Egypt is terrific value. The major expense for the traveller in Egypt is transport and site entry - the latter has taken some severe jumps in recent years. Be aware that pickpockets operate around tourist sites, so avoid carrying money in your back pocket. American Express, Visa, MasterCard, JCB and Eurocards are accepted at various stores and hotels displaying the appropriate signage. Visa and MasterCard can be used to obtain cash advances at Banque Misr and Bank of Egypt branches.
Bargaining is a part of life in Egypt and virtually everything is open to negotiation.
This includes your room for the night, your lunchtime roadside snack and the felucca you ride down the Nile in. Warning In September 1997, nine German tourists were shot in Cairo. Fundamentalist Islamic militants have warned that they will continue to target tourists in their campaign against the Mubarak government. In the five years since the campaign began, around 100 tourists have been killed. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism claims that Egypt is still as safe as any other country, but US and British authorities are advising their nationals to avoid Luxor in particular.