Marsa Alam, Egypt » travel guide

Travel Info | Marsa Alam

Official language
Arabic

Capital
Cairo

Head of state
President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak

Form of government
Republic

Size
1.001450 km²

Population
76.117421

Density of population
76 inhabitants per km²

Religion
Islam

Entry requirements
Please check the visa requirements for your destination at the appropriate consulate or embassy in your county and do this as well in advance of your travel date.

Location
Egypt is located in the northeast of Africa. It borders on the Red Sea and Israel in the east, on the Mediterranean Sea in the north, on Libya in the west and on the Sudan in the south.

Language
The official language in Egypt is Arab. But most of the Egyptians working in the tourism industry can speak English.

Time difference
CET +1 hour.

Electricity
220-volt altering currency, 50 Hertz, sometimes combined with fluctuation.
Because of the different plugs an adapter might be necessary.

Telephone
The dialling code for Egypt is 0020. Calling somebody from the hotel might be more expensive than calling from the telephone offices where you can also buy telephone cards for phone booths.

Post
Letters and postcards destined to go to Europe could take up to two weeks. Postcards can either be handed over to the reception or thrown into the blue post boxes (the red and green ones are for letters with an Egyptian destination).

Internet
You often will be provided access to the Internet at the hotels or in the nearest town.

Health regulations
If you travel from Europe there won't be any immunization required. Nevertheless it is recommended to get a vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid.
Consult your family doctor before departure.

Climate/clothing
Hot and dry desert climate. During summer temperatures could rise up to more than 40 degrees, but combined with a pleasantly low atmospheric humidity. The nights are lukewarm.
During winter the temperature still reaches about 23 degrees. Rain is rare. The nights, however, can be quite cool, especially when it is windy. Thus, a pullover and a jacket are necessary.
During summer light cotton clothing is recommended. If you want to go to the desert, warm clothing will be necessary. Furthermore sunglasses and headgear to protect you from the sun are advisable.

Transfer
The transfer from the airport in Marsa Alam to the center and Hotel Shams Alam takes about 2 hours. 

Rental car and transport
Taxis are relatively cheap.

Currency/mode of payment
Local currency is the Egyptian pound (LE)
1 Egyptian pound = 100 piaster (PT) = 1000 millemes
Current rate of exchange
1 US-$ = about 5,54 LE
1 Euro = about 7,8 LE
Money can be changed at the exchange offices. Mind small change!
International credit cards are generally accepted. Cash dispensers only exist in the cities and tourist areas. Euro cheques will only be cashed (if at all) on presentation of the cheque card and the passport.