Changes

{{infobox Country|country = of Egypt|map= <map lat='27' lng='31.8' zoom='5' view='0' height='300'/>|language = Arabic|capital = [[Cairo]]|pop = 75,500,662|paved = 49.984 km|currency = Egyptian pound (EGP)|hitch = <rating country='eg' />}} Hitchhiking in '''[[Egypt]] ''' is actually quite easy. When visiting areas outside of [[Cairo]], it may be easier to hitchhike than to search for a taxi. In places such as [[St. Catherine's]] (Mt. Sinai), [[the Siwa Oasis]], and the [[Sinai Peninsula]] there are numerous opportunities to hitchhike. These are great places to hitchhike since the taxi drivers there have a pseudo-monopoly on transportation, a steady flow of unsuspecting tourists, and are often times difficult to deal with. The people, on the other hand, are often times very friendly to foreigners and willing to help in any way– although very little of them own a private car.

[[File:PB170245.JPG|thumb|left|[[User:Lucysd|Lucysd]] trying to hitchhike]]If you have ever been to Egypt, you understand that many people might expect money from you in exchange for them giving you a ride (especially if you look like a foreigner). Let the driver know before leaving that you either do not have money or tell them a price. There have been occasions in which Alex had people refuse to give me a ride because they expected me to give them rediculous ridiculous amounts of money. Around Sinai, many people with normal cars consider themselves as taxi drivers even though they obviously are not. Another place that you can hitchhike is the Siwa Oasis. If you are hoping to go out to the [["Great Sand Sea"]] much of the time you can look for a work truck driving in that direction and ask them for a ride. This is far less expensive than hiring a guide for the day if you only want to sandboard and aren't hoping to see some of the sights in the desert. Much of the time there are areas in which work trucks are gathering sand to use for various reasons around the city. If you are hoping for a ride back, stay relatively close to the construction areas or you may end up stuck in the desert.

Here are some helpful phrases for people that do not speak any arabicArabic.

Goodluck Good luck and have fun. The people in Egypt are some of the most welcoming and interesting people in the world. Try to relax. There is no such thing as being in a hurry here. Don't be surprised if the driver stops to have tea. The rule of thumb for Egyptians is that [[finding accommodation|hospitality ]] is more important than all other obligations. If someone is treating you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, just let it go. Unless you are a [[women hitchhiking|woman]], they are not hitting on you. The people are just very touchy -feely.

Note: Women Due to Egypt being a very man-dominated country women should not hitchhike unless they are with a male. Even if you are with a group of females, it could potentially turn extremely badtake extra precaution.

Hitchiking Hitchhiking can work out fine if you hitchike hitchhike from [[Sharem Al Sheiqh-Sheikh]] direction, but not many private cars arrive at [[Taba]] (the border crossing]] nontheless) nonetheless. If you arrive by bus, than the bus will take you to Taba bus station, and than the conductor might demand 5 LE (a person!) to bring you 600 m meter forward to the border crossing. Unless you are very tired, it's better to walk to the border and get yourself a nice can of beer for the same price. From the Israeli side, either hitchike 150 m after the border crossing (after the enormous parking lot), or take bus line 15 to [[Eilat]] main bus station, and hitchike north..

=== To From the Israeli side, either hitchhike 150m after the border crossing (after the enormous parking lot), or take bus line 15 to [[LibyaEilat]] ===main bus station, and hitchhike north..

[[Category:Middle EastNorthern Africa]][[Category:AfricaEgypt]]