Government and administrative offices are generally open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, except for Fridays and public holidays. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Most shops are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Friday & some others on Sunday. Please note that all these times may vary during Ramadan.

Public holidays

Fixed dates:
1st January: New Year’s Day
7th January: Coptic Christmas Day
25th April: Sinai Liberation Day
28th April: Sham el-Nassim (Pharaonic Spring Festival)
1st May: Labour Day
30th June : Revaluation day 30 June

23rd July: Revolution Day 1952

6th October: Armed Forces Day

Dates that change according to the Muslim Calendar:

  • Eid al-Fitr: Marks the end of Ramadan (3 days)
  • Eid al-Adha: 70 days after the end of Ramadan, (4 days)
  • Ras as-Sana Hijriya: Islamic New Year
  • Mawlid al-Nabi: Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed

Time difference

Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT. The country usually changes to summertime on the Friday following or preceding 1st May, then back to wintertime on the Friday following 30th September.