Last updated: 20^th September 2010

Compiled by - Abhijit Saikia

Food & Beverage

1.What are the popular local vegetarian foods available in Egypt?

• Kosheri - A traditional Egyptian dish (Rice, lentils, macaroni and spicy tomato sauce combine to make Kosheri)
• Foul medammas - also known as foul is a Middle Eastern dish of cooked and mashed fava beans served with olive oil, chopped parsley, onion, garlic and lemon juice. It is often served for breakfast.
• Falafel or Tamiya – Falafel or Tamiya are delicious, deep fried balls of fava beans or chickpea and herbs usually served with salad, or in a sandwich with hummus and pita bread.
• Batates – Batates are boiled smashed potatoes usually served in pita bread.
• Baba Ghanoush - Baba ghanoush is a very popular appetizer and dip in the Middle East. Its smoky, rich flavor of the eggplant goes well with wedges of pita bread or with raw vegetables. Try using it as a sandwich spread or rolled up in wraps.
• Messaka / Moussaka – Smashed Eggplant mixed with some tomatoes, onions, pepper that can be eaten with rice or with Pita Bread, and tomato and cucumber salad.
• Shorbet Al Khodar - Vegetable soup
• Shourbet Ads – Lentil soup
• Mahshi – Vegetables like Cabbage, green pepper, eggplant, squash, aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes, onions wrapped in grape leaves
• Hummus – Hummus is a dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a popular food throughout the Middle East and elsewhere which can be enjoyed with pita bread.
• Fasolia Khadra Lil Salata – Fresh Green Bean Salad.
• Bamiya – Bamiya dish is prepared from the vegetable Okra mixed with onions, tomatoes which can be enjoyed with pita bread or rice.
• Mahshi Kosa - Stuffed Zucchini with rice.
• Kolkas – They are actually made from the vegetable Taro mixed with green leaves that can be enjoyed with rice or pita bread.
• Tahina – Tahina is a dip made from ground sesame seeds which can be enjoyed with pita bread.
• Molokhia – Egyptian green soup made from Molokhia leaves.

2.What are the popular Egyptian non-alcoholic beverages?

• Chai – Red tea
• Chai Akhdar – Green tea
• Chai Bin Nana – Red tea with mint.
• Qahwah - Qahwah is considered a part of the traditional welcome in Egypt. It is usually prepared in a small coffee pot, which is called kanakah in Egypt. It is served in a small cup made for coffee called fingān.
• Karkady - Karkady is one of the most popular and unusual drinks that you can find in Egypt. It is made from the dried, dark red petals of the Hibiscus flower. It is served in many of the popular cafes throughout Egypt. The best Karkady comes from Upper Egypt. It can be served either hot or cold.
• Yansun – It is a hot drink like tea made from the flower named Anise which is a herbal drink.
• Karfa – It is a hot herbal drink made from ginger and cinnamon.
• Sahlab - Sahlab is a popular winter drink in Egypt in cafes, as well as in homes. The beverage is a thick creamy white hot drink.

3.What are some of the Egyptian desserts?

• Konafa - Egyptian dessert made of thin pastry strands, nuts, and sweet syrup.
• Basboosa - Basboosa is a traditional semolina cake from Egypt. It's made with only a few ingredients, but the result is a rich and indulgent dessert that is a great ending to a spicy meal. It's served with a sweet honey syrup, and tastes even.
• Om Ali (Um Ali or Umm Ali) – It is an Egyptian, Middle Eastern sweet and rich dessert, served most commonly during Eid ul-Fitr. This raisin cake is made of puff pastry combined with nuts , raisins and coconut, covered in hot sweetened milk and cream, Om Ali is a great comfort food.
• Mahalabiya – It is a milk pudding sprinkled with pistachios and sometimes rosewater.

4.What are some of restaurants where one can enjoy authentic Egyptian food?

• Al Omda - 6 El Gazaer Street, Mohandeseen, Giza.
• Abou El Sid – 45 Rd. 7 Landmark: In Front Of Banque Misr Maadi, Cairo / 157, 26th Of July St.Landmark: Beside Diwan Bookstore Zamalek, Cairo / Inside Stars Centre, Heliopolis, Cairo.
• Abou Shakra - 82 El Merghany Street, Heliopolis, Cairo.
• Abou Tarek Koshary Restaurant - 16 Champllion St., Downtown, Cairo.
• Dar El Amar Express - Mohandessin: 27, 28 Sour Nadi El Zamalek. / Nasr City: 4 Abbas El Akkad St. / Mohandessin: 20 Gehad St. Lebanon Sq. (Off Lebanon Sq.) / Maadi: 24 EL Nasr St / Haram: El Taewoon Gas Station, 200 El Haram St. / Heliopolis: 17 Al Ahram St.
• Sequoia - 53 Abou El Feda St. Intersection Of Mohamed Mazhar St.Zamalek, Cairo.
• Cortigiano - 14 Samir Mokhtar St. Off Nabil El Waqqad St.Landmark: Beside Africano Restaurant, Heliopolis, Cairo.
• Felfela - 15 Hoda Shaarawy St.,Downtown, Cairo.
• L'Aubergine - 5 Sayed El Bakry St.,Zamalek, Cairo.

5.Is there any Indian restaurant in Cairo?

Cairo has a few Indian restaurants. Some of them are as given below –

• Massala (Karvin Hotel) – 11, Mohamed Ebeid Street, off Nozha Street, El Sabaa Emarat Square, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, Egypt
• Indira (Holiday Inn/City Stars) – Ali Rashed Street, Heliopolis, Cairo
• Nile Bukhara - Maadi 43, Misr Helwan Road, Next to the Entrance to Maaddi, Cairo,Egypt
• Kandahar (Oberoi group) - 3 Gameat El Dowal St., Mohandessin, Sphinx Sq, Cairo, Egypt
• Maharaja Restaurant (Hilton Ramsis) - 1115 Corniche El Nile, Cairo, Egypt
• The Moghul Rooms (Mina House Oberoi Hotel) – Pyramids Road, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
• Chingari (Grand Hyatt Cairo) - Kornesh El Nile, P.O. Box 2288 Garden City, Roda Island, Cairo, Egypt
• The Silk Road (Cocured al Salam Hotel) - 65, Abdel Hamid Badawi Street, PO Box 5614, Heliopolis, Cairo,Egypt.
• Taj Al Sultan - 1, Al Azhar square, Al Bab al Alee, El Hussein Area, Cairo, Egypt
• Nawab -21B Baghat Ali Street, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
• L’Asiatique (Le Pasha boat) - 1901, Saray El Gezirah Street, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt.

6.Which is the best way to order food for home delivery in Cairo, if you are not fluent in communicating in Arabic?

One should log into www.otlob.com , register oneself online and start ordering food from the listed restaurants in Otlob.com. Plus no hassles of credit card system while registering at otlob.com.

The food menus of the various restaurants are listed where one just need to select the items of your choice. It is very easy & convenient to order food from otlob.com since you do not have to communicate via telephone without speaking in Arabic and your food gets delivered to your door steps upon cash payment.

Conveyance

1.Is it easy to drive around in Egypt?

Driving in Egypt is fairly "adventurous". The traffic is not very organized and is very dense. If you can drive in Cairo, you can drive anywhere. There is no lane discipline and no rules for pedestrians. Traffic lights are optional when a traffic warden waves you on. Horns are used at all occasions, and are not meant to anger anybody. Belt up, drive carefully and keep a watchful eye on both sides of the car as much as to the front.

2.What are the various cab services available in Cairo, Egypt?

Cairo has a choice of 4 types of taxi service. Each taxi service has its own color schemes differentiating the other group.

• The Black & White Taxi – They are not air-conditioned, in poor conditions and their state of repair can vary considerably from car to car. They also contain no meter and, while one might negotiate with the cab driver prior to taking such a cab, most people who are adequately familiar with them simply know how much is expected given the distance one is wishing to travel and the prevailing traffic conditions. That can be a bit daunting for some travelers who lack experience with these cabs. However, the benefit of these cabs is that they are inexpensive. Additionally, it is highly recommended that you have the exact change before you enter a cab; drivers are reluctant if not resistant to giving change, but if you can present them with the exact amount for the journey they will more likely accede without haggling or complaint. It is recommended to use such taxis for short distance travel only.
• White Taxi - The white taxis with chequered black and white livery along the side of the doors are a little more expensive than the black & white taxi. Some of them have air conditioning (depending on the model) and they have meters, but a comfortable clean ride. Before you get in just make sure that their meters are working, otherwise, the driver might decide to charge you a ridiculous amount. The car brands are usually Lada, Speranza, Peugeot, Hyandai Verna and Chevrolet Lanos.
• Yellow Taxi - The "yellow" taxis offer a more reliable, luxurious and advanced taxi service in modern air-conditioned cars (Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Parati and the Chevrolet Optra). The yellow taxis all have electronic meters with contemporary pricing, allowing travelers to ride without having to bargain for prices. There is a free number to hire a cab.The call center number is – 19155 / 16516
• The London Taxi Company – The internationally renowned taxi brand London Taxi Company has also started its operation in Cairo.They can be hired by calling 19670

3.What is the common basic taxi talk?

• I want to go to ... - Ana ayiz aruuh ...
• Do you know ...? - Inta arif ...?
• Straight - Ala tuul
• Turn/go left - Khosh shemalak
• Turn/go right - Khosh yemeenak
• Stop here/here is fine - Oo-aff Makanak/Hena kwayyis
• Please - Minfadlak
• Thank-you - Shukran
• To the Airport - Lil mataar
• OK - Meshi

4.Can I rent a car to drive around in Egypt?

If you prefer driving your own car and have a valid international license, you can rent a car from car rental services found in all major hotels in Cairo. To rent a car, you must be over 25 years of age, have a passport, a credit card, and must pay part of the charge in advance. This is not recommended unless you are familiar with the roadways and directions. The table below includes some of the renowned car renting companies.

Company	Phone Number	Address	Website
Avis	Tel:+(202)7947400 Fax: +(202)7962464	16 Makmal as Sukkar, Garden City,Cairo, Egypt	www.avis.com
Budget Rent-A-Car	Tel: +(202)3400070	5 Makrizy, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt	-
Europcar	Tel:+20222672439	6 M, 1226 Sq, Behind Florida mall, Heliopolis Sheraton Building, 11361, Cairo, Egypt	www.europcar.com
Hertz	Tel: +20180000822	195 Sharia 26th of July, Mohandiseen, Cairo, Egypt	www.hertzegypt.com
Sixt	Tel: +202-270-310 18/82	41 Road 270 Maadi 11357 Cairo	www.sixt.com

5.How can I apply for an Egyptian driving license?

If you’re living here on a long term tourist visa, you can legally drive on a valid international driver’s license for (1) month. If you intend to live here for an extended period of time or have a resident visa, you need an Egyptian driver’s license. To obtain this, you must go to the traffic department at Attaba Square in Cairo or at Giza and bring:

• Your passport and a valid visa.
• Your (4) photos – passport size.
• A note from both a medical and eye doctor certifying your good health.
• A lab report stating your blood type.
• A statement from the Indian Embassy/Consulate confirming your place of residence in Egypt (with Arabic translation).

You will have to take a driving and a theory test. Be prepared to dedicate several hours at the driving department. If possible, take an Egyptian staff member or an Arabic-speaking friend to facilitate and translate. Remember that Third-party liability insurance is obligatory.

6.How can I get to know about the train services, timings, ticket fares in Egypt?

Egypt has a remarkably good - and cheap - rail network. Egyptian trains offer four classes of accommodation:

• 1st class air-conditioned.
• 2nd class air-conditioned.
• 2nd class ordinary (better thought of as 3rd class).
• 3rd class (better thought of as 4th class).

1st and 2nd air-conditioned class are available on express trains, and are comparable to European 1st and 2nd class. Ordinary 2nd class is much more basic, and usually only available on slower trains.

To know the various train schedules, ticket fares, destinations etc please visit the website of the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) which has got all the information - www.egyptrail.gov.eg

7.What are the various bus services operating in Egypt?

Bus services are to be found everywhere in Egypt. Deluxe buses, which run between most of the main towns and cities, are air-conditioned and fairly comfortable. The basic intercity bus service is less luxurious and is often crowded.

Tickets can be bought at a bus station window, or, sometimes, on the bus. Regular ticket inspections are the norm. On longer runs, seats can be booked in advance, but for short distances those who board first will get the best seats.

Some of the bus companies in Egypt are –

• Superjet Lines.
• Golden Arrow.
• Pullman.
• West Delta Company.
• East Delta Company

8. How do I use the Cairo Metro system?

The Cairo metro line consists of 53 stations and two operating lines. The line one is connected from Helwan to New El-Marg whereas the line two is connected from Shorba El Kheima to El Mounib. Ticket price is EGP 1.00 for each journey, regardless of distance. On all Cairo metro trains, the middle two cars (4th and 5th) of each train are reserved for women (the 5th car becomes a mixed use after 21:00). These cars are used as an option for women who do not wish to ride with men in the same car; however, women can still ride other cars freely. The route map of the Cairo metro is as given below -

9.What is the distance between the major towns and places in Egypt?

Distances between major town and places in Egypt in KM.

Town	Cairo	Alex	Luxor	Aswan	Hrg	Sharm	Ismalia	Seuz	Marsa Matrouh	Port Said	Menya
Cairo	0	224	676	906	529	550	140	130	512	224	248
Alex	224	0	895	1128	759	705	272	346	288	357	472
Luxor	676	895	0	223	299	1036	785	810	1185	895	387
Aswan	906	1128	223	0	513	1386	1043	1044	1415	1128	655
Hrg	529	759	299	513	0	737	487	395	1047	569	608
Sharm	550	705	1036	1386	737	0	431	342	993	556	730
Ismalia	140	272	785	1043	487	431	0	91	560	85	387
Seuz	130	364	810	1044	395	342	91	0	652	174	388
Marsa Matrouh	512	288	1185	1415	1047	993	560	652	0	645	760
Port Said	224	357	895	1128	569	566	85	174	645	0	472
Minia	248	472	387	655	608	730	387	388	760	472	0

Reading & Information

1.What are the popular local English newspapers & magazines published in Egypt?

Some of the popular local English newspapers and magazines published in Egypt are –

• Newspapers –
  • Daily Egypt News (Also bundled with the International Herald Tribune)
  • Egyptian Gazette
  • Al-Ahram weekly
• Magazines –
  • Egypt Today
  • Egypt Business Today

To read all the above mentioned newspapers and magazines online, please visit the following websites –

• www.thedailynewsegypt.com
• www.egyptiangazette.net
• weekly.ahram.org.eg
• www.egypttoday.com
• www.businesstodayegypt.com

2.Which is the best place to look for English books in Cairo?

• Shorouk Bookstore – Shorouk Bookstores are present all across Cairo and Alexandria. They have about 9 stores in total. Their stores are located in Zamalek, Mohandessin, Dandy Mall, City Stars Heliopolis, Talat Harb(Downtown), El Korba Heliopolis, First Mall Giza, San Stefano Mall Alexandria & another store in the Cairo-Alex desert road.
• Diwan Bookstore – Diwan Bookstores are very popular in Egypt. They also have about 9 stores in and around Egypt. Their stores can be located in Maadi, Library of Alexandria, Cairo-Alexandria desert road, Zamalek, Mohandessin, Gezira Sporting Club, Cairo Marriott Hotel, Heliopolis, Oasis Mall etc
• Virgin Mega Store – Virgin Mega Store also offers plenty for book lovers. They have only one store in Egypt located at Omar Ibn El Khattab St, Inside City Stars Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.

3.Is there any good website where one can look for information about the various events, movie timings, restaurants, nightlife etc in Cairo, Egypt?

• www.cairo360.com – Cairo 360 is an online magazine which serves as the definitive to guide to living in Cairo, Egypt. The site is aimed at Cairene’s and carries reviews and features of all the latest venues Cairo has to offer from restaurants and nightspots to art galleries and shopping. Cairo 360 also provides a comprehensive guide to events, and cinema listings, as well as ideas for traveling on weekends and a complete guide to home entertainment including DVD’s, music, and books.
• www.yallabina.com - Yallabina is another website that offers updated information on the various restaurants, movie timings, events, dinning etc in Cairo, Egypt
• www.cairodining.com - Portal to over 1,500 of Cairo's top restaurants, that offers more than just dining. Featuring reviews, recommendations, events, promotions, movies, things to do, recipes and more, it is Cairo's premier online guide to dining and living in Cairo.
• http://en.culturewheel.com - El Sawy Culturewheel is a website which will enable one to have updated information on the local cultural events in Cairo, Egypt

Important contact numbers

1.What are the emergency numbers in Egypt?

• Ambulance – 123

Heliopolis	02 2634-4327
Maadi	02 2525-3873
Giza	02 3561-5522 / 3516-551
Tahrir	02 2577-0230
Ramses	02 2577-0406 / 2577-0365 / 2577-0123
Cairo - Alex Desert Road	045 3355-1309

• Police - 122

Tourist Police

126

• Fire Department – 180

Attaba	02 2391-0115
Heliopolis	02 2633-0954
Giza	02 3761-0257/8/9
Tahrir	02 2391-0466
Nasr City	02 2270-9516 / 02 2270-5842

• Road Emergency (Cairo Alex. Desert Road/Wadi El Natroun El Amreya Road/ North Coast Road) – 012 1110000

2.What are the key public service numbers in Egypt?

• Cairo International Airport – 02-2265 2222 / 02-2265 5000 / 02-2265 2436 / 02 2265 2825
• Tourism inquiries– 02 33913454
• Electricity complaints – 121
• Natural Gas – 129
• Water supply Emergency– 02 2575 0059 / 02 2575 7416 / 02 2575 7325
• Railway information – 02 2575-3555

Real-estate

1.How do I find an apartment for rent in Cairo, Egypt?

There are numerous ways to locate an apartment for rent in Cairo. Some of the ways to find out are as mentioned below –

• From ads in local newspapers, magazines, and websitesThere are numerous smaller English publications in Cairo that publishes real-estate ads. One magazine is called the Maadi Community Times. Apart from the magazines, there are some Arabic newspapers that circulate rental ads like the El Waseet etc. Moreover some useful websites to find out rental apartments in Egypt are www.ewaseet.net / www.expatriates.com / http://cairo.craigslist.org / www.aclassegypt.com / www.3qary.net
• Inquiring the neighborhood shopkeepers- Cairo is a huge city which is very neighborhood oriented. People in a particular area mostly trade with nearby shops. So another way to find out about apartments is to simply find a neighborhood you are interested, and walk about asking shopkeepers about the best apartments to check out.
• Inquiring the Bowab- Bowabs are like doormen. There is a Bowab (and his family) who lives in a small room usually in the lobby of each and every apartment building. They are not doormen, per say (they do not open doors). But they act as a security person, errand person and building manager all rolled up into one. They know everything going on in the apartments because they interact with all the tenants. And they are always sitting just inside the lobby or just on the sidewalk in front of the building. Almost always they are wearing a galabeya (Egyptian robe). If you find a neighborhood which you find appealing, you can literally go up to a Bowab and ask them if there are any flats available (providing you can speak a little Arabic). If there is nothing available in their building, they might know of one nearby.
• Rental companies- Many of the Egyptian English magazines (found at most hotels) list rental companies in the back classifieds area. The surest way to find a flat quickly is to use the services of a rental company/agent. Their offices are scattered all over the place, and the best way to find one is to ask a local shopkeeper where the nearest rental company is located. Once you find an agent, tell them the type of flat you require, the area you wish to live in, your budget range, and as many details as possible. The agent usually has a list of flats that you can see immediately. The agent receives a commission from the landlord, and you are not required to pay them unless they find a suitable flat.

Shopping

1.Where can I purchase my groceries in Cairo, Egypt?

Cairo, Egypt has variety of stores where one can purchase its daily groceries. Some of the formats are as mentioned below –

• Hypermarket – In Cairo there are about five hypermarkets.
• Carrefour – In Cairo, Carrefour has three branches -Maadi City Center, Giza Dandy Mall and Obour Golf City Mall.
• Spinneys – Spinneys has one store in Cairo located in City Stars Mall at Heliopolis.
• Hyperone - Along Mehwar of July 26 - entrance of Sheikh Zayed City, 12 minutes from Lebanon square; 6 minutes from the city of 6 October; one minute from Sheikh Zayed city.
• Supermarket – Supermarkets are available in each and every corner of Cairo. Some of the renowned international & local supermarket brands in Cairo, Egypt are -
• Metro Markets – Metro markets have about 40 branches under the name Metro.
• Kheir Zaman – Kheir Zaman has about 21 branches.
• Ragab Sons – They have about 16 stores.
• Seoudi – Seoudi has approx 4 stores.
• Aba supermarket – About 3 stores in the Heliopolis area and 2 stores in Nasr City.
• Abu Zekry – Abu Zekry has about 8 stores.
• Al Mahmal – Al Mahmal has around 12 stores.
• Alfa Market – Alfa has about 4 stores.
• Traditional Stores – Traditional stores are available in each and every suburb of Cairo which can also cater to ones daily grocery needs.

2.Where can I find a shopping mall in Cairo, Egypt?

Cairo has some exclusive shopping malls. Some of the recommended ones are listed below -

• City Stars – Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
• Dandy Mall - Km 28, Cairo Alex Desert Rd., Giza.
• Arkadia Mall - Corniche el-Nil, Bulaq, Cairo.
• Ramses Hilton Mall - Midan Adbel Moniem Riad, Cairo.
• Talaat Harb Shopping Complex - Sharia Talaat Harb, Downtown, Cairo.
• Genena Mall - 9 El Batrawy St., Off Abbas El Akkad St, Nasr City, Cairo.
• El Horreya Mall - 42 El Ahram St, Heliopolis, Cairo.
• Maadi Grand Mall - Rd. 250 El Maadi Grand Mall Sq, Maadi, Cairo.
• Nile City Towers Mall - Corniche El Nil, Ramlet Boulak, Cairo.

3.Which is the best place to buy souvenirs in Cairo?

• Khan El Khalili Bazaar (Khan El Khalili St., El Hussein Sq, El Hussein, Cairo) - This shopping area consists of numerous shops selling clothes, spices, perfumes, souvenirs and many more. It is like a big maze and it is easy to get lost. The shop owners would try their best to sell you something, but it is better to check with some other shops and bargain before buying.
• Asfour Crystal ( Industrial Zone, End of Ahmed Oraby Bridge, Shobra El-Khema, Cairo, Egypt) - Asfour Crystal makes some beautiful crystals of the pyramids & Obelisk, engraved images, 3D gifts, crystal parts, Figurines, etc besides its world class chandeliers. The company has a very splendid showroom on an area of 2000 meters. This gallery is considered as one of the most beautiful crystal galleries in the world where tourists keep visiting whenever they are in Cairo. www.asfourcrystal.com

4.What should one buy when in Egypt?

• Papyrus Paper - Paintings Showing Egyptian Hieroglyphs.
• Alabaster Vases and Carvings.
• Bottles filled with sand patterns.
• Asfour Crystal items/souvenirs.
• Mother-of-pearl boxes (Jewelry boxes).
• Egyptian cotton.
• Jewelry and Egyptians Cartouches.
• Carpets - Hand Made Crafts.
• Statues of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Ramses, Obelisk etc.
• Egyptian perfume glass bottles.

5.I have a problem with something I purchased in Egypt. What should I do?

• The first thing you should do is talk to a senior staff member from the business where you bought it. Most businesses are interested in resolving problems because they want to keep customers and not receive bad publicity.

If you are unable to resolve the problem through talking or writing to the business, then you should contact the Consumer Protection Agency, Egypt (CPA). To know of how to contact the CPA, services, to file a complaint etc please visit the CPA website - www.cpa.gov.eg

Communication

1.Which are the mobile phone carriers in Egypt?

Currently, there are three companies which offer cellular communication service:

• Mobinil – Customer service number 16110
• Vodafone Egypt – Customer service number - 16888
• Etisalat Egypt – Customer service number – From any landline 02 3534 6 333 / From any mobile 011 1234 333

2.Which company provides Landline telephony in Egypt?

• Currently, there is a single company in charge of Landline Telephony, Telecom Egypt which is also government-controlled. Customer service number is 111

3.What are the types of internet services available in Egypt?

• 3G (Roaming)
• ADSL (Home/Office)

4.Who are the internet service providers in Egypt?

Internet service providers	Internet services	Call Center number
LINKdotNET	ADSL	16333
TEData	ADSL	19777
Vodafone Egypt	ADSL/3G	16888
Etisalat Egypt	ADSL/3G	011 1234 333
Mobinil Egypt	3G	16110
NileOnline	ADSL	-
EGYNet	ADSL	-
Raya	ADSL	-

5.What are the postal/courier services available in Egypt?

Some of the local & international postal/courier services in Egypt are –

• Egypt Post
• DHL Egypt (Call Center - 16345)
• FedEx (Call Center - 202 2687888)
• UPS Egypt (Call Center – 16004)
• TNT Courier( Call Center – 16667)
• Middle East Courier Services

Banking

1.Which are the popular local & International commercial banks in Egypt?

Name of the bank	Website	Call Center number
Ahli United Bank	www.ahliunited.com	19072
Arab Bank Egypt	www.arabbank.com.eg	19100
Bank Audi	www.banqueaudi.com	16555
Alexandria Bank	www.alexbank.com	19033
Banque Du Caire	www.bdc.com.eg	16990
Banque Misr	www.banquemisr.com	19888
Blom Bank Egypt	www.blombankegypt.com	19233
BNP Paribas	www.egypt.bnpparibas.com	16664
Barclays	www.barclays.com	16222
Citibank	www.citibankegypt.com	16644
Credit Agricole Egypt	www.ca-egypt.com	19191
Commercial International Bank (CIB)	www.cibeg.com	19666
Egyptian Gulf Bank(EGB)	www.egbbank.com.eg	19342
H.S.B.C Egypt	www.hsbc.com.eg	19007
NSGB	www.nsgb.com.eg	19700
National Bank of Egypt	www.nbe.com.eg	19623
The United Bank	www.theubeg.com	19200
Arab African International Bank	www.aaib.com	19555
Al Watany Bank of Egypt(AWB)	www.alwatany.net	19336
Piraeus Bank - Egypt	www.piraeus.com.eg	19322

2.What are the standard documents required to open a bank account in Egypt?

• Standard documents required –
  • Filled up application form
  • Photocopy of National ID for Egyptians or passport with work residence permit for non-Egyptians
  • Most recent phone, electricity or gas bill (original).
  • Personal photo
• For salaried Applicants –
  • Letter from the employer with salary, position, period of employment, type of contract and home address signed by HR Head or authorized signatory and stamped by the company
  • Last 3 months bank statement for current/savings accounts or other bank credit card statements (original)
• Self Employed Applicant
  • Copy of commercial registration letter or equivalent
  • Last 6 months bank statement (original)

3.What are the types of bank accounts offered in Egypt?

Egyptian banks offer a wide range of banking services and facilities, including direct debits, standing orders, cheque clearance and processing of credit card repayments. The main types of accounts include:

• Current accounts – Typically pay low interest rates on account balances, unless your account has a substantial balance; they are mainly used for everyday banking needs. Many current accounts are provided with an automatic teller machine (ATM) card, and some current accounts offer cheque facilities. You may also be offered credit and charge cards, but spending restrictions usually apply based on your account type and balance. Most current accounts offer customers easy access to funds held in the account, and many offer accounts in a selection of major foreign currencies.
• Savings accounts – Designed for short to mid-term savings, and may provide limited access to your money, in return for a higher rate of interest than a current account.
• Deposit accounts – Specifically for longer-term savings, and are typically opened for a set period of time (e.g. one or two years) with a fixed rate of interest. Deposit accounts may offer a higher rate of interest, but account holders may have limited or no access to funds until the account matures.

4.Are ATM machines easy to find in Cairo, Egypt?

• ATM machines are available widespread all throughout Cairo. Almost in every shopping mall, petrol pumps, supermarkets, hyper market, street corner etc ATM machines are widely available.
• Many machines provide instructions in both Arabic and English.

5.Which way can I transfer money from Egypt to India?

• The best way to transfer money from Egypt to India is via telegraphic transfer. In order to do a TT one should have a personal bank account in Egypt.
• Western Union (Call Center-19190) is another way where money can be transferred. Please note that one cannot use all the western union branches in Egypt to send money since they are only used to receive money. There are some western union branches in the Arab African International Banks in Cairo, Egypt which entitles to transfer as well as receive money. You do not have to be an AAIB customer in order to use its Western Union services
• There are some restrictions on the sending amounts. Hence before transferring please check the instructions.

Health

1.Which are some of the popular hospitals in Cairo?

Some of them are as listed below –

Name of the Hospital	Address	Contact numbers	Website
As-Salam International hospital	Corniche El Nile,Maadi, Cairo	0020 2 252 402 50	www.assih.com
Dar El Fouad hospital	26 July St., The Touristic Zone, 6th of October City, Giza, 12568	0020 2 38356040	www.daralfouad.org
International Medical Center	42 KM, Ismalia Road,Cairo	00 20 2 477 5902 / 3 / 4	www.imceg.com
Cleopatra hospital	39, Cleopatra Str., Salah Eldin Square, Heliopolis, Cairo	0020 24143931	www.cleopatrahospital.com
Ain Shams Specialized hospital	EL Khalifa EL Maamoun St, Abbasseya, Cairo	0020 2402 4111 / 0020 22618189	-
The Behman Hospital	32 El-Marsad St., Helwan	(202) 25557551	www.behman.com
Hayat Medical Center	6, Menes St., Heliopolis	02/2290 7017	-
Cairo Institute of Radiology	23, Wadi El Nil St., Mohandessin	02/3444763	-
Badran hospital	3 El Ahrar St,Dokki, Giza	02 33378823	www.badranhospital.com
The Cairo Kidney Center	3, Hassan El Memar St,Downtown	02/5758932	www.ckconline.net
Cairo Radiology Center	35 Soliman Abaza Street,Mohandessin	0020 2 3380405	www.cairoscan.com.eg
Maadi Dental Center	4 Rd. 209, Digla, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt	(02) 2519-8736	www.maadidental.com

2.Is there any source where I can find some name of English speaking doctors in Egypt?

• One can access a list of English speaking doctors providing services in a wide range of specialties at the United States Egypt Embassy website - http://cairo.usembassy.gov

3.Where can I find a pharmacy in Cairo, Egypt?

Pharmacies are located in each and every corner of Cairo, Egypt. Most of the pharmacies are opened 24X7 with free of charge delivery services. Some of the renowned pharmacies in Egypt are –

Name of Pharmacy	Appox number of Outlets	Call Center number	Website
Seif Pharmacies	20	19199	www.seifgroup.com
El Ezaby Pharmacy	30	19600	www.multipharma-eg.com
Ali's Image	10	19770	www.alisimage.com
Ali & Ali Pharmacy	7	19905	-
Misr Pharmacies	9	19110	www.misrpharmacies.com
Abou Khaled Pharmacy	3	19655	-
Care Pharmacies	3	19757	-
Delmar & Atallah Pharmacies	4	19955	-
Dr. Zaher Pharmacy	2	19771	-
El Hekma Pharmacy	2	19170	-
El Seddawy Pharmacy	2	19930	-

Education

1.How good is the Egyptian education system?

The Egyptian educational system is highly centralized, and is divided into basic education, which comprises primary stage and preparatory stage, secondary education and post-secondary education. Apart from Arabic medium Government and private schools, there are Language Schools: English Medium, Egyptian Education Ministry Curriculum and International Schools: English Medium, British/American/French etc. Curriculum.

2.Which are the most reputed schools, universities in Cairo, Egypt?

From elementary through university level, Egypt has some of the best educational institutions in the capital. Some of them are as mentioned below –

Schools

Name of School	Contact Number	Website
The International School of Choueifat Cairo	2758-0001/4	www.isccairo-sabis.net
Cairo American College (CAC)	2755-5555	www.cacegypt.org
The Modern English School	2617-0005/11	www.mescairo.com
New Cairo British International School	2758-2881	www.ncbis.org
Egyptian Language School (ELS)	2758-1135-7	www.els-egypt.com
The Cairo English School (CES)	2448-3432/3	www.cesegypt.com
The British School Al Rehab	2607-0291-3	www.tbscairo.com
The American International School (AIS)	4477-70044	www.aisegypt.com
Narmer American College	(010) 168-8311	www.nacegypt.com
The Continental International School, Cairo	46102222	www.continental-school.com
The British international School, Cairo	(+202) 3859-2000	www.bisc.edu.eg
Maadi British International School, Cairo	(02) 2705 8671/2/3/4/5	www.mbisegypt.com

Name of School	Type	Contact Number	Website
Europa-Schule Kairo (ESK)	German	617-1181-4/012-790-3951	www.europaschulekairo.com
Deutsche Evangelische Oberschule Kairo	German	748-1649, 748-1475	www.deokairo.com
Lycee International Balzac	French	010-172-3011, 617-1741	www.lfcaire.org
Pré Vert International School/Green Land	French	305-6711/647	www.greenlandschool.org

Universities

Name of University	Contact Number	Website
The American University in Cairo (AUC)	794-2964	www.aucegypt.edu
German University in Cairo (GUC)	(02) 758-9990/8	www.guc.edu.eg
Modern Sciences and Arts University (MSA)	760-6324, 336-7844	www.msa.eun.eg
Arab Academy	012-218-0305	www.arabacademy.com
Misr International University (MIU)	477-1560/2	www.miuegypt.com
The British University In Egypt	268-8995	www.bue-egypt.com
The Université Francaise d’ Egypte (UFE)	(02) 687-3555	www.ufe.edu.eg
The Modern Academy in Maadi (MAM)	(02) 702-0007	www.modern-academy-maadi.com

3.Which are the schools in Cairo, Egypt that most expatriates send their kids?

International schools e.g. British / American/ French/ German schools are in the preference for expatriates. Most Indians prefers to send their children in British schools e.g. NCBIS, MBIS, or American schools like CAC. Nefertiti school, Continental school and American International School are also a few favorites.

4.What is the average yearly school fee in Egypt?

The average fees structure varies between US$ 2000 to US$10,000 per year.
For good Language schools it is between US$ 2000- US$ 6000 per year
For International schools it varies between US$ 6000-US$10,000 per year.

5.Is the curriculum taught in English language?

Yes, in all language and international schools the curriculum is taught in English. They all have certified English speaking teachers.

6.How different are the Egyptian schools than compared to the Indian ones?

In International Schools, emphasis is on easy learning without pressures. The child has the freedom depending upon capabilities to select the studies in higher classes. Effort is on all round development of student.

7.Are there any Indian schools in Egypt?

No, unfortunately in Egypt there aren't any Indian schools. We all hope it happens soon, Insha Allah.