KLM to Cairo
May 16th, 2010, 12:02 PM
#5
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As noted, virtually all the flights into the Middle East from Europe land at that hour. Probably due to some combination of heat and aircraft utilization.
BTW, might be a good idea to bring along US $15 in cash, per passenger, as I don't believe they accept Egyptian Pounds for payment and, unless something has changed, the visa is denominated in USD.
Bring your patience, as the whole process is a revenue-generation and jobs creation scheme, and is not designed for your convenience.
BTW, might be a good idea to bring along US $15 in cash, per passenger, as I don't believe they accept Egyptian Pounds for payment and, unless something has changed, the visa is denominated in USD.
Bring your patience, as the whole process is a revenue-generation and jobs creation scheme, and is not designed for your convenience.
May 17th, 2010, 11:36 AM
#7
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You need to understand what the on-arrival visa "process" entails. You take your $15 and hand it to the guy at the visa counter (or is it the foreign currency booth, I can't remember). He hands you a sticker that you put in your passport. Really, it is just a way to collect some money from incoming passengers and involves pretty much no effort or hassle, as long as you have USD.
Once you buy your visa, however, you have to go through the immigration line, which involves having your passport reviewed by 3 or 4 people, all of whom seem to enjoy looking very severe, but otherwise probably serve little purpose other than to expand the state payrolls. The lines can be long, but I don't think that getting a visa prior to arrival enables you to avoid this in any way.
Once you buy your visa, however, you have to go through the immigration line, which involves having your passport reviewed by 3 or 4 people, all of whom seem to enjoy looking very severe, but otherwise probably serve little purpose other than to expand the state payrolls. The lines can be long, but I don't think that getting a visa prior to arrival enables you to avoid this in any way.
May 19th, 2010, 12:00 AM
#8
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My most unsettling travel experience remains the first hour after my arrival in Cairo. The guy meeting us did not speak English or pretended not to (it was a tour). He indicated he wanted our passports, required amount of cash for the visas, demanded a tip, and then disappeared for 20 minutes. We were wondering if we had just been scammed of cash and passports when he returned and escorted us around all the customs and immigration lines to some other guy who spoke 10 words in English and drove like an absolute maniac, depositing us at our hotel. It was only then we were given back our passports - of course, after tipping the guy.
We investigated getting a visa prior to arrival but when I received application materials they were in Arabic on one side and on the other in English so poorly translated that it made no sense (this was 9 years ago).
Enjoy Egypt- it is amazing.
We investigated getting a visa prior to arrival but when I received application materials they were in Arabic on one side and on the other in English so poorly translated that it made no sense (this was 9 years ago).
Enjoy Egypt- it is amazing.
May 19th, 2010, 07:51 AM
#9
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My most unsettling travel experience remains the first hour after my arrival in Cairo.
Well on that unsettling note can anyone recommend a pickup service that I can use to get from airport to hotel at 3am.
As to arrival time I do think it is due to heat. Where I live it is often 110+ and most flights are at night as well, something about once its over 105 degrees the heat of engines, gas and the possibility of a big band. But in Las Vegas they are flying in and out all day without problems so does anyone really know?
Well on that unsettling note can anyone recommend a pickup service that I can use to get from airport to hotel at 3am.
As to arrival time I do think it is due to heat. Where I live it is often 110+ and most flights are at night as well, something about once its over 105 degrees the heat of engines, gas and the possibility of a big band. But in Las Vegas they are flying in and out all day without problems so does anyone really know?
