Compare Egypt travel insurance

Offering plenty of sunshine, beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring ancient sites, Egypt attracts around 415,000 British visitors every year.

If you’re planning a trip to the land of the pharaohs, you should consider travel insurance to cover your holiday, flights and medical treatment.

Patrick Ikhena

From the Travel team

minute read

posted 30 MARCH 2020

Do I need travel insurance for Egypt?

There’s no reciprocal health agreement between Egypt and the UK, so even though it’s not compulsory, it’s highly advisable to take out travel insurance to cover the costs of any medical treatment you may need.

It’s not uncommon for visitors to experience stomach upsets or heat stroke, and local medical care isn’t cheap.

Medical facilities outside Cairo and other major cities can be pretty basic, but private treatment can cost a fortune. Without the right travel cover, your dream holiday could end up leaving you seriously out of pocket.

Travel insurance can cover emergency treatment and pharmacy costs, as well as getting you back home. For extra peace of mind, make sure all of these are included in your policy.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We are temporarily suspending our travel insurance comparison service.

On 4 April 2020, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against all non-essential international travel for an indefinite period.

If you choose to travel overseas to a destination while the FCO has advised against non-essential travel, or domestically against the instructions of the UK Government, then your insurance policy will be invalid, and any claim likely to be rejected. Therefore, until we have complete confidence we can get you a policy to meet your needs, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend our travel insurance comparison service.

We will continually review the situation, and resume our service in the future, in accordance with the latest FCO or UK Government restrictions on travel.

Until then, stay safe.

For more information, please see our Coronavirus and travel insurance page.

How much is travel insurance for Egypt?

If you’re travelling to Egypt, worldwide travel insurance could cost from £38** for a week, based on Compare the Market data in February 2020.

**50% of people could achieve a quote of £37.68 for worldwide travel insurance for 1 week based on Compare the Market data in February 2020.

What should my travel insurance to Egypt include?

A standard travel insurance policy for Egypt will include cover for:

Medical treatment – should you become ill or have an accident, the right policy will ensure you’re covered. Medical costs abroad can quickly accumulate into the tens of thousands of pounds, so make sure you have the appropriate cover, especially if you’re taking part in popular activities like diving.
Flight cancellations and delays – most standard policies should provide some degree of cover for flight problems, but it’s always best to check out the T&Cs of your policy in case incidents, such as missed connections, aren’t covered. With the current political unrest in the region surrounding Egypt, holiday companies have restricted and cancelled holidays to specific resorts to Egypt in the past.
Damage, loss and theft of luggage – standard travel insurance usually covers replacement costs for your luggage and its contents. According to Government statistics, crime is generally low in Egypt, but you should always take extra care of your valuables, and be on alert for pickpockets in busier resorts.
Holiday cancellation - make sure you read the T&Cs for holiday cancellations carefully, as different insurance providers vary on what they cover, depending on the reason for the cancellation.

Egypt travel insurance exclusions

While your insurance can provide cover for many of the unexpected costs you might face while travelling in Egypt, there may be some exceptions. Here are some of the things to check carefully for in your policy:

Pre-existing medical conditions – if you require treatment for these, you’ll likely need to pay more on your premium
Injuries or accidents resulting from high-risk activities – Egypt is famous around the world for its scuba-diving opportunities, with the Red Sea offering an incredibly rich and diverse marine eco-system to explore beneath the surface. Some travel insurance policies will cover scuba-diving as standard, but it’s important to check your policy carefully and arrange extra cover if necessary.
Incidents related to alcohol abuse – the resorts in Egypt, such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, are popular for their all-inclusive hotel packages. With limitless alcohol available, holidaymakers can easily find themselves drinking more than they normally would, which can result in accidents. If you’re injured or lose something as a result of being overly intoxicated, your claim will likely be rejected
Travel to regions which Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised to avoid – for example, because of disease epidemics or terrorism threats. The FCO currently advises against travel to certain regions in Egypt, however, the traditional holiday resorts are deemed safer. You should always look at the most up to date information before planning a trip.
Acts of God – this includes natural disasters. Egypt has been victim to several types of natural disaster, including flooding, earthquakes and sand storms. However, most trips are experienced trouble free.

What else should I consider when choosing my travel insurance for Egypt?

Consider what activities you plan to do in Egypt, and whether they should be included in your policy.

You may want to:

Take a cruise along the Nile. Standard travel insurance may not cover you for cruising in the Middle East, so it’s worth adding cruise cover if sailing along the Nile is part of your itinerary.
Try an adventure sport. Egypt is a popular destination for adrenaline junkies who want to do more than just sight-seeing or lying on the beach.
Adventure travel insurance can cover you for more extreme activities such as bungee jumping, desert biking, diving and kite surfing.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

British passport holders usually need a visa for Egypt.

You can buy a visa (around US $25) from authorised kiosks in the airport arrival halls before you go through immigration and passport control.

If you’re travelling to resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, you’ll receive a free permission stamp on arrival. The stamp is valid for 15 days. If you’re staying for longer, you’ll need a visa.

Any other tips for travelling to Egypt?

Vaccines: It’s recommended that you have a Hepatitis A vaccine (usually free on the NHS) before travelling to Egypt. You can get hepatitis A from contaminated food and water, so make sure you drink bottled, not tap water, as an extra precaution. Vaccinations against hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, and a tetanus booster are also advised. It’s a good idea to visit your doctor around eight weeks before your trip to check what vaccines and health precautions they advise.
Currency: The official currency is the Egyptian pound (£E), although many hotels and tour operators readily accept US dollars and Euros. ATMs can be found in the main tourist areas, and most hotels and restaurants accept the major credit cards. Travellers’ cheques are rarely used anymore, as most places won’t cash or accept them.
Drinking: It’s illegal to drink alcohol anywhere that isn’t licensed. Drinking in the street can lead to being arrested.
Ramadan: Be aware of this holy month while travelling to Egypt, a traditionally Islamic country. During this time, Muslims will fast from sunrise until sunset. If you are out in a public place, it is advised that you respect this tradition and avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public. While locals will appreciate you may not observe Ramadan yourself, demonstrating culturally insensitive/offensive behaviour can lead to your arrest in Egypt. Be aware that the dates for Ramadan change each year, and can start/end between March and June.
Dress code: We advise that you are respectful and aware of local cultural customs, which include dressing modestly in public places, particularly in more rural areas.
ID: We recommend that you keep a form of photo ID on you at all times.
Tipping: As a tourist you’ll be expected to tip hotel staff, restaurant waiters/waitresses and even tour guides. It’s not customary to tip taxi drivers though.

Here are some ballpark figures to give you an idea of how much you should tip:

Hotel porters, housekeepers and waiting staff – between £3-10
Restaurant waiting staff – around 10% of the bill
Spas – between 10-15%
Tour Guides – full day, £50; half day, £25
Resort hairdresser – 10-15%

Where can I compare travel insurance quotes for Egypt?

Once you decide which type of travel insurance best suits your needs, we can help you compare policies for your trip to Egypt and find a price you’re happy with.

Compare travel insurance costs today. Get a quote in minutes and start planning your perfect Egyptian holiday.