Traveling in Egypt can be fairly straightforward if you’re heading to a popular tourist destination: All you’ll need to sort out in places frequented by other tourists is simply where you’ll be staying, how you plan to get there and maybe a few trips between sites. If you decide to venture off the beaten path then be sure to check with locals about permit requirements and areas that might be considered off limits for travelers. It would be a good idea to always keep identification on you too.

Hire a tour guide for historical sites: To get the most out of your experience it might be worth your time to enlist the help of a knowledgeable guide to show you around ancient sites and offer some context for what you’re looking at. Check out reviews of guides on TripAdvisor or you can go full tourist and book a tour with an operator like Memphis Tours. Sometimes you’ll be able to find a guide nearby the sites you’re visiting.

Options for getting around: Bus services like GoBus, BlueBus and East Delta offer services to tons of locations around the country You can check schedules online in most cases but calling to confirm that these schedules are up to date might provide an extra layer of security to your trip. If you’re heading south you can travel by train, bus or car. A sleeper train to Luxor is a fairly comfortable and sometimes scenic option to try out as well. Once you’ve reached your destination, ask your bus driver about what local transit options are available to take you on small trips if it isn’t immediately clear. If you’re in close proximity to a desert you’ll most likely find someone who can take you out for a day trip in a 4×4 car — this can often be arranged through your hotel on pretty short notice too.

Make sure you bring cash: While more and more places around the country are accepting card payment, cash is still king in many tourist locations. You’ll need cash for things like quick transit, tips, excursions and groceries.

Plan for the weather: We’re lucky to not have to deal with extreme changes in weather very frequently but it would be good to keep in mind the time of year you are planning to travel. Places in the South like Luxor and Aswan can get uncomfortably hot during peak summer months between June and August. That’s the reason why many people opt to travel during the winter months where temperatures are more moderate. On the flip side, if you’re planning on going somewhere like Alexandria you’ll want to avoid the rainy winter months and instead head there during the summer. September is an especially pleasant time to visit.

Be wary of photography in certain places: Exercising some caution over where you take photos and the type of camera you are using to snap those shots can help keep you out of trouble. People and authorities can often become apprehensive if they see someone with a professional camera taking pictures beyond typical tourist locations — and in some cases you’ll also need to purchase a special ticket to be permitted to take photos inside museums and historic sights. A cell phone is much less likely to draw attention but still be mindful of your surroundings and avoid government buildings. And definitely don't try to bring a drone.