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Activating awareness of EB and other rare disorders in Africa and MENA regions: a DEBRA Congress
Travelling to Egypt
About Egypt
Egypt, officially The Arab Republic of Egypt is the cradle of civilisation, known with its famous and rich history through successive epochs with seven listed world heritage sites all historic except Whale Valley (Wadi Hitan) a natural heritage.
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Egypt has a unique geographical position at the heart of the Mena Region in Northeast Africa, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and is connected to Sub Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley.
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Arabic is the official language of Egypt and Islam is its official religion. Cairo is the official capital of Egypt with a total population in excess 20 million people. Over 100 million inhabitants are distributed mainly around urban areas.
Cairo or Al Qahirah is the capital of Egypt. The Greater Cairo Region is the largest city in the Middle East and Africa, and its metropolitan area is the 16th largest in the world. The city embraces ancient and new, East and West.
The Pyramids of Giza built over 4500 years ago, and the old Cairo region over 2000 years ago were the beginning of an ancient canal between the River Nile and the Red Sea. The river is a location still marked by several significant historic sites, many of which date back to the Greco-Roman period.
The city embraces architectural monuments dating from Arab and Ottoman times as well as a large functioning bazaar and an extensive, semi-walled medieval city endowed with more than 400 registered historic monuments including mosques, mausoleums, and massive stone gates dating to 130 CE. Cairo is rich in many shopping areas and chillout spaces, restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas, sports centers, shopping malls, and luxurious hotels.
About Cairo
Travel Toolkit
Visas
Visas are required for all foreigners, except some Arab nationals. E-visas can be purchased from the official government website: visa2egypt.gov.eg.
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Currency
The Egyptian pound (LE, EGP) is the official currency of Egypt. Cash is generally king in Egypt although major credit cards are accepted in midrange and high-end restaurants and hotels, and large shops. Always keep small change as baksheesh is expected everywhere. When in doubt, tip. Exchange your currency to Egyptian Pounds at the airport or authorised exchange offices.
Transportation to the venue from the airport
Airport Transportation services: Cairo Airport Shuttle and London Cab Services are available in the terminal upon arrival. Trip cost to the Congress venue is EGP 550-600 (USD 11-12). You can book your trip online from their website. (Cairo Shuttle Bus) (London Cab).
Taxi: Readily available upon arrival. Agree on a fixed fare beforehand to avoid inflated prices. Expect to pay EGP 300-350 (USD 6-7) for the journey (slightly higher at night). Ride-hailing apps Uber and Careem operate in Cairo. Download their apps before arrival and pre-book your ride for guaranteed availability and transparent pricing. Expect similar fares to taxis (possibly higher during peak hours).
Metro: The Cairo Metro is a fast and affordable way to travel around the city. The nearest station to the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel is "SADAT." Purchase a smart card at the station and top it up for your desired journeys. Fares start from EGP 10 (USD 0.2) per trip.
Climate
Egypt is characterised by a cool season from October to May and a hot season from May to October. Temperatures in Cairo between April and May range from highs of 29°C to 33°C (84°F to 91°F) and lows of 16°C to 19°C (60°F to 66°F) with little to no precipitation.
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Dress
Egypt is a conservative country and modest attire is recommended.
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Time zone
GMT/UTC + 2hr
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Country code
+20
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Electricity
220V/50-60Hz Type C or Type F adaptors required.
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Language
Arabic is the main language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Download a translation app for offline assistance.