Beyond the Pharaohs: Egypt Past and Present

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

Egypt

• Your passport must have 1 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is required and it must be obtained in advance.

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

Please note: Effective Aug.1, 2026, the Arab Republic of Egypt requires a digital visa(single entry, 30-day stay)-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport, replacing the paper visa sticker with an electronic QR-code. Applications are submitted through the government portal at https://apps.visaonarrival.gov.eg. The application requires personal and passport information, together with an electronic payment of US $36 per person (US $30 visa fee and US $6 service charge), payable by Visa or Mastercard; please note that this payment is non-refundable. The visa will be issued in the form of a QR code that will be valid for seven days from the date of issuance; we recommend completing the application four days prior to the day of departure. Upon arrival, the QR code is presented with the passport at passport control. Non-USA citizens should check with the Egyptian embassy in their country of residence for the latest visa requirements, as entry regulations may differ by nationality.

There is currently no proof of vaccination, COVID-19 passport/certificate or COVID-19 tests required to enter Egypt. No inoculations are required. The CDC recommends all visitors entering these countries to be up to date on their vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Measles, Chickenpox, Polio, and the flu. We encourage all participants to discuss their travel plans and personal health with their health care provider prior to the program.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on December 4, 2027

Meet the group at Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel in Giza

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in.

Getting to the site: The Cairo airport is situated 14 miles from Cairo. The airport consists of two terminals, which are two miles apart and are linked by a free shuttle that departs about every half an hour. Information desks are situated in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, in the Arrivals and Departures halls and in the transit hall. TAXIS Taxis are readily available outside the CAI Cairo Airport to help you reach your program hotel. The journey should take approximately 30 – 45 minutes and cost you between 20-30 USD in USD or local currency. Official Egyptian taxis in Cairo are either black and white (old design) or entirely white (new design). While both are safe for travel, please note that the traditional black and white models will most likely not have air conditioning or a running meter. Drivers will not accept payment in credit cards and rarely accept US dollars, so please be sure to exchange money to Egyptian pounds before your departure from the airport. A 15% customary tip will be expected. PRIVATE LIMOUSINE SERVICES Over twenty different companies provide limousine/private shuttle services at Cairo Airport. These services may be booked ahead of time online or on-site at the airport. Upon your arrival, either approach one of the customer service windows inside the terminal or a curbside representative outside of the terminal. The dispatcher will tell you a fare and direct you to the correct car. Prices vary depending on time of day and the type of vehicle, but these services usually range from 60-80 USD in USD or local currency. A customary tip of 15% will be expected for the driver, and you may also want to give some additional pounds to the men who will assist you with loading your bags into the car. *Note: While departing the airport you may stop by the Tourist Police booth, where they will write down the license number of your vehicle along with your name. You may also be asked to sign a log book for your security. This is customary in Egypt.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Taxis are available at the airport.

Your trip ends on: Thursday, December 16, 2027 in Cairo at InterContinental Citystars Hotel

End of Trip: After breakfast followed by airport transfer; 12:00 Noon hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: Taxis to the CAI Cairo Airport are available from your program hotel. The journey should take approximately 15 – 20 minutes and cost you between 20-30 USD in USD or local currency. Please be sure to exchange money to Egyptian Pounds prior to your departure from the hotel.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.