Allowed & Not Allowed
Quick reference for the practical "can I..." questions every traveler asks.
๐ Electric Plugs & Voltage
- Voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz
- Plug types: C and F (round 2-pin, same as most of Europe)
- US and UK travelers need an adapter. Most modern phone/laptop chargers handle 220 V automatically โ check the label.
๐ฐ Tap Water โ Don't Drink It
- Tap water is chlorinated but not advisable for tourists โ use bottled water (very cheap, ~5โ10 EGP a bottle)
- Brush teeth with bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach
- Ice in reputable restaurants and hotels is fine; be careful at street stalls
๐ธ Drones โ Generally Banned
- Drones are technically prohibited without a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority
- Customs may confiscate drones on arrival โ don't bring one casually
- Permits exist for professional shoots, applied months in advance through a local fixer
- Even with a permit, the Pyramids and most archaeological sites are off-limits
๐บ Alcohol
- Allowed but regulated: sold in licensed restaurants, hotel bars, Drinkies and Cheers stores
- Drinking age: 21
- Don't drink in the street; don't bring alcohol into religious areas
- Cheap local options: Stella, Sakara, Meister beer; Omar Khayyam wine
- Ramadan: alcohol sales restricted to hotels & non-Muslims only
๐ฌ Smoking
- Very common, including in many restaurants
- Shisha (hookah) widely available โ typical cafรฉ experience
- Vaping is technically restricted but tolerated
๐ Medications
- Bring prescriptions in original packaging with a doctor's note
- Prohibited: tramadol, codeine without prescription, CBD/cannabis products (zero tolerance), certain sleeping pills
- Pharmacies (especially Seif and El Ezaby) are well stocked and many things are over-the-counter
๐๏ธ Customs & Import Limits
- Cash: declare amounts over $10,000 USD
- Duty-free: 1 L of alcohol + 200 cigarettes / 25 cigars
- After arrival, you can buy duty-free again at Egypt Free Shops (within 48 hours) โ show your passport
- Antiquities can NOT be exported. Buying or removing real antiquities is a serious crime โ souvenirs from licensed shops are fine
๐ช Animals & Souvenirs
- Don't buy: ivory, coral, turtle shell, exotic skins (illegal under CITES; confiscated on return)
- Camel/horse rides at the Pyramids โ agree price & duration in writing or in front of a witness before mounting
๐ Religious Sites
- Open to non-Muslims outside prayer times
- Dress code applies (see What to Wear)
- Some churches and monasteries have restricted entry on Sundays
๐ต What's Blocked/Restricted Online
- Skype / WhatsApp voice & video calls are throttled โ use a VPN
- Some gambling and adult sites are blocked
- VPNs themselves are legal for travelers (commercial ones)
๐ Driving
- International driving permit + your home license required to rent a car
- Driving on the right
- Traffic is chaotic โ most tourists hire a driver instead
Golden rule: When in doubt, ask your hotel reception โ they deal with these questions daily.