Prodykk Oslo - Red Sea Aggressor II | Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran

Egypt is one of Africa’s major tourist destinations, with the main drawcards being the Red Sea, Egyptology and the Nile. The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings need no introduction in the world of antiquity, the sun-soaked beaches of the Red Sea with their scuba diving are a massive attraction to those from colder climes, and a cruise on the Nile floods back memories of Cleopatra. Aside from these famous attractions, this desert country houses ancient ruins and mystical Oases, and in Cairo, ancient cultures remain, blending with the very modern. Egypt offers so much more than its world-famous pyramids. Visitors can enjoy desert trekking, scuba diving, golfing, fishing, bird watching or floating along the Red Sea.

Currency:  
Local currency: Egyptian Pound  
Symbol: LE or E€ 
ISO code: EGP 
Central bank: Central Bank of Egypt  
Subunit: Paistres 
Banknotes: LE 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1; P50, P25 
Coins: P25, P20, P10, P5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions: Yes  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Ye 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: Mondays - Thursdays 08h30 - 14h00 
Weekends: Sundays 08h30 - 14h00 
Public Holidays: No 
Foreign exchange services: Yes, during the day and in the evenings 18h00 - 21h00 
 

Air:  
Main airlines: EgyptAir 
International Airports: Cairo International Airport, Luxor International Airport, Aswan International Airport, Hurghada International Airport, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, Marsa Alam International Airport 

Road: 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
Uber available: Yes 
 
Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: No 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: No 

Local cuisine: Blending African, Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean influences, Egyptian food is fragrant and usually quite healthy, featuring lots of vegetables and spices. Specialties include dolmades, Molokhiya, Ful Medales, bush okra stew, and many more. 

Drinks: 

Zibib - made with aniseed 

Aswanli – a dark beer made in the town of the same name  

Karkaday – red drink made with hibiscus flowers 

Tipping: 10 - 12% tip is added to the bill, however it is customary to add another 5% on top of that. 

Annual rainfall: 20 mm - 200 mm  
Average temperature: Coastal regions: 14°C - 30°C; Inland / desert: 7°C at night to 43°C during the day   
 
Summer:  
Average in highs: 32°C 
Average in lows: 23 °C 

Winter: 
Average in highs: 17°C 
Average in lows: 9.5°C 
 
Best time to visit: Between February and April, or October to November, the weather is mild to warm, with stunning blue skies. Winds sweeping sand across the area can be unpleasant in summer, and in winter, rain and fog may reduce your visibility of the sights.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 
 

Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: In cities  

Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and has coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. This mysterious and often misunderstood country provides a surprisingly wide range of exhilarating tourist activities. Spend your time exploring unfathomably vast stretches of golden desert, scuba diving through clear aquamarine waters to view fascinating ancient wrecks and a wide variety of colourful and unusual marine life, as well as visiting historic cities that have remained well preserved for centuries. Alternatively, city-slickers can marvel at the country’s grand and strikingly contemporary modern cities, each more glitzy, glamorous and sophisticated than the next and all featuring chic cafés, rows of designer boutiques and world-class hotels and restaurants. With its rich and ancient history, unique cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty, it is certainly worth a visit.

Currency:
Local currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Symbol: ﷼
ISO code: SAR
Subunit: Halala (1 SAR = 100 halalas)
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 SAR
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas, 1, 2 SAR

Banking:
Card Transactions: Widely accepted
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Yes
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Weekends: Closed (Friday and Saturday)
Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air
Main airlines: Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal
International Airports: King Khalid International Airport (RUH), King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
Domestic Airports: Multiple throughout the country

Road
Driving on the: Right
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes (in rural areas)
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes (Uber and Careem operate widely)

Bus
Inter-city bus services: Yes (operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company - SAPTCO)
Local city bus networks: Yes (mainly in larger cities)

Rail
Railway system: Yes (Saudi Railway Company - SAR connects major cities)
Subway System: Yes (Riyadh Metro is currently being expanded)

Water
Ferries: Yes (limited, mainly connecting coastal cities and islands)
Water taxis: Limited
Leisure cruises: Yes (departures from Jeddah port)

Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No, bottled water is recommended
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: Yes, from bottled water.
Meat: Yes
Street food: Limited (often in larger cities)

Local cuisine: Saudi Arabian cuisine is influenced by Middle Eastern and Arabic traditions, with a focus on rich flavors and aromatic spices. Popular dishes include "kabsa" (spiced rice with meat), "mutabbaq" (stuffed flatbread), and "shawarma" (grilled meat wraps). Dates are an important staple, often enjoyed with Arabic coffee, and the cuisine includes a wide variety of breads such as "samosa" and "khobz."

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Arabic coffee ("qahwa"), non-alcoholic malt drinks, and fresh fruit juices. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia.

Tipping: 10-15% (for good service)

Annual rainfall: Approximately 50-150 mm (varies across regions)
Average temperature: 25-45 °C

Summer:
Average in highs: 45 °C
Average in lows: 28 °C

Winter:
Average in highs: 25 °C
Average in lows: 10 °C

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is between November and February, when the temperatures are cooler, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. Summers can be extremely hot, especially in the central and southern regions.

Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable, and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No

Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes (especially for desert areas where temperatures drop at night)
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No

General
Umbrella and raincoat: No (rare rainfall, except during the brief rainy season)
Warm gloves, hat, and scarf: No (except for desert evenings in winter)
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes (only at private hotel pools or private beaches)
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes (the sun can be very intense)
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes (for dining out or visiting upscale areas)

General Guidelines:
Saudi Arabia is a conservative country, and visitors are expected to dress modestly, especially in public areas. Women are required to wear an "abaya" (a long black robe) in public, though the headscarf is optional for foreign women. Men should avoid wearing shorts in public areas.

Internet cafes: Yes (in larger cities)
Accommodation options: Yes (most hotels provide Wi-Fi)
Restaurants: Yes (many offer free Wi-Fi)
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes

Plug Type: G  

Voltage (V): 230 V  

Frequency Hertz (Hz): 60 Hz  

*A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.