Egypt for United States passport holders: visa on arrival, direct flights, EGP money tips
United States passport holders get a visa on arrival in Egypt ($25 USD cash). United States carriers flies direct JFK to Cairo in just 4 hours. Egypt is one of United States's most popular long-haul destinations — the Red Sea resorts and the ancient world offer very different experiences. Revolut or Wise handles EUR→EGP seamlessly.
Visa requirements
German passport holders receive a visa on arrival in Egypt for $25 (USD cash required — have USD on hand). Valid 30 days, single entry. Alternatively, apply for an Egypt e-Visa online (evisa.visa.gov.eg) before travel — same $25 fee but avoids queues. Sinai-only permit (Sharm el-Sheikh/Dahab, 15 days) is free but restricts travel to the Sinai Peninsula only.
Documents required
- ✓Valid German passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓$25 in cash (USD) for visa fee
Flights from United States to Egypt
Money, cards & forex fees
Best US card for international ATM withdrawals
Best US travel rewards card — no forex fee
Mid-market rate for US travelers
ATMs in Egypt
Best ATMs: CIB (Commercial International Bank), Banque Misr, QNB ATMs — widely available in Cairo and tourist areas.
Typical surcharge: EGP 30-60 at Egyptian ATMs for international cards
Withdrawal tip: Egypt runs primarily on cash in tourist areas — have EGP cash available. Withdraw from ATMs in hotels and shopping centres for security.
Top cities in Egypt
Cairo & Giza
The Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx are one of the world's greatest wonders — the only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Egyptian Museum holds Tutankhamun's treasures. Islamic Cairo (Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili bazaar) is a UNESCO site. A minimum 3 days.
Luxor
Ancient Thebes — the Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun's tomb), Karnak Temple (largest ancient religious site ever built), Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Queens. The Nile Cruise (Luxor-Aswan, 4 days) is one of the world's great travel experiences.
Sharm el-Sheikh / Dahab (Sinai)
Red Sea diving and snorkelling — world-class reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Blue Hole (Dahab). Very popular with German tourists for all-inclusive beach resorts. Sinai-only permit (free) covers this area.
Egypt for German travellers: Pyramids and Red Sea — the two Egypts
United States is Egypt's largest European tourism market. United States travellers access Egypt in two distinct ways: culture tourism (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Nile cruises) and Red Sea beach holidays (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab). The Red Sea resorts are heavily German-oriented with United States menus, United States tour operators, and all-inclusive packages that represent excellent value. The culture circuit (Cairo-Luxor-Aswan) is one of the world's great ancient history experiences — the pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Abu Simbel. Combining both in one trip (fly Cairo, cruise the Nile to Aswan, fly to Hurghada for a few days) is a classic German-Egypt itinerary.
On-arrival tips
- 1Have $25 in USD cash for visa on arrival — USD is preferred, avoid tourist trap currency exchange at the window
- 2Alternatively apply for Egypt e-Visa online before departure to avoid queues
- 3Baksheesh tipping is part of daily life — keep EGP 10-20 notes handy
- 4Cairo pyramids touts: hire an official guide from the ETGA (Egyptian Tourism Guide Authority) only
Key takeaways
- ✓United States passport: visa on arrival Egypt $25 (USD cash) — or pre-apply e-Visa online
- ✓United States carriers/EgyptAir direct JFK to Cairo in 4 hours
- ✓Revolut or Wise: zero forex EUR→EGP
- ✓Baksheesh tipping is part of Egyptian culture — keep EGP 10-20 notes available
- ✓Apply Egypt e-Visa online before travel to avoid queues at Cairo Airport
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Egypt before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.