Egypt

Egypt is one of those destinations where the reality matches the hype. The Pyramids of Giza are as extraordinary in person as every photo suggests. Standing in the Valley of the Kings where Tutankhamun was buried is genuinely surreal. Sailing the Nile between Luxor and Aswan with ancient temples on both banks is one of the great travel experiences on earth.

But Egypt is also one of the most confronting destinations you will visit. Cairo is chaotic, loud, polluted, and overwhelming in the best and worst senses simultaneously. The touts at tourist sites are relentless. You will be asked for money, tips, and baksheesh constantly. Every price is negotiable and the opening offer is almost always inflated. Scams targeting tourists are common and range from minor annoyances to genuinely frustrating. None of this should stop you from going, but going with eyes open makes the experience far more enjoyable than going naively.

The upside is that Egypt is remarkably affordable once you are on the ground. The weak Egyptian Pound means international visitors get excellent value. Street food costs $1-2 for a full meal. Budget hotels are $10-20 per night. Even mid-range travel with comfortable hotels, Nile cruises, and guided tours is significantly cheaper than equivalent experiences in Europe.

The country divides into three main travel zones: Cairo and the Pyramids, the Nile Valley (Luxor and Aswan with their temples and tombs), and the Red Sea coast (Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh for diving and beach resorts). Most first-time visitors combine Cairo with a Nile Valley trip. The Red Sea is a separate trip or a bolt-on for those wanting beach time.

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When to go

Egypt is a desert country and timing matters enormously.

October to April is the best period. Temperatures are comfortable (20-25C/68-77F in Cairo and the Nile Valley), skies are clear, and sightseeing is pleasant. December and January are peak tourist season with higher prices and more crowds, but still comfortable. February to April is the sweet spot: warm, fewer crowds than midwinter, and good prices.

May to September is brutally hot. Cairo and the Nile Valley regularly exceed 40C (104F). Luxor and Aswan can hit 45C+. Sightseeing in this heat is genuinely miserable. The sites are less crowded and cheaper, but the physical discomfort is severe. The Red Sea coast is an exception: it remains pleasant year-round due to sea breezes, making it a good summer option if you skip the interior.

Ramadan (dates shift each year based on the Islamic calendar) affects restaurant opening hours and the general pace of life but does not prevent tourism. Major sites stay open. Some travellers prefer visiting during Ramadan for the quieter days and vibrant evening atmosphere when families gather to break the fast.

How much it costs

Egypt is one of the most affordable major tourist destinations in the world. The Egyptian Pound has weakened significantly, giving international visitors exceptional purchasing power.

Budget ($30-50 USD/day): Hostel dorms cost $5-10 per night. Budget hotels with private rooms run $15-25. Street food (falafel, koshari, shawarma, ful medames) costs $1-3 per meal and is genuinely delicious. Local transport (metro, minibuses) costs under $1. Most major entrance fees range from $4-15. At this level you eat well, see everything, and sleep comfortably.

Mid-range ($60-150 USD/day): Three-star hotels cost $30-60 per night. Restaurant meals run $5-15. Guided day tours with an Egyptologist cost $50-100 per person. A 3-4 night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan costs $200-500 per person for a mid-range ship including meals. Domestic flights (Cairo to Luxor or Aswan) cost $80-150 each way. At this level you travel comfortably with a good guide and do not worry about costs.

Comfortable ($150-400+ USD/day): Five-star hotels and luxury Nile cruises (dahabiyas, premium ships) cost $150-400+ per night. Private Egyptologist guides run $100-200 per day. Fine dining, premium transfers, and exclusive access to sites fit here. Even at this level, Egypt is notably cheaper than equivalent luxury experiences in Europe.

Critical budget advice: Always agree on prices before accepting any service. This applies to taxis, guides, camel rides, boat trips, and anything else offered by individuals. Negotiate firmly but with humour. Download a rideshare app (Careem or Uber, both work in Cairo) to avoid taxi fare disputes. Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere, so budget $5-10 per day for tips to guides, drivers, hotel staff, and the various helpers you will encounter at every site.

Where to go

Cairo is overwhelming and essential. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are on the city’s western edge and need at least half a day. The Grand Egyptian Museum (opened adjacent to the Pyramids) houses Tutankhamun’s treasures and is world-class. The old Islamic quarter (Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Azhar Mosque, the Citadel) is the atmospheric heart of the city. The Coptic quarter has early Christian churches and history. Cairo needs three to four days to do properly without burning out.

Luxor is arguably the single most historically dense city on earth. The east bank has Karnak Temple (vast, with a hypostyle hall of 134 columns) and Luxor Temple (stunning at night when illuminated). The west bank has the Valley of the Kings (including Tutankhamun’s tomb), the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. You need a minimum of two full days for Luxor, three is better.

Aswan is smaller, calmer, and more relaxed than Cairo or Luxor. Philae Temple (relocated to an island to save it from flooding) is beautiful. The Nubian villages across the river are colourful and welcoming. The High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk are quick stops. Aswan is the staging point for Abu Simbel (a 3-hour drive or short flight south), where Ramesses II built two enormous temples carved directly into a cliff face. Abu Simbel alone is worth the side trip.

The Nile between Luxor and Aswan is best experienced by cruise. Multi-day cruises stop at temples along the way (Edfu, Kom Ombo) and provide a rhythm of sightseeing and relaxation that is one of Egypt’s signature experiences. Felucca sailing (traditional wooden boats) offers a cheaper, more authentic alternative for shorter sections.

The Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab) is a completely different Egypt. Resort beaches, world-class diving and snorkelling, and a relaxed coastal vibe. Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula is the backpacker favourite with cheap accommodation and excellent diving. Sharm el-Sheikh is more resort-oriented. The diving in the Red Sea (including the SS Thistlegorm wreck and Ras Mohammed National Park) is consistently rated among the best in the world.

What to skip

The Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. Reviews are consistently mixed, the technology feels dated, and the experience rarely lives up to the price. Spend the evening exploring Islamic Cairo instead.

Petra by Night equivalents at Egyptian sites (candlelit events at temples). These are often underwhelming and overpriced. The sites themselves during regular hours are far more impressive.

Buying souvenirs at the first shop you enter near any major site. Prices are highest closest to the entrance. Walk further from the site or buy in local markets for dramatically better prices.

Trying to see Cairo in one day. The city is enormous and traffic is legendary. Spreading your Cairo sightseeing across multiple days with rest breaks in between prevents burnout.

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Must-do experiences

Stand at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza. No photograph prepares you for the scale. Go early in the morning to beat both crowds and heat.

Hire an Egyptologist guide for Luxor. The temples and tombs are exponentially more meaningful with someone who can explain the hieroglyphics, the history, and the stories behind what you are looking at. A good guide transforms the experience from “impressive ruins” to “understanding a civilisation.”

Take a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (or vice versa). Three to four nights on the river with temple stops along the way is the quintessential Egypt experience. Feluccas (traditional sailing boats) offer a simpler, cheaper version for one or two nights.

Eat koshari from a local shop. Egypt’s national dish is a carb-heavy bowl of rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. It costs $1-2 and is surprisingly addictive.

Visit Abu Simbel. The two temples of Ramesses II are among the most impressive ancient structures anywhere. The engineering story (the entire complex was relocated in the 1960s to save it from rising Nile waters) adds another layer of awe.

Wander Islamic Cairo. The medieval streets around Khan el-Khalili, Al-Azhar Mosque, and the Citadel of Saladin have an energy and atmosphere that no other part of Egypt matches.

Practical tips

Visa: Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport for $25 USD (single entry) or apply for an e-Visa in advance at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Some nationalities require advance embassy applications. US citizens now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL is for Israel; for Egypt it is separate). Check requirements for your passport before travelling.

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP). The exchange rate has been volatile. ATMs are available in cities. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and tourist shops. Smaller vendors, street food, taxis, and tips are all cash. Carry small denomination notes for tips and minor purchases. Always pay in EGP, not USD or EUR, for better value.

Transport: Domestic flights connect Cairo to Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh ($80-150 each way). Trains run along the Nile Valley (Cairo to Luxor in about 10 hours; sleeper cabins available). In Cairo, the metro is cheap and efficient for some routes. Uber and Careem work well in Cairo and are strongly recommended over negotiating with taxi drivers.

Safety: Egypt is generally safe for tourists. The main risks are scams, aggressive touts, and petty crime (pickpocketing in crowded areas). Violent crime against tourists is rare. The security presence at major sites is heavy. The Sinai Peninsula has travel advisories for some areas, so check current government advice. Women travelling solo should expect more attention and harassment than in Western countries. Dressing modestly helps but does not eliminate it.

Health: Drink bottled water only. “Pharaoh’s revenge” (traveller’s diarrhoea) is common. Bring rehydration salts. Sun protection is essential. Medical facilities in Cairo are adequate; outside Cairo they are basic. Travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.

Tipping: Baksheesh (tipping) is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture. Tip guides ($5-10 per person per day), drivers ($3-5 per day), hotel porters ($1-2 per bag), restaurant servers (10-15%), and the various “helpers” who appear at tourist sites ($1-2). Keep a supply of small notes. It is expected, not optional.

Connectivity: WiFi in hotels and cafes is generally available but speeds vary. Local SIM cards (Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat) are cheap and available at the airport. 4G coverage is good in cities and tourist areas.

Planning your trip

1 week: Cairo (3 days including Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum), fly to Luxor (2 days for east and west bank temples), fly to Aswan (1-2 days including optional Abu Simbel day trip). This covers the essential highlights.

10 days: Cairo (3 days), fly to Aswan (2 days + Abu Simbel), Nile cruise to Luxor (3-4 days with temple stops), fly home from Luxor. The cruise adds a completely different pace and rhythm.

2 weeks: The full route above plus Red Sea time in Dahab or Hurghada (3-4 days) for diving, snorkelling, and recovery from the intensity of the historical sites. Alternatively, add Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast for a different perspective on Egypt.

Combining with neighbours: Egypt connects naturally with Jordan (short flights from Cairo to Amman, or overland via the Taba/Aqaba border crossing). A Cairo-Luxor-Aswan-Petra-Wadi Rum route is one of the great Middle East itineraries. Israel is accessible via the Taba border crossing in the Sinai.

More destinations like Egypt

If Egypt’s ancient history and affordable pricing appeal to you, Jordan is the natural companion with Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Turkey offers a similar mix of deep history, incredible food, and strong value. India matches Egypt for sensory intensity, historical depth, and budget-friendliness. Greece and Italy have ancient ruins in a more familiar Western European setting but at significantly higher prices.

Use our search tools to compare flights and hotels across all of these destinations.

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