Keeping in Touch

Mail An airmail letter from Egypt to any destination outside the Middle East costs 80pt, as do postcards. The most reliable place to mail letters is, according to local legend, the mailbox near the reception desk at the Nile Hilton. Postcards will more likely reach their destinations if sent from a major hotel rather than a post office. Most hotels sell stamps, although a 5pt surcharge may be added. The most dependable place to receive mail is the main American Express office in Cairo, although Poste Restante is available in most major cities. Confusion over first and last names can be avoided by using an initial and your last name or printing the last name in capitals. As a general rule, mail to Egypt is faster than mail from Egypt. In either case, don’t hold your breath-two or three weeks’ delivery time is normal.

The process for sending a package is Byzantine. First you must obtain an export license from Cairo International Airport (also available at major hotels and tourist shops) for any valuables purchased in Egypt. Most souvenir shops will do the dirty work necessary to mail your pyramid paperweights back home, for a fee. To mail a package in Cairo, you must go to the parcel post office, on the second floor of the Post Office HQ, next to the railway station at Ramses Sq. There you will be sent from pillar to post after various obscure forms and arcane seals. In theory, all mail leaving Egypt is opened and inspected. In other cities, packages can be mailed like letters, although you may have to go to a special package-only post office.

If you must get something from Cairo to Europe or North America within 72 hours, go to the main post office at Ataba Sq.northeast of Tahrir Sq. The international Express Mail Service (EMS) office at the side entrance is efficient, albeit expensive. (Open Sat.-Thurs. 7am-7pm.) EMS is available at main post offices in many other Egyptian cities. Also, most hotels can direct you to the nearest DHL International Courier office; DHL will deliver anything door-to-door anywhere in the world within 24 hrs. The main office is located at 20 Gamal ad-Din Abu al-Maha-sin St., Garden City (tel. 355 7301 or 355 7118; fax 302 9810).