Travel tips for smart Egypt travelers

From INFOHUB:

When buying tickets, women should line up with other women only
In Egypt there are hardly any restrictions on foreign women. Yet there is a local custom that foreign ladies are expected to follow. Besides the fact that a lady has to be dressed discretely, a woman is supposed to line up only with other women. Queues for tickets or other things are almost always segregated. It’s not a bad thing, though, inasmuch as the lines are usually shorter. It will save you time if you go and buy tickets instead of your male travel mate. It applies to the other social situations as well. On buses, the driver may want you to be seated in the front with other women. On the metro lines, the first car is usually reserved for women.

Do NOT buy papyrus from the vendors in the tourist sites
Expect to be followed and surrounded by lots of men inviting you to buy their original papyrus papers when going to most tourist sites. You should be aware that most papyri sold on the streets as well as in the markets and souvenir shops are fake. Real papyrus is made from the grass "Cyperus papyrus". Straws from the grass are soaked in water for six days and then the straws are arranged in lines to form a sheet of paper. Later the straws are pressed together for six more days to become a sheet of papyrus paper. The false papyri sold on the streets are made from banana leaves. The easiest way to check whether the papyrus is fake or not is to crumble up the paper in your hand. If it breaks - it's fake!

How to avoid getting lost in a foreign city
Pick up a business card from your hotel when you check in. Even the best pathfinders get lost in a big city. With the card, you can hop into a cab and be home in minutes.

How to easily recognize tourist police troopers in Cairo
Ever since the terrorist act that resulted in 68 tourist deaths in 1997, the Egyptian government has taken steps to curb violence against tourists by establishing the Antique and Tourist Police -- a body that seemingly exists EVERYWHERE in Cairo. Have a look at them. They always ride camels. They can approach you and ask to pay some amount of money if you stay at the plateau of the pyramids longer than you are allowed to. Don’t be surprised, though! It is all about money. The visiting hours for the pyramids plateau are from 7 am to 7:30 pm. Admission fee for entering the plateau of the pyramids is 20 Egyptian pounds ­ 3,5 USD. For the museum, the pyramids, and other sights you have to pay extra.

Negotiate a price before you set foot inside the taxi
In general, taxis are always more expensive than public transportation. Many taxis have meters but many meters do not work properly. Even if the taxi has a meter, you should always ask how much will it cost to drive you and your luggage to your destination. Sometimes the taxi driver will say that he has to go by whatever the meter says. Sometimes this is true, but he should have some idea as to what the price should be, so make him give you an estimate. If the driver refuses to give you an estimate, do not get in the taxi.

And the two best value/price meals to eat in Egypt are...
Koshari and Fetir are considered the fastfood of Egypt. They provide excellent value for their price, even compared to the traditional meal - Foul and Falafel.

What to do when in need of a washroom in Egypt
Toilets in Egyptian tourist sites can be very dirty and smelly, and the locals are used to using the "hole" (modern things that flush are new to them). Besides that, you are unlikely to find toilet paper. That’s why hotels or Western fast food restaurants are your best bet if you find yourself in need of a washroom.

How to protect your valuables from theft while you sleep
If you don’t trust the place you stay, put a day bag with your valuables in a pillow case and bring it to bed with you.

Bring an inflatable neck cushion for long bus or plane trips
An item that's invaluable on long night flights is an inflatable neck cushion (pillow). It is easy and takes practically no space when collapsed, but makes it so much easier to sleep. Some people might also consider carrying eye shades and ear plugs for sleeping.

How to help ease the pressure in your child’s ears when flying
If you’re traveling with a toddler, remember to give your child a drink before taking off and landing. This helps balance the inner pressure with the outer one, and should keep his/her ears more comfortable. Even sucking on sweets will do.

How to avoid travel offer scams
Using a credit card gives you the option of disputing fraudulent charges via your credit card company. By the way, never give your card number to someone asking for verification of your identity. Only give the number for actual orders. You should also be careful with overly generous offers. For instance, how many times have you received an email similar to this: "You have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer"? Read it several times. It does NOT say you have been awarded a free vacation! Why are you special? How is the trip spectacular? What elements make it a luxury trip? These are words designed to get your attention, not necessarily to accurately describe the services. When they say the hotel is five-star quality, ask for the name and address. End the deal if you can’t get concrete details. The same is true for airlines, tours, cruise ships, and any other products. Reputable companies do not hesitate to provide specific information. Check the company's track record too! Your local authorities should have lists of firms that attract multiple complaints. A common scam is to sell "certification" as a travel agent. This, you'll be told, allows you to take advantage of professional discounts. The problem with this one is that professional discounts are not obligatory. Suppliers decide when and to whom they extend price breaks. Why is something being offered to you free of charge? Many times, the idea is to provide a captive audience for hours of sales presentations. Do you want to spend your precious vacation time listening to these pitches? Be careful, since many are orchestrated to make you feel obligated, and most are very high-pressure presentations. The annual take on these rip-offs runs well into billions of U.S. dollars, and travel complaints routinely top the list of most common consumer problems. Be skeptical! Don’t trust the scammers with your money. Leave them empty-handed!