Travelling during Ramadan

lee_humphrey

Has anyone travelled in a Muslim country during Ramadam? I'll be backpacking Egypt during September, and I was wondering how Ramadam will affect buses, trains, hotel availability, entry to sites etc.

Any advice anyone?

Neamhshuntasach

Can't speak from experience myself but i went to college with a Yemenese-American and 2 mates went with him when he went to visit relatives and to travel around UAE, Oman and Yemen. I remember him advising them that going during Ramadhan wasn't the best idea because a lot of places close early or don't open at all. And also because food and water aren't always available during the day. I doubt that would be a problem in the touristy areas though. Also it's considered rude to drink or eat in front of them during the day. I never asked the fellas who went what the trip was like because i went off traveling myself and haven't seen them since.

I'd personally avoid it if i could based on what i heard.

lee_humphrey

Yeah, I read that because bus and taxi drivers don't eat or drink all day, then they are more likely to faint! Fortunately there's a law to prevent airline pilots from fasting when they're on duty!

On the plus side, I reckon it'll be pretty quiet on the tourist front, which is kinda what I'd prefer from an independent backpacker viewpoint.

It wuld just be a big shame to fly my girl out there and not be able to enter the likes of Karnak Temple or go down to Abu Simbel.

manc

was in Egypt last year for the last week of Ramadan.

Places do close early, the pyramids closed up around 3pm when we were there can't say I noticed it anywhere else but the tours all tended to start early (6-7am) in the morning due to the heat later in the day.

You will find some tourist guides try to finish up and shops close from about 5-6 as this is when they get their food ready for the announcement of sunset from the mosques....can be funny seeing then with the food held to their mouths in anticipation.

You will also find the general public are a lot quieter, we were there last week of Ramadan and the week after and they was a big difference.

The other thing is that none of this will effect Christian shops or guides.

Restaurants that may sell alcohol tend not to during Ramadan, hotels/pubs still sold away.

Overall it won't really have any effect on you, just check what times place might close at before going, if you want to be sure.

There is also a big party for the end of ramadan where they all get new clothes and in Luxor there was a concert in the main square.

RATM

Ive never been in Egypt during Ramadan but Ive traveled Brunei, Malaysia, Morocco and Indonesia on various trips when its been on. TBH around tourist areas not that much changes ( except for the locals ), some things may close earlier but in general if theres a tourist buck to be made then someone will always be around to take it.
Shops tend to close an hour or so before sunset and then they all head home to break the fast. Around 8-9pm everything will be back open with a vengeance and crowds come out to walk the streets with their families. Locals dont seem to mind foreigners eating during the day too much as they understand they are not Muslim though out of respect I wouldn't do it on a pavement terrace like I saw plenty doing in Morocco last year.

Be wary of the final days of Ramadan, its a big celebration where all families meet up so trains and buses will be jam packed and often booked out weeks in advance.