What do you need to know before heading to the airport and boarding a plane bound for Egypt?
The usual flight time to Egypt is okolo 4 hodin, depending on the place of departure and arrival. Flights usually depart from Czech airports in Prague, Brno, or Ostrava. You can fly with the Czech airline Smartwings, or Egyptian EgyptAir nebo AirCairo.
When traveling to Egypt, be prepared for stricter conditions than you are used to in Europe. We will need a passport, which should be valid for another 6 months after returning from Egypt. In addition, we will also need to obtain a visa, except for the Sinai Peninsula, for a maximum stay of 14/15 days (Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Taba).
You can choose from two types of visas:
You can obtain a visa at the international airports in Cairo, Marsa Alam, Hurghada, and any other border crossing in US dollars (or euros, but the exchange rate is unfavorable).
If you are traveling as part of a tour, the travel agency will usually arrange your visa for you. However, you can also apply for it yourself at Egyptian Embassy in Prague (the price is $25 + handling fee). The same fee of $25 applies to children under 15, who must have their own passport.
It is now possible to apply for a visa online at visa2egypt.gov.eg for the same price as at the airport.
Upon arrival in Egypt, you will also need to fill out a simple entry registration card (arrival form)A similar procedure awaits you upon departure, when you will fill out a "departure card." This card can be filled out on the plane or upon arrival, or it can be filled out online two days before arrival in Egypt.
When traveling to Egypt, you must take certain restrictions into account and cannot pack whatever you want into your suitcase; the same applies in the other direction.
It is officially prohibited to import the following items into Egypt:
However, checks at airports are only carried out in exceptional cases, so in the vast majority of cases, there should be no problem with a bottle of alcohol. However, be sure to avoid possession of any drugsbecause, in extreme cases, their possession is punishable by death.
Medicines for personal use, 200 cigarettes, and a reasonable amount of perfume are officially permitted. However, most goods should be cheaper in Egypt, so there is no need to stock up.
It is strictly forbidden to export from Egypt artistic monuments and unprocessed gold. In addition, exports are also prohibited. shells and corals and seashells – if customs inspection finds them in your possession, you could face a fine of up to $500.
Exporting Egyptian currency out of the country is also prohibited, but this is uncontrollable.
Upon arrival in Egypt, you are entitled to purchase goods in duty-free shops up to a certain specified amount. This option is valid at international airports and certain other locations in Cairo and Alexandria within 24 hours of arrival in the country.
If you want to avoid paying customs duties in Czechia, the value of goods you bring in by air should not exceed 430 euros per person over 15 years of age (i.e., approximately CZK 10,800).
The following are exempt from customs duties and VAT:
