Essentials
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Dasani or Hayat (10 EGP per 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets
- SIM Card
- WE, Vodafone Egypt, Orange, and Etisalat. Best coverage: Vodafone
- Banking for Expats
- CIB (Commercial International Bank), QNB Al Ahli, and HSBC; Revolut works for withdrawals at ATMs
- Accommodation
- Local real estate agents or Airbnb; prices range from 8,000 to 20,000 EGP/month
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; large supermarkets and hotels accept cards, but cash is king in local markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (Resta Port Said Hotel, Noras Beach Resort)
- Budget Accommodation
- Port Said Youth Hostel (approx. 300 EGP/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Sharq District (Waterfront, near the Suez Canal Authority building)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al Arab or Al Sharq for proximity to cafes and the Mediterranean corniche
- City
- Port Said, Port Said Governorate, Egypt
- Population
- Approximately 750,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps on WE (Telecom Egypt) VDSL; 4G speeds up to 30 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Egyptian Pound (EGP). 1 USD ≈ 48.50 EGP, 1 EUR ≈ 52.70 EGP (March 2026 estimates)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Creativa Hub (Port Said University) - modern facilities and high-speed internet
- Best Cafe for Work
- Central Perk (Gomhouria St) or Costa Coffee (Port Fouad Ferry terminal area)
- Networking Events
- IEEE Port Said events and local tech meetups at Creativa Hub
- Social Events for Expats
- Port Said Expats Facebook Group; gatherings often happen at the Italian or Greek Clubs
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Indriver (more popular than Uber in Port Said); Careem
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops in Al Arab district; no apps, usually informal daily rentals (~150 EGP/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Port Fouad Beach (accessible via the free ferry across the canal)
- Top Regional Airline
- EgyptAir (flying via Cairo International Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airways (via Cairo connection)
- Highway Access
- International Coastal Road and the Port Said-Cairo Desert Road
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Port Said Railway Station (Gomhouria St) for trains to Cairo and Ismailia
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal passes; local microbuses cost 5-10 EGP per ride paid in cash
- Regional Travel
- SuperJet or East Delta Bus (Go Bus station near the administrative building)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Al-Salam Hospital (Port Said Integrated Healthcare System)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Zoya Wellness Center (Al Sharq)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gold's Gym (Arkan Plaza Port Said) - approx. 1,500 EGP/month
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Moghasla' shops found on every residential street; approx. 50 EGP per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Talabat (widely used for local restaurants and groceries)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Port Said Seafood (Sobia and Grilled Mullet) - try El Borg Restaurant
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Koshary El Omda (Traditional vegan lentil/pasta dish)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gianola (famous for Cassata) and Sali’s Patisserie
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Al-Togary Market (The Trading Market) for clothing and household goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.eg and Noon.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instashop and Rabbit (fast delivery in select areas)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Greek Club or The Italian Club (serves alcohol in a historic setting)
- Local Brewery
- No local breweries; Stella and Sakara beer available at licensed clubs
- Wine Bars
- Resta Port Said Hotel Lounge (selection of Egyptian Omar Khayyam wines)
- Street Food Stalls
- Abou Khaled Seafood stalls in the Al-Arab fish market
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza Pino (Italian/International) on Gomhouria St
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Suez Canal Authority Building (Domed masterpiece)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Port Said Military Museum and the Port Said National Museum
- Historical Sites
- The Base of the Statue of De Lesseps and the old colonial-style villas
- Religious Sites
- The Great Mosque of Port Said and the Abbey of the Virgin Mary (Cathedral)
- Annual Events
- Port Said Victory Day (December 23rd)
- Cultural Districts
- The English and French Quarters in Al Sharq
- Theater Venues
- Port Said Cultural Center (The Opera House)
- Local Markets
- The Fish Market (Souq el-Samak) for a lively morning experience
- Music Scene
- Simsimiyya folk music performances at local cultural cafes
- Street Art
- Murals along the Corniche depicting the city's resistance history
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional seafood workshops at Port Said Tourism High Institute
- Art Galleries
- Port Said Fine Arts Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Simon Arzzt Department Store (historic shell of the once-famous store)
- Local Heritage
- The 'El-Bambouteya' dance and maritime trading culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ashtoum el-Gamil National Park and Lake Manzala
- National Parks Nearby
- Zaranik Protectorate (2 hours east in North Sinai)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Corniche walking path (stretches along the Mediterranean)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The free Ferry (El Maadeya) ride between Port Said and Port Fouad
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mouth of the Suez Canal for migratory water birds
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Remote stretches of beach towards the west (requires local permit awareness)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex Port Said and Egypt Post (Main branch on Palestine St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Various shops in the Al-Shohadaa St area
- Table Tennis Spots
- Port Said Sporting Club
- Language Classes
- AMIDEAST (for English) or French Cultural Center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Misr Public Library (overlooking the canal)
- Community Centers
- Port Said Syndicate of Engineers Social Club
- Gaming Lounges
- Game ON Lounge (Al Sharq)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not applicable (Gambling is restricted to foreign passport holders in specific hotels)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 25,000 EGP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 1,250,000 EGP)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 15,000 EGP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 750,000 EGP)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 23,000 EGP per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 1,610,000 EGP)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 14,000 EGP per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 980,000 EGP)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 22,000 EGP per m² (e.g., 100 m² = 2,200,000 EGP)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,500 EGP per m² (e.g., 100 m² = 1,250,000 EGP)
- Corporate Tax
- 22.5% standard rate in Egypt
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% to 10% depending on ownership stake
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (more than 183 days in Egypt)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5% for income over 1.2 million EGP
- VAT
- 14% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Egypt has rules regarding offshore entities
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on rental value, typically around 10% of the annual rental value after deductions
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2.5% Real Estate Disposal Tax on the total value of the sale
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet, but low cost of living offsets standard tax rates for small businesses