As you might expect, toilet paper is rarely provided except occasionally when a toilet attendant may give it to you for a small cost. Soap isn't very common either, and so carrying both toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitiser is a good practice to get into.
Public Restrooms:
Often charge a small fee (around 5 LE) for use and toilet paper. Attendants may keep them reasonably clean.
Do I need to bring toilet paper to Egypt? I recommend bringing portable wipes, tissues, or even a single roll of toilet paper with you to Egypt, since often in bathrooms toilet paper will not be available, although a bidet will always be there for you to clean after using the bathroom.
Restrooms in Egypt
The knob on the side of the toilet or the faucet nozzle on the wall is to clean yourself after using the toilet (like a bidet – the small amount of toilet paper is to blot yourself dry). Dispose of all tissue in the wastepaper basket; Egyptian plumbing cannot handle paper.
What countries do not use toilet paper? A. Some developing countries such as India, China, and Africa do not use toilet paper as commonly as developed countries. Instead, they use alternatives such as bidets, wiping with water, or cloths.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
Note - don't flush anything down the toilet in Egypt, not even toilet paper. The pipes can't handle it.
Egyptians and Cleanliness
Due to the climate, (remember, we are in Egypt where it's hot hot hot) Egyptians were fixated on cleanliness, often bathing up to 4 times a day. It also was believed that the cleaner and well-oiled the person was, the closer they were to the gods.
It is commonly used in North African countries, such as Egypt. It is rarely used in sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and North America. "Bidet" is a French loanword meaning "pony" due to the straddling position adopted in its usage.
Dress conservatively. Knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable for women, and men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Egyptian culture.
Compressed gasses (flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) such as aerosols, camping gas. Explosives, ammunitions, fireworks and flares (except sporting firearms which doesn't exceed 5kg of ammunitions per passenger and a max of 2 rifles).
Pay-to-use-Toilets
Occasionally there are pay-to-use facilities; the fee is generally no more than 5 LE (but usually only 2 or 3 LE). These are most often encountered in rest stops along travel routes, or at tourist sites (like the pyramids) – but the payment is generally collected outside, before you enter the WC.
The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors to prevent bites. The risk for mosquito activity is high. Consider an EPA-registered repellent to deter mosquito bites.
In Egypt, it is safe to eat fruit and vegetables as long as the food has been washed correctly! You will find that any good hotel or cruise boat will wash them before cooking, so don't worry! Avoid eating in really cheap places or local outlets.
In Ancient Egypt, around 3100 BC, having an indoor toilet showed a wealthy status. If you were rich, you sat on limestone while 'paying a visit'. If you were poor, you made do with a wooden stool with a hole in it. But regardless of class, below each seat was a pit filled with sand to collect the waste.
Toilets and Facilities:
Public toilets, when they can be found, are usually squat-holes in the floor with footrests on either or if you are lucky western style toilets. All public toilets come with an obligatory usage free of 1-2LE irrespective of standard of hygiene.
One prevalent one is that bidets can be difficult and costly to install. In reality, most models are fairly easy to install, even for homeowners with limited plumbing experience. In fact, several bidet toilet seats now come with intuitive “smart” features such as heated seating and water temperature adjustment.
Soap isn't very common either, and so carrying both toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitiser is a good practice to get into. It also helps to be aware that some toilets will be the 'squat' kind.
The tap water is totally clear but it is strongly chlorinated, and thus it is better to drink bottled water of low cost and avoid tap water to maintain good health. However, you can use tap water for other things, including washing and brushing your teeth.
According to Herodotus, 5th century B.C, the ancient Egyptians were the most hygienic and healthy of all nations at that time and they were easily distinguished from other peoples by their manners and customs.
If you take something from your hotel room, you can expect an extra charge on your bill.
Although the mosquitoes in Egypt do not carry malaria, they can carry other nasty diseases and the bites alone can be hugely irritating, so best avoided at all costs. Mosquitoes are most prevalent at dawn and dusk, so ensure you wear long loose clothing and wear extra repellent at these times.