicle / trailer repairs: Main cities / truck and trailer engineering companies. 

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Bottle Gas or Refills: Gastec TBC (see Fuel above). Campinggaz Egypt:

MISR INTERCOMMERCE

Address: Multitrade Building, Street # 17, Tajamouh Khames Service Area, El Hay El Awal, Postal Code 11477, New Cairo

Tel: +20 2 26 18 27 41

Email: contactus@bouri.net 

Website: www.bouri.net

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Currency: The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cash machines are common, especially in the main tourist areas. Take care and be aware of your surroundings if you are taking out large amounts of money, especially in deserted areas or at night.

Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes are not exchangeable in Egypt. Travellers’ cheques are not easily cashed. Most banks, including international banks, will not accept them. Major hotels will usually accept payment by credit card. However, smaller hotels may expect payment in cash and in hard currency. Medical facilities will usually accept payment by credit card or cash.

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Health

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Medical care in Egypt falls short of UK standards. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but some employ a medical practitioner of uncertain qualification. Hospital facilities in Luxor and Aswan are inadequate, and they are nonexistent at most other ports-of-call. The Egyptian ambulance service hotline is 123, but Egyptian ambulance service is not reliable.

Beaches on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are generally unpolluted. However, persons who swim in the Nile or its canals, walk barefoot in stagnant water, or drink untreated water are at risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections and the parasitic disease schistosomiasis (bilharzia).

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information regarding entry with specific medication, please see the medication section in Entry requirements

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There are reports of some hotel doctors overcharging for treatment and medicines. Examine your bill closely and challenge excessive charges. Pharmacies outside hotels will often supply medication at lower prices.

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• Nathnac Egypt

• CDC Egypt

• WHO Egypt

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