Egypt is one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists from all over the world. Even though it is best known for the famous Pyramids of Giza, once you start planning your trip, you should realize that Egypt has so much more to offer than just the pyramids.
The history and culture of Egypt are so rich and diverse that it welcomes all types of travelers – from backpackers traveling on a budget to people looking for a luxury vacation experience. Egypt has it all!
What makes the whole situation even better is the Egypt e-Visa program. Keep on reading and find out what e-Visa to Egypt exactly is and see the pros and cons of having an itinerary when planning your Egyptian vacation!
Egypt e-Visa
An e-Visa is an electronic entry permit issued by the government of the country you are planning to visit. Egypt has adopted this visa method like many tourist-friendly countries for the ease of travelers and tourists. e-Visas typically take less time and are much easier to apply for.
It saves you the cost of filling all the paperwork in hardcopy, saves you a trip to the embassy, and the time you’d need to do all of that is a whole other story. Following the same principle, citizens of all eligible countries can apply for an e-Visa Egypt and get their travel permit delivered to their email inbox in as little as 7 days.
Should I have an Itinerary upon Visiting Egypt?
One of the most prominent countries in eastern Africa, Egypt is blessed with history, culture, shopping, tombs, and all that would attract globetrotters. The country is enriched with so much that planning a trip can be overwhelming.
There are many ways you can tackle a trip to Egypt, and the first decision you need to make is whether you want to travel and explore Egypt independently without a travel itinerary or do you want a scheduled and more organized trip. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so keep on reading and find the best option for you!
Pros
1. Planned Itineraries Save a Lot of Time
The best part of traveling with a plan in hand is that it saves a lot of your time. If you are on a week-long trip in Egypt, a place with so much to offer, you might get overwhelmed and confused as to where to go and what to see without having it written down somewhere.
Having a detailed itinerary will save you from the hassle of figuring out where to go next, how to get to that location, and how long it will take to get there.
2. You Get an Accurate Estimate of the Budget You’ll Need
Since you are doing all the research prior, you will have a fair idea of how much your entire trip should cost without any last-minute financial shocks. There will be no surprises when it comes to entrance fees and extra charges, etc. It comes in handy, especially for those on a tight budget!
3. You Are Not a Stranger to Your Destination
Making a detailed itinerary entails a lot of advances and thorough research. Don’t let that scare you away, as it works to your advantage. You get to know so much about your destination even before landing there. If you are into history and culture, learning the dos and don’ts of a country can be helpful for an even better cultural experience.
4. Know Your Food Options
Having all the best food recommendations in place and bookings sorted before time is always a plus. Rather than wandering around looking for what to eat after a long day of exploring, get your itinerary in place and book the best places in Egypt for you and your travel partner before time. No one likes going around the city with a growling stomach!
5. Save Yourself Time, Money, and Stress!
We have all heard of the fantastic deals you can find at the last minute, but oftentimes, especially in peak season, if you haven’t booked in advance, you may be in trouble! There’s a huge possibility of accommodations and transport options being full. There may be no other choice at the last minute, and you will have to pay more or look for some other (most often more expensive) options.
Cons
1. Lack of Flexibility
Traveling with a pre-planned itinerary can sometimes limit you and keep you from having unexpected experiences. You can often find such unique hidden gems while traveling by yourself with a tour or a planned generic itinerary. Itinerary-free travel gives you the flexibility to change things up quickly and check out surprise destinations.
2. Lack of Spontaneity
Apart from quickly jazzing up your plan, changing up where you want to go, itinerary-free travel allows you to be spontaneous daily. Often while traveling, you might run into people who tell you their plans for the next day or about some sight you hadn’t thought were worth a visit, but after hearing about their experience there, you might want to give it a shot.
Having a pre-planned and booked itinerary takes away from the freedom to do what you feel like in the moment without disrupting your entire trip.
3. Quantity over Quality?
Having an itinerary can sometimes seem like its quantity over quality as you squeeze in everything in one tight time-barred schedule. Although it can be fun and good to see a lot, sometimes you just want to relax and spend quality time in a given destination. Despite having limited time on your vacation, you can experience quality time but simply taking things slowly.
4. Too Many Expectations!
A well-planned itinerary does not automatically ensure a great trip. Yes, it might feel a lot more organized, but there are still some chances you might just be disappointed if it doesn’t go as smoothly as you imagined and planned. Many factors while traveling can go south due to sudden issues such as a change in weather, etc. There are times an entire day’s itinerary can go down the drain, and you will have to deal with the disappointment. So, keep it flexible!
Now that we’ve got some of the pros and cons down, it might be easier for you to decide how to go about planning your trip to Egypt. Please, remember, there is no right or wrong way of exploring the world as long as you are enjoying it!
Whether you prefer spontaneous trips without any plan whatsoever, or you are an organized traveler planning everything in advance, Egypt e-Visa is a document that you should obtain! Don’t forget to apply at least 7 business days ahead of your trip!