on arriving in cairo how long does it take to get a visa and how much does it cost.?A tour company is trying to sell me some service costing $55.00 for a visa. I have a feeling I'm being taken.

It takes about five minutes to get your visa and costs about $15 to $20. I travelled with GCT and they tried to hard sell me on pre buying the visa. It must be a profit center for the various tour companies. Go to the search bar and type in Egyptian visas and you will find dozens of comments on this topic.

I tried doing what I suggested and it didn't work. Don't know why. Anyway five minutes and $15 - $20.Don't let them sucker you.

Right before getting to the Immigration Counter, there's a desk where you can purchase the Visa, USD$15, given a stamp to paste onto a blank visa page... then to Immigration and out to Baggage Claim.

Not unusual for tour operators to claim that by using the service there are no delays on arrival and you don't hold up others in the group by having to purchase yours. Believe me, many others in the group will be doing just as you (if they're smart enough).

The USD$40 is better in your pocket.

You can also change some USD to Egyptian Pounds at Currency Exchange Window just before exiting the Baggage Claim area (or while waiting for your bags). Otherwise, there are ATMs around Cairo or at your hotel. Rate of exchange is the same regardless where, as the government fixes this.

When I booked my trip to Egypt I got all sorts of solicitations for visa services. Some claimed to be working for the tour company I had booked, and one service charged $100 plus postage!! It would have been such a waste to pay that kind of money to save 5 minutes of standing in line. Just get it on arrival. It costs $15 USD and having correct change helps.

Agree with all above, dont bother buying it from anyone offering to do it for you. It is a 5 minute job and it will save you a fortune. What some tour ops do (and I have experienced it myself with my first tour op) is that they buy the visas and then sell them onto you at an inflated price.

Have a brill time

Scotsgirl

thank you sooo much.are there any other tips for egypt? I am going with OAT in January. I managed to get them to skip the single supplement. Can anyone suggest a must-see that is not the usual stuff? I am a 73 year old widow. When my husband and I travelled, we were grat wanderers, but alone I am not quite so adventureous, particularly in an arab country.

Judo, I'm sorry for the loss of your husband.

I am a 40-something female who has traveled to several parts of the Middle East and I've never had any problems or fear of being in that part of the world. There will be touts trying to sell you things and like any tourist area there are a few pickpockets. But Egypt is a very safe country to visit and I think you will be fine.

PS I meant to say I have traveled alone to the Middle East. I occasionally got attention from Egyptian men but not in a threatening way. I thought it was kind of amusing.

Enjoy your trip.

Judo.. you said you were not quite so adventurous now... I think you are very adventurous!!