Travel Chance hunters will definitely heed these few tips (visa, health insurance, local customs, etc.) to make sure their travel experience is always wonderous. Some tips might look like reminders rather than new information but pay attention since some of them are still extremely noteworthy.
Before you book your trip, you need to know first what exactly you need to grab. Relaxation, life experience, fun or adventure are different needs for different vacations. You will also need to balance your desire to enjoy a luxury tour with your need to keep away from financial stress if you choose an expensive package. Remember! A budget tour does not equal a poor experience. At the end, it is companionship and self-satisfaction that give you joy and happiness.
At Travel Chance, we understand our guests’ differences in taste and desire. Therefore, we offer a wide variety of guided/non-guided tours for all budget levels. We also offer a variety of tour styles to ensure we don’t rush you if you like to relax and don’t waste your time if like to see more of our destination’s beauties. We offer different settings ranging from beach resorts to city breaks and desert escapes.
In general, we recommend you pick a guided tour since all the details are pre-planned for you. This is especially important if you are not keen on digging deep into the nitty-gritty of your arrangements. Select from our catalogue here: https://travchance.com/tours.
For those who prefer to do it themselves, we advise that you create a complete itinerary following some research on the destination. Pay special attention to special festivals, weather, accessibility and distance between places of interest. Prioritize your must-visit places to make sure you will not miss any for the less important.
If you are still undetermined on your tour destination, let us help you with our tailor your trip tool based on your needs and desires. It is quite powerful tool as it enables you to combine the benefits of guided tours while you still enjoy independence and privacy you need on your vacation.
Make sure you apply for days off including a day’s rest after your return to cope with fatigue or jet lag. Egypt is easily accessible and enjoys direct flights from dozens of countries. By the way, the time zone of Egypt is GMT+2 which is suitable for Europe, Africa and much of Asia.
All hotels and Nile cruises in Egypt have 4G speed wi-fi connection except for the desert resorts which are designed to help escape the stress of modern-life. You can buy a local sim-card and resume connecting to your office. However, we recommend that you finish all your routin work and travel with work-free luggage.
Ensure all your travel documents are confirmed 3-4 working days prior to your travel date to ensure any last-minute changes can still be accommodated.
It is essential to pack what you need with consideration for the shopping you plan to do at your holiday destination. In average and unless you have shopping mania, you will need to reserve 5 – 7 kg per person for souvenirs, perfumes and local spices to avoid excess luggage on the return flight. If you’re travelling with family and kids, ensure the needs of the elders and children are itemized and packed to avoid discomfort or upsets.
Most importantly, it is vital to inform your close relatives/ friends of your travel. It would be good to arrange for house/ pet sitting while you’re away. Lastly, call your bank and let them know that you are travelling and there will be large amount of purchases with the debit or credit card to avoid your card being blocked.
Make sure you choose the tour that suits your and your companions’ age and physical health conditions. In case you or any of your companions has any disabilities, special health requirements or diets, please notify us precisely before arrival about these conditions so that we prepare well for smoother experience.
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while travelling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel. Latest updates on vaccinations can be obtained from your local clinic or hospital. We also recommend that you review the official websites of your Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your embassy in Cairo to get the latest updates on medical insurance and vaccination requirements for travelers to Egypt.
By default, you must carry your own health insurance certificate which should cover all types of medical assistance during your trip. In the event this is not the case, you need to notify us well in advance of your arrival to see if we can assist in this regard.
Visa issuance hassle and restrictions become in some cases hindering factor to travel to some certain countries. Luckily, Egypt visa is nowadays more accessible and easier than ever. Visa upon arrival, e-visa and multiple entry visa are now available for many nationals. Please check this link for more information on visa requirements depending on your nationality: https://www.egyptianevisa.com
It is also noteworthy that those with long-stay visas to the departure country need to ensure their original nationality is allowed to obtain a visa on arrival. Otherwise, they need to refer to the embassy before booking to make sure the estimated time for visa issuance is short enough to enable them to join the tour.
What sort of protection/coverage does a travel insurance covers you? Some of the coverage that you should expect is as below:
- Personal Accident
- Medical Expenses
- Loss of Luggage & Personal Effect
- Loss of Travel Documents
- Baggage Delay
- Travel Delay
- Missed Departure
- Flight Overbooked
- Hijack Inconvenience
- Travel Cancellation
- Loss of Money/ Valuables
….and other types of coverage as well.
Here are other examples that might NOT be covered in travel insurance:
- Declared or undeclared war or any act of war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, and other war terms
- Loss or destruction of goods due to radiation
- Suicide/Self harm/ or any intentional acts by the insured person that provoked homicide or assault personnel or military personnel of any country or international authority, whether full-time service or as a volunteer
- The Insured Person engaging in, practicing for or taking part in training in any speed contest, any professional competition or sports, and participating in Hazardous adventure.
For more information on the inclusions & exclusions of travel insurance coverage, contact your insurance agent.
On your travel day, make a list of the things that you need to bring along- luggage, passport and tickets. Also, mark all your bags inside and out with your name and address – both home address and your holiday address. To be on the safe side, weigh your bags to ensure you don’t exceed the baggage requirements of the airline. Travel insurance is becoming a must, so do consider getting one because you do not have to worry if your bags are lost or if your flight has been cancelled or even if your passport and wallet is stolen. It is always best to get yourself and your family covered as mishaps do happen when travelling.
You do know that it is possible to travel with hand-luggage only, rite? Just that you will need to know the airline rules for carrying liquids, otherwise you may have to remove them at the security checkpoint! In order to handle jet lags, stay hydrated by drinking lots of plain water during the flight. Avoid tea and coffee.
Gather required documents before your flight as you are responsible to present as required, documents by the relevant authorities at all entry and exit lanes, health and other documents required by law, regulations, order, demands or requirements of the countries flown from, into or over.
Self-check-in is free, simple & quick! It will save your time at airport! Otherwise, counter check-in opens 3 hours before the scheduled time of departure and closes 1 hour before the scheduled time of departure. Note: Check-in deadlines may vary at different airports and for particular flights. Airport has long queues due to complex security checks. We suggest that you check-in early and proceed immediately to the departure gate or you may risk being left behind in security.
Pre-book your checked baggage to save money and time. Each piece/item of checked baggage has to weigh less than 30kg. Guests may not combine their checked baggage weight with other guests unless travelling in the same booking.
For, baggage drop counter, it opens 3 hours before the scheduled time of departure and closes 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Guests are required to hold a boarding pass to use our baggage drop counters.
Bringing liquids are subject to the prevalent applicable local laws and regulations guests may take liquids on board in their cabin baggage with a maximum volume of 100 ml. The items must be placed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.
For boarding time, guests are required to be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before the scheduled time of departure or you will be denied boarding.
When you are overseas/ holiday destination, do call your close relatives/ friends to let them know you have arrived safely and keep them updated of where you are if you are moving around. Make sure to always keep your luggage locked when leaving them behind in the hotel. Carry your passport with you and ensure you don’t carry excessive cash that might attract attention. If you are taking a self drive holiday, make sure you collect the car from the airport and get a GPS.
When you are abroad and if you want to try something local, make sure it is a recommendation from a trustworthy source. To make life easier, get a local map and identify the tourist info centres. Moreover for safety precautions, avoid walking alone at night or in dark areas and beware of pickpockets whose modus operandi is by distracting you. Also, if you drive, follow the local traffic rules and avoid driving at night.
Before your return flight, do confirm your flight details in case of delays or cancellations. It is best to ensure that you have all travel documents prepared and easily accessible for check in. Always plan your packing and don’t do too much last minute shopping that can’t fit your luggage. Keep track with the luggage requirements of the country you’re visiting in mind.
Do not forget to remind your close relatives/ friends of your return and make arrangements for an airport pick up. Keep track of all your valuables and make sure that they are in your hand- wallet, passport, camera, watch, jewellery.
Last but not least, make sure you are at the airport two hours (or 3-4 hours in some countries) earlier to avoid missing the flight.
