Handy Hints

This page is regularly updated with important information that you should read carefully before travelling.

FLIGHTS TO TABA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

LONDON GATWICK                                
Astraeus = NORTH Terminal 

HAND BAGGAGE

• For latestet information on new hand baggage guidlines on Astraeus please visit: www.flyastraeus.com

Hand baggage with wheels will not be permitted on board the aircraft and must be put through as main baggage. Hand baggage must not exceed 5 kgs. Keep hand baggage items to the absolute minimum essentials required for your journey including travel documents, essential medication and valuables etc.

For security reasons, it is forbidden to carry any of the following on board the cabin of any aircraft: Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal) * household cutlery * Knives with blades of any length (including steel nail files) * paper knives* Razor blades* Tradesmens tools* Darts* Scissors of any size* Hypodermic syringes, except where passengers require their use for medical reasons (eg. diabetics and passengers with allergies) in which event proof will be required * Knitting needles * Sporting bats (including racquets, cricket bats, baseball bats and golf clubs) * Billiard, snooker or pool cues * Catapults * Corkscrews with blades attached * Penknives * any other implement which may be deemed useable as a weapon of any kind by the airline or Civil Aviation Authority. Where passengers are carrying hand baggage and they are asked to surrender an offending item to security staff, such items will be disposed of by the airline.  

MAIN BAGGAGE: No single piece of luggage is permitted that exceeds 20kgs or excess baggage charges will be applied by the airline.

DUTY FREE & SHOPS

Taba International Airport is very basic and offers very limited duty free facilities. We suggest that you buy your duty free items in the UK prior to departure or on board the aircraft. In addition, there are currently no shops in Taba Heights, we therefore suggest that you take essential items such as sun creams, basic medication, baby foods, etc. 

HINT: Take a box of tissues with you for your time at Taba Airport for your return flight as toilet paper my be scarce.

Sharm El Sheikh Airport is more developed.  

CLIMATE & CLOTHING

CLIMATE: Egypt enjoys long hot summers from April to October and mild winters, although places such as Cairo can be cool. Expect year-round sunshine in Taba Heights, Sharm el Sheikh and other Red Sea resort areas with temperatures in the 20's C even in January. Insect repellant may be useful.

CLOTHING: In summer, cool cottons are best and formal clothing is not necessary. Shorts and bare shoulders are not appreciated when visiting religious sites. In winter, visitors should take a warm jacket and layers - the desert nights can be cold. In the hotel restaurants, it is not necessary to wear a jacket and tie. In the sun, keep head covered if exposed for prolonged period. Some beaches may often have stones and rocks by the water's edge therefore, flip-flops or alike will be useful

SWIMMING

Swimming pools are not attended by lifeguards. Swimming is at your own risk. You should NOT dive into any of the swimming pools.  
Currents and undercurrents can be strong, particularly in the Mediterranean (eg. El Alamein) and you should excercise caution.  

CORAL: When you swim, snorkel or dive in the Red Sea, you should exercise caution not to touch any of the coral. Coral is alive and will die when touched by humans. It is also very fragile and sharp, and can cut skin very easily. Live coral is rare and is therefore protected and must be respected

WATER

WATER: In hot climates, drink plenty of water; it is very easy to dehydrate when there is a cool wind.   Although the water in most high class hotels in Egypt is filtered and purified, We recommend you do NOT drink the local water. We recommend that you drink bottled water AT LEAST 3 LITRES a day to avoid dehydration and sunstroke which can often result in diahorrhea. Sun creams should be applied regularly and you should take care not to burn - excercise common sense and do not go in the sun during the sun's hottest periods. Cold beer and hot sunshine are not a good combination.

ELECTRICITY

Electric current is 220 volts AC. An adaptor is necessary (usually 2 pronged)

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS

The Egyptian pound is the local currency. We recommend that you pay your final bill by credit card. Travellers cheques may have to be converted in the hotel’s bank as final bill will be in US dollars and travellers cheques may not be accepted as cash for payment. Alternatively, you can change smaller amounts into Egyptian pounds and pay as you go along, daily. Major credit cards are generally accepted including VISA, Mastercard and American Express. Please note that Switch, Maestro and Cirrus cards, and alike, may not be accepted. It may not be possible to withdraw cash from the bank using your cards. There are no cashpoint / ATM machines in Taba Heights or Nuweiba. If you pay your bills during your stay by charging your room bill, an additional percentage may be charged.

HINT: Egyptian currency is Egyptian pounds which are often very well used / worn. We recommend that you wash your hands before eating or putting your hands in your mouth after handling these notes, as it is possible that you can get a dodgy stomach from this source.

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES

As with anywhere in the world, please ensure you look after your valuables and never leave them on show. Always use safes where provided in the hotels

TIPPING & TYPICAL COSTS

Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. People in the service industry, from hotel porters and waiters to drivers and guides rely heavily on tips. It is customary, expected and appreciated to tip good service.
TIP: You may find it useful to take some US1 notes with you as these are often useful for tipping.

Approximate costs: Bottle of beer £2.50; Coke £1.20 ; Bottle of water £0.90; Bottle of house wine £15-£18; Spirits £3.50 - £10.00. NOTE: Service charge & sales tax is added to the bill -this is NOT SERVICE as in the UK, but is a compulsory service sector tax in Egypt similar to VAT in the UK

ENTRY VISAS

At present, there is no charge for UK passport holders for the visa required for Taba & Nuweiba and Sharm El Sheikh, for stays of less than 15nts, unless you wish to visit Cairo, Luxor or Ras Mohammed or scuba dive in Sharm El Sheikh when you must have a visa (can be purchased on arrival for UK passport holders). 

This can not be paid for in Egyptian pounds. It is preferable to pay for these in US dollars on arrival at Taba airports, and will cost approx.US$25-30. Visas are required for holders of Eastern European, Southern African and Far Eastern passports - contact Egyptian Embassy on: 09065 508933.

VIDEO CAMERAS

Passengers must declare video cameras on arrival in Egypt and departure

PASSPORT & INSURANCE

All passengers must have a full passport with at least 6 months validity from date of return. For specific enquiries, contact the Egyptian Consulate (Tel: 09001 887777). You MUST have comprehensive travel insurance and diving insurance where appropriate.   

FESTIVALS & RESPECT

During festivals eg. the month of Ramadan (approx. September 24th 2006, for 1 month) shops are open shorter hours between sunrise and sunset. Although this is a very popular time, hotel facilities may be slightly limited and some excursions and entertainment may be limited.  

RESPECT: Please respect local customs eg. it is not acceptable/appreciated for females to sunbathe / swim topless in Egypt.    

HOTELS & SERVICE

The hotels in Taba Heights, Nuweiba and Sharm el Sheikh do not generally have tea or coffee facilities in the bedrooms. If this is important to you, we recommend that you take a travel kettle or element to boil water yourself. Remember to pack this in your main luggage. You should not expect the service to be the same as in the UK as the whole way of life is much slower, and this includes the service. Service is generally slower and more relaxed than in the UK and you should expect to wait a little while for most things. It is a different way of life.

DELAYS

Delays on flights can occur. Please ensure that you have sufficient funds to buy a meal and drinks on your last day, just in case there is a delay on your return flight to the UK. Unfortunately, there are no information screens or announcements at Taba Airport.

PELTOURS REPRESENTATIVES IN TABA HEIGHTS & EGYPT

We use the services of Travel Plus throughout Egypt. They have a desk in The Marriott Beach Resort, Sofitel and Hyatt Regency in Taba Heights and can be contacted during visiting times. However, they can be contacted 24 hours (emergency only please for unsocial hours) on: (20) 122 190910 . For Sharm el Sheikh, 24 hour emergency number is: (20) 12 7399 533.    

PELTOURS OFFICES IN EGYPT

CAIRO: Travel Plus, 29 Dimanshk Street, Mohandseen Tel: (202) 3042 501/2/3 Emergency: 0122 111009

SHARM EL SHEIKH: Travel Plus, Trade Center, Hall No 8 Tel: (2062) 602324 Emergency: 0122 111009 / 0124 780225

TABA HEIGHTS: Hyatt Regency Hospitality Desk and Marriott Beach Resort Hospitality Desk Opening Hours: 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs 14.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs 19.30 hrs to 22.00 hrs Emergency: 0122 111009 / 0124 7802