Treatment abroad: Egypt 

Egypt is a burgeoning destination for medical tourism, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise in fields such as cardiology, oncology, and cosmetic surgery, set against the backdrop of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

Combining a holiday in Egypt with cosmetic surgery can be achieved for the same financial outlay, as the surgery itself would cost in most European countries or the US and is well served by international flights. Unfortunately, the Middle East can be volatile at times, so check for any alerts before you book a medical tourism break in this area.

Why consider Egypt for cosmetic surgery?

The great thing about combining a holiday with cosmetic surgery in Egypt is that both can be achieved for the price it would cost for just the surgery in the UK and great savings can be made.Many clinics are based in Cairo but you will also find choices available in Heliopolis, Zamalek, Maadi and Gizeh. The larger clinics are very well organised and will offer packages that include your procedure and aftercare with the services of a local coordinator who can make your travel arrangements and advise you of any necessary health or travel precautions.

In Egypt, Rhinoplasty will cost from €1,500, breast augmentation €1,000 and a face lift €2,000. The low prices do not mean low quality; surgeons in Egypt undergo many years of intensive study and training to practice and in fact many surgeons are western trained. RS Cosmetica in Cairo, works with some of the most experienced surgeons in Egypt in hospitals equipped with state of the art facilities and multi lingual staff. Many of their clients are from the film and entertainment industry.

Imagine having body enhancement surgery at a private hospital near the Red Sea, or overlooking the Nile and the Pyramids? Before and after surgery medical tourists can relax on beautiful beaches or be pampered at one of the country’s spa resorts to help restore energy, stamina and vitality before returning home feeling refreshed and renewed.

Accreditation and qualification of cosmetic surgeons and doctors in Egypt

Doctors study at the Faculty of Medicine atCairo University, which is the same graduate course that medical students in the most developed countries follow, and takes six years to complete. Before the Diploma in Surgery can be taken the doctor needs to have two to three years experience in surgery after the initial basic house officer training. Prior to the MD Surgery qualification the doctor needs five to six years specialist training in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

During this time, Egyptian plastic surgeons gain a wide range of experience in surgical procedures such as face lift and new cosmetic techniques like endoscopic surgery for the endoscopic brow lift.

Professional organisations

Cosmetic surgeons should be listed on the Health Register Licence of Consultant Plastic Surgeons (similar to the General Medical Council’sSpecialist Register) and be members ofThe Egyptian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons(ESPRS) which includes around 250 doctors. Membership is strict and is limited to those with a PhD in plastic surgery. Surgeons may also be members of theInternational Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Cosmetic surgery in Egypt : Travel and accommodation

The main airport in Egypt isCairo International airportwhich has top class facilities. Most airlines travelling from Europe approach the airfield from the south so passengers are treated to spectacular views of Cairo, the Nile, and the Giza pyramids as they arrive. Terminal 1 is for Egypt Air domestic and international flights and Terminal 2 for international airlines.

There are five other international airports in Egypt.Alexandria airportis served byOlympic Airlines andEgypt Air, whileLuxor Airportnow has direct flights from several European cities viaAir France andLufthansa.Hurghada Airportis also served byLufthansawhile Sharm el Sheikh Airport receives charter flights from Germany and France.

Taxis are readily available from the airports and are run by meter. In Cairo taxis are a distinctive black and white, while in Alexandria they are black and orange. An airport bus (number 400) operates from Cairo’s Terminal 1, leaving when full and calling at Midan Tahrir in downtown Cairo, Mohandeseen and along Pyramids Road in Giza.

Travelling by road or rail

Car rental is available from the airport and major cities. If you’re planning on driving to Egypt all private vehicles must have a Triptyque or Carnet de Passage en Douane from an automobile club in the country of registration. This permits the car to enter Egypt for three months – without these cards drivers will have to pay customs duty but emergency Triptyques are available at the port of entry via the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt.

Cairo’s roads are congested for driving but highways throughout the country are good and car rental agencies are at most major hotels. Drivers should have an International Driver’s License and must be over 25. For long distance country driving remember to take a compass, make sure your car is equipped for the journey and that you have food, water, salt tablets, a hat and sunglasses.

It is possible to get to Egypt bytrainbut it’s a fairly lengthy journey.Seat 61has some route options via Istanbul, Syria and Jordan.

Travelling within the country

Egypt Airand its subsidiary, Air Sinai offer domestic flights. Egypt Airflies daily from Cairo to Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Hurghada and twice a week to Kharga Oasis. Air Sinai flies from Cairo to Hurghada, Al Arish, Taba, Sharm el Sheikh, St. Catherine’s Monastery, El Tor, and to Tel Aviv in Israel.

The Egyptian State Railway is a government-owned system which covers the entire Nile Valley down to Aswan, the Red Sea cities of Suez and Port Said, the Delta and Northern Coast cities of Alexandria and Mersa Matruh with a handful of trains each day and inexpensive fares. (Tickets must be purchased at the main railway stations, in Cairo at the Ramses Station at Midan Ramses).

The Wagon Lits sleeper is a privately-owned train company with first, second and third class compartments which travels overnight from Cairo to Aswan leaving Cairo at around 7pm and arriving in Aswan at 9am. Bookings need to be made one week in advance from Compagnie Internationale des Wagons Lits Egypte, Heliopolis. Tel: 290-8802/4 and 348-7354 349-2365.

Both Alexandria and Cairo have tram or metro systems with trains running every few minutes from 5:30 am until midnight.

The currency is the Egyptian pound (LE), which is divided up into 100 piastres(pt), and £1 = 9 EGP. The average price for a three star hotel in cities such asCairoandAlexandriais 150 EGP, and 200 EGP for a four star. In resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh the price will be higher, especially during the high season October to February).

About Egypt

Egypt is one of the cornerstones of civilisation and has a legacy of historical sites. Situated on the north-eastern corner of the African continent, it is linked to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula and has long been an important crossing point between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Egypt’s most popular attractions include ancient sites like Giza where the Ancient Egyptians began their glorious civilisation and left behind the famous Pyramids, the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and Abu Simbel. The Valley of the Kings and the temples at Abu Simbel are also not to be missed and a magical experience is to take a dawn balloon trip taking in the major historical sites. Seeing the sun rise over the Valley of the Kings from the air is a memory that you will cherish.

The capital, Cairo, is the largest city in the Arab world – and in Africa – and is a colourful lively place with stunning architecture, narrow bustling streets and quiet corners with cafes. Alexandria is Egypt’s second largest city and known as the city of excitement because of the ancient discoveries found there, including a wrecked ship dating back to 90 BC and the royal palace quarters where Marc Antony used to reside.

And then there’s a vast array of exotic food to sample, as well as the many bustling bazaars or shopping malls to hunt out cut price designer clothes and jewellery.Don’t be tempted to go mad as you will be over your weight allowance for the plane home but some travellers come with an extra, empty suitcase just to get their Egyptian treasures home.

Sun worshippers and diving enthusiasts might want to head to luxurious locations such as El Gouna, a vibrant town between the Sienna Mountains and the Red Sea surrounded by gorgeous turquoise lagoons, or Sharm el Sheik which has one of the world’s superior diving spots at Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef within the Ras Mohammed National Park. Five star hotels abound in both areas but beware that travelling between city areas where the clinics are situated and the Red Sea coast involves a 5-6 hour coach journey, in convoy and under armed escort. OK if you are feeling perfectly well, but take care if you have had a major procedure and think carefully about your recuperation site.

Arabic is the official language but English and French are also spoken. As far as climate goes Egypt lies within the dry tropical region, except for the northern parts that lie within the warm moderate region, with a Mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers and moderate winters and little rainfall.

The time difference in Egypt is GMT + 3. Currency is the Egyptian pound and there are around 9 Egyptian pounds to the euro.