egypt tourist leaflet

• Egypt Tours Price
• Download our Egypt travel brochure

Download our Egypt travel brochure to learn what magical adventures await you. In Egypt you will join us on an exciting journey, full of unique impressions, sites, smells, and flavors. But before you travel to Egypt, you can learn more about Inside Egypt and what we offer by viewing our Egypt travel brochure. Find out why we are Egypt's leader in luxury travel; and why you should choose us for your luxury Egypt vacation!

Thanks to our Egypt holiday brochure, you can review the details of the different Egypt tour itineraries we offer and the places you will visit with us on each one. Read about our VIP experiences on some Egypt tours, the optional trips, and the 1-day add-ons before and after the main trip to Egypt as well as about our 5-days add-on to Jordan (you can also learn more about in our Egypt and Jordan tour page).

With our Egypt tourism brochure you will discover the best of Egypt; and unlock Egypt tourist information about the most important highlights. Learn about the famous monuments, museums, archaeological sites, and the best hotels. Find information about our culture trips to Egypt , including details about Egyptian traditions, typical Egyptian food, and other fascinating and exciting things this country has to offer. You don't want to miss a thing!

In fact, our Egypt travel brochure is your own little Egypt travel guide pdf. It is a concise and well presented source of knowledge about Egypt and our company, which will allow you to familiarize yourself with us and the amazing country where you will spend your vacation.

You'll find everything you're looking for and more in our Egypt travel brochure and we are waiting to welcome you to Egypt!

Thank you for your interest in Inside Egypt Tours. To receive our Egypt Travel Brochure, please complete the following form. 

If you would like to explore Egypt even further, join our optional trips and 1-day add-ons. If you would like to see more than just one beautiful country during your journey abroad, join our 5-days add-on to Jordan , including legendary Petra. 

To receive our brochure, please complete the following form. 

OUR EGYPT TRAVEL BROCHURE FAQs

Tours covered in this egypt holiday brochure.

In our Egypt travel brochure, you will find detailed descriptions of the luxury Egypt tours that we offer. These are cultural and archaeological tours that include VIP experiences, allowing you to understand ancient Egyptian monuments as well as the modern attractions of Egypt and delve deep into Egyptian culture. Our Egypt tours are luxurious. Our guests stay overnight in 5-star hotels and cruise the Nile on a luxurious ship. We organize comfortable trips in which you travel around Egypt by plane, high-standard coaches, and even a carriage and a speedboat. Around Egypt in 14 Days ( 14-day Egypt tour ) is our most popular tour, featured most extensively in our Egypt travel brochure. For two weeks, our clients will get to visit the most important attractions of Egypt; from Alexandria in the North to Abu Simbel in the South of Egypt. They sail the Nile for 7 days and visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx with private access. This is our most thorough Egyptian experience. Our Egypt tourism brochure also includes the Exploring Egypt tour ( a 10-day tour of Egypt) , which, in addition to the standard Egyptian monuments and a 3-day cruise on the Nile, includes a private tour of two historic palaces in Cairo and Alexandria, which are closed to the general public. You can also find the Golden Highlights of Egypt tour ( a 8-day in Egypt tour ) in our Egypt holiday brochure. This tour covers all the most important monuments in Egypt, a 3-day cruise on the Nile and a private tour, without other tourists, of the Khufu Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza. If you want to create your own dream trip that isn't found in our ancient Egypt travel brochure, you can book a  private tour  with us and explore Egypt individually. Visit the sights that you are most interested in on a date that suits you.

Experts involved in putting together this Egypt tourism brochure

The Inside Egypt team behind this ancient Egypt brochure consists of specialists who have been associated with the tourism industry in Egypt for many years. Our employees have numerous contacts throughout Egypt extensive knowledge and skill. Their training and experience as experts has resulted in well-established procedures, and their ability and skill are of the highest level.

Our customer service experts, marketing specialists, operational managers and tourist guides have been part of the long-standing Inside Egypt team and have been involved in the creation of our Egypt travel brochure.

Their extensive knowledge, which comes from their experience of dealing with customers over years of service has given them the skills to create this Egypt holiday brochure. Our Egypt tourism brochure is the result of the great collaboration of all these experts.

Thanks to them, our Egypt turism guide below is vey concise, giving you all the Egypt travel information you need to plan your vacation; and you will quickly find the most important Egypt tourist information that you're looking for in our Egypt travel brochure.

You'll find information about Egyptian culture, as well as the magnificent sites that you need to visit on your Egypt vacation. Our team has put their heart and soul into our Egypt travel brochure to give you the best planning tool, and to get you excited about your trip to the wonderful land of the pharaohs.

We encourage you to download our Egypt travel guide pdf to find all of the Egypt tourist information you need. You will quickly find the most important Egypt tourist information that you're looking for in our Egypt travel brochure.

We hope that our Egypt tourism brochure will convince you to visit Egypt with us. We're looking forward to welcoming you to our amazing country.

What makes Inside Egypt different?

Inside Egypt is a  travel agency in Egypt that organizes luxury tours in Egypt, at affordable prices. Our Egypt tours are distinguished by luxurious hotels, knowledgeable guides that are fluent in English, and a luxurious cruise on the Nile. On our trips, we provide our clients with exclusive access to some of the most famous attractions, such as private entry, without crowds, to the Giza plateau or touring historic palaces in Cairo and Alexandria which are tipically closed to the general public. This experience will make you feel completely unique, like a VIP. We believe that it's not only about the things that you see, but how you view them and experience them.

During our Egypt tour you will eat tasty and exquisite food. On our Egypt tours, you have the opportunity to sample traditional Egyptian cuisine and Egypt's main dishes. Bottled water is provided with every meal and during the sightseeing tours.

You will travel with us comfortably via air-conditioned coaches, airplanes, and even a motorboat or horse-drawn carriage.

We will provide you with a transfer from and to Cairo airport on the day of your arrival and departure. We can also book hotel accommodation for you before and after your trip to Egypt.

Our Egypt tours itineraries cover the most important Egyptian attractions. They include both ancient monuments and modern Egypt sites such as mosques, Coptic churches, a bazaar, and a library in Alexandria. With us you can immerse yourself in Egyptian culture, traditions and customs by visiting a Nubian village in Aswan, or shopping at Khan el Khalili bazaar in Cairo.

Every detail has been thought of to make your Egypt vacation special. Let us lead the way.

Check out our luxury Egypt tours and book your VIP experience today!

How to book your tour with us?

The booking process for our luxury Egypt tours is very simple. On our website, first select the trip to Egypt that you want to participate in, then pick the required date of the Egypt tour and click the "Book Now" button. A booking form will then appear, which must be completed correctly. Your passport will be required for this. You can also make reservations for other people, your family members, friends or business partners using this process.

You can book extra nights at your hotel in Cairo before or after the tour. These may be needed due to your international flight dates. Before booking an Egypt tour, check the flight connections to Cairo from your home country. We can check these flight connections for you and help you book international flights, if needed.

You can also book a 1-day add-on before or after the main tour. When using the booking form it is also possible to book a 5-day trip to Jordan to follow the end of your trip to Egypt.

If your tour date is more than 90 days away, you can pay a deposit or the full amount. If there are less than 90 days before you travel, you will be required to pay the full amount. Payment for the trip can be made with a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, or you can pay by international bank transfer. When paying by bank transfer, you should make sure that all bank transfer costs are covered.

Should you have any questions or problems during the booking process, please contact us by phone + 1 929-224-5100 or e-mail: [email protected] . We’re happy to provide information about ancient Egypt pyramids you’ll see in each itinerary, hotel accommodations, transportation, meals, culture, and more!

Our travel consultants will be happy to give you all the information you need.

The journey of a lifetime awaits you! Book your l uxury Egypt tour now!

Prepare for your trip

Preparing for a trip can often be a source of stress. Even experienced travelers sometimes forget something before departure. The feeling that accompanies us on our way, that we have forgotten to pack something important, happens to best of us. Each trip abroad, including to Egypt, can be reduced to a few basic steps to allow you to remove any stress:

Travel Documents You will need a passport to travel to Egypt. The Egyptian government requires the passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of return from Egypt, so you need to arrange it in advance. Also make a few copies of your passport or a photo of your passport with your phone - you may need them, for example, to buy a sim card. This also removes the need to carry your passport with you all the time.

Visa for Egypt You can apply for a visa at the Egyptian diplomatic mission, at the airport in Egypt, or electronically via the website. Egypt visa fees are $ 25 (single visa) and $ 60 (multiple visa). Tourist visas are issued for 30 days.

Covid 19 Egypt has lifted all restrictions that were previously imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. You can now travel to Egypt without providing proof of a negative PCR test or an accredited COVID-19 vaccination certificate prior to departure.

Flight Tickets Buy plane tickets to Cairo, Egypt. By buying them early you will most likely pay less than if you were to buy them at the last moment. In addition, there may also be a problem with available seats on the plane on the dates you are interested in, if you wait. You will then need to purchase additional hotel nights before or after your trip to Egypt.

Travel Insurance When traveling, while rare, accidents do happen. Make sure that you purchase travel insurance. This could save your family from unnecessary costs. When buying travel insurance, avoid the cheapest policies. We would advise you to take out a complex insurance policy that covers all possibilities. The insurance company must, for example, cover the costs of hospitalization (a very expensive service in Egypt), treatment of a chronic disease (e.g. cardiovascular, cancer, epilepsy), mental illness or the effects of passive participation in acts of terror.

When choosing your insurance policy, also consider the things that you plan to do in Egypt. A standard policy does not cover the costs of accidents when doing specific sports, e.g. diving with specialized equipment, surfing, windsurfing, quad biking, water scooter or joining a balloon flight. When buying travel insurance, it is worth paying attention to: - recognition and credibility of the insurer - the amount of compensation in the case of: 1) delayed flight 2) lost luggage 3) theft 4) an accident 5) death

Adequate Clothes Due to the warm climate of Egypt, you should mainly take light summer clothes with you. On cool evenings, however, you may also need to pack a sweatshirt or a light jacket. Light, long pants are required and women should wear a long skirt, a blouse that covers the shoulders, and a headscarf. Comfortable footwear, which is not new, will also be useful. We recommend sports sandals or sports shoes. Sunglasses and a baseball cap or a wide-brimmed hat to protect the head and eyes from the sun are essential.

Toiletries Sunscreen with a high UV filter to protect your skin from strong sunlight is a must have when visiting Egypt. Hand disinfectant gels and liquids, wet wipes for use in public toilets are also useful. You should purchase suitable face masks to wear on airplanes, coaches and crowded public places in Egypt.

Everyone has a lot to do in their day-to-day life, and there is not always time to prepare for the trip. However, it's best to do your preparation in advance and gradually, without leaving everything to the last minute, to avoid rushing.

Safety Updates on Visiting Egypt During the Hamas-Israel War

Travel Guide Egypt

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

Select Month

• roughguides.com
• Travel guide
• Itineraries
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

Absolutely loved it, the service was seamless from the first pickup from the airport to the return drop-off. The local guides were excellent, knowledgeable...

Egypt is the oldest tourist destination on earth. Ancient Greeks and Romans started the trend, coming to goggle at the cyclopean scale of the Pyramids and the Colossi of Thebes. During colonial times, Napoleon and the British looted Egypt’s treasures to fill their national museums, sparking off a trickle of Grand Tourists that eventually became a flood of travellers, taken on Nile cruises and Egyptological lectures by the enterprising Thomas Cook.

Where to go in Egypt

Travel ideas for egypt.

Created by local experts

The Best of Egypt

Explore the history and culture of Egypt and its ancient rulers on this trip throughout the country. Start and end in Cairo and make your way down to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. Instead of domestic flights, you will hop on luxurious sleeper trains for your journey.

Cairo & a luxurious Dahabieh sailing cruise

Explore Egypt at a leisurely pace on board a dahabieh, a traditional sailing ship. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and in Giza, the pyramids; cruise to world-renowned sites alongside lesser-known treasures, such as Luxor’s tombs, el Kab and Gebel Silsileh’s Temple of Horemheb.

A Nile Cruise in Egypt

Experience Cairo with the pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian museum before flying to Luxor to board your Nile cruise. Highlights include Karnak temple, Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut temple and an optional visit to Abu Simbel. Spend your last night in fascinating Cairo.

Five Star Egypt

A tour through the ancient wonders of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Start and end your trip in beautiful Cairo, exploring the surroundings before heading down to Aswan: you will spend four nights on a luxurious Nile cruise ship, discovering ancient sites such as Abu Simbel.

An introduction to Egypt

Marvel at the pyramids in Giza, explore busy Cairo, sleep on a luxurious sleeper train and explore more temples close to Luxor. This itinerary is fast-paced, with several nights in Cairo at the beginning and end, enabling you to see many fascinating sights in Egypt.

Today, the most popular places to visit are not only the monuments of the Nile Valley and the souks, mosques and madrassas of Islamic Cairo, but also fantastic coral reefs and tropical fish, dunes, ancient fortresses, monasteries and prehistoric rock art.

The land itself is a freak of nature, its lifeblood the River Nile. From the Sudanese border to the shores of the Mediterranean, the Nile Valley and its Delta are flanked by arid wastes, the latter as empty as the former are teeming with people. This stark duality between fertility and desolation is fundamental to Egypt’s character and has shaped its development since prehistoric times, imparting continuity to diverse cultures and peoples over seven millennia. It is a sense of permanence and timelessness that is buttressed by religion , which pervades every aspect of life. Although the pagan cults of ancient Egypt are as moribund as its legacy of mummies and temples, their ancient fertility rites and processions of boats still hold their place in the celebrations of Islam and Christianity.

The result is a multi-layered culture , which seems to accord equal respect to ancient and modern. The peasants of the Nile and the Bedouin tribes of the desert live much as their ancestors did a thousand years ago. Other communities include the Nubians of the far south, and the Coptic Christians, who trace their ancestry back to pharaonic times. What unites them is a love of their homeland, extended family ties, dignity, warmth and hospitality towards strangers. Though most visitors are drawn to Egypt by its monuments, the enduring memory is likely to be of its people and their way of life.

Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is a seething megalopolis whose chief sightseeing appeal lies in its bazaars and medieval mosques, though there is scarcely less fascination in its juxtapositions of medieval and modern life, the city’s fortified gates, villas and skyscrapers interwoven by flyovers whose traffic may be halted by donkey carts. The immensity and diversity of this “Mother of Cities” is as staggering as anything you’ll encounter in Egypt. Just outside Cairo are the first of the pyramids that range across the desert to the edge of the Fayoum, among them the unsurpassable trio at Giza, the vast necropolis of Saqqara and the pyramids at Dahshur. Besides all this, there are superb museums devoted to Ancient, Coptic and Islamic Egypt, and enough entertainment to occupy weeks of your time.

However, the principal tourist lure remains, as ever, the Nile Valley, with its ancient monuments and timeless river vistas – Nile cruises on a luxury vessel or a felucca sailboat being a great way to combine the two. The town of Luxor is synonymous with the magnificent temples of Karnak and the Theban Necropolis, which includes the Valley of the Kings where Tutankhamun and other pharaohs were buried. Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city, has the loveliest setting on the Nile and a languorous ambience. From here, you can visit the island Philae temple of Isis and the rock-hewn colossi at Abu Simbel, or embark on a cruise to other temples around Lake Nasser. Other sites not to be missed are Edfu and Kom Ombo, between Luxor and Aswan, and Abydos and Dendara, north of Luxor.

Besides monuments, Egypt abounds in natural wonders. Edged by coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, the Sinai Peninsula offers superb diving and snorkelling, and palm-fringed beaches where women can swim unmolested. Resorts along the Gulf of Aqaba are varied enough to suit everyone, whether you’re into the upmarket hotels of Sharm el-Sheikh, nearby Na’ama Bay or Taba further north, or cheap, simple living at Dahab and Nuweiba. From there it’s easy to visit St Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai (where Moses received the Ten Commandments) in the mountainous interior. With more time, cash and stamina, you can also embark on jeep safaris or camel treks to remote oases and spectacular wadis.

Egypt’s Red Sea Coast has more reefs further offshore, with snorkelling and diving traditionally centred around Hurghada, while barely touched island reefs from Port Safaga down to Marsa Alam beckon serious diving enthusiasts. Inland, the mountainous Eastern Desert harbours the Coptic monasteries of St Paul and St Anthony, Roman quarries, and a host of pharaonic and prehistoric rock art, seen by few apart from the nomadic Bedouin.

While the Eastern Desert is still barely touched by tourism, the Western Desert Oases have been on the tourist trail for forty years and nowadays host safaris into the wilderness. Siwa, out towards the Libyan border, has a unique culture and history, limpid pools and bags of charm. Travellers can also follow the “Great Desert Circuit” (starting from Cairo, Luxor or Assyut) through the four “inner” oases – though Bahariya and Farafra hold the most appeal, with the lovely White Desert between them, the larger oases of Dakhla and Kharga also have their rewards once you escape their modernized “capitals”. And for those into serious desert expeditions, there’s the challenge of exploring the Great Sand Sea or the remote wadis of the Gilf Kebir, whose prehistoric rock art featured in the film The English Patient. In contrast to these deep-desert locations are the quasi-oases of the Fayoum and Wadi Natrun, featuring the fossil-strewn Valley of the Whales, diverse ancient ruins and Coptic monasteries.

On the Mediterranean, Egypt’s second city, Alexandria, boasts a string of beaches to which Cairenes flock in summer, and excellent seafood restaurants. Despite being founded by Alexander the Great and lost to the Romans by Cleopatra, the city today betrays little of its ancient glory; however, its magnificent new library, featuring statues raised from the sunken remains of Cleopatra’s Palace, and the Lighthouse of Pharos (which divers can explore) are restoring an air of majesty. Famous, too, for its decadence during colonial times, Alexandria still allows romantics to indulge in a nostalgic exploration of the city immortalized in Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet, while further along the Mediterranean coast is the World War II battlefield of El-Alamein. For divers, the waters off Alexandria offer an array of sunken cities and wartime wrecks to explore.

The Nile Delta, east of Alexandria, musters few archeological monuments given its major role in ancient Egyptian history, and is largely overlooked by tourists. However, for those interested in Egyptian culture, the Delta hosts colourful religious festivals at Tanta, Zagazig and other towns. Further east lies the Canal Zone, dominated by the Suez Canal and its three cities: Suez is grim, but a vital transport nexus between Cairo, Sinai and the Red Sea Coast; Port Said and Ismailiya are pleasant, albeit sleepy places, where you can get a feel of “real Egypt” without tripping over other tourists.

Top image © Marcelo Alex/Shutterstock

Discover more places in Egypt

• The Western Desert Oases
• The Nile Valley, Egypt
• Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt
• Saqqara, Egypt
• Mount Sinai, Egypt
• Abydos, Egypt
• Siwa Oasis, Egypt
• Dahab, Egypt

Egypt is one of the best diving destinations in the world. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba are rich in sea life and home to a wonderful array of dive sites, with plenty of options for both novices and experts alike: remarkably preserved World War II wrecks, coral reefs filled with dolphins, rainbow-coloured anemone gardens, and shallow bays visited by turtles are just a few of the sites you can explore. The Sinai and Red Sea Coast chapters have detailed information on dive sites and recommended dive companies, as well as tips on safety and environmental issues.

The Red Sea’s stable climate, shallow tides and exceptionally high salinity provide perfect conditions for unusually brilliant corals and sponges – a revelation if you have previously dived in such places as Hawaii or the Caribbean, whose reefs will forever after seem dull by comparison. Created by generations of miniscule polyps depositing their limestone exoskeletons on the remains of their ancestors, coral reefs can grow by 4–5cm a year. Beside hard corals such as brain and fire coral, which have a rigid outer skeleton, the Red Sea hosts an abundance of soft corals , including whip coral and sea fans. Because most types of coral need a moderate amount of warm sunlight to flourish, the most spectacular formations are found within 30m of the surface.

Most Red Sea reefs are of the fringing type, with a shallow lagoon just offshore, whose warm water and rubble-strewn bottom attracts starfish and sea slugs. Clams and sea urchins hide in crevices, and schools of damselfish and butterflyfish flit about. Its seaward boundary is the reef flat, whose crest is usually a barren, rough-surfaced shelf, while deeper areas are rich in flora and fauna. Beyond is a coral-encrusted slope, leading to a drop-off like the edge of a cliff. Flatter areas may be dotted with coral pillars or knolls. Lower down, the coral is sparser, and you may find sandy terraces overgrown with seagrass, sustaining sea horses and pipefish. Beyond the drop-off lies open water.

Some of the Red Sea’s most colourful and endearing species are easy to spot in the shallows , where the sunlight is brightest. Among the commonest are beak-mouthed parrotfish and exotic-looking pennantfish, whose long dorsal fins end in filaments.

Wherever stinging anemones cling to the reef, you’ll see clownfish (or anemone fish). Angelfish are usually found close to the coral, while clouds of gold and vermillion anthias gather around coral heads and fans. Slopes and fore reefs are the habitat of snappers, goatfish and wrasses (the largest of these, the Napoleon Wrasse, can dwarf a person).

In deeper waters you may see sharks, including whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks and (occasionally) scalloped hammerheads. Spotted reef stingrays are often seen on the sandy bottom of the sea. Turtles are among the most thrilling species to encounter underwater; the Red Sea has several species, including green turtles and hawksbill turtles. Dolphin encounters are possible too, and those lucky enough to come across a pod of bottlenose or spinner dolphins on a dive are likely to count it among the highlights of their trip.

• The Arab Republic of Egypt covers 1,001,450 square kilometres, but 96.4 percent of that is desert . Only the Nile Valley, its Delta and some oases are fertile.

• Egypt’s population of 83.7 million is over twice that of the next most populous Arab country (Algeria) and a quarter of the population of the Arab world. 71 percent of Egyptians are literate. Average life expectancy is 73 years.

• Islam is the biggest religion, and some ninety percent of Egyptians are Muslim; most of the rest are Coptic Christians , with a small number of other Christians, and a tiny but ancient Jewish community.

• All Egyptians speak Arabic , but there are other Egyptian languages too: Nubian , related to the Nilotic languages of East Africa, is spoken around Aswan and Lake Nasser; Siwi , a Berber language like those of Morocco and Algeria, is spoken in Siwa Oasis; and Coptic , which is derived from ancient Egyptian, is used in church services, but not otherwise.

• Since the monarchy was ousted in 1952, Egypt has been a republic , ruled by a succession of military strongmen up until the 2011 revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak. Elections in 2012 resulted in an Islamist government under President Mohammed Morsi . The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party is the largest in parliament, followed by the Salafist Al-Nour party, the liberal Wafd party and Egyptian Bloc.

• Tourism has long been Egypt’s biggest money-earner, followed by tolls on the Suez Canal, and exports of oil, petroleum products, natural gas, cotton and textiles. Over forty percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and the economy would collapse without $2 billion a year in financial and food-aid from the US.

Travel advice for Egypt

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Egypt

• Eating and drinking in Egypt
• Getting around Egypt: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips Egypt for planning and on the go
• Culture and Etiquette in Egypt
• How to get to Egypt
• Shopping tips for Egypt
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Egypt
• Travelling with children in Egypt
• Best time to visit Egypt

The Rough Guides to Egypt and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration for Egypt here

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.05.2021

Ready to travel and discover Egypt?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Travel advice
• Where to stay

A land of contrasts  encompassing breathtaking desert scenery, the majestic  River Nile  and awe-inspiring ancient world wonders, Egypt attracts millions of visitors each year, offering them a  journey through history .

Egypt Travel Guide

• General information
• What to see
• Hotels & cruises
• What to Eat

Why visit Egypt?

Considered the birthplace of civilization, Egypt is a unique country: a destination full of magic and history  that offers its visitors an unforgettable experience.

Immerse yourself in a  passionate fusion of adventure, culture, and mystery . Get swept away by the  hustle and bustle of Cairo ; lose yourself amongst colossal temples ; scuba dive in the Red Sea ; enjoy the peace of a cruise on the Nile and contemplate the majestic Pyramids , before treating yourself to delicious Egyptian cuisine.

Before traveling

When planning a trip to Egypt, the first decision to make is whether you want to travel there independently or go on an escorted tour . We'll help you decide with this handy guide about the pros and cons of both options.

Worried about traveling to Egypt?

If you'd like to visit Egypt but you're worried about it being dangerous, have a read of our top tips  and  travel safety advice guides.

top activities

3 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor No trip to Egypt would be complete without a cruise on the Nile, the most memorable experience on a memorable trip. This 3 day cruise goes from Aswan to Luxor.

Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery Experience sunrise from Mount Sinai : one of the most sacred places in Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike and see the oldest Christian Monastery in use.

Whirling Dervish Show + Dinner Enjoy a traditional show in the Egyptian capital, with this dance of the famous Whirling Dervishes. An unforgettable night, topped off with a delicious dinner.

Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan Embark on a 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan , for an enchanting Egyptian adventure. Explore iconic temples and sail through the wonders of the Nile River !

On this quad tour around the pyramids of Giza, we'll discover one of the most remarkable places in the world . Ready to speed through the desert?

On this tour, we'll visit the iconic pyramids of Giza , the Great Sphinx , the Khan Al-Khalili Market and the Egyptian Museum and the main attractions of Cairo .

Best of Egypt: 8 Day All Inclusive Tour Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan... see all the unmissable sights in Egypt in 8 days . The best way to really discover the land of the Pharaohs!

Egypt 11 Day All-Inclusive Tour This 11-day package includes  the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Philae Temple, the Edfu Temple , a cruise on the Nile , and relaxing on the shores of the Red Sea .

Pyramids of Giza, Memphis and Saqqara Go back 5,000 years to the land of the pharaohs on this excursion to the Giza pyramids, the Saqqara necropolis and Memphis , once the capital of the country.

Complete Cairo Tour with Tickets Explore Cairo's historic centre , touring its unmissable locations: the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el-Khalili market, and Egyptian Museum.

Temple of Philae Sound & Light Show Experience the captivating history of Egypt through a unique sound and light show at the Temple of Philae  that will leave you spellbound.

Excursion to Alexandria The cultural legacy of Alexandria can be seen in all of its monuments and archaeological sites. Delve into the past with this excursion from Cairo .

Enjoy a leisurely felucca ride along the River Nile and discover Aswan's largest island: Elephantine Island . Its landscapes will captivate you!

White Canyon & Ain Khunra 4x4 Tour Discover the breathtaking White Canyon of Sinai with this 4x4 tour and relax by the palm trees at the Ain Khudra Oasis . You'll love it!

Dinner and Night Show at the Giza Pyramids Enjoy a spectacle filled with light & sound at the Giza pyramids, one of the ancient wonders of the world . Complete your evening with a traditional dinner!

Complete Guided Tour of Luxor Embark on a fascinating journey through Ancient Egypt with our comprehensive Luxor tour . Discover the rich history of Luxor as we explore its must-see sites.

Nile Cruise with Dinner and Show Want to try something different? On this cruise down the River Nile , you'll be seduced by the best views of Cairo lit up by night, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Excursion to Abu Simbel On this excursion,  visit the astonishing temples of Abu Simbel , the only monuments in Egypt that can hold a candle to the grandiosity of the 3 pyramids of Giza.

Abydos and Dendera Temple Excursion On this excursion we'll leave Luxor behind, making our way to Abydos and Dendera, two cities on the banks of the Nile where fascinating temples can be found .

Guided Tour of Luxor and Karnak Temples On this tour, we'll visit two of the most spectacular temples in Egypt, the Luxor Temple, and Karnak , separated by the 3-kilometer long Avenue of the Sphinxes.

2 Day Abu Simbel Excursion See the temples of Abu Simbel on a two-day tour, and be fascinated by the majesty by night. Ancient Egypt in all its splendour!

Luxor Hot Air Balloon Float over the thousand-year-old Luxor temples as the sun rises, so you'll get a bird's eye view of these majestic remains of the time of the pharaohs. 

Red Sea Beginners Scuba Diving On our beginners scuba diving activity, you'll admire the seabed of the Red Sea. Whether you're a beginner or a pro diver already, you'll have a blast!

Giftun Island Snorkelling Be seduced by the exotic Red Sea, contemplating the coral reefs and the colourful fish of Giftun Island, one of the best snorkel spots in Egypt .

Make the most of your time in Egypt, vist one of the most fun areas on the Red Sea on this boat trip to Orange Bay : enjoy snorkelling and other water sports !

Looking for a great day out in Hurghada? Don't miss this  Jungle Aqua Park Trip , the perfect way to cool off and enjoy the fun of a water park!

Enjoy incredible views of the Red Sea in a unique way: parasailing in Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most fun water activities in this lively beach area! 

Guided Tour of the Coptic Neighborhood The Coptic neighborhood of Cairo , the Christian part of the city, plays host to a great historic & monumental heritage. Explore it with this guided tour.

Excursion to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza See the pyramids of Khufu, Khafra & Menkaure - a must-see in Egypt. The archaeological complex at Giza, will surprise you from the moment you arrive!

Guided Tour of Hurghada Feel the history of Hurghada with this guided tour where you'll see monuments such as the spectacular Grand Mosque and the Coptic Church of Hurghada .

Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner Exploring the beautiful Egyptian scenery on a 4x4 vehicle with this Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner. You'll have the chance to sample a traditional dinner.

Neverland Nights Show Discover one of the most popular shows in the Middle East at the Neverland Nights show in Alf Leila We Leila Palace - an unforgettable evening!

Turtles, sharks, and manta rays await you at  Hurghada Grand Aquarium . Don't miss visiting this exhibition, also known as the  Red Sea in Glass , on your trip!

Swim with Dolphins in Hurghada Swim with friendly dolphins in the warm waters of the Red Sea and ride a banana boat with this boat trip from Hurghada ! You'll have a blast!

Day Trip to the Pyramids of Giza + Egyptian Museum Discover one of the Wonders of the Ancient World on this day trip to the pyramids of Giza by plane . We'll also visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo !

Desert Safari and Snorkel in the Blue Hole Enjoy an unforgettable safari in the Egyptian desert with this unforgettable experience. We'll also go  snorkelling in the Blue Hole !

Snorkel in the Ras Mohamed National Park Fauna, flora, and spectacular landscapes come together in the Ras Mohamed National Park, one of Egypt's environmental jewels. Go snorkelling off its coast.

Guided Tour of Alexandria Discover the extraordinary historical heritage of this city founded by Alexander the Great , where Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures mix.

Historic Tour of the Fatimid Caliphate's Cairo Discover some of the most famous and most incredible places and monuments in Cairo, places that leave the traditional tours behind .

Day Trip to the Suez Canal At the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia , the famous Suez Canal is one of Egypt's greatest engineering marvels. Discover it with this excursion from Cairo.

Red Sea Day Trip On this excursion we'll leave the immense Egyptian Capital behind for  Ain Sokhna, a beach town found on the west coast of the Red Sea , near the Suez Canal.

Looking for adrenaline-inducing water sports? Experience the Red Sea in a whole new way enjoying this  flyboarding activity in Hurghada !

Day Trip to Abu Simbel by Plane Ramses II left behind one of Egypt's great monumental complexes for posterity: the temples of Abu Simbel . Decode their secrets on this excursion. 

Excursion to the Fayoum Oasis Head south from Cairo and you'll find one of the most incredible natural spaces in Egypt: the Fayoum Oasis . Discover where history and nature meet.

Day Trip to Petra Feel like Indiana Jones in ' The Last Crusade ' with this day trip to Petra , the Jordanian city which was once the capital of the Nabataeans .

Sinai Desert Trip with Dinner and Show Explore the sands of Sinai with us on this excursion where you can also enjoy an authentic spectacle and Bedouin dinner .

Wadi El Natrun Monasteries and El Alamein Trip Discover the monastic complex of Wadi El Natrun and the location of the famous battle of El Alamein when you take our fantastic trip from Cairo.

Horseback Riding in Hurghada Join us as we cross exotic beaches and vast deserts on this horseback ride through Hurghada , one of the most popular destinations on the Red Sea coast .

Escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life in Hurghada on this tour:  explore the ghost city of Umm el Howeitat on a jeep safari and quad bike tour !

Explore the most fun beaches in Egypt with your family and friends on this  Orange Bay Speedboat Trip . Spend a morning sunbathing and swimming in the Red Sea!

Karnak Temple Light Show ​Embark on a journey to the past sure to leave you gobsmacked , with this light and sound show projected onto the Karnak temple.

Nile River Kayaking Tour On this Nile kayaking tour, we'll paddle the sacred river of Ancient Egypt as it passes through Cairo we'll see the old city from a different perspective !

Glass Bottomed Boat Tour Admire the wonders of the submarine depths on this glass bottomed boat tour . We'll sail the waters of the Red Sea in search of incredible marine wildlife.

Nubian Village Day Trip Cross the River Nile on a traditional felucca, to discover the most authentic village in Egypt , Gharb Soheil, where you can see the daily life of the Nubians .

Ancient Egypt Nile Tour Join us on a boat tour along the legendary Nile River , exploring the Valley of the Princes , Kitchener Island, and Sehel Island, home to the  Famine Stela .

Valley of the Nobles, Medinet Habu and Deir el-Medina Discover some of the best conserved funeral monuments of the New Kingdom on this tour, visiting the burial site of Ramses III and the necropolis.

See the Red Sea from a unique perspective with this  parasailing experience in Hurghada . Enjoy the adrenaline rush of flying over its crystal-clear waters!

Spend a day feeling like a pirate on this cruise in Orange Bay  from Hurghada. Sail the waters of the Red Sea, snorkel, and visit a paradise beach.

Discover the natural landscapes around Hurghada in the most fun way: explore the desert on this  quad bike and dune buggy safari ​! What are you waiting for?

Kalabasha, Beit El-Wali and Kertassi Temples Visit three very different temples : from Roman-era Kalabasha, to rock-carved mausoleums like Beit El-Wali, which dates from the time of Ramses II.

On this submarine tour in Hurghada, we'll enjoy the depths of the Red Sea . The coastline of this Egyptian city is home to a rich variety of fish and reefs.

Menia 2 Day Tour Become and Egyptologist for a day as you discover all the ancient treasures of the city of Menia on this fantastic 2-day tour from Cairo !

Cairo Food Tour Dive into the vibrant streets of Cairo and uncover the rich flavors of the Egyptian capital  on this food tour that will tantalize your taste buds.

Cruise and Snorkelling on Tiran Island Fancy a dip in the warm waters of the Red Sea? Try snorkelling off the wild island of Tiran , and enjoy a unique experience in an Egyptian diving paradise.

Luxor Museum and Museum of Mummification Guided Tour On this tour, we'll visit the Luxor Museum & the Museum of Mummification ,   two of the most important and most visited museums in Egypt .

On this guided tour of the Temple of Karnak , we'll explore this sanctuary dedicated to Amun , which was the main center of worship in Ancient Egypt .

Sunset Felucca Trip to Banana Island On this excursion from Luxor , we'll enjoy a felucca ride down the Nile River towards Banana Island , where we'll explore the island's many fruit plantations!

Breathtaking  landscapes of the Red Sea await on this horseback ride through Sharm el-Sheikh . We'll stop at a Bedouin camp for tea in the middle of the desert .

Private Tour to Luxor by Plane Join us on a  private tour from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor , complete with airfare and entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings , Karnak , and Hatshepsut temples .

Night Tour of Sharm El-Sheikh On this night tour of Sharm El-Sheikh, you'll  discover the magic of this beautiful Egyptian city located between the Sinai Peninsula desert and the Red Sea .

On this tour of Luxor , we'll explore the old capital of ancient Egypt aboard a horse-drawn carriage , one of the typical means of transportation in the country!

Sharm El-Naga Snorkel Trip Spend a day making the most of Egypt's beautiful beaches with this Sharm El-Naga Snorkel Trip from Hurghada . Discover the marine wildlife of the Red Sea! 

Spend an unforgettable day in one of the most famous bays on Giftun Island. Snorkel, enjoy a banana boat ride and swim among coral reefs on Paradise Island .

Grand Egyptian Museum Tour If you're passionate about the Pharaonic culture , then you can't miss this tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum . You'll have a blast!

Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples Tour Why was Horus one of the most fascinating Ancient Egyptian deities? Discover sacred secrets on this guided tour of the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo .

Night Tour of Al-Azhar Park & Dinner Discover one of the 60 largest parks in the world on this night tour of Al-Azhar Park and enjoy a delicious Egyptian dinner!

Disconnect from the world and forget the stresses of everyday life on a trip to the  Turkish Bath in Hurghada . Enjoying a massage at a hammam  is a must-do!

4-Day El-Fayoum Oasis, White Desert, and Bahariya Oasis Tour Embark on a  4-day private tour , leaving the bustling city of Cairo to immerse yourself in the wonders of the White Desert , Fayoum , Oasis , and Bahariya Oasis .

Utopia Island Excursion Crystalline waters, golden beaches, coral reefs, exotic fish... delight your senses with a unique experience, on this excursion to Utopia Island on the Red Sea.

Sinbad Aqua Park Excursion Toboggans, water attractions and endless surprises are waiting for you at the thrilling Sinbad Water Park ! It's fun for all the family.

El Gouna Boat Trip & Water Activities On our unforgettable El Gouna Boat Trip from Hurghada , we'll explore the Venice of Egypt. Get ready to see dolphins, go banana boating, and snorkel!

Red Sea 8-Day All-Inclusive Tour From exploring the Egyptian desert to snorkelling in the Red Sea : make the most of your trip to Hurghada on this all-inclusive 8-day tour package.

5-Day Siwa Oasis Private Tour Embark on a 5-day private tour from Cairo and travel into the desert to see a unique part of Egypt . The Siwa Oasis, Shali, ancient towns, and Temples await us!

White Desert & Bahariya Oasis Private Day Trip On this private day trip to the White Desert and Bahariya Oasis from Cairo, we'll see stunning limestone formations and much more!

Desert Quad Tour + Bedouin Dinner Discover the magical Egyptian desert by quad bike with this Desert Quad Tour + Bedouin Dinner. Enjoy an unforgettable and traditional experience.

Edfu & Kom Ombo Day Trip Intricately carved reliefs, mummified crocodiles and a unique double sanctuary: discover the Ancient Egyptian temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo .

White Desert & Bahariya Oasis 2 or 3-Day Private Tour On this private 2 or 3-day tour of the White Desert and the Bahariya Oasis , you'll witness the stunning Egyptian landscapes accompanied by a tour guide.

Aswan Dam, Philae Temple, and The Unfinished Obelisk On this tour, we'll see the greatness of humankind's achievements across history : the beautiful Philae temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Aswan Dam.

Valley of the Kings and Queens, Colossus and Hatshepsut Tour On this excursion we'll visit the most famous necropolis in ancient Thebes, where you can find the tombs of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Set I

Sinai Desert Quad bike Tour Discover the reds, purples, oranges and ochres at sunrise and sunset in the Egyptian desert . Head straight for adventure with this quad bike excursion!

Night tour of Cairo with Dinner Explore the Khan el-Khalili market and the city's most charming streets on this night tour, finishing with dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Day Trip to Petra by Plane Travel to Jordan by plane, and discover the remains of Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabataeans , along with the mysteries of this architectural jewel.

Luxor Tour & Valley of the Kings and Queens The wonders   of Ancient Egypt await you on this tour to Luxor . Plus, complete the experience with a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queens .

If you'd like to meet some of the friendlist residents of the Red Sea, you'll love our  Abu Dabbab National Park Tour  from Hurghada.

5-Day Cruise on Lake Nasser Make the most of your time in Egypt visiting its spectacular ancient temples on this  five day cruise on Lake Nasser ​from Aswan .

4-Day Lake Nasser Cruise Experience the magic of a 4-day cruise on Lake Nasser with everything included, the perfect way to immerse yourself in the treasures of Ancient Egypt .

Egypt + Lake Nasser Tour Package: 11 Days Enjoy a cruise on the Nile and Lake Nasser with this all-inclusive  Egypt + Lake Nasser Tour Package lasting 11 Days. Visit the Giza pyramids and Luxor Temples.

Egypt Tour Package: 15 Days All-Inclusive Embark on a 15-day all-inclusive tour exploring bucket-list Egyptian sights , from Cairo to the Red Sea paradise of Hurghada , with this Egypt Tour Package .

The best Egypt travel guide

This travel guide explains what others don't. Learn everything you could possibly need for your trip to Egypt : if it's safe, how to haggle, and how much you should pay for things, amongst much more. The guide is written simply - by travelers, for travelers .

The information and practical data found in this guide are correct as of  January 2023 . If you find any errors or see anything we need to change, please contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

Introducing Egypt

About egypt.

• Images of Egypt
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Egypt
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Cairo International Airport
• Hurghada International Airport
• Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport
• Hurghada beaches
• Sharm el-Sheikh beaches

Cruise Locations

• Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt travel guide

A complicated but fascinating country with some of the most enduring historical monuments on Earth, Egypt stands as an unforgettable travel destination. It’s had to deal with its fair share of turmoil in recent times, but this North African nation remains proud, welcoming and accessible. And with treasures as timeless as the temples and pyramids of the Nile to shout about, it’s not somewhere that’s going to slip from public consciousness any time soon. A trip here still very much has the potential to thrill.

In many ways, there are two Egypts. The first is the Egypt of Cairo and the Nile, of bustling medieval bazaars, noseless Sphinxes, river cruises and Agatha Christie-era exoticism. The second, and just as integral to many visitors, is the Egypt of the Red Sea, where a spread of large-scale modern resorts caters to sun-seekers and scuba divers. Sharm el Sheikh, with its world-class diving, high-end hotels and desert adventures, is the best known of them.

Most of the country’s ancient treasures were built during the time of the pharaohs. The Pyramids of Giza (the sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World); the lotus-columned temples of Luxor and Karnak; the Valley of the Kings; Aswan and the temples of Abu Simbel: strung along the Nile, these monuments have drawn visitors for centuries. They represent a lasting legacy of one of the most fabled periods of human history.

Of course, the country is best understood not so much for its great monuments or its coral reefs, splendid though they are, but through its people. Bartering for a bargain in Cairo’s ancient Khan al-Khalili bazaar, taking tea and falling into long conversation with a local, or simply stopping awhile in a remote village, silent but for the chatter of hooves on tarmac, will give a glimpse of a country full of character, colour and fortitude.

1,001,450 sq km (386,662 sq miles).

94,137,816 (UN estimate 2016).

88.4 per sq km.

Cairo (El Qahira).

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi since 2014.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli since June 2018.

Travel Advice

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).          

Areas where  FCDO  advises against travel

Egypt-libya border.

FCDO  advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, where we advise against all but essential travel.

North Sinai

FCDO  advises against all travel to the North Sinai Governorate.

Northern part of South Sinai

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.

Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.

Western Desert

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:

• Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
• the Faiyum Governorate
• the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
• the Marsa Matruh-Siwa road
• the oasis town of Siwa
• the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis
• the road between Giza and Farafra (but FCDO advises against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)
• Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert

Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel .

Conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories ( OPTs )  

International borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories ( OPTs ) could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt. Check with local authorities and read Israel travel advice  and OPTs travel advice  before trying to cross.

Entering Egypt from Gaza     

The Rafah border crossing is currently closed. When re-opened, Israel, Egypt and the authorities in Gaza may determine procedures for who is permitted to cross and when.

If you are a British national in Gaza who wants to leave Gaza, see Israel travel advice and OPTs travel advice .  

Humanitarian aid workers cannot enter or exit Gaza through Egypt at this time.   

Sending aid to Gaza from Egypt

The Egyptian authorities have said all aid to Gaza must go through the Egyptian Red Crescent . Standard operating procedures can be found on the Logistics Cluster website. The authorities are unlikely to consider requests for humanitarian access made in Egypt at short notice.

Concern for friends and family

If you are concerned about friends or family, or need support from the UK government, call the British Embassy in Cairo.

Telephone: + 20 (0)2 2791 6000

If you have technical difficulties using this number, call +44 1767 667 600 (UK number). 

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and  get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out  more about  FCDO  travel advice .

Follow and contact  FCDO  travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also sign up to  get email notifications  when this advice is updated.

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Egypt’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Egypt set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK .

Passport validity requirements

To enter Egypt, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.   

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Visa requirements

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa.

If you are staying for less than 15 days at resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you do not need a visa. You will get a free entry permission stamp on arrival. If you plan to travel outside the resorts or stay more than 15 days, you must get a visa. You can get a visa at Sharm el Sheikh airport or online.     

Applying for a visa

You can apply for a visa:

• online – getting an e-visa in advance can help to prevent delays, tourist e-visas are valid for up to 3 months
• in person or by post – apply through the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK
• on arrival in Egypt – approved airports have kiosks in the arrival hall before you reach the immigration counters where you can buy a visa for 25 US dollars (cash only – Egyptian officials prefer dollars, but you may be able to pay in British pounds or euros, visas on arrival are valid for up to 30 days)

British passport holders from British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies cannot apply online. 

Visa extensions

You can apply for a visa extension at the Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. If you try to leave Egypt on an expired visa, you may face difficulties. You may get a fine if your visa has expired by more than 14 days. Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK for more information.

Visa agents in airports

You do not need to buy a visa from an agent. Agents often charge more than the required 25 US dollars. If an agent harasses you, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal.

Egypt-Sudan border crossing

If you cross the border from Sudan, you can get a visa on arrival for 25 US dollars (cash only).

If you are a British national and have crossed the border without valid documentation, contact the British Embassy in Cairo on + 20 (0) 2 2791 6000. See Regional risks .

Vaccine requirements

To enter Egypt, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk .

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Egypt guide .

HIV test for work permits

You will need to show HIV test results to apply for a work permit.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about  goods you can take into or out of Egypt . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK for more information about customs rules.

Taking money into or out of Egypt

You can bring up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds into or out of Egypt.

You must declare foreign currency worth more than 10,000 US dollars on arrival – there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can bring.

Electronic devices and other valuables

You must declare some valuables, including electronic devices and video cameras, when you arrive. Officials will note these in your passport. They may ask you to show the items when you leave the country. If you do not have them, you may have to pay a high rate of customs duty.

Satellite phones or radio equipment

Officials are likely to confiscate satellite phones or radio communications equipment unless you have prior clearance from the Ministry of Telecommunications.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Egypt . 

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.  

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on  staying safe abroad  and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out more about the  global threat from terrorism .

Terrorism in Egypt

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt. 

Terrorism is a risk across Egypt, particularly in North Sinai. Attacks could be indiscriminate. Targets might include:

• Egyptian security forces
• religious sites
• large public gatherings
• places visited by foreign nationals

The authorities in Egypt have a significant security presence across the country, including armed security officers at important sites, critical infrastructure and road checkpoints. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites.

Recent attacks include:

• in 2022, an attack to the west of the Suez Canal targeting security forces within the city of Ismailiyah
• in 2019, at least 20 people killed by a car bomb in Central Cairo’s Manial district
• in 2019, at least 16 people injured after an IED attack on a tourist bus near the Giza pyramids
• in 2019, 3 security personnel killed by a suicide bomber in Central Cairo’s Darb al-ahmar district

There are frequent terrorist attacks in North Sinai. Most attacks are in the north-east corner of the governorate between Al-Arish city and the border with Gaza. Most attacks in North Sinai are against the Egyptian government and military installations and personnel. However, terrorists have attacked civilians suspected of working with the authorities and local religious minority groups.

Terrorism during holiday periods

There is a heightened threat of terrorism in and around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as the month of Ramadan and the Christmas period (including Coptic Christmas in January). Terrorists have attacked over local holiday weekends. The Egyptian Presidency website has a list of public holidays .

Follow the advice of Egyptian authorities and be vigilant in crowds and large gatherings.

Red Sea military activity

There is a military response to Houthi militants’ attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. The military activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, but travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. Monitor travel advice and follow instructions from local authorities.       

Political situation

The political environment in Egypt is restrictive. Security forces have responded violently to protests and disturbances, resulting in a number of deaths.

Protests, marches and demonstrations could happen across Egypt, particularly after Friday prayers. They are more common in cities and could happen at short notice. Avoid large gatherings, demonstrations and protests as the situation could change quickly and without warning. Police have used water cannons, tear gas, birdshot and live ammunition as crowd control. The authorities may close public spaces, including parks and beaches, at short notice, particularly around holidays. If you do not follow their instructions, you could be fined or arrested.

Foreign nationals involved in any political activity or activities critical of the government may be at risk of detention or other measures.

There are reports that security personnel are checking personal electronic devices, particularly around public gathering places, such as Tahrir Square.  

Take extra care when travelling alone, particularly at night, in taxis and microbuses. The crime rate is generally low, but visitors have reported:

• armed robberies
• muggings, including in taxis
• sexual assaults
• break-ins to accommodation and cars
• pickpocketing and bag-snatching

To report a crime, phone the tourist police on 126. If you do not report a crime before you leave Egypt, it will be difficult to prosecute later.

Sexual assault and harassment

A number of sexual assaults have been reported to the British Embassy, including cases involving minors.

The majority of cases that have been reported took place in tourist resorts in the Red Sea region, often committed by someone the victim had already met, including hotel workers and excursion staff. There have also been reports of hotel staff discouraging incidents being reported to local police. 

Female travellers should exercise caution when travelling alone, particularly at night, in buses, taxis and microbuses. If you are travelling on public transport including microbuses, avoid being the last passenger left on board.

Take extra precautions:

• make sure children and young people are always accompanied by known and trusted people and not left alone with hotel or excursion staff
• do not allow hotel staff to enter your room when you are alone – try to ensure a friend or relative is present
• avoid travelling in a taxi alone – if this is not possible, apply extra security by sharing the details of your driver and trip with a friend, and using live location on WhatsApp
• use reputable providers for any services and excursions, and carry out research beforehand, including by consulting your tour operator where you have one
• avoid sharing personal contact or social media details

See advice for women travelling abroad and information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad .

If you experience sexual harassment or assault, or if you feel threatened or unsafe, report it to the hotel or local authorities.

Tourist police: 126

Local police: 122

British Embassy in Cairo: +20 2 279 1 6000

All numbers provide English speakers.

Protecting your belongings

Take particular care of your possessions on buses, trains and in crowds. Criminals may ride past on bikes and snatch valuables.

Keep a copy of your passport, visa and flight ticket separately from originals when travelling. Leave copies at home where others can access them and store them electronically so you can access them easily. If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the police immediately and get a police report. You will need a police report to get visa stamps transferred to your replacement passport.     

Scammers and touts at tourist sites

Be cautious in tourist areas, where scammers and touts target foreign nationals.

Touts may confront tourists at popular tourist sites, such as the Giza pyramids, and aggressively ask for money or business. This can even happen when you’re in a car or taxi. If you use a pre-booked guide or take an organised tour to visit the pyramids, you are likely to face fewer difficulties. 

Laws and cultural differences

Egypt is predominantly an Islamic country. Always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure you do not cause offence, especially during Ramadan or when you visit religious areas.

It is illegal to encourage people to convert to Christianity.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. Ramadan in Egypt in 2025 will likely begin 28 February or 1 March and last for 30 days. Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should also:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk
• be patient and show tolerance

Personal ID

Police check ID regularly and will ask to see your passport. They may detain you if you cannot show it.

Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets).

Behaviour in public

Showing affection in public is frowned upon. Holding hands is generally fine, but there are places in Egypt where this is looked down on. Behaviour accepted in tourist resort areas may not be tolerated elsewhere.

Alcohol laws

Drinking alcohol anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is illegal and can lead to arrest.

Illegal drugs penalties

Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. People who get a life sentence on drugs charges normally spend the rest of their lives in prison with no chance of parole or a pardon.

Khat is illegal in Egypt.

Criticising the Egyptian government

Making political or negative comments about the Egyptian government, including about the President or security forces, can cause trouble with the authorities. People have faced prison sentences for making insulting comments on social media.

Photography and filming restrictions

You must get a permit to enter Egypt with professional photography or film equipment. This includes photography umbrellas, artificial outdoor lighting gear and any equipment that occupies or blocks public roads.

It is illegal to take or share photos that could be considered damaging to the country’s image.

Ministry of Tourism regulations on photography say that you must get an Egyptian citizen’s written permission before you take their photo. Taking pictures of children is prohibited. Do not photograph officials without their consent.

It is illegal to take photos of, or near, military property. This includes the Suez Canal.

The police have arrested British nationals for photographing churches, electricity stations, train stations and bridges. If you are in any doubt, get permission before taking photos. There are sensitivities about taking photographs of:

• government buildings
• religious buildings

It is illegal to use radio-controlled helicopters or drones to take photos near sensitive sites.     

Do not import, use or produce drones in Egypt unless the  Egyptian Ministry of Defence gives you permission beforehand. Anyone who uses or imports drones without permission could get a prison sentence of up to 7 years or a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 Egyptian pounds.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalised in Egypt. However, the Egyptian authorities have prosecuted LGBT+ people under ‘debauchery’ laws, including people flying rainbow flags at public events.

There is little public acceptance of same-sex relationships in Egypt. Same-sex couples showing affection in public are likely to receive negative attention.

Be cautious about sharing content or having discussions of a sexual nature on social media, especially about sexual acts that are considered illegal. Some travellers have been arrested and imprisoned for this.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Child custody law

Egyptian family law is very different from UK law, particularly around child custody. See International parental child abduction for information and how to get assistance.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Insurance for adventure activities.

Make sure your travel insurance, or the tour or dive company, will cover the costs for any air or sea rescue, which can cost more than 4,000 US dollars per hour. The Egyptian authorities will only start rescue operations when they are guaranteed payment. Book excursions for activities at your resort or through approved agents or tour operators.

See Foreign travel insurance for more information.

Hot air balloons

Speak to your tour company before booking a hot air balloon flight. Some UK tour operators have stopped selling balloon flights because they have not been able to verify safety standards.

Diving and snorkelling

Safety standards of Red Sea resort diving operators vary considerably. Very inexpensive operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards. You should:

• make bookings through your tour representative if possible
• not dive or snorkel without a dive buddy or guide
• not dive below your insurance policy’s depth limit – doing so will invalidate your cover

Shark attacks are rare, but there have been attacks on tourists in the Red Sea region. Monitor any updates from local authorities or your tour operator.

See ⁠ watersports safety advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

Quad bikes and desert visits

There have been several serious quad bike accidents involving British nationals in resort areas. Take the same precautions as you would in the UK. Safety standards vary considerably. Always wear a crash helmet.

There is a small risk from unexploded landmines in some desert areas, including:

• in north-west Egypt near El-Alamein
• on limited stretches of the Mediterranean coast near Marsa Matrouh
• on the Red Sea coast south of Suez

Dangerous areas are usually well marked with signs and barbed wire fencing. Take care and follow local advice, especially if planning trips off marked roads or paths.

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Egypt, see information on driving abroad .

You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit ( IDP ) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

You can drive in Egypt using your UK licence and an IDP for up to 6 months. If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for an Egyptian driving licence.

Drivers and front seat passengers must wear seatbelts.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence in Egypt. If you are caught, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.      

You may not be allowed to import a vehicle into Egypt. If you want to bring in a vehicle temporarily, you must get a ‘carnet de passage’ from the Automobile Association.

Driving conditions

Accidents are common because of poor road conditions, dangerous driving and poor traffic law enforcement. Do not drive outside main cities and resorts at night. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.

Off-road travel

If you’re travelling off road, use a qualified guide and get a permit from the Ministry of Interior .   

Rail and bus travel

Serious bus crashes in recent years have caused many deaths, including tourists.

There have also been fatal train collisions and derailments.

Suspect devices have been found at train stations and on the rail network. While some have turned out to be hoaxes or false alarms, you should be vigilant as you would in the UK.

River and sea travel

Overcrowding and poor safety standards have caused accidents on Red Sea ferries and Nile cruises.

This section has safety advice for regions of Egypt. It only covers regions where  FCDO  has specific advice.

You should also read  FCDO ’s overall travel advice  and  safety and security advice .

FCDO  advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, where we advise against all but essential travel. There are active military operations targeting criminal activity in this area.

FCDO  advises against all travel to North Sinai Governate due to continuing criminal activity and terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths. See Terrorism in Egypt .

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai Governate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.

We advise against all but essential travel due to criminal activity and terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths. See Terrorism .

If you plan to travel in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle from mainland Egypt through the Suez crossing, you must get a permit from Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior. You should book any activities outside of resort areas through approved agents or tour operators.

There is no FCDO travel warning for Red Sea tourist areas in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula and further south. Security forces carry out routine checks on vehicles and at airports to protect resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam.

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the parts of the Ismailiyah Governorate which are east of the Suez Canal, due to ongoing military operations against terrorists and criminals. Egyptian authorities at checkpoints may prevent onward travel to this region. See Terrorism .

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions due to risks from criminal activity and military operations, except for:

• Luxor, Qina, Valley of the Kings, Aswan and Abu Simbel
• the road between Giza and Farafra (but we advise against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)

Tourists who enter the Western Desert areas of Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert must apply for permits in advance and use an official guide. There is limited phone reception and poor medical facilities. Monitor travel advice and follow guidance from official guides and local authorities.

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel on the road between Al Bawiti and Siwa, including the desert areas near the start of the road in Bahariya. The road is closed and there are military checkpoints.

If you travel to the south-west corner of Egypt near the border with Sudan or Libya, you will need a permit from the Ministry of Interior . Bandits and armed groups operate in these areas.

Be extremely cautious in all border areas.

FCDO  advises against all but essential travel to the Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

The Hala’ib Triangle remains disputed territory between Egypt and Sudan. If you’re in the Hala’ib Triangle and need urgent UK government support, contact the  British Embassy in Cairo .

The Bir Tawil Trapezoid is unclaimed by either Egypt or Sudan. If you’re in this area and need urgent UK government support, contact FCDO in the last country you travelled through.

Egypt-Sudan border

People continue to try to cross the border from Sudan into Egypt. There are 2 main land border crossings – Qustul and Argeen. There is almost no infrastructure at these crossings. The nearest town in Sudan is Wadi Halfa, 30km from the border.

The British Embassy in Cairo does not have staff at the border and our ability to provide assistance is very limited. Travel in and from Sudan is at your own risk. See  Sudan travel advice .

If you are a British national and have crossed into Egypt from Sudan without valid documents, contact the British Embassy in Cairo for support.

Telephone: + 20 (0) 2 2791 6000

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have  appropriate travel insurance  for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 123 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:  

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Egypt
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Egypt , including:  

• tick-borne diseases such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Egypt. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro . 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read  best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines may be controlled substances in Egypt. You may need permission from  Egypt’s Ministry of Health before you arrive. If you do not have prior permission or the required documentation, you will not be allowed to take the medication into Egypt and you may be prosecuted.

If you travel with prescription medication, carry a letter from your GP stating the:

• condition you’re being treated for
• amount of medication you will be carrying
• medication is for your personal use only

For further information, contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK .

Healthcare in Egypt    

Some hotel doctors have overcharged for treatment and medicines. Check your bill closely for excessive charges. Pharmacies outside hotels will often supply medication at lower prices.

Access to specialised treatment for psychiatric illness is limited and may not be available outside major cities.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Egypt where some staff will speak English. 

Travel and mental health

Read  FCDO  guidance on travel and mental health . There is also  mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Egypt

Ambulance: 123

Police: 122

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about  changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from  FCDO

FCDO  has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking  lawyers ,  funeral directors  and  translators and interpreters  in Egypt
• dealing with a  death in Egypt
• being  arrested in Egypt
• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime
• what to do if you’re  in hospital
• if you are  affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting  FCDO

Follow and contact  FCDO  travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also sign up to  get email notifications  when this travel advice is updated.

You can also  contact  FCDO  online .

Help abroad in an emergency

If you’re in Egypt and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the  British Embassy in Cairo .

FCDO  in London

You can call  FCDO  in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Egypt on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Related Articles

City Highlight: Cairo

Amid ancient monuments, 19th century splendour and the buzz of modern technology, Cairo, Egypt’s capital, roars with life

13 of the best lost cities

Determined archaeologists have helped to uncover ancient lost cities and put them on the map again, and here are our top picks

Book a Hotel

© Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved 2024

20 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Egypt

Written by Jess Lee Updated Oct 16, 2023

Home of the ancient Pharaohs, Egypt is a destination full of dazzling temples and tombs that wow all who visit. It's not all historic treasures and tourist attractions, though. With vast tracts of desert for 4WD adventures, the Red Sea's world-class coral reefs and wrecks for divers, and cruising on the famed Nile River, there are plenty of things to do in Egypt for all types of travelers.

Beach lovers head to the Sinai or the Red Sea Coast to soak up the sun, while archaeology fans will have a field day in Luxor.

Cairo is the megalopolis that can't be beaten for city slickers, while Siwa oasis and the southern town of Aswan offer a slice of the slow pace of the countryside.

With so much to see and do, Egypt offers visitors a chance to create itineraries that combine culture, adventure, and relaxation all on one trip.

Plan your sightseeing with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in Egypt.

Pyramids of Giza

Luxor's temples & tombs, cruising the nile, diving the red sea, explore historic cairo, south sinai's beach life, egyptian museum, white desert, abydos temple, st. catherine's monastery, red sea beaches, coptic cairo, wadi al-hitan, temple of hathor, monastery of st. anthony.

The last surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza are one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.

Having awed travelers down through the ages, these tombs of the Pharaohs Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mycerinus), guarded by the enigmatic Sphinx, are usually top of most visitor's lists of tourist attractions to see in Egypt and often the first sight they head to after landing.

Today, sitting on the desert edge of Cairo's sprawl, these megalithic memorials to dead pharaohs are still as wondrous a sight as they ever were and an undeniable highlight of any Egypt trip.

To beat the crowds , get here around 7:30am and enter through the main Pyramid of Khufu site entrance (rather than the Sphinx entrance). This means you can have finished exploring the interior tunnels and burial chambers of the Pyramid of Khufu by the time the tour buses start pulling in at 8:15am.

Most visitors limit their site visit to the three pyramids and the Sphinx, but there is plenty more to see on the Giza Plateau. If you can, reserve time to explore the funerary complexes of the eastern cemetery (on the east side of the Pyramid of Khufu). The tombs of 6th dynasty high officials Qar and Idu and the tomb of Meresankh III (who was one of Pharaoh Khafre's wives) are all open to the public.

• Read More: Pyramids of Giza: Attractions, Tips & Tours

Famed for the Valley of the Kings , Karnak Temple , and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, the Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt has a glut of tourist attractions.

This is ancient Thebes, the power base of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and home to more sights than most can see on one visit.

Luxor's east bank is home to the modern city, with its vibrant souq; the two temples of Karnak and Luxor; and the museum. The west bank's lush farmland and barren cliffs are where the vast majority of Luxor's tourist attractions sit, with so many tomb and temple sights that it has been called the biggest open-air museum in the world.

Spend a few days here exploring the colorful wall art of the tombs and gazing in awe at the colossal columns in the temples, and you'll see why Luxor continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists.

The Valley of the Kings is one of Egypt's most visited sites but, if you are willing to get up extra early, you can beat the crowds . All of Luxor's archaeological sites open at 6am, but hardly any visitors (and no large tour operators) take advantage of this.

Kick off your sightseeing with a 6am start at the Valley of the Kings, and you'll get to experience the interiors of Luxor's famed New Kingdom tombs with hardly anyone else (except the handful of other wily early risers) there.

Egypt is defined by the Nile. For many visitors, a multi-day cruise upon this famed waterway that saw the rise of the Pharaonic era is a highlight of their Egypt trip.

Cruising the Nile is also the most relaxing way to see the temples that stud the banks of the river on the route between Luxor and Aswan, plus sunrise and sunset over the date-palm-studded river banks, backed by sand dunes, is one of Egypt's most tranquil vistas.

The two famous sights on a Nile Cruise are the Temple of Kom Ombo and Edfu's Temple of Horus , where all the big cruise boats stop.

If you'd prefer a less crowded and slower experience, though, and don't mind "roughing it" a bit, you can also cruise the Nile by felucca (Egypt's traditional lateen-sailed wooden boats), which also allows you to create your own itinerary.

The vast amount of cruise boat itineraries depart from either Luxor or Aswan, but feluccas can only be chartered for multi-day trips from Aswan.

Egypt's most tranquil town is Aswan, set upon the winding curves of the Nile. Backed by orange-hued dunes, this is the perfect place to stop and unwind for a few days and soak up the chilled-out atmosphere.

Take the river ferry across to Elephantine Island and stroll the colorful streets of the Nubian villages. Then ride a camel to the desert monastery of St. Simeon on Aswan's east bank. Afterwards, relax in one of the riverboat restaurants while watching the lateen-sailed feluccas drift past.

Make sure to jump aboard a felucca at sunset to sail around Aswan's islands. This is by far, Aswan's most popular activity and the most relaxing way to take in the local sights.

There are plenty of historic sites here and numerous temples nearby, including Philae Temple on its island, but one of Aswan's most popular things to do is simply kicking back and watching the river life go by.

Even in a country festooned with temples, Abu Simbel is something special. This is Ramses II's great temple, adorned with colossal statuary standing guard outside, and with an interior sumptuously decorated with wall paintings.

Justly famous for its megalithic proportions, Abu Simbel is also known for the incredible engineering feat carried out by UNESCO in the 1960s, which saw the entire temple moved from its original setting to save it from disappearing under the rising water of the Aswan Dam.

Today, exploring Abu Simbel is just as much about admiring the triumph of this international effort to save the temple complex as it is about gaping in wonder at Ramses II's awe-inspiring building works, itself.

Most people arrive in Abu Simbel on organized day trips from Aswan, which all have an early morning start to get to the temple complex at 8am or 9am.

After 11am, nearly everyone has cleared out and headed back to Aswan. To wander through Ramses II's colossal monument without the crowds, overnight in Abu Simbel village itself and visit the temples after midday.

Below the Red Sea's surface is another world as fascinating as the temples and tombs on land.

The coral reefs of the Red Sea are renowned among scuba divers for both the soft corals on display and the vast amount of sea life, ranging from colorful reef fish and nudibranchs to sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, and even dugongs.

For divers, the most famous town to base yourself in is Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, closest to the reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, as well as the reefs of the Straits of Tiran.

To dive the sites of the Straits of Gubal head to Hurghada or El Gouna on the Red Sea coast, while advanced divers should check out the resort of Marsa Alam, the nearest base for diving Egypt's "deep south" dive sites.

As well as fish life and coral, the Red Sea is a major wreck-diving destination. The most famous wreck is the Thistlegorm, a British WWII cargo ship that was on its way to resupply Allied troops when it was bombed by the Germans in 1941.

Today the site is regarded by divers as one of the top five wreck dives in the world due to the vast cargo of cars, motorbikes, and WWII memorabilia that can be seen both scattered on the sea bed around the wreck and inside the ship itself.

Dive boat trips to the wreck are organized from both Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

The Red Sea offers year-round diving but for the calmest sea conditions and best underwater visibility, July and August are the best months . This is high summer in Egypt though with its accompanying sweltering on-land temperatures. If your Egypt trip doesn't solely revolve around diving, it's still best to avoid these months.

Read More: Diving in the Red Sea: Best Dive Sites

The atmospheric, narrow lanes of the capital's Historic Cairo district are crammed full of mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools of learning), and monuments dating from the Fatimid through to the Mameluke eras.

This is where you'll find the labyrinth shopping souq of Khan el-Khalili, where coppersmiths and artisans still have their tiny workshops, and stalls are laden with ceramics, textiles, spice, and perfume.

Surrounding the market is a muddle of roads, home to some of the most beautiful preserved architecture of the old Islamic empires.

There is a wealth of history here to explore. Visit Al-Azhar Mosque and the dazzling Sultan Hassan Mosque , and make sure to climb up to the roof of the ancient medieval gate of Bab Zuweila for the best minaret-speckled panoramas across the district.

Mornings are the best time to visit this district as the narrow lanes are at their quietest. If you're planning to visit the area's mosques though, avoid visiting on Fridays (the Muslim holy day) . If you want to enter mosques as a tourist, dress conservatively (covering arms and legs) and bring along a scarf to throw over your head if you're female.

Keen shoppers should head to Khan el-Khalili in the evening: the shops here are all open until late and the souq is at its most vibrant after dark.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Cairo & Easy Day Trips

Egypt's South Sinai region, on the Sinai Peninsula, offers a beach for every type of traveler.

Sharm el-Sheikh is a European-style resort town packed full of luxury hotels, international restaurants, and bags of entertainment options. A favorite with Europeans on winter-sun vacations, many of the resorts here cater to families on one- or two-week sun-and-sand breaks.

Dahab is a low-key beach town with a budget-traveler heart, which is just as much about desert excursions and adventures as the sea. It's particularly known for its cheap dive-package deals and for its lagoon beach area where windsurfing and kitesurfing are the top activity.

Up the coast, between the port town of Nuweiba and the border town of Taba are the bamboo hut retreats that offer complete get-away-from-it-all respites from life and back-to-basics beach life.

Everyone's heard of Giza's Pyramids, but they're not the only pyramids Egypt has up its sleeve. Day-tripping distance from Cairo , Saqqara is a vast necropolis of tombs and pyramids that was utilized during every era of Pharaonic rule.

It's best known for its Old Kingdom Step Pyramid, which shows how the architects of Ancient Egypt advanced their engineering knowledge to finally create a true pyramid shape.

There's much more to see beyond the Step Pyramid, though, with some of the surrounding tombs, such as the Mastaba of Ti, showcasing some of the finest tomb paintings you'll see in the country.

Nearby, the pyramid site of Dahshur is home to the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid, which should be included on any Saqqara visit.

• Read More: Exploring Saqqara: A Visitor's Guide

A treasure trove of the Pharaonic world, Cairo's Egyptian Museum is one of the world's great museum collections . The faded pink mansion in downtown Cairo is home to a dazzling amount of exhibits.

The museum's exhibits cover the breadth of the Pharaonic era with highlights including its artifacts from pre-dynastic Egypt, the Old Kingdom galleries displaying the fine statuary from Egypt's period of pyramid builders, and the displays of glittering funerary goods unearthed from the country's most famous tomb finds.

Make sure to reserve enough time at the museum to fully view the galleries devoted to the grave goods of Yuya and Thuya and the royal tombs of Tanis (both upstairs).

Until Giza's much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opens, the Egyptian Museum is also where you come to see a selection of the riches from Tutankhamen's Valley of the Kings tomb. When the GEM finally does open, these will be moved there (and the entire Tutankhamen collection will be displayed in full for the first time).

Everything else though in the Egyptian Museum's collection will be staying in place.

Egypt's kookiest natural wonder is White Desert National Park, out in the Western Desert, just south of Bahariya Oasis. Here, surreally shaped chalk pinnacles and huge boulders loom over the desert plateau, creating a scene that looks like icebergs have found themselves stranded amid a landscape of sand.

This highly scenic environment looks like something out of a science fiction movie and is a favorite destination for 4WD desert trips and overnight camping , which are both easiest organized in Bahariya Oasis.

For desert fans and adventurers, this is the ultimate weird playground, while anybody who's had their fill of temples and tombs will enjoy this spectacular natural scenery.

Alexandria has a history that not many others can match.

Founded by Alexander the Great, home of Cleopatra, and razzmatazz renegade city of the Mediterranean for much of its life, this seafront city has an appealing days-gone-by atmosphere that can't be beaten.

Although today, there are few historic remnants of its illustrious past left to see, Alexandria's long seafront Corniche road leading to its fort (sitting on the site where its famous ancient lighthouse once sat) remains a favorite summer destination to capture cooling sea breezes for Egyptians and foreign visitors alike.

Underwater archaeological projects here have imbued Alexandria's museums with interesting exhibits. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a contemporary interpretation of Alexandria's famed ancient library, and the handful of historic sights in town include an atmospheric catacombs site.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Alexandria

The Temple of Osiris in Abydos is one of Ancient Egypt's most fascinating artistic treasures.

The temple, begun by Seti I, sits amid a vast necropolis site where archaeological excavations are ongoing. There a various other temple remnants to see here but for most visitors, the Temple of Osiris is the main reason to visit.

Its hypostyle halls, graced by papyrus-headed columns, contain some of the finest relief-work in Egypt, with various scenes portraying the pharaoh and the gods of Ancient Egypt.

As the temple lies north of Luxor, it isn't on the main Nile cruise ship route, so it receives much fewer visitors than the temple sites in Luxor itself and the Nile-side temples to the south. This means you are often lucky enough to wander through the temple's halls with only a few other visitors on site.

• Read More: Exploring The Temples of Abydos: A Visitor's Guide

Sitting in isolation, in the western corner of the Western Desert, Siwa is the tranquil tonic to the hustle of Egypt's cities. This gorgeous little oasis, surrounded by date palm plantations and numerous hot-water springs, is one of the Western Desert's most picturesque spots.

Siwa town is centered around the ruins of a vast mud-brick citadel, known as the Fortress of Shali, which dominates the view, while various temple remnants, including the Temple of the Oracle where Alexander the Great is said to have come to receive advice, are scattered throughout the wider oasis area.

This is a top spot to wind down and go slow for a few days, as well as being an excellent base from which to plan adventures into the surrounding desert.

One of the oldest monasteries in the world, St. Catherine's stands at the foot of Mount Sinai, amid the desert mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

This desert monastery is home to an incredible collection of religious iconography, art, and manuscripts (some of which can be seen in the on-site museum), as well as the burning bush.

For most visitors here, a trip to St. Catherine's also involves a hike up Mount Sinai to see sunrise or sunset. Take the camel path for the easy route, or climb the famous Steps of Repentance if you want better views.

Egypt's Red Sea coastline offers swaths of sand for travelers who want a time-out from temple viewing.

During winter, the resorts scattered along the shore surrounding Hurghada jump into life as European families arrive on package tourism breaks.

The big bonus of choosing a resort on the Red Sea coast over one on the Sinai Peninsula is that you are within day-tripping distance to Luxor, so this is the best place to visit for beach life if you still want to easily see some of Egypt's most famous monuments.

Hurghada and El Gouna are the two main resort towns, while the smaller, and still being-developed, town of Marsa Alam is much farther south.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Red Sea Region

The Cairo district known as Coptic Cairo is one of the most important Christian sites in the country.

Originally the Fortress of Babylon, dating back to the Achaemenid Empire's conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE, this district is home to Cairo's oldest surviving church, synagogue, and mosque, as well as the excellent Coptic Museum, which holds the world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art and antiquities.

A section of the Fortress of Babylon's walls, which were repaired and expanded under Roman rule, are also still standing and are the entrance into the district.

Make sure to visit the Hanging Church, which holds a fine collection of icons and was built half over the Roman-era water wheel (hence the church's name). Then thread your way down the narrow alley to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus which, according to local tradition, was built atop the site where the Holy Family with the infant Jesus lived in refuge after fleeing King Herod.

Nearby, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is famous for being the site where the Geniza documents cache were discovered.

A short walk away is the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al As, built by the Arab Muslim army commander (and later, first governor of Egypt) after conquering Egypt.

Wadi Al-Hitan is in the Fayoum area, a lush and fertile depression fed by ancient canals and surrounded by desert.

The Fayoum itself, with Lake Quran, the pottery village of Tunis, and Pharaonic ruins scattered across the hinterland, is an interesting place to visit, but the main tourist attraction here, in the nearby desert, is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wadi Al-Hitan.

Amid the orange dunes and jagged rocks of this desert valley, a vast fossil cache of the oldest prehistoric whales (the basilosaurus and dorodontus) were discovered, hugely aiding human understanding of the evolution of whales.

Some of the finds have been kept in situ, with walking tracks radiating out from the visitor's center to skeleton sites sitting amid the sand.

In the visitor center itself, a museum dedicated to the site does an excellent job of explaining Wadi Al-Hitan's importance, and displays many of the site's other finds, including a skeleton of a basilosaurus whale that measures 18 meters long.

The Temple of Hathor at Dendara was built in the late Pharaonic era and extended during the Roman period, though Dendara itself was an important cult center from early on in the period of Ancient Egypt.

A trip here is well worth a day trip from Luxor, as the temple's youth (in comparison to other Pharaonic temples) means that it is one of the most complete surviving temples in Egypt.

The reliefs and decoration here are in an excellently preserved state. In particular, while in the hypostyle hall, which was built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius, note the columns topped by heads of the Egyptian god Hathor, and the wall reliefs of the emperor paying tribute to the Egyptian gods.

Dendara is just outside the city of Qena, 80 kilometers north from Luxor.

Secreted within the jagged northern mountains of the Red Sea coast, the Monastery of St. Anthony has been a working monastery since the 4th century, and today is still home to around 120 monks.

The Church of St. Anthony, within the fortress-like compound, has an interior of secco wall paintings that are considered one of the most important collections of Egyptian Coptic art in the world and date from around the 11th and 12th centuries. The church is also home to the tomb of St. Anthony (the father of monasticism) and is a major pilgrimage destination for Egyptian Coptic Christians.

Monks run tours of the monastery that include visiting the church and some of the monastery's gardens, as well as allowing you to head up and walk on top of the monastery's walls.

St. Anthony's Monastery is very isolated. If you don't have your own transport, the easiest way to get here is to hire a driver from Cairo or Hurghada.

More on Egypt

Egypt Travel Tips: 24 Essential Things You Should Know Before You Visit Egypt (2024)

Travelling to Egypt? This Egypt travel tips guide will give you a detailed rundown of absolutely everything you should know before visiting Egypt. Including what to wear, tipping culture, scams, and loads of other useful hacks.

Egypt is awesome. Seeing its magnificent monuments and the mighty Nile will no doubt leave a lasting impression on you.

If you’re reading this, then there’s are good chance you have either booked your flights to Egypt  or you’re seriously considering going. Either way, that’s great! You’ve come to the right place and are in good hands.

You won’t regret deciding to travel to Egypt. I know  you will have a fabulous time.

How do I know that? Because you’re here reading this article!

You’re doing the right thing by researching and arming yourself with information. This is guide covers literally everything you need to know before visiting Egypt.

This is a very honest (and sometimes brutally honest)  guide. No sugar-coating. My intention is not to be a Debbie Downer. I simply want to prepare you, so you will have a wonderful time because there won’t be any nasty surprises.

You won’t find a more comprehensive guide out there on how to prepare for and what to expect in Egypt. I’ve literally poured all my knowledge (and then some!) into this guide because just like you, I was both excited about going to Egypt but also very anxious and probably a bit paranoid too.

With that in mind, here’s everything we’ll cover. Plus a bonus tip at the end you won’t want to miss!

Looking for something in particular? Use this table of contents below to jump around using the links.

Table of Contents

Why you should go to egypt, is it safe to travel to egypt.

• Is Egypt Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
• Survival Arabic Language Guide

When Should You Go to Egypt?

What is the safest way to travel around egypt.

• Food and Upset Stomachs
• Heat and Hydration
• Vaccinations
• Haggling and Bargaining
• Nothing is free
• Cairo Airport
• Crossing the road
• Photography
• Camel Rides
• School Children
• Mosques and Religious Sites
• Fridays and Saturdays
• BONUS TIP: Fake Papyrus Scam

Karnak Temple

There’s so much to love about Egypt and nothing comes close to experiencing it in in person and not through a TV screen. The history, the temples, the smells, the heat, the sand, the Nile and the moment when your eyes finally gaze up at the Pyramids of Giza. All along the Nile you can trace the Ancient Egyptians through history as you visit their impressive and carefully decorated temples and tombs. Learning about the Ancient Egyptians, how they lived, their beliefs, inventions, and actually seeing their creations is something that will stay with you forever. Egypt is simply a marvel that should be experienced by everyone.

Yes! It’s much safer than the media may lead you to believe. Which is probably why you’re here reading about this Egypt travel tips guide

As an Aussie, I always check the Australian Smart Traveller site for travel warnings. This is the equivalent of the travel warning list by the U.S Department of State for American citizens.

While Egypt is currently listed with a Level 2 travel warning (go to page 4 ) (True as of August 19, 2018), it’s important to remember that governments will always err on the side of caution.

There are four levels used. Where Level 1 means ‘exercise normal precautions’ and Level 4 means ‘do not travel’.

As you can see, this particular warning doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel. It just means that certain areas are better off being avoided and you just need to be more cautious when visiting them. That’s up to you to decide what you’re most comfortable with.

As of August 2018, the areas of Egypt which are flagged as dangerous are:

• The Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) due to terrorism.
• The Western Desert due to terrorism.
• Egyptian border areas due to military zones.

The site goes on to suggest ways in which you can reduce any risk:

• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance ( get a free quote here ) that includes medical evacuation.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Egypt.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

There are other ways you can ensure your safety and help you to feel more confident with your decision to travel to Egypt. This is covered in a later section.

Because of all the negative attention Egypt has received, tourism has fallen drastically which is great for us travellers but not so great for the locals who depend on the tourist dollar.

With fewer visitors, there are also fewer scammers and smaller crowds at famous attractions. So, there is a silver lining.

On a more personal note, I felt safe during my entire Egypt trip which started in Cairo and went all the way down the Nile to Abu Simbel near the Sudan border.

If I can offer any addition peace of mind, it’s that tourist attractions are generally the safest areas to be in in Egypt as they are heavily guarded.

In addition to this, the locals who I met in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, souks and the Telecom store where I bought my local SIM card, were all very helpful, kind, and friendly.

Is Egypt safe for solo female travellers?

Admiring the Pyramids

Yes! While Egypt is safe, as a female, you will feel a little bit uncomfortable. This feeling will come mainly in open public places such as walking down the street and in souks.

It’s in these places that you will find men loitering, either by themselves or with a couple of other men. I can only describe this as people watching as most of the time they are sitting on plastic chairs and watching the world go by, including us.

If you’re female, you will receive a lot of looks. In my experience they were harmless. If anything, it just made me feel a bit self-conscious.

Sometimes these men will try to start talking with you or guess where you’re from (they’re very good at getting this right, by the way). Somehow they can tell an Australian from an American just by looking or listening to us speak. Very clever cookies.

It’s at this point, you should do what a local Egyptian man told to me, and that is, to ignore them. Don’t even look at them. This will be enough to discourage them. It might seem like you’re being rude, but ultimately it will protect you.

I was told that the seemingly harmless conversations that start with something like guessing where you’re from, will eventually lead into being invited into their home, shop or restaurant, where they will offer you tea (a traditional welcoming custom), then after some more small talk, they will present you with something and insist you buy it. If you decline, they will get angry.

Okay, so I just painted a terrible picture, but it’s important to be aware of these things. I experienced this first-hand and didn’t know what had happened until my local guide told me that it’s a very common ploy.

Not all men are like this by the way. Just some that give the rest a bad name.

Let’s move on, shall we?

Survival Arabic Travel Phrase Language Guide

Knowing some Arabic ahead of travelling to Egypt is such a game changer. When you can show that you speak a bit of the Arabic language   and can recognise certain keywords, this will give you an extra layer of protection, especially when it comes to dealing with money.

Not only will you feel more in control, but locals will appreciate and respect your efforts to learn their language.

Here are 13 useful Egyptian Arabic words and phrases you should learn and use:

• Hello – salam / marhaban / ahlan
• Peace be with you – As-salāmu alaykum – Even though this literally means ‘peace be with you’, it is a commonly used greeting. The response would be Alaikum Salaam, meaning ‘upon you be peace’.
• Thank you – shukran
• Please – min fadlak (if you’re a male), min fadlik (if you’re a female)
• Y ou’re welcome – Afwan
• Yes – aywa, No – lā, Ok – Mashi
• How much is this? – bi-kam da. You can say, I’ll pay 100 – Enna hafda meeya. Incidentally, if you say ‘meeya meeya’ (’100, 100′) this means ‘perfect’ or ‘really good’.
• It costs too much – Da ghali awi
• I would like… – momkin
• I want – Enna iza (if you’re a female) or Enna ayez (if you’re a male). To negative the sentence, add ‘mish’. For example, ana mish iza/ayez (I don’t want)
• I don’t understand – ana mish fahem
• Go away – Em’shee
• Pyramid – Haram. Most Egyptians don’t understand the word “Pyramids”, so make sure you learn the Arabic word for them, especially if you’re taking a taxi there. Haram also means. The strict translation of the Arabic word ‘harim’ means (a prohibited place) and is from the verbal root ‘harama’ (prohibited), designated as ‘haram’ (a pyramid). ( Source )

For more Arabic phrases, get my free Arabic travel phrases guide here. 

Between June and August, the temperature in Egypt is unbearable. While you may have the luxury of quiet tourist attractions and more hotel options, to be honest, in that heat you won’t want to do anything but relax in a pool somewhere.

The best time to visit Egypt is in Spring. The weather is pleasant and the major attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza, Aswan, and Luxor are still fairly quiet.

You’ll also benefit from cheaper hotel prices, especially if travelling either side of the high season which is December to February.

Avoid traveling during Ramadan.

Cruising down the Nile at sunset

This is probably my top tip in this guide. It’s not Earth shattering, but it made all the difference to me and was the only way I could see myself travelling around Egypt and finally fulfil my childhood dream.

Go on an organised group tour!

To simplify and avoid overthinking everything, I knew that I had to travel with an organised group tour. That way I would have a local guide with me, I wouldn’t have to worry about transportation and other logistics and I could just concentrate on having a good time.

Choosing Topdeck to go to Egypt with was a no brainer, for two reasons. I’d already travelled with them before around Outback Australia and really rated my experience with them. The accommodation, transportation, guide and organisation was all spot on. Plus, I met some wonderful people that I’m still friends with.

The second reason (which might sound a bit silly) was that they are an Australian company, which I knew would put my dad’s mind at ease. I knew he would be super worried about me going. Even me living in London makes him worry!

By the way, remember that Egyptian guy I mentioned earlier who warned me about talking to strangers? That was our Topdeck tour manager, Ramzy. Top bloke!

Ramzy gave a bunch of useful tips, a language guide (on behalf of Topdeck), and was basically a kind of bodyboard who protected us from negative experiences and scared off a few scammers. This made all the difference. If you’re curious, I went on the Egypt Express tour . Book your Egypt tour here.

Now, let’s get into the niggity gritty of the everyday realities of travelling in Egypt.

Top 24 Egypt Travel Tips You Should Know Before You Visit Egypt

The tap water in Egypt is heavily chlorinated and tastes terrible. It’s okay for brushing your teeth with, but don’t drink it. Especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Buy bottled water. It’s easy to get and only costs 5 EGP (0.28 USD) for a 1-litre bottle.

2. Food and Upset Stomach

You’re in a foreign place with foreign food, diarrhoea will happen. To help prevent this, again, buy bottled water and check the seal isn’t broken. Avoid eating salads, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and meat that isn’t thoroughly cooked. Don’t buy food from street vendors that don’t have running water. If you want an ice-cream, check that it hasn’t melted and been refrozen. If you do get an upset stomach, take diarrhoea relief tablets  and drink plenty of purified water  with fresh lime.

3. Heat and Hydration

Looking up at the Great Pyramid of Giza

Egypt gets hot, obviously. You’re in the desert! Dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion are common, especially in Upper Egypt. As your sweat evaporates you may not realise how dehydrated you are.

If you’re travelling outside of winter, then I highly recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibre. Keep up your fluids up by carrying around this travel bottle  and add a bit of extra salt to your food to replace salts lost in sweat. Pack electrolyte tablets to take just in case you feel unwell.

If you need further medical assistance, Egyptian pharmacists generally speak English and can be trusted to provide sound advice and help you find a doctor if needed.

4. Vaccinations

Officially, visitors to Egypt do not require any vaccinations unless you’re coming from an infected area. However, there are some vaccinations you should get or have topped up as a precaution.

Check with yourr GP what they recommend. Beyond ensuring your tetanus and polio is up to date, other common recommendations include getting vaccinations against typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, and rabies. Rabies is a problem throughout Egypt, so avoid touching stray animals such as cats, dogs, monkeys, and bats.

Money and Valuables

5. currency.

Remember the difference between 50 Piastres (top) and 50 Egyptian Pounds (bottom)

The unit of currency used in Egypt is the Egyptian pound, written £E or LE. The Egyptian pound is divided into piastres (pt). My top tip is to recognise the difference between the 50 pt against the 50 Egyptian Pound notes since they are very different in value.

Make sure that if you’re given change or are paying for something, that you’re not duped into thinking that 50 piastres (or cents) is the 50 Egyptian pounds note. This is a common scam that is used on unsuspecting tourists. When I found out about this, I made sure I kept both denominations on me so I could tell them apart. Compare the difference of the 50 pt and 50 LE in the photo above.

Another word to add your vocab is ‘baksheesh’, which means ‘tip’. You’ll hear this one a lot and it will be expected for anything and everything. Tipping locals for their services is expected and a way of life in Egypt.

Many Egyptians are paid such low salaries that receiving tips is an important part of their income. But rest assured you won’t have to fork out much.

In restaurants, it’s normal to round up the bill or give 10 per cent directly to the waiter. Smaller tips (0.25 piastres to 1 EGP) are given to the likes of lavatory attendants, porters, and anyone willing to bend the rules a bit like letting you enter a site after hours or taking a photo in a restricted area.

While the rules are often bent in Egypt, authorities are cracking down on certain things (like being able to take a photo inside King Tuts tomb) with hefty fines. Don’t risk offering money just to get your way.

7. Haggling and Bargaining

One of the best things to do in Egypt is to visit a souk market. When browsing comes to buying and you ask, bi-kam da? (How much is it?) be prepared to bargain hard or walk away. As a general rule, offer one third of the asking price and expect to pay half.

8. Nothing is free

Taking a sneaky photo at Karnak Temple without being spotted

Want to take a photo of a camel at the Pyramids? If the owner catches you look, he will probably demand to be paid.

I learned this lesson the hard way. I was at least 20 metres away when I was spotted taking a photo of a camel resting. It’s up to you if you choose to offer the owner something and if you feel like you’ve done something wrong.

A similar incident happened when I was at Philae Temple. Three men were talking amongst themselves and with the temple behind them I thought it would make a great shot. With at least 50 metres between us , I took the shot. They spotted me and came over and offered to have a group photo. By this point I knew the drill and was happy to give them a little baksheesh.

9. Belongings

It goes without saying that you should always keep your valuables with you. Decide on whether or not you feel comfortable  leaving your passport, laptop or iPad in the hotel room safe or if you’re better off keeping it on you. Using a PacSafe is a great option if you want to leave stuff in your room and there is no safe available.

If you go on a tour, don’t leave anything valuable on the bus, even if the driver is around. They can’t be responsible if something happens.

What to Wear

10. clothing.

Khan el-Khalili market in Cairo

Egypt is dusty, sandy, and dirty. Your clothes will dirty easily and you’ll be washing your hair most nights. Be prepared to rinse out your clothes each night ( this will do the trick ) or pack extra items to wear.

So, what should you wear? As a general rule, wear loose-fitting clothes that are made of breathable material.

Ladies, it’s a bit more complicated for us. While Egypt is one of the more liberal Islamic countries, it has become more conservative in recent years with many women wearing a hijab or headscarf. Female tourists aren’t obligated to wear these but you may feel more at ease doing so, especially in mosques.

As a general rule, avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.

At this point you’re probably looking at my photos wondering why I didn’t cover up my legs, and you’re right! I did pack longer dresses, but when Ramzy told the group that it’s ok to wear shorts and normal summer attire when visiting monuments such as the Pyramids and the temples along the Nile, I felt comfortable in taking his advice.

The only exception he made was when visiting mosques, markets or souks. Which is why you’ll see me wearing long pants in the photo above in Khan el-Khalili souk in Cairo.

If you’re a female travelling alone, place ring on your wedding finger, this will show respectability.

11. Footwear

However hot and tempting it maybe to wear flip flops, with all the dirt, sand and grime present, I recommend wearing closed toe shoes.

You’re going to be doing a lot of walking in some pretty unclean areas and the last thing you want is having dirty feet all day.

Getting Around and Transportation

You need a visa! For Americans and Aussies, and a few other countries, you can either apply in advance for an Egypt e-Visa , or queue at the border for a visa on arrival.

For most travellers, the visa will cost roughly $USD25 (single entry, valid for 30 days) or $USD35 (multi-entry). Since I travelled with Topdeck, they organised my visa once I arrived. All I had to do was bring American Dollars to pay for it. Only American Dollars or Egyptian Pounds are accepted. In addition to your visa, ensure your passport is valid six months beyond your planned date of entry.

Taxis are cheap and easy to use. Simply go to a main street and wave your hand, that’s it. They even have Uber if you prefer!  Just be sure he follows the GPS.

Before jumping in the taxi, agree on the price beforehand and stick to it. Not matter what reason they come up with. For getting around Cairo, you can expect to pay 50 to 80 EGP. (2.70 – 4.50 USD).

If you’re staying in Downtown Cairo, getting to the Pyramids should only take 30 minutes, but Cairo has very busy roads so it can take 60-90 minutes.

There are three kinds of taxis in Cairo: Black Taxis, Yellow Taxis and White Taxis. Black taxis are the oldest ones. Most are without a meter and without air-conditioning. White taxis are the modern equivalent of black taxi. They have a meter and air-conditioning. Yellow taxis are professionally run and can be booked over the phone but are the most expensive. I recommend getting a white taxi and bargaining hard.

14. Air travel

With raised safety concerns in Egypt, some airlines like British Airways are becoming more strict with what you can take in your carry-on luggage or even in your checked luggage.

I flew both ways with British Airways but they only had an issue when returning to the UK. They had very strict guidelines on what size lithium batteries were allowed on board.

A bunch of us were fuming when we were forced to leave behind expensive powerbanks which we weren’t reimbursed for or given alternatively means of keeping them. To give you an idea, this is the one I had to part with. *sniff*.

Air France, who were also flying that day but didn’t have this rule. Check with your airline ahead of travelling so you’re not caught out and left out of pocket.

15. Cairo Airport

Cairo Airport is unlike any airport you’ve experienced. Upon arrival, everything seems pretty standard until after you go through passport control.

Once you pick up your luggage and head to the exit, there will probably be a massive long queue that wraps around the luggage collection hall. Guarding the exit is one or two men who will look you up and down and decide if they want to check your luggage.

Since we were with a Topdeck escort who came to help us get a visa and take us to the hotel, he was on familiar terms with the airport staff and was able to get us through quickly.

Once we got through to the other side, our escort disappeared briefly to hand back a permit he was given in order to come and meet us inside. This is just another reason why travelling with an organised tour is great.

If, at the end of your trip you leave via Cairo Airport, be prepared for three separate security checks; one as soon as you enter the airport at the entrance, one at customs, then another at the gate. The first one is where they’ll flag any illegal objects like my poor powerbank .

16. Crossing the road

Crossing the road in Cairo is a skill. If you’ve ever been to Rome  and stared down a driver then confidently walked out into a busy street, then you’re well-prepared for Cairo.

If locals see you struggling to cross, they will either let you join their own crossing convoy or come and assist you.

If you’re still too nervous to go it alone, you have some other options for crossing the road:

• Wait for a lull in the traffic before crossing (this may take a while).
• If possible, cross where there is only 1 or 2 lanes of traffic. Don’t stop in the middle of the road between the two lanes either. Cars will drive dangerously close to you while you wait for the other lane to have an opening.
• Ask someone to join them as they cross. If they can’t understand English, simply smile and indicate to the other side of the road.
• Find a policeman to help you, there are plenty around.

17. Driving

Whilst driving from Cairo to Luxor during the night, I noticed that many drivers didn’t have their headlights on. This is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about. Egyptians believe they see better this way.

When a car is approaching, they’ll flash their lights to let them know they’re there. Some drivers may keep their fog lights on. If you’re wondering, our Topdeck driver kept his headlights on.

Cultural Tips and Other Useful Tips

18. photography.

You will have to pay a small fee to take your camera inside the Pyramids Complex

Want to take your camera with you? Be prepared to pay for it!

Whether you want to take photos or film video, every monument, temple, tomb and museum you visit will charge a small fee just to take it inside. Expect to pay anything from 50 to 100 EGP (2.70 – 5.60 USD).

I was even charged extra when guards are Philae temple saw my tripod. At first they wouldn’t let me take it at all then they came around when I said I wouldn’t use it so they charged me for another camera ticket.

Once inside, flash photography is generally forbidden and should be strictly followed.

19. Camel Rides

Camel and horse rides at the Pyramids of Giza

Going on a camel ride and taking a photo with the pyramids behind you is one of the most desired tourist souvenirs from a trip to Egypt.

If you know that going on a camel ride around the pyramids is something you definitely want to do, you may (and I hope), reconsider once you arrive and see how malnourished and badly treated the camels, and horses for that matter, are.

Egypt is a third-world country and many citizens are living in a state of desperation. As such, the men who run these camel rides prioritise feeding their families over feeding their camels. While they may have their priorities right, I can’t bring myself to support them. This has only become worse since tourism has declined.

If you do choose to take a camel ride, make sure you’re not hassled into paying more than the fair price. In order to crack down on scamming tourist signs have now been put up showing set prices for camel rides which are 50 Egyptian Pounds for 30 minutes.

Make sure you check out my guide on everything you need to know about visiting the Pyramids.

20. Toilets

Public toilets in Egypt are not the best, and that’s putting it lightly.

A trip to the loo will set you back 1 or 2 EGP and give you access to either a squat or western toilet. They generally don’t have toilet paper, are dirty, and the tap water may not be running. Bring your own toilet paper ( these flushable wipes are great ), hand sanitizer, and wipe down the seat if you must sit or get one of these.

There will usually be a hose next to the toilet, but the water will only be turned on if you pay a baksheesh.

Toilets in restaurants and hotels are usually staffed by an attendant who will give you toilet paper and turn on the tap for you. Giving a baksheesh of 25 – 50 piastres is standard.

21. School Children

You might feel famous when travelling around Egypt. At least that’s how the students in large school groups will make you think,

On countless occasions, at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Pyramids, and Karnak Temple, young kids would run up to us asking for selfies or yell out and wave as our group walked passed. They were so excited and interested in us.

When I asked Ramzy why, he said that we are sort of celebrities to them. They watch people like us on TV who have very different lives from their own so they get excited when they see us in their country.

It’s actually very sweet. However, if you say yes to one, they’ll all come running. It’s best to politely decline from the start.

22. Mosques and Religious Sites

A beautiful Mosque on the Nile

Dressing modestly is a must when visiting mosques. Some places may ask women to cover their hair and will provide you with a headscarf. Before entering you will be required to remove your shoes and leave them with a shoe custodian (give him a baksheesh).

If you want to climb the minaret (tower), carry your shoes with the soles pressed together. It’s best to avoid visiting mosques during prayer times as to not intrude on worshippers.

23. Smoking

Everywhere you go, everyone will be smoking. Whether it’s a cigarette or shisha water-pipe, if you’re a non-smoker it can get really annoying.

Smokers are allowed to light up pretty much anywhere. The only exception is in fast-food restaurants thanks to an initiative by the environment ministry.

Restaurants have non-smoking tables, but these are almost pointless since they are surrounded by smoking tables. If you’re outside, try and stay upwind and always ask for a non-smoking room in your hotel.

24. Fridays and Saturdays

As in most Arab countries, their weekend falls on a Friday and Saturday. This means tourist attractions are much more busy on these days than the rest of the week.

I strongly recommend not visiting the Pyramids, Cairo Tower or the Egyptian Museum in Cairo on either of these days. The queues will be torture.

25. BONUS TIP: Fake Papyrus Scam

Lady writing my name in hieroglyphics on real papyrus

The Ancient Egyptians were one of the first to master the production of paper, known as papyrus. One of the nicest souvenirs you can get after a trip to Egypt is a papyrus print. But, there is a very common scam take catches out many tourists. Fake papyrus!

In many markets and other street vendors will sell fake papyrus that is actually made from banana leaf, not the papyrus plant. These will be cheaper than the real thing.

So, how do you spot a fake papyrus? Easy! First, notice how these vendors show or display their “papyrus”, it’s stiff, like cardboard and will tear when rolled which is why they’ll never roll it. Real papyrus is strong, flexible and durable and can be rolled up. Second, hold the papyrus up to the light, you should be able to see vertical and horizontal strips that make up the papyrus sheet, within these strips you should see little dark fibres or flecks. This is a good sign!

I hope this guide has helped you feel more prepared for your trip to Egypt. Remember, every country has its quirks. If things were the same as home, you wouldn’t be visiting.

I would go back to Egypt in a heartbeat. Everything I saw blew me away. It’s such an incredible country with a wonderful history. The locals are welcoming and it’s very cheap to travel to.

If you still have any questions or concerns, please reach out and leave a comment below. I’d be happy to help where I can. If not, then I wish you a wonderful trip! Support this blog and book your Egypt tour here.

Shukran for reading! ;)

Take a day trip from Cairo

• Alexandria Day Tour: See the city built by Alexander the Great
• Private Full-Day Tour of Historical Alexandria from Cairo
• Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara & Memphis: Private Tour with Lunch
• Pyramids, Museum & Bazaar Private Tour with Entrance & Lunch
• Cairo: Dinner Cruise on the Nile River with Entertainment
• Cairo: Egyptian Museum 4-Hour Private Tour with Transfer
• Cairo: 1 or 2-Hour Felucca Ride on the Nile with Transfers
• Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili Bazaar: Private Half-Day Tour
• Cairo: Best Kept Secrets Night Tour
• Plus loads more here …

Let me remind you again why Egypt is amazing and watch my Egypt vlog below.

Going to Egypt? Get my free Arabic travel phrase guide.

Like it? Pin it for later

Sources Eyewitness Egypt

Over to you!

Which of these tips did you find the most useful? Is there anything you would add? Tell me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

Italian Tenses: How to Use ALL 15 Verb Tenses in Italian (+ Verb Tenses Chart PDF 📚)

26 best things to do in verona, italy + where to stay, 17 comments.

Thank you so much for all the information.

Looking forward for a trip to Egypt !!

My pleasure! Have a wonderful trip :)

Hi Michele, a lovely and useful article to read! Just wanted to check with you about passport safety: was it with you at all times, or you left it in your hotel room? Also – when entering Egypt have you been questioned about what, if any medication you had with you – as some over the counter meds in Europe or US can be problematic to bring into Egypt? Thank you!

Hi Jo, thank you so much and thank you for your questions. Yes, I always carried my passport on me. In fact, I do this wherever I travel. I would also ensure you have a photocopy in your luggage and a copy saved on your phone or on the cloud as an extra safety measure. When it comes to medication, I would email the airport directly for any questions you have. I was worried when flying from London to NY after I had heard that you can’t take a certain quantity of protein powder in your luggage. I emailed US customs and they said it was ok. I also kept a copy of that email on me and on my phone and was ready to show the customs officers on arrival if I had any issues. This is good practice as the problem with customs is that it’s sometimes open to interpretation and depends on how the officers feel on the day. I hope this helps :) Have a wonderful trip!

Where do you recommend converting US $$ to LE and what volume of notes should I get to handle all the tipping. If at airport, is this best done before the border/customs or after? Thanks!

Hi David, before arriving, I ordered some USD so I would have enough to pay for my visa on arrival and have some money for incidentals. I had heard that they accept both USD and Egyptian Pounds at the airport. The tour company I travelled with had a guide on the ground who helped me through this process and I knew I need 100USD to pay for the visa. The rest of the time I used Egyptian Pounds. There is no tipping culture like the USA, so you can tip if you like but it’s not always necessary.

Hi David, before arriving, I ordered some USD so I would have enough to pay for my visa on arrival and have some money for incidentals. I had heard that they accept both USD and Egyptian Pounds at the airport. The tour company I travelled with had a guide on the ground who helped me through this process and I knew I need 100USD to pay for the visa. The rest of the time I used Egyptian Pounds. There is no tipping culture like the USA, so you can tip if you like but it’s not always necessary.

Hi, I have read and re-read this several times. Thank you. I’m going with a friend to Egypt early March and want to go on organised trips but I’m disabled and can only walk very slowly. In other countries I’ve just let the group go ahead and done my own thing then joined back at the coach. Is this a good idea in Egypt or can I hire an electric mobility scooter while there.

Hi Gabrielle, I’m not 100% sure how this works and it will vary depending on the accessibility of the group tour company. I would reach out to them directly for advice before booking. Best of luck and I hope it works out :)

Hello, thank you for your honesty. I enjoyed reading all of your tips. I am considering going in February from the 19th to the 24th. Do you think this is enough time to see everything you saw?

Hi Caroline, I went on a Top Deck tour, this is the best way to ensure you that we see everything and safely too. I highly recommend it. You can see the tour I did here http://bit.ly/EgyptExpressTour

Great info! Where did you take your photos??? THEY. ARE. FABULOUS.

Thank you SO much, Naomi. I took them during my Top Deck tour around Egypt . I highly recommend it! :)

This has been helpful and has eased my mind about travelling to Egypt. Going in a tour group, can’t wait ! :D

I’m so happy to hear that. You’re very welcome, Jacinda :)

Thank you so much for such a wonderful article, I can’t wait to land egypt.

Thank you so much, Priya :)

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

If you don't know where you are , how do you know where you're going?   Find out how well you know Italian grammar today!

The Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) was established in 1981—by Presidential Decree No. 134—as a regulatory body affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism. ETA’s mission is to boost international tourism by promoting Egypt’s rich history and civilization and highlighting the country’s abundance of diverse tourist attractions. Part of ETA’s mandate is to also address any obstacles that may stand in the way of growth in Egypt’s tourism sector. It also aims to promote domestic tourism, raise tourism awareness throughout the country, and strengthen the connection between Egyptians and their heritage.

ETA works to achieve its objectives by:

• • Highlighting the diversity and variety of Egypt’s tourist attractions and destinations
• • Developing marketing strategies and programs to promote international and domestic tourism
• • Providing technical and marketing support in coordination with relevant entities for the promotion of tourism

ETA also organizes and sponsors tourism, sports, social, cultural, entertainment, and educational events held at tourist attractions, archaeological sites, and museums across Egypt. These activities shed light on Egypt’s diversity of experiences and highlight the country’s competitive edge as a destination for international travelers.

The ETA Board of Directors is chaired by the Minister of Tourism. Its members include the ETA’s CEO and representatives from relevant entities, such as the Chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF), the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, and the Egyptian Hotel Association; the Chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority; the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; the Director General of the Grand Egyptian Museum; and four additional tourism sector experts. The ETA Board of Directors is responsible for setting ETA’s general policies and making the necessary decisions to help achieve its goals and objectives.

Egypt Travel Tips: Ultimate Guide to Visiting Egypt

Last Updated on Sep 7, 2023

Egypt is a land of dreams for travelers looking for a bustling destination with a vibrant culture. For Europeans, Egypt has been a popular spot (among Turkey and Tunisia) to go for a resort getaway with occasional day trips to Luxor and Cairo.

Growing up, I remember seeing many chartered flights to Sharm El Sheik and Hurghada, and everyone and their mother had been to Egypt. It’s no surprise that Egypt has been the first place I traveled to solo after my high school graduation back in 2007, at the age of eighteen.

However, Egypt for Americans has never been a ‘hot spot’, but after my second independent trip to Egypt, I can say that it surely should be! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Egypt and the most useful Egypt travel tips .

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Egypt

Safety in Egypt

First things first: is Egypt safe? Absolutely! When I visited Egypt back in 2008 safety wasn’t the biggest concern. Unfortunately, nowadays most of the Middle East is currently in political or social unrest, but we often forget to see the difference between Egypt and the rest of the Middle East.

Sure, there are some regions which are not safe, but there are also regions where are perfectly fine. Just like in any other country and city. That said, everywhere in Egypt I was told that the only rules for tourists in Egypt are to “enjoy and feel like at home”.

As you may know by now, Egypt is NOT on the travel alert or travel warning list for the U.S Department of State .

Tourist attractions are largely safe and not under any threat. Egyptians are one of the most welcoming people I’ve ever encountered on my travels ( among Iranians !) and they love tourists. Not once I feel in any danger anywhere in the country, people constantly had my back when I looked lost or unsure

I was very saddened to read a lot of other blog posts saying that everyone in Egypt wants your money, as it’s absolutely not my experience. I met locals trying to help me on numerous occasions, asking me if I’m all right, and feeding me good food. Everyone was nothing but nice to me.

Read more on my experience of traveling to Egypt solo .

When to Go to Egypt?

Don’t make my mistake during my first visit by going to Egipt in the summer. In summer, temperatures can get up to 45 degrees Celsius in dusty, so Luxor and Aswan are unbearable.

Remember that nights can be freezing so bring a sweater and a pair of warm socks. Trust me, you can thank me later.

The best time to go to Egypt is surely between October and April. The tourist high season is considered from December to February, so if you come slightly out of season you will also enjoy cheaper hotel prices and fewer crowds. Also, make sure to avoid traveling during Ramadan.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Egypt?

Not much. Egypt is comparatively cheap if you’re coming from a developed nation. For a bed in a dorm, you’ll usually pay about $4, guesthouse would be about $12 per night and a higher standard shouldn’t be more than $150. If you’re backpacking you could get by for $30 a day without any issues.

The most expensive thing I paid for in Egypt was my hot-air balloon flight ($50).

Always carry a lot of coins and small bills. You will have to “tip” many times a day, for all kinds of reasons. While you don’t HAVE TO do this, it’s customary to for instance give some coins to a bathroom lady who hands you a few sheets of toilet paper. 

I was completely fine with tipping here and there, especially after visiting some of the poorest neighborhoods of Cairo and Luxor.

Food in Egypt

I enjoyed the food in Egypt very much. I ate anything from basic kebabs to local vegetables and rice, through the most traditional dish – Koshary. It’s a mix of rice, macaroni, and lentils topped with tomato-vinegar sauce and fried onions.

If you’re staying in local hostels or hotels be prepared that you’ll be served a LOT of food. Quite often for breakfast, I was receiving a few bread rolls, 8 balls of falafel, hummus, omelet, hard boiled eggs, french fried, yogurt and a fresh smoothie. It was impossible to eat it all!

How to Get Around Egypt

Domestic flights in Egypt as affordable and great. You’d be looking at two airlines: EgyptAir and NileAir (I can only personally vouch for EgyptAir and they’re great). For a flight from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, you’ll pay about $50-80 one way and the flight takes about an hour.

If you’re on a strict backpacking budget, you might want to look into Go Bus . Their buses are very comfy, cheap and easy to book on the website or app on your phone.

Sleeper trains are another popular way of traveling, but since my flight to Luxor cost me the same as the sleeping train would have, the choice was obvious.

Boat (Nile Cruise)

There is a cruise on the Nile that starts in all of the touristic cities, and most tourists decide to do it. Many travelers think the Nile Cruise is the only way to get to some places, which isn’t true as the same places can be reached by car or bus.

Keep in mind that it’s not going to be a very local experience hanging out at the pool and eating touristy food on the boat. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I opted for a cheaper version staying in local guesthouses.

Uber & Taxis

In Cairo, you can take Uber anywhere and it’s extremely cheap. For instance, an average taxi trip from Cairo Airport to downtown Cairo should not cost more than 50-60 LE, whilst a journey from Cairo Airport to the Pyramids go for 100-110 LE.

Extra Egypt Travel Tips:

• Traffic jams and driving in Egypt, particularly in Cairo, can be quite intimidating. But don’t be afraid to cross the street.
• Egypt gets extremely hot, particularly during the summer, so stay hydrated. If you want to save on bottled water get a LifeStraw Water Bottle  . You can fill it anywhere even with water from a puddle!
• Always haggle a bit and never say yes to anything without discussing the price first.
• Bring your own toilet paper. The toilets here have a built-in bidet spray nozzle.

Share this:

Anna Karsten is a travel blogger, journalist and psoriasis advocate. She has been traveling the world for the last 15 years - visiting over 100 countries and living on 5 continents. Anna has been featured in The New York Times, The Daily Mail, Forbes and more.

Similar Posts

Photos from Valley of the Kings in Egypt

Last Updated on Mar 22, 2021 Valley of the Kings is perhaps the most interesting monument of Egypt. The valley lies…

Iconic 7-13 Day Egypt Itinerary for First Timers 

All of the best places to visit in Egypt are spread throughout the country, making creating an itinerary to…

Travel to Egypt as a Solo Female – Is It Safe?

Last Updated on Jan 11, 2021 Everything you hear and read online basically says: “You cannot travel to Egypt alone…

Tips for Visiting Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

Last Updated on Nov 15, 2023 As you might expect, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of ancient times…

13 Best Places to Visit in the Middle East for Adventurous Travelers 

The number of people visiting the Middle East has increased significantly over the past couple of years due to…

Things to See & Do in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is the very definition of an archeological treasure with temples and royal tombs that made history and placed…

69 Comments

I went on a tour in Egypt (with Contiki) in 2012 and it was a great way to see the country! I’m usually an independent traveller but by going on a tour I was able to see so many more things more easily.

My boyfriend visited Egypt in 2010 on his own and we both agree that I learned, and saw, a lot more than he did. The attractions have no panels explaining the history so you basically need a guide to understand the significance, and I saw all of the top sights around the country in 8 days because I didn’t have to figure out the connections on my own.

I would definitely recommend doing a tour in Egypt! So worth it!

I totally agree with you – I’ve had similar experience 🙂

I visited Egypt in 1999. I left my film and guide book underneath the colossi of menmon and lost most of my photos. But it was a blast and just staggering at times!

Oh noes – so sorry to hear that 🙁

Egypt looks great – would love to see the pyramids one day!

Hello, Thanks for the awesome roundup.

I’ve used to plan private guided tours in Egypt. I found your post so awesome filled with many useful tips and information for both locals going around and foreigners who want to visit the country. Thanks so much for sharing.

The tips section are sadly very true. I agree with you that you shouldn’t say YES to anything until you negotiate the price. Unfortunately, The ‘Bakshish – Tips’ concept is a sad fact here in Egypt. It’s mainly due to the low paid jobs and minimum wages.

Thanks again for the thoughtful article, I will check more adventures on your blog and will keep following you.

Awesome Job!

I have a 10 year old son who is in a wheelchair and a 8 year old daughter. In April 2017 we flew on Easy Jet from London Gatwick to Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea. Our route was Hurghada to Luxor to Cairo to Aswan to Luxor to Hurghada. We took a coach from Hurghada to Luxor and then travelled by train. It was difficult to buy day time train journeys. We had to take a night train from Cairo to Aswan. The pyramids weren’t suitable for the wheelchair. This caused us a lot of trouble. We stayed safe and mostly enjoyed our trip. While we were in Hurghada 44 people had been killed elsewhere in Egypt. Avoid visiting a Coptic Church.

44 people killed everywhere in Egypt is disturbing to read. But, were they terrorist attacks, random murders, gang related??? Hundreds get killed everywhere but still not scary to visit. Important to know what were these killings related to.

Hi! My adult daughter and I are planning to take an Egyptian private guided tour w/ Nile cruise included ( Memphis tours). My concern is: is it safe for just 2 females to take private tour? Egypt has been on my bucket list for years! I am 71 years old and I feel if I don’t do it in October, I may not be able to do it at all. Would appreciate your input.

I’m not sure your dates but I must reply. I traveled last March (2018) withMemphis Tours we are 67 and 75 ladies DO NOT hesitate just go. Memphis guides are the best they had us every step of the way! In fact we looked forward to alone time in the excellent hotels we were provided and only wished for more time. Tip: upgrade hotels as much as you can especially the historic Meta (Giza) and Old Cataract (Aswan) so worth it I probably won’t be afforded that type luxury again bar a return trip. Same with Cruise upgrade as possible. Royal Sonesta was great. Enjoy.

I did a south to north tour a few years ago (Abu Simbel to Cairo) a few years ago but there are still many places to see other than what you have listed that are having me plan another trip;

Places I intend to visit this time include:

Alexandria Sina Peninsula Red Sea Siwa Oasis

Egypt is wonderful and I highly recommend anyone to visit.

Yep, heading back to Egypt as we speak!

This is the best blog post I’ve read in a long time and so inspiring. I see so many people driven to travel to places due to ego and it drives me mad. Thank you for such an honest portrayal of your trip! Egypt sounds like an incredible destination and I’d be interested to see how it continues to shape your attitude to travel and future destinations.

Please keep up the good work, cheers !

I’ve been to places around the Red Sea five times in my life, but I have never visited any of the major sights in the country. Needless to say, I’d like to go back! I’ve been to the Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the middle of the Sinai and I loved it. However, I guess it’s one of those places you can’t visit anymore. I hope the troubles are over soon for Egypt and its local’s sake.I have experienced the same while travelling to Egypt, And after all, you have said exactly what I have been trying to say to all people. Egypt is now in a safety zone residing stalking problem. The tour guides are also very friendly. I have been to Egypt through ask-Aladdin because of the recommendation of my friend but I think every tour guides are good.

Great comment, however it is important to note, not all of Egypt is on alert of danger. The danger is in the North.

I visited Egypt in 2003. I left my film and guide book underneath the colossi of menmon and lost most of my photos. But it was a blast and just staggering at times!

Could you expand on your advice not to visit during Ramadan? Thanks!

To respect the locals you wouldn’t be able to drink & eat during the day.

We are planning to visit Egypt in May! We will stick with Cairo and Alexandria becuase we have only 4 days… Great tips though 🙂

Agreed, I read this article before I went it helped to put things in perspective for me https://pinkpangea.com/2017/07/why-i-hate-being-asked-felt-safe-egypt/ . Seems to have the same sentiment. Looking forward to following along more of your travels!

Totally agree with this article!

I would love to explore places and Egypt is one of my favorite places especially the pyramids.

Egypt, one of the most well-known places because of its unique culture. When I had a visit to that place, to my surprise the place is totally different from my thinking. Its pyramid of Giza is a treat to watch. And If I have to say about safety then it is a very safe place. The most attractive places in this place are the museum, pyramids, camel ride etc. For my trip, my friend suggested me about askaladdin which helped me a lot.

Egypt has always been a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Egypt is, and always will be, a safe country to visit.

Wow…..!! I am quite excited to visit all the places in Egypt by reading this article. Thanks for sharing everything about Egypt in one post.

Nice article ANNA! , i’m planning to visit Egypt in September. Actually i had a strong wish to visit mysterious Egypt since my childhood after watching the “Mummy” movie . lol Pls suggest me .

Congratulations to your beautiful blog! I just discovered it and totally love it 🙂 We traveled all over Egypt earlier this year (from January until March) and had very mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there is so much of impressive cultural heritage to see there but on the other hand, it was sometimes really exhausting and annoying because of all of the scam going on there. How did you experience that? Frankly, I was very disappointed not to be able to really trust anyone. Especially the taxi drivers are particularly fraudulent there. I learned so many new tricks and rip-offs from them, so that I had to add them all on my list about what to look for before getting in a taxi: https://www.the-vegan-travelers.com/en/general/15-common-rip-offs-by-taxi-drivers.html Greetings, Chantel | The Vegan Travelers

I think I got lucky both times. A few times I experienced issues with taxi drivers, but especially in Luxor, they were all very friendly. In Cairo I used Uber so I don’t have to haggle.

Thanks for such an informative post. You have mentioned all the information in your post so that every person find a profit from it. Now I am very very excited to visit Egypt. You have described all of Egypt in one post. Thanks once again for such a lovely post.

can you please recommend the dolphin tour in Hurghardar as a solo traveller?

Yes, absolutely. You can do any tour solo. You could prebook this tour or book one once you arrive at your hotel. You want to make sure that you swim with dolphins in the open sea and not in a pool 🙂

Great post! My partner and I are excited to take advantage of some of your suggestions for our trip in February!

Hi please I want some day to go to Egypt but I afraid from Muslims give me advice about them

Read real newspapers rather than Daily Mail and believe me you won’t be afraid of Muslims as much as you are today. Also, your trip to a Muslim country should also help you see and understand the real Muslims. Trust me, they are not as bad as you’ve thought.

Any advice on tipping How much and in wat situations. Eg (tour guide dly , taxi, waitress & like u mentioned lady who hands u sheets of toilet paper Thanks in advance

Tips as much as you feel like tipping is my general advice anywhere 😉 But don’t tip security guys at the airport etc.

Currently visiting Egypt now! Thanks for the itinerary ideas. We can’t believe how cheap the uber prices are to get around and it’s definitely a plus to not have to haggle the price.

So nice to read that you had a positive trip to Egypt 🙂 -Hanna,-

I am planning a trip in march with my brothers. I loved you blogs. These are so helpful and answered many of my questions. I loved your Egypt Itinerary that you mention in this blogs. I am planning on following it for my trip ( I hope you don’t mind ..lol). I was wondering the flights between the cities you took , did you book them before going to egypt or did you book them while you were there. Same goes for the hotels, did you get a hotels is all the cities you visited. Also the tours you took , did you book a tour from website or just did them by yourself without a guide. How much will you say your trip costs you overall. (if you don’t mind me asking).

I’ve had booked everything before going to Egypt, but you can easily book everything in Egypt as well. Assuming it’s not all fully booked so I played it safe 😉 I booked private drivers I found in Egypt, same with hot-air balloon tour. I honestly don’t remember the trip price in total, but I’d say that it definitely didn’t exceed $1000.

Hi, I am planning the trip with my 12 years old son and wondering how safe is to go from Cairo to Aswan by sleeper train. I was very confident that it’s ok to go but also read that it’s not a good choice and it’s better to use trains during the day. Please advise .

Watania Train is more than fine, you have your own cabin.

Egypt is an awesome place for traveling. I have been there for two times and planning again next year. The above points really give some idea for the travelers going first time there. Thank You!

This made me feel so much better about finding my way around. I would love to visit someday. I do have to ask though, where did you get that gorgeous purple dress in the picture of you at the Colossi of Memnon? I love it ! thanks for your tips and advice!

It’s from SheIn: https://shrsl.com/yaso

We just returned from 3 week trip that included Eygpt. We traveled on our own, no tour groups. We started in Cairo and did same things as you, flew to Luxor for several days, and then took day train to Aswan. Only 10 tourists on that train and we ended up with a police officer trailing us but I highly recommend doing it. You can buy tickets on railway website. It’s easy to hire drivers to visit sites in all 3 cities, no need to be on a tour. Food, people, and scenery in Egypt cannot be beat. We loved the trip.

I plan on traveling solo. I’m in my late 50s so I don’t think anyone will bother me. I plan to go on my own, too. I’d rather have the flexibility.

Hi Rosanna I agree.I plan to go to egypt to see a friend but undecided about going solo..Is it really safe?..And I do not like tours..I also like flexibility. . Have a safe Trip!

Is there a need for walking sticks when visiting the pyramids and other attractions in other area of the dessert.

Nope, it’s an asphalt road leading to the pyramids.

Oh my gosh! You said you don’t understand what people are talking about!!! Say what???? I just got back from Egypt and people weren’t kidding. All they did was ask me for money non-stop! I’ve traveled everywhere around the world and this was the worst!!!!! I even got robbed in front of the Great Pyramid. A man jumped in my picture then demanded money. He grabbed my kid and cussed and yelled and threatened us. Blocked our path. I gave him some money to get rid of him and he kept asking for more and more. I’d give him another five and he wanted more. Finally, I took a $20 and threw it. He chased it and we ran back to our tour group. They wanted money for every little thing. Ask someone for directions and they wanted money. I dropped something and they picked it up, and they wanted money. It went on and on. A man told me my camera bag was open (which I knew) and he wanted money. It was horrible! And it came from every direction.

And the hot air balloon ride was $300 cash a person. Not sure where you got it for $50. If it was that cheap, I would’ve went and taken my kids.

The balloon ride was $50 everywhere in Luxor. I simply booked it at my hotel, and then met some people who were in the balloon with me and they paid the same at their hotel or agency. You should have asked at a different agency.

Loved this blog post! My husband and I recently returned from a guided tour in Egypt (we reserved through Stride Travel) and it was a fantastic way to see the country! We explored the country for nine days, and by taking a tour it was so much easier to see everything we wanted to see. Our guides were very friendly allowing us to explore parts by ourselves, while also providing history and information in the bigger cities/attractions! Definitely would recommend taking a tour if you are visiting Egypt soon.

Thank you for your posting, very helpful My husband and I would like to book a private tour guide and driver. Wondering if you have a recommendation on where to book this?

Thank you so much

Coming from Boston how should I book my flight to arrive in Cairo on my tour departure date?

What do you mean?

hi Anna, i will be taking a domestic flight from Aswan to Sharm with a stopover at Cairo. Few days later, domestic flight from Sharm to Cairo. Just wondering if the queue for collecting domestic checked-in baggage at Cairo Airport will typically be long ? As a traveller who have cleared immigration entry at Luxor airport, will the immigration do another complicated check on traveller on domestic flight ? i just want to know how long should i allow for getting out from the airport before i can join my next activity in Cairo ? Appreciate your help. Thanks,

I’ve always only done carry-on so I can’t say, sorry!

How did you transfer from Hurghada to Luxor? I am planning Caire-Luxor-El gouna-Cairo but cant find a reliable way to travelling from Luxor to Elgouna. Any recommendation for private car/shuttle? We are a family of 6

No clue about private shuttles to be honest, but GoBus works just fine 🙂

Thank you Anna for sharing your great adventures. Your tips and experiences are so helpful. We will be going to Egypt in April and would love to know where you booked the private cars/guides? We’ve searched a few options online and would prefer to follow the route your took.

Take care and thank you again.

In Cairo I just moved around with Uber. In Luxor I rented a driver who took me to various spots of the West Bank. His name was Ahmed and he gave me his number: 01001202609. For the balloon tour I just booked one through my hotel, they sell them everywhere so don’t worry – you can just get one upon arrival.

Hi We are planning 7 days trip to Egypt in the next two weeks. Want to know what is the best option to cover Aswan and Luxor – through three day Nile river cruise or by staying a night in Luxor and travel to Aswan through train and spend a night there. We will go with the tour agency so they have both the options

You can easily stay in Luxor overnight not on a boat – there are so many nice hotels. Nile cruises will be significantly more expensive than regular hotels. Both options seem fine, but you a cruise to Aswan will be more relaxing than going overland. Greeting from Cairo, as I’m actually in Egypt again 🙂

Hey Anna, thanks for the monetary information. It’ll help me prepare my itinerary well in advance along with the budget which is indeed the toughest part while planning a vacation. You’ve given some very vital information on taxis, airfares, transportation and places to stay. Keep building more stuff like these, your blog is very resourceful.

Hey, I just have a few questions. My friend and I are planning to go to Egypt next year and we were wondering how you toured. – Were you touring privately or with a group? I’m just curious and interested on how you go about touring a country like Egypt. – How far do you have to plan in advance? My guess would be months but I’m not sure That’s all, thank you 🙂

I was on my own. Just used drivers when needed 🙂 I never plan any travels months in advance, but Egypt is also super easy to arrange things. In fact, you can arrange everything (minus hotels) upon arrival without any issues.

I stumbled upon your posts about Morocco and Egypt (going to both in June) and they are great. Your posts are encouraging and very helpful. Plus you seem really positive and modest.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

Ultimate EGYPT Travel Guide

Egypt is a country located in Africa and the Middle East . Cairo is the capital and it is a country known for its history, temples, culture, and scuba diving. This is our ultimate Egypt travel guide.

We have spent two months across two visits that have spanned the country from Abu Simbel in the South, Cairo in the North, and the far reaches of the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypt has a lot to offer the traveler with more history and historical sites to match than you will find in any other part of the World. The culture is rich and people welcoming.

Honestly, it is one of the most fascinating places you can ever visit and a country that we would visit over and over again, as there is always something fascinating to see or learn during a visit.

Destinations

Egypt travel: quick tips, don’t visit egypt without:.

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

GET A GUIDEBOOK

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

EGYPT BUCKET LIST

See the great pyramids of giza.

Egypt is all about pyramids and the Great Pyramids of Giza are the main event. Be sure to give yourself a full day so you can take a camel ride and explore the complex on foot.

HOT AIR BALLOON OVER LUXOR

There is no better way to experience a sunrise in Egypt than by loading into a hot air balloon and floating over the Nile River near Luxor. It also offers an unbelievable perspective of the Valley of the Kings.

VALLEY OF THE KINGS

Besides pyramids, tombs are one of the main reasons that you will want to visit Egypt. The Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor houses some of the most incredible tombs within the country.

MORE THINGS TO TRY IN EGYPT

There is no shortage of great things to do in Egypt during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary.

Each city has it’s own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our city guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.

VISIT ALEXANDRIA:  One of the most popular day trips from Cairo is to visit the city of Alexandria. Sitting on the Mediterranean Sea, this city offers a completely different vibe to Cairo. It’s rich in history and despite many of its iconic sites being far gone, there is still plenty to see in the city.

SCUBA DIVE IN THE RED SEA: The Red Sea offers some of the most spectacular scuba diving opportunities in the world. Dive sites litter the entire coast of Egypt meaning you don’t have to search hard for some great diving. The best sites can be found off the Sinai Peninsula near Sharm el Sheik and Dahab.

VISIT ABU SIMBEL: In our opinion, this is one of the most spectacular sites in all of Egypt. Relocated when the Aswan Dam was constructed, to avoid it sinking in the now Lake Nassar, this temple is a sight to behold. Visits happen in the early morning hours from Aswan and the drive is exhausting, 6 hours round trip, but it is so worth it.

TRADITIONAL FELUCCA TRIP ON THE NILE: When in Aswan, it is possible to take a wide variety of traditional felucca trips . Our personal favorite though is an overnight trip from Aswan to Kom Ombo. These trips are quiet and peaceful, allowing you to reconnect with nature. It’s a unique and special way to experience the Nile River and the traditional Egyptian lifestyle.

VISIT THE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES: We love this museum. So much so that we have been to it 5 times! It is the most spectacular and authentic museum you will ever lay eyes on. Chronicling the entire existence of Ancient Egypt, you can spend days in this museum and still not see it all.

TAKE A NILE RIVER CRUISE: If you want to see Luxor, Aswan and the places in between, taking a Nile River Cruise is a fantastic way to accomplish it. A slower way of travel, this will allow you to take in life on the Nile River with a little bit of comfort, while still seeing the major sights.

VISIT A NUBIAN VILLAGE FOR TEA: If you have time in Aswan, one of the most unique things to do is take a tour to one of the nearby Nubian Villages for a tea visit. Drinking hibiscus tea, you’ll learn about how the Nubians settled in this part of Egypt.

SEE THE FIRST PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT: While everyone knows of the Great Pyramids, new visitors to Egypt rarely think about the possibility to see other structures. Outside of Cairo you can visit the incredible Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the earliest in Egypt. Nearby you can also see the Bent Pyramid, which shows the first attempt at the pyramid shape we know today, along with the very first traditional pyramids of Egypt that pre-date Giza.

TRY KOSHARI & FALAFEL: Egyptian cuisine is a fantastic blend of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Two things you should make a point to try are the national dish of koshari and falafel. Koshari is made with rice, macaroni, and lentils. Topped with tomato sauce, garlic, and french fried onions. It’s available everywhere, so you cannot miss it!

FOODIE BUCKET LIST

Egyptian cuisine is very similar to other Middle Eastern and Meditteranean countries.

FALAFEL: Vegetarians will be happy because a local favorite is a falafel. You’ll find falafel sandwiches and platters everywhere. 

SHAWARMA KEBABS: These wraps will keep you going for cheap all through the day, although usually, the meat is dripping in fat. 

KOSHARI: A dish of rice, macaroni, lentils and more, is often seen as the national dish, while no visit to Egypt is ever complete without eating an Egyptian style pizza.

EGYPTIAN FESTIVALS

There are many great events and festivals which are held through the ear, and which are perfect additions to any Egypt travel itinerary.

RAMADAN: While Ramadan is often not the easiest time for a tourist to be in Egypt, the celebrations that mark the end of this holy Muslim period of fasting, are exceptional to be part of.

SUN FESTIVAL: Lovers all things Ancient Egyptians will want to be in the country, and at the temples, for the ancient Sun Festival, which is still celebrated by many.

PLAN A BUCKET LIST EGYPT TRIP!

Popular regions in egypt.

Cairo is a huge, sprawling metropolis that has the distinction of being both the capital and the largest city of Egypt. Home to over 20 million people, this is an enthralling destination that can leave you both mesmerized and frustrated in equal measure.  Love it or hate it, a visit to Cairo is always an experience, and you can really immerse yourself in the market places, tea houses, and local restaurants to learn about modern Egyptian life. Visit the sprawling bazaars, a day trip to the Pyramids of Giza, and visit the fascinating archaeological museums. Read: 21 Amazing Things to Do in Cairo

Egypt travel isn’t just about the history and pyramids though, and a visit to Hurghada will show you another exciting side of the country. Hurghada is essentially a beach resort town, and it’s the gateway to the Red Sea. You’ll be able to lounge on white-sand beaches, go Scuba Diving or snorkeling in one of the world’s premier marine environments, or enjoy countless watersports or adventure activities. It’s a great holiday destination, and home to Egypt’s best resorts and hotels. Read: 15 Top Things to Do in Hurghada

Luxor is a modern city that’s found on the same site as the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Located in the south of the country, on the River Nile, no Egypt travel itinerary is complete without a trip to Luxor.  This is a must-see area for lovers of all things Egyptian because the region is teeming with history and archaeological sites. Luxor is home to temples that are thousands of years old, ancient pyramids lie in the deserts, and the legendary Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are just a short journey away. Read more: 21 Epic Things to Do in Luxor

Alexandria is one of the most famous cities to be found along the coast of North Africa. This iconic city has a history that predates modern Egypt by centuries because the city was founded by Alexander the Great in the 3rd Century BC. Today, it’s still an important city in the Mediterranean, being the second largest in Egypt and home to over 5 million people. You can explore ancient sites and mingle with modern Egypt at the same time. Read: 15 Unmissable Things to Do in Alexandria

Also located in the south of the country, Aswan is another beautiful destination that’s found along the Nile River. This is one of the most ancient cities in Egypt, and it’s long been the starting point for expeditions further south, into deepest Africa.  Aswan is a colorful and bustling city, home to buzzing bazaars and surrounded by green, oasis-like beauty. You can cruise along the river, explore islands and ruins and enjoy an authentic piece of Egyptian history and culture. Read more: 15 Best Things to Do in Aswan

EGYPT TRAVEL BUDGET

Setting a budget for travel to Egypt is highly dependent on your travel style. It is possible to visit just about anywhere in Egypt on any budget and still have a great trip. That said, you can make your trip as basic or as luxurious as you desire.

To help you set your budget, we’ve included some base range price estimations for travel within Egypt. Of course, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on seasons, availability and festivals.

ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation is cheap in Egypt, and you can find great value hotel rooms across the country. Hotel rooms can cost as little as 10 USD for a double room, while resorts can be as low as 30 USD per night for much nicer rooms on the Red Sea. Hostels can be found for 5 USD.

ATTRACTIONS : The bulk of your budget will be spent on activities, and in Egypt, there’s a lot to do. A luxury Nile Cruise could cost as much as 200 USD per person per day, but you can find more rustic, and cheaper options than this of course.

ENTRANCE FEES: Entrance prices vary, but a ticket to the Pyramids of Giza will set you back around 10 USD for instance, with other archaeological sites being a similar cost. Be sure to budget for entrance fees, especially if you are traveling independently. They add up quick!

TRANSPORTATION: Transport is cheap, if erratic in Egypt. Local bus and metro rides in Cairo will cost just 25 cents a journey. Overnight trains to Luxor from Cairo cost around 15 USD. The 3-hour journey from Cairo to Alexandria should only cost 5 USD. Taxis are cheap, but be careful of being ripped off.

FOOD: Food is even cheaper than accommodation, and you can get away with spending as little as 10 USD a day on food while eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as long as you keep to the local places. At western-style restaurants or in hotels, you can expect to pay 10 USD per person for dinner. IF you drink alcoholic drinks though, your costs will go up.

30 USD PER DAY

Staying in basic hotels, but with private rooms and bathrooms. You’ll eat cheaply on the streets, travel with the locals, but still see the best archaeological sites.

UP TO 100 USD PER DAY

Mid-range hotels and eating in more refined restaurants in the evenings. You’ll see the best sites and employ a private guide every few days to learn more.

100 USD + PER DAY

You can live in luxury. Go on luxury Nile Cruises or stay at 5-star resorts on the Red Sea. You’ll have a private driver and guide if you’re traveling around.

WHERE TO STAY IN EGYPT

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Egypt. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN EGYPT

Egypt has an extensive transport network, consisting of buses, trains and even boats and ferries. Tickets are cheap, but the public transport isn’t the most reliable. For this reason, if you’re short on time, travelers often opt to join multi-day tours or to hire a private driver for a few days.

Intercity transport will be by bus or train. Alexandria is just 3 hours from Cairo. Longer distance routes include Cairo to Luxor, but this will be an overnight journey. Many tourists will fly this route to save time. 

FLIGHTS: Taking domestic flights to get between destinations in Egypt is popular and easy. Egypt Air and a number of smaller carriers offer multiple, daily flights between all major destinations within the country.

BUS: For shorter journeys like Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik or Dahab from Cairo, the bus is a great secondary option to flying. The tourist buses are comfortable coach buses and you can’t beat the fares.

CAR RENTAL: It is not advisable to rent a car in Egypt.

TRAIN: If you’re traveling Egypt on a budget or just want a great adventure, it is possible to take the train from Cairo to popular destinations. The journeys are best done in sleeper cars. They are long, think 10 hours for Cairo to Luxor and 14 hours for Cairo to Aswan.

RIVER CRUISING: One of the best ways to see the Nile River is to join a Nile cruise . These range from local boats and ferries right up to full-blown, luxury riverboats. Either way, once you’re aboard, just sit back and watch the river roll past.

TOP EGYPT TOURS

Best of egypt.

8 Days from Cairo, Egypt Adventure Options: Temples, pyramids, tombs, Nubian village & felucca trip

HIGHLIGHTS OF EGYPT

14 Days from Cairo, Egypt Adventure Options: Temples, pyramids, tombs, felucca trip & Abu Simbel extension

EGYPT UPGRADED

12 Days from Cairo, Egypt Adventure Options: Temples, pyramids, tombs, Nile River cruise & Abu Simbel extension

WHEN TO VISIT EGYPT

Egypt enjoys a lovely Mediterranean climate, at least in most destinations. This means that you can expect it to be warm all year round, so technically, you can visit most places at any time of the year.

October to April is perfect if you’re looking for the best weather for your Egypt travel plans, as it’s not too hot this time of the year. This is also the high season though, and prices will be higher.

The Egyptian summer is scorching hot and best avoided, but you’ll get better prices on flights and tours if you can brave the heat.

The Red Sea Resorts will be busy not just in winter , but during summer holidays too, despite the heat, so avoid this area from June through to August to escape the crowds.

The Red Sea is best visited in the shoulder season , in Spring or Fall, when costs are much lower and the crowds thinner.

For more information, check out the  Best Time to Visit Egypt: Month by Month Breakdown

CONSIDER ADDING JORDAN TO YOUR ITINERARY!

Safety in egypt.

Unfortunately, Egypt has a reputation for scams when it comes to tourism, and although most Egyptians are friendly and honest, in the tourist industry you will inevitably run into trouble at some point, even if it’s just minor. 

You’ll be hassled by potential tour guides, taxi drivers and shop keepers, especially in Cairo and the tourist destinations. Be careful how much you pay, and haggle beforehand.

Guides and even guards at museums and archaeological sites will often seek tips too. In bazaars and busy streets, be super careful of your personal belongings, as pickpocketing can be rife in known tourist areas.

The police will be unlikely to be particularly helpful if you have to report a crime, especially for something like theft.  

The major religion is Islam, and it’s best to be conservative in dress and attitude. It’s a very male-oriented society in Egypt, and solo female travelers can, unfortunately, be subject to hassle from Egyptian males.

Women need to stay safe in the cities, particularly at night. 

The country is politically volatile at the best of times, so if events start to unfold while you are in Egypt, stay away from protests and from public squares.

This is mostly relevant if you are in the big cities, such as Cairo or Alexandria. Don’t delve too deep into the local politics, the Egyptian Revolution was only a few years ago, and events may not quite have turned out the way many of the protestors had hoped for.

After two trips to the country spanning two months in total, we wanted to dig into the topic of safety in Egypt a little and also quell some assumptions and myths. so be sure to have a read there is you have any doubts.

As with any destination, we recommend learning and adhering to certain safety practices when you travel. Be sure to read our personal  travel safety tips , compiled from our travels across 7 continents.

EGYPT TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

Egypt travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Egypt and start planning your dream trip.

Is Egypt Safe to Visit in 2024?

Choosing an egypt nile cruise: itineraries, essential tips & advice, 21 epic things to do in egypt, ultimate egypt itinerary for 7 days, 10 days or 2 weeks, best time to visit egypt: month by month breakdown, 21 amazing things to do in cairo, egypt, 15 epic things to do in luxor, egypt, 15 unmissable things to do in alexandria, egypt, 15 things to do in aswan, egypt (on your first visit), 15 top things to do in hurghada, egypt, 9 best places to visit in egypt (try these famous places in egypt), luxor hot air balloon ride over the valley of the kings in egypt, felucca boat trip on the nile: what is it like.

EGYPT & THE MIDDLE EAST 

From ancient pyramids and deluxe nile river cruises to bustling souks and glorious roman ruins.

Egypt and the Middle East is an intoxicating mix of cultures, ancient treasures and exquisite scenery. History comes alive in major cities all across the region. Luxor, a hub for Nile cruising, has often been referred to as “the world’s greatest open air museum”, whilst the age-old burial tombs of powerful Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings are incredible to explore.

The Middle East is a hive of culture and history. Petra and the ancient city of Jerash remain Jordan’s greatest Treasures, and across the salt-filled waters of the Dead Sea lies Israel and the Holy Land, a fascinating mix of religions and cities. Jerusalem and Bethlehem hold a wealth of hidden treasures and religious meaning. Discover Mount Zion, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial site.

A double-page spread is devoted to Oman. This captivating country is filled with wondrous cities and sights, deserts and mountains. Our 3 day Nature’s Bounty tour combines the stunning coastal Ras Al Jinz Scientific Centre with the mountain oasis town of Nizwa. Watch baby turtles come in to nest for the night in the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve and explore the stunning red and white Wahiba sand dunes before visiting the breathtaking Al Hajjar Mountains.

Due to the proximity of these Middle Eastern countries, we highly recommend a 3 week stay, visiting 2 or 3 countries to gain a real understanding of the different cultures. Our 15 day Egypt and Jordan tour combines the best sites of both countries, and includes a classic Egyptian cruise down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Our packages are designed to be taken on a private basis for two people and our experienced travel specialists can tailor-make the perfect itinerary for you.

SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Sign up to receive updates about exciting journeys, special offers and more

" * " indicates required fields

14 things to know before you go to Egypt

Sep 5, 2024 • 9 min read

Plan the perfect trip to Egypt with these essential tips on etiquette, health and safety. Grant Faint/Getty Images

Egypt ’s rich history reverberates through its modern-day culture. There’s plenty to do that will engage all your senses, from majestic ancient sights to lively streets rife with aromatic foods, and the vibrant and eclectic nightlife.

To fully indulge in all the excitement, there are some things you should consider, including the country’s cultural traditions. But worry not: this guide to planning and packing along with tips on health, safety and etiquette will help you have the best experience in Egypt.

1. Consider getting your visa in advance

Bags in one hand and paperwork in the other is all many travelers need to get on a plane and fly to Egypt. If you’re eligible , you can get a renewable single-entry tourist visa on arrival for USD$25, valid for 30 days. However, if you’re missing any documents or if there’s a problem processing your visa on arrival, you may be denied entry.

If you prefer a multiple-entry visa or want to avoid lines at the airport, you can apply for an e-Visa through the official government portal before travel to avoid any entry issues or delays.

2. Prepare a rough itinerary

There’s so much more to Egypt than the pyramids, and planning ahead will help you avoid a logistical nightmare. Plan your days by area (especially in major cities where traffic is both intense and unpredictable) so it’s easier to move around between locations.

If you’re a beach lover , there are plenty of destinations on the North Coast or Naama Bay for diving or snorkeling trips. If you’re an avid explorer and prefer something off the beaten track , Egypt’s lesser-known gems – like the stunning Siwa Oasis – are absolutely worth the adventure.

Egypt truly caters to every kind of traveler, and the best way to create a personalized experience is to focus on what’s important to you and plan accordingly.

3. Learn some basic Arabic phrases

Whipping out Google Translate for quick questions about directions can be helpful, but organic responses to basic niceties will prove useful.

Most Egyptians are eager to help when asked, but you might need to tie up a few odds and ends in Arabic with unilingual locals. They also come in handy if you need to fend off hustlers or persistent merchants. Learning a few words and phrases like “ al salam alaykom ” (hello), “ shukran ” (thank you), “ aywa ” (yes), “ la’a ” (no), and “ ma’ al-salama ” (goodbye) will go a long way.

4. Don’t underestimate Egypt’s weather – both hot and cold

Sunscreen is key if you don’t want to spend the better half of your vacation huddled up with ice packs. This is especially true if you’re visiting during the summer, but holds up throughout the year.

July is the hottest month, with temperatures ranging anywhere from 34.7°C (94.5°F) to a scorching 43.3°C (109.9°F). Yet, despite its year-round sunny skies, Egypt’s overall desert climate makes winters especially cold – the kind of cold that creeps beneath your clothes and gives you chills right down to your bones.

It doesn’t help that the poorly insulated buildings barely keep the freezing weather at bay, so you have to talk yourself into going outside because it’s warmer outdoors than it is indoors. Temperatures drop as low as 10°C (50°F) at times, so if you’re visiting between October and March , make sure to pack some warm clothes along with your sunscreen.

5. Pack for the heat, but keep it conservative

Egypt is known for its cotton, and what better place to wear cotton than here. Pack airy breathable clothes, and break out all the pastels and bright colors in your closet. Most people in major cities dress casually and embrace comfort over fashion. But remember that Egypt is a country with primarily conservative locals.

You can’t go wrong with loose clothing, and exposing too much skin is generally frowned upon. Men can sport tank tops if they’re comfortable with a few extra stares, but short shorts are not advisable, and women should avoid low-cut tops, short shorts/skirts or revealing dresses.

Beach destinations bend these unspoken rules, however, and locals are accommodating to visitors, so if you're heading for the beach, you don't need to leave all your shorts and sundresses behind.

6. Keep transportation in mind when booking accommodation

While booking your lodgings, look into modes of transportation in the surrounding area. If you’re planning a short time in your destination, opt for lodgings central to the sights on your itinerary or close to a metro station so you don’t waste too much time stuck in traffic. If you’ve got more time, you can opt for something a little less central, but remember that you could spend a chunk of your time traveling.

Cairo and Giza are mostly accessible using the metro system, and if you’re a female traveler we recommend you seek out the carriages reserved for women.

Some destinations will require further planning, and white taxis and Uber rides are your best bet. If you opt for a white taxi, always make sure the meter’s running before you hop in, and hail it a few meters away from your hotel for a cheaper ride. Avoid taxis that don’t use meters and aren’t very tourist-friendly.

Long-distance buses and domestic flights are an option too, depending on your budget.

7. Be mindful of your etiquette at religious and historic sites

It’s important to not just dress appropriately but to also be mindful of local etiquette especially at certain sights.

Visiting a mosque? Take off your shoes before entering and, if you’re female, cover your head.

At a historic site? Don’t touch the antiquities and always use cameras without the flash.

On the beach? Yes you can sport your best swimsuit and relax, but like every place in the world, there’s always a code of conduct. Be observant and if in doubt, do what the locals do.

Photography tips: Taking photos at tourist sites is fine, but don’t photograph people without their consent, and don't take photos where it is explicitly prohibited.

8. Avoid public displays of affection

We’ve established that Egypt leans toward conservative, and this extends to public displays of affection. While holding hands with your partner won’t garner much attention, limit your public physical interactions to what would be considered mild and proper.

Platonic kisses on the cheek are a common greeting between friends in Egypt but, depending on your surroundings, should be limited to members of the same sex.

9. Bring small bills and be prepared to tip

Tipping in Egypt is still standard practice, especially in the service industry. Tips, or baksheesh , can range from 5 EGP (<$0.50) to 100 EGP ($5.50), depending on who you are paying and where.

Egypt is largely cash-oriented, so pick up both large and small bills when you’re exchanging currency to make payments and tipping easier.

Restaurants and cafes are easier to figure out, with 10% to 15% of the bill being customary, and loose change is the norm for food purchases from street vendors. Higher tips are usually reserved for people who provide you with long-term services, such as drivers and tour guides. While you’re not required to tip delivery services, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, given the poor wages of gig-economy workers, many people do tip generously.

10. Haggling for souvenirs is part of the experience

From papyrus papers and traditional souvenirs to carefully crafted silverware and hand-painted ceramics, markets in Egypt are a treasure trove. But if you feel like something is overpriced, don’t shy away from haggling.

While vendors aren’t particularly fond of the back-and-forth, it’s all part of the experience and no matter what you pay in the end you can convince yourself it was a great deal.

Don’t attempt to haggle in bigger shops in or outside tourist attractions, and if there’s an official price posted on the product, it’s usually non-negotiable.

Pro tip: Keep your eyes and ears open and gauge the price range of similar items in nearby stores so you can tell if you’re being overcharged. Haggling is mainly confined to souvenir spots, souqs (markets) and less formal selling areas.

11. Don't drink the tap water and beware of food carts

To dodge any stomach bugs that might ruin your Egyptian adventure, avoid drinking tap water unless it’s filtered, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Pack a good water-filtering system or do like the locals and use bottled water.

While Egyptian cuisine is one of the country’s best assets, and the temptation to sample it every chance you get is understandable, some carts improperly store their food. It can be difficult to tell as a visitor, so it may be wise to opt for local shops instead. They often offer similar food but are generally safer to indulge to your heart’s content.

12. Flood season is June to September

Flooding is an issue in Egypt in June to September, but it’s usually mild and mostly limited to some coastal areas. It’s always a good idea to activate news alerts on your phone anyway and keep an eye on the local news.

The floods are usually easy to manage, but roads can be impacted, especially in some areas in South Sinai.

13. Solo female travelers may receive unwanted attention

If you’re a woman traveling on your own , keep an eye out for harassers, scammers and hustlers who may be pushy and persistent. Confident interactions are often key to driving them away, but calling out for assistance or announcing you’ll involve the police can be a good deterrent as well.

As a rule of thumb, try to avoid interactions with individuals in suspicious settings, like quiet alleyways, dark street corners, and empty spots, and look for crowds with women and children if you feel unsafe. Never get into a taxi or Uber with anyone but the driver. Ride in the carriages reserved for women on the metro in Cairo. And, as is sadly the case in most of the world, avoid walking alone late at night.

14. Tourist police can assist you in an emergency

Egypt is generally considered safe to visit, but if you face any issues that you believe require law enforcement interference, look for police officers with a tourism police badge on their shoulders – it’s a navy blue half sleeve with a gold eagle in the middle, and “Tourism and Antiquities Police” written at the bottom. They are stationed at every tourist destination in Egypt and can also be reached by dialing 126 from any Egyptian mobile number.

If you’d rather file a complaint later, you can dial 19654 and communicate directly with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. It's also a good idea to keep the number of your home embassy or consulate handy.

Pro tip: Invest in an Egyptian SIM card upon arrival. They’re cheap and will make local interactions much easier for you. Vodafone, Etisalat, Orange and WE are Egypt’s top mobile service providers; you can find their booths in the final hall on your way out of Cairo International Airport.

This article was first published Jul 23, 2022 and updated Sep 5, 2024.

Explore related stories

Jun 26, 2024 • 6 min read

A pair of writers go head to head comparing these two popular African destinations.

Mar 12, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 4, 2024 • 4 min read

Jan 18, 2024 • 4 min read

Jan 11, 2024 • 7 min read

Jan 11, 2024 • 4 min read

Dec 8, 2023 • 7 min read

Aug 17, 2023 • 5 min read

Dec 20, 2022 • 3 min read

Oct 26, 2022 • 9 min read

Egypt Tourist Attractions

– 163 amazing places to visit in egypt.

Egypt tourist attractions are like nothing you will find anywhere else in the world. Ancient Egypt, before its ultimate collapse some 1,700 years ago, was the Land of the Pharaohs, and monuments like the legendary Great Pyramids and Sphinx , and the many royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings  stand as a commemoration to all of the Egyptian pharaohs who once ruled this ancient land.

Design Your Custom Tour

Explore 163 Amazing Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Top 10 epic places you must visit in egypt, #10 – hurghada, red sea.

Hurghada is a Red Sea resort town and has become an incredibly popular tourist destination, particularly among diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. It also very popular as a family holiday destination, thanks to its many family-friendly resorts and hotels, and an abundance of fun activities, such as scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, horse riding and deep sea fishing.

Not only is Hurghada the ideal place to relax, but it is also well known for its very vibrant nightlife and its extensive shopping opportunities. In short, Hurghada is a great place to visit in Egypt to relax and unwind for a few days following days of sightseeing tours, and for this reason, it is often included in the itineraries of Nile cruise package tours  – as well as the reason why we have listed it as one of the most important Egypt tourist attractions.

→ Find out more about Hurghada

#9 – Western Sahara Desert

The Western Desert is home to many popular Egypt tourist attractions, most of which are located in or near to the various oases. The best way to view these attractions is by booking an oases package tour or a Sahara desert adventure tour . Most good oases tours will include a visit to all the different oases, and you will often be taken to see the best sites found at each of them.

In addition to the oases and their historical monuments, the Western Desert is also home to several natural Egypt attractions, including the White Desert ; the Black Desert , and the Valley of the Whales , to name just a few.

→ Explore Sahara

→ Explore the Oases

#8 – Karnak Temple Complex

Nearly all Egypt tour packages that focus on Egypt tourist attractions will include a visit to Karnak Temple which is essentially the ruins of an ancient temple city. It is the largest place of worship ever discovered, and was constructed over the course of hundreds of years. According to records, construction first began during the time of the Middle Kingdom, and continued until the reign of the pharaohs ended. The most popular and most impressive structure at the site is the massive Hypostyle Hall which covers an area of 5000 square meters.

Be sure to visit the nearby Luxor Temple while you are in the area, which you can reach by way of the newly discovered Avenue of Sphinxes . There is also a daily sound and light show at Karnak Temple in the evenings, and considering the temple is only 2.5 km away from Luxor, Karnak Temple is definitely one of the most important places to visit in Egypt.

→ Find out more about Karnak

→ Explore Luxor

#7 – The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum , located right in the heart of Cairo is considered to be one of the top Egypt tourist attractions , and for this reason it is featured not only in most Cairo tour packages , but also in most Egypt tour packages . The museum currently houses around 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, although not all of these are on display. While the ground floor part of the museum is certainly fascinating, many visitors find the first floor to be the highlight of their visit.

As you ascend to the first floor, expect to be greeted by a vast display of artifacts documenting the history of the final two dynasties, along with countless artifacts recovered from the Valley of Kings in Luxor . The first floor is also home to the extremely popular Mummies Room which houses 27 mummies, although again, not all of these are on display.

→ Find out more about the Egyptian Museum

→ Explore other museums in Egypt

#6 – Temple of Philae

Constructed in 690 AD, Philae Temple is widely considered to be the last ancient temple built in true ancient Egyptian style. It is a truly remarkable structure that features prominently in virtually all Egypt tourism packages that include spending some time in and around Aswan . It is also one of the Egypt tourist attractions included in the itineraries of nearly all Nile cruise holidays .

Philae Temple which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site was relocated in its entirety from its original location on Philae Island, to its present location on Agilkia Island.  Had the temple not been moved, it would have been lost forever to the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam .

According to legend, the temple, along with the island on which it stood, was so sacred that not even fish or birds would approach the island’s shores. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple remains one of the very best Egypt tourist attractions, and visitors are encouraged to visit this ancient marvel both during the day and in the evening to witness the spectacular Philae Temple Sound and Light Show .

→ Find out more about Philae Temple

→ Explore Aswan

#5 – Temple of Sobek and Horus

Also known as Kom Ombo Temple , this is one structure which has always fascinated historians because it was the only temple of its time that was built in honor of two Gods. This in itself presented the architects with a huge challenge. Because the structure was to be dedicated to two different Gods, Sobek and Horus, two identical temples had to be constructed within the framework of a single temple. This was necessary in order to avoid offending either Horus or Sobek.

To achieve this, one half of the temple complex was designed to be a mirror image of the other half. Each side has the same number of halls; rooms; sanctuaries, and even the same number of columns. The precision in terms of construction is something one needs to see in order to believe.

Unfortunately, several earthquakes have resulted in quite a lot of damage over the centuries, and the temple was further destroyed and defaced by the early Coptic Christians when they were attempting to stamp out all forms of paganism. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable site to visit, hence the reason why it’s featured in so many Egypt tour packages .

#4 – Abu Simbel

The Abu Simbel temples are considered to be the second most recognizable Egyptian icon after the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx . These are two massive rock-cut temples constructed during the reign of Ramesses the Great. They were constructed not only to serve as places of worship, but also to serve as lasting monuments of him and his wife, Queen Nefertari.

Like several other points of interest in Egypt, the Abu Simbel temples where swallowed up by the desert and only rediscovered 2,000 years later, which explains why they are so well preserved. The entire structure also had to be relocated to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the completion of the Aswan High Dam . Today the temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one site you really don’t want to miss if you are in the area.

→ Explore Lake Nasser

#3 – Tomb of King Tut (Valley of the Kings)

One seasoned historian once wrote that in life, King Tutankhamen was the least esteemed of all the pharaohs who ruled before him, but in death he became the most esteemed of them all. People the world over have been fascinated by Tutankhamen ever since his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, and most travelers touring the sites of ancient Egypt long to visit his tomb.

Today, Tutankhamen once again rests in his original sarcophagus inside the tomb, which only makes the site even more appealing to tourists. However, if you are planning on visiting his tomb, keep in mind that the vast amount of treasures recovered from the site are now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo . Additionally, his tomb is not always open to the public, so to avoid any disappointment, it is best to discuss this with your travel agent before you book your tour.

The tomb of King Tutankhamen is located in the Valley of the Kings , home to 63 ancient royal tombs, so even if King Tutankhamen’s t isn’t open when you visit, there will still be plenty to see, bearing in mind that this site is one of the most visited sites in all of Egypt.

→ Find out more about King Tutankhamen

→ Explore the Valley of the Kings

#2 – Nile River Cruises

The Nile River which is the longest river in the world has been Egypt’s lifeline since antiquity, and there is no better way to experience the treasures and delights of Upper Egypt than with a Nile River cruise. Nile cruise vacations have long since been one of the major tourist attractions in Egypt, and as a result, Nile cruises  now come in all shapes and sizes.

The most popular and most affordable cruises tend to be those which are undertaken on the many luxury cruise ships that can be seen sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Other options include refurbished luxury paddle steamers and traditional Dahabiyas. These days some tourists are also making the journey on Feluccas, but trips from Luxor to Aswan on board one of these small sail boats is yet to catch on with mainstream tourists.

Practically all Nile cruise vacations include a tour of Aswan and Luxor, as well as tours of several other historical sites and points of interest along the route. Most people who have been on a Nile River cruise will say that you haven’t experienced Egypt until you have experienced a cruise through the Nile Valley

Egypt Tourist Attractions #1 – The Giza Necropolis

Not only is the Giza Necropolis the most visited of all Egypt tourist attractions, but it is also one of the most visited attractions in the world and by far the most important site to Egypt tourism, attracting thousands of tourists every single day. The Giza pyramids which are conveniently located on the outskirts of Cairo were built over a period of three generations, with the first one being the pyramid of Khufu. At 139 meters, it is the largest pyramid ever built. Alongside this impressive structure, visitors can see the pyramid of Khafre, Khufu’s second reigning son, and also the pyramid of Pharaoh Menkaure. In addition to the Pyramids of Giza, the site is also home to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple.

→ Find out more about the Giza Necropolis

→ Explore more ancient Egyptian pyramids

→ Explore ALL Cairo, Egypt Tourist Attractions

→ Egypt Pyramids Tours

12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise And Red Sea Stay

10-Day Luxury Nile Cruise and Cairo Tours

10-Day Egypt and Jordan Luxury Tours

8-Day Cairo to Abu Simbel Tour w/ Nile Cruise

8-Day Egypt Holiday Tour – Cairo and Nile Cruise [By Train]

8-Day Best of Egypt Tour – Cairo and Nile Cruise [By Air]

We don't just sell amazing tours, we make dreams come true, private tours since 1955.

Award-Winning Service

Create your dream trip.

Explore Egypt your way by selecting only the attractions you want to visit

• Write For Passport & Plates

• Netherlands
• United Arab Emirates
• Puerto Rico
• United States
• Foodie Travel
• Travel Tips

Africa , Destination Guides , Egypt

Best egypt travel tips for first time visitors: everything to know before you go.

Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

If you’re looking for tips for traveling to Egypt, you’re in the right place! This post will provide you with everything you need to know about visiting Egypt for the first time including: travel misconceptions, what to expect in Egypt, how to deal with culture shock, health and safety and what to pack. 

Even the most seasoned traveler is not immune to misconceptions and stereotypes. We all have a certain idea about what a country will be like before hitting the “book now” button. Some of our ideas come from photos or other travelers, but the majority are born from the media…and they aren’t always pretty.

Egypt is one such country. Its tourism is suffering, thanks to frequent negative headlines about safety. I’m not one listen to sensationalist headlines, so I decided to go see Egypt for myself and document my experience.

Although I quickly realized that the reality of traveling in Egypt is far different than what the media claims, I was curious to see what other travelers thought about Egypt, both before and after visiting.

I surveyed fellow travelers who have visited the land of mummies and camels in the last six years and asked them two questions: What were some of your misconceptions of Egypt?  How have those changed now that you’ve visited? And more importantly, what Egypt tips for first timers would you like to share?

Before traveling to Egypt, it’s important to know that it can be exhilarating, frustrating, and enriching – especially for a first timer. You will experience culture shock. I know I did, and my family is part Egyptian! Keep reading to learn the best Egypt travel tips for the first time visitor, directly from travelers who have visited recently!

Table of Contents

Why visit Egypt

Temples, pharaohs, hieroglyphics, and pyramids. Unlike many countries, Egypt doesn’t need an introduction. The stories of raided tombs and well-preserved mummies make this country the top of pretty much everyone’s bucket list and with good reason. From the bustling streets of Cairo to the glimmering beaches of the Red Sea, Egypt is guaranteed to simultaneously delight, shock, and enchant. Egypt’s capital alone has plenty of spectacular things to do and see .

How the media has affected tourism: Egypt expectation vs reality

• “I didn’t think it would affect tourism so much (hotels are empty, almost no people at the historical sights of Karnak Temple or the Valley of the Kings).” –Sharon, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat
• “It was sad to hear stories from the locals about the damage their tourism industry has suffered, but it definitely gave me the motivation to make sure I was spreading my word of positivity as a tourist in Egypt.” –Travis, Traveler
• “I was surprised to see how poorly their travel industry is doing. I thought everyone wanted to go see the Pyramids.” –Olga, Traveler
• “I expected Egypt to be quite an expensive travel option, but it’s actually quite affordable.” –Louise, Traveler

The reality:

Unfortunately, the media has painted a dark picture of travel in Egypt, and its tourism is suffering accordingly. Tourist sites are virtually empty compared to their pre-revolution crowds. Thanks to the current exchange rate and low tourism numbers, traveling to Egypt has become much more affordable, and getting photos without people in them is a given.

I am aware that there have been several incidents in Egypt over the last few years, and of course, safety is never guaranteed, anywhere. However, the incidents in Egypt have been few and far between and only a couple of them have actually targeted tourists. Crimes happen anywhere and everywhere, and as it says on the UK Government foreign travel website “most visits to Egypt are trouble-free.”

I myself have visited Egypt annually since 2017 and have never had any issues. The biggest thing you have to worry about is typical tourism scams!

Is it safe to travel to Egypt as a tourist?

• “I was worried I’d be concerned for my safety, but I never felt unsafe on my group tour .” –Louise, Traveler
• “The security throughout the country and at all the ‘touristy’ locations was phenomenal. I always felt safe, even walking around the streets alone at night.” –Travis, Traveler
• “When I thought about traveling, the first thing I worried about was whether I was going to be able to do so safely. Although I did get a bit of attention for being a female Caucasian traveler, I wasn’t harassed due to my gender or skin color. I never felt unsafe in Egypt. In fact, the Egyptians took my safety very seriously.” –Josie, Traveler
• “I felt uncomfortable walking down the street alone as a woman. Part of it is that I stood out quite clearly with blonde hair and blue eyes, but another part is just the culture and not being totally aware before arriving.” –Alex, The Wayfaring Voyager
• “Traveling to Luxor and being in Luxor, there is much more security than 10 years ago. We never felt unsafe; on the contrary, people were extremely friendly.” –Sharon, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat

Yes, Egypt is safe for safe for tourists. Having visited Egypt several times in my life (both before and after the Arab Spring), I must admit that I never felt unsafe in Egypt. As mentioned in the previous section, most visits are trouble-free and visitors should be avoiding parts of The Sinai Peninsula, The Western Desert, and Egyptian border areas / military zones. Most travelers don’t visit these areas anyway, so I wouldn’t be worried.

Solo female travel in Egypt

Unfortunately, traveling as a solo female in Egypt does garner a lot of verbal attention from men, especially  toward women who appear foreign. While this unwanted attention is annoying, it’s typically harmless. I was surprised to find that traveling with a group helped to eliminate catcalling almost entirely, even when our guide wasn’t around. My tip for first-time travelers to Egypt (especially women): dress conservatively and brace yourself for cat-calling. (Note: I don’t condone this behavior whatsoever but I do think it’s important to be transparent about what it’s like for visiting women). In my experience, booking a guided tour greatly reduced the catcalling issue.  Psst: Check out my Egypt packing list for tips on what to wear in Egypt!

Should I book a tour to Egypt?

First of all, let me just say that yes, Egypt is safe and can be traveled to independently. I have visited multiple times and have traveled in Egypt independently, with family and on tours. However. Egypt is chaotic and can be difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t speak the language. I’m a big fan of independent travel and only book tours in countries where it’s absolutely necessary. Egypt is one of those countries.

If it’s your first time visiting and you’d prefer not to worry about all these tips and the hassle of transporting yourself from place to place, I highly recommend booking a tour. Most are pretty affordable and having your peace of mind and actually enjoying your trip is seriously priceless. I did Intrepid Travel’s Egypt Adventure tour with my favorite travel company ever. Click here to read a thorough review of the experience.

P.S. If you’re really against group tours, I strongly recommend booking a tour guide. Not only will he/she provide you with all the fascinating historical information about the sites you’re visiting, but he/she will also help you navigate the nuances of the culture and protect you from touts. Trust me, having a guide makes the experience much more pleasant.

How to get to Egypt

Egypt has several international airports but the most popular one to fly to is Cairo International Airport, especially if you’re coming from North America (like me). If you’re coming from Europe, it’s worth checking out prices to Alexandria, Sharm-el-Sheikh, or Hurghada Airports.

That being said, if you plan on visiting the Pyramids and other historical sites, I recommend flying into Cairo. It’s almost always the cheapest option from North America and the other airports (with the exception of Alexandria) are a lot further from the main sites. Compare flight prices on SkyScanner .

Visas in Egypt

Americans need to get a visa for Egypt, which can be done either on or before arrival. If you prefer a visa on arrival, it costs USD $25 in cash for a 30 day visa. Bring exact change in USD or Egyptian pounds because no other currency is accepted. You’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date.

A note about the airport:  The Cairo Airport is incredibly slow and welcomes every tourist with Egyptian time, starting at the line to get a visa on arrival. Save yourself the hassle and get an Egypt eVisa ahead instead!

How to get to Downtown Cairo from the airport

Here’s one thing to know before traveling to Egypt: if you won’t have data on your phone to call an Uber, I recommend booking an airport transfer  ahead of time if you aren’t staying in a hotel that provides a shuttle. Taxis are a bit of a free for all (especially at the airport) and the last thing you want to do is to start your trip feeling like you got ripped off.

Transportation in Egypt: how to get around

Within cairo: uber or metro.

There’s plenty of public transportation in Egypt, but it can be confusing for visitors. I have yet to understand the bus and microbus system after several visits. If you’re feeling adventurous or are on a budget, the metro is safe, easy to understand, and inexpensive. There’s even a separate car for women and children, which is kind of nice. Tourists rarely take the metro, though, so be prepared for some surprised looks. Note that the metro isn’t super extensive, so it doesn’t go everywhere. However, I’ve used it a few times and the experiences have been fine.

To be honest, most travelers and locals rely heavily on Uber or Careem (the Arab version of Uber). It’s inexpensive, always available, safe, and hassle-free. I suggest taking a screenshot of the Arabic – English numbers because the license plates are in Arabic.  I don’t recommend taxis unless you’re confident enough to haggle about the price. Although I’ve been to Egypt around 10 times, I rarely take taxis myself.

Traveling outside of Cairo

If you’re traveling outside of Cairo to other major cities, you can fly or take a train or bus.

• By Flight:  There are quite a few airports in Egypt, so if you’d prefer to get somewhere quickly, you can always book a (usually inexpensive) domestic flight to some of your destinations. Alexandria, Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh, and Hurghada all have airports and most tourist destinations are easily accessible from there.
• By Train: Ramses station in Downtown Cairo is the main train station (there’s a large station in Giza as well) and has routes to many popular destinations including Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. The first-class section of the train is pretty comfortable, but you should definitely book ahead of time. I’ve never purchased tickets online myself (only at the actual station), but you can do so if you register on the Egyptian Railways website . Once you get a confirmation email, you can book your train. P.S. Bring a warm sweater – the train is always so cold .
• By bus: If you’re headed to the Red Sea or Sinai, check out Go Bus for routes. These long-distances buses are incredibly comfortable and amenities depend on which class of ticket you purchase but can include Wi-Fi, meals, a seat TV screen, and more. The good news is that you can buy the tickets online, which is way more convenient than the train.

Traffic and crossing the road

Traffic in Egypt is bananas, particularly in Cairo. This surprised me the first time I visited – I couldn’t understand how all these cars could be on the road at once and why nobody was using designated lanes. Anyway, this chaos makes crossing the street a bit of a terrifying experience at first. But let me clue you in on a little secret: cross the street confidently. Look like you belong. Obviously, check both ways before you cross, but march across like you own the road. Alternatively, follow a local as they cross. You’ll get the hang of it quickly.

The best time to visit Egypt

November – March:  This is the best time to visit for cooler weather and generally empty sites (with the exception of December – early January because of school holidays). Winter is mild in Egypt but Alexandria (and sometimes Cairo) does see quite a bit of rain during this period.

April – May / September – October:  These are the best months to visit Egypt, especially if you’re interested in traveling both in the North and the South. The weather is warmer but not scorching, so it’s pleasant enough to both hike and hit the beaches.

June – August:  If you don’t mind the heat, summer in Egypt is perfect for all-day beach and pool lounging. This is peak tourism season at the Red Sea. Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan have fewer tourists due to temperatures that reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Language in Egypt

The official language of Egypt is Arabic, spoken with an Egyptian dialect. In general, most people (especially at tourist sites) can speak enough English for you to get by. However, this Arabic phrasebook is nice to have, especially if you decide to travel independently, especially if you’re not at tourist sites. Google Translate works in a pinch, but it translates to Modern Standard Arabic, not Egyptian Arabic, which sounds really different.

Currency in Egypt

Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound, and at the time of updating this post (November 2019), the rate was about USD $1 to 16 EGP which makes Egypt incredibly budget-friendly. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and nicer restaurants, but it’s generally better to carry cash. There are plenty of ATM machines and currency exchanges all over the city.

Exchanging money in Egypt

I find that the best way to exchange money in Egypt is to bring USD and change it at one of many money exchanges in Cairo (most are in Downtown). Although some of the more expensive restaurants accept credit cards, cash is still king in Egypt. You can also withdraw money from ATMs (USD $250 max per day) if you don’t want to carry a bunch of cash with you.

The tipping culture in Egypt

This is one of the most important things to know before traveling to Egypt for the first time because it comes a surprise to many visitors. Tipping, known as “baksheesh” is a big part of the culture in Egypt. You tip for pretty much anything and everything – anyone from the porter that helps you with your bags to someone who takes your photo to the bathroom attendant. Unfortunately, more often than not, nothing in Egypt is free, particularly at tourist sites.

Note: If you take a photo of someone or something at a site, be prepared to pay a small amount. Depending on the service, people usually tip between 1 – 10 pounds, depending on the situation. Yes, it’s annoying but it’s best to know ahead of time. Just be sure to save those smaller bills whenever you can – they’re hard to come by!

Photography and camera fees 

Most tourist spots have a “camera fee” in addition to an entry fee for those that want to take photos at certain tourist sites. In terms of street photography and stuff, Egypt is pretty weird about photography and filming in general. You aren’t allowed to photograph some buildings inexplicably so sometimes you’ll get chastised by a police officer for doing so (even though there aren’t signs). It’s usually not the end of the world if you don’t know but just be prepared for a bit of push-back when it comes to filming and photography overall. If you take photos of people, be sure to ask permission first and pay a tip as well.

Dealing with vendors and touts in Egypt

• “In Egypt, everything is up for barter and nothing is free. Knowing some words in Arabic is handy (no and thank you in particular), especially when navigating the bazaars.“ –Louise, Traveler
• “If you are more introverted, you will have a difficult time with the many pushy street vendors that congregate in the tourist locations.” –Sean, Traveler
• “I didn’t know exactly what to expect when traveling to Egypt, but I was definitely surprised by the attempts to fool me into buying things. Egypt stole my heart in a number of ways as a history-lover, but it was much more challenging than I had expected to get around.” –Alex, The Wayfaring Voyager
• “What we found was anything but what we had been preconditioned to believe! Arriving in the hustle and bustle of Cairo, the atmosphere was undeniably electric.” –Sarah, Exploring Kiwis

Like many countries, Egypt has its fair share of street vendors pushing you to purchase souvenirs, especially in the big cities and at tourist sites. Negotiating and tipping are a big part of the culture, which often comes as a bit of a shock to first time visitors to Egypt. The rules of thumb are 1) always ask for prices, 2) haggle, haggle, haggle, 3) don’t be afraid to say no. If you love haggling at markets, Egypt is the place to be. If not, usually a firm but polite “lah shokran” (no thank you) wards off even the pushiest of vendors. And if you do want to shop while there, check out this list of things to buy in Egypt .

Visiting the Pyramids of Giza

“When visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza, I did not expect to see a Pizza Hut and KFC. Many locals have told me the Pizza Hut has one of the best views for the nightly sound and light show. For some reason, I expect the pyramids to be far outside of the city but instead they are literally in Cairo.” –Hannah, Getting Stamped

This is something I often hear from first-time visitors to Egypt and I remember thinking the same when I visited! Surprise: The Giza Pyramids are not in a vast, empty desert in the middle of nowhere. Rather, they’re a quick drive from the city. All the photos you see are taken from the back of the Pyramids. P.S. visiting the Pyramids is quite the unique experience and needs a lot of tips on its own. I’ve written a post on everything you need to know about visiting the Pyramids here . (It includes a lot of great Cairo travel tips too). 

What to pack and what to wear for a trip to Egypt

Many people ask me what they need to pack for Egypt so I wrote an entire Egypt packing list . I highly recommend reading it as I included do’s and don’ts for clothing and some essential items you probably won’t even think about (like toilet paper!). I’m going to include a few noteworthy items in this post, but you’ll definitely want to check out the complete list as well.

• Comfortable shoes: It’s really tempting to wear open-toed shoes in Egypt (I do sometimes, but be prepared for dirty feet!) but the best option to deal with the sand, dirt, and questionable roads is comfortable tennis shoes. My favorite travel sneakers ever are Allbirds, these  awesome wool sneakers that don’t make your feet sweat (even if you wear them without socks). They’re cute, they’re functional, and they’re comfy AF.
• Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is useful for general…er, sanitizing. Especially if a bathroom isn’t handy or it doesn’t have soap (learned from personal experience, sigh).
• Toilet paper: Toilet paper isn’t always a thing in Egypt, because people use bidets to keep their booties clean. I never understood why there isn’t toilet paper to dry off, but now I know to bring my own and I’m passing that wisdom on to you. You can always buy toilet paper while there or take some from your hotel, but I like to keep some of these  small toilet paper rolls  in my purse and not worry about it.
• Filtered water bottle:  I already wrote why you need a filtered water bottle in the food safety section, so I won’t re-hash the reasons. This Grayl bottle is the easiest and best water bottle to keep the germs away and to avoid contributing to single-use plastic waste.
• Travel insurance:  Yes, you need travel insurance for if things (hopefully don’t but often do) go wrong. I’ve been sick, needed stitches, crashed a rental car, had cash stolen and have dealt with luggage delays. Let’s just say I’ve learned my lesson about travel insurance the hard way. My go-to insurance is  World Nomads  cause they’re awesome. Be sure to check out the different plan options to pick one that’s right for you!
• Scarf:  Having a  large scarf  on hand is super helpful for impromptu mosque visits or to protect your skin when the sun is feeling just a little too strong. Plus, it’s a cute accessory for an outfit as well!

Egyptian cuisine: what to eat and how to avoid getting sick

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sally • Foodie Travel Blogger (@passportandplates)

“I expected breakfast to resemble something like home (Australia), but it doesn’t. Think lots of carbs, jam, feta style cheese, and beans. Eating gluten-free was a challenge.” –Louise, Traveler

Food in Egypt

Egyptian food is delicious and varied, although it’s definitely on the heavier side and includes a fair amount of carbs. There are a few touristy restaurants that aren’t great, but luckily for you, I wrote out an entire Egyptian Food Guide . It’ll help you get an idea of what Egyptian food is like and to discover what you need to eat (plus where to eat it) while visiting Egypt for the first time! If you’d like a guide to help you navigate the Egyptian food scene, consider taking this awesome food tour !

It’s worth noting that depending on your dietary restrictions, you may have a hard time eating in Egypt. In particular, one of my group tour members was allergic to gluten and he had a difficult time partaking in Egypt’s carb-heavy cuisine. If that’s the case for you, a guide will be extra-helpful to help translate these restrictions.

Additionally, you may experience a bit of an upset stomach and/or traveler’s diarrhea while you’re in Egypt. That’s totally normal but just take some extra precautions like: not eating raw/unwashed fruits and vegetables, only drinking filtered/bottled water, being cautious with street food. Many people travel with Imodium , every traveler’s favorite treatment for travel diarrhea. My doctor tells me that you shouldn’t stop whatever is making you sick from leaving your system. However, I totally get that there are times where “better out than in” just doesn’t work. So bring Imodium if you’d like, but use it only when you need to.

Staying hydrated and drinking water in Egypt

Be sure to stay extra hydrated while you’re in Egypt as well because it’s hot most of the time. I always bring a water bottle with me when I travel because single-use plastic sucks for the planet and buying lots of bottled water is expensive and inconvenient. You can’t drink tap water in Egypt but you can drink filtered, purified water. I bring along a Steripen , a UV water purifier that gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa and use it in combination with my  CamelBak Insulated Water Bottle . This bottle is particularly awesome because it holds 20 oz and keeps water cold, which you’ll want in a hot country like Egypt. If you’d rather purchase an all-in-one solution,  Grayl’s water filtering bottle  is a great alternative so you can fill directly from the tap and drink almost immediately. I oftentimes bring  rehydration salts along just in case I’m having stomach issues and can’t stay hydrated. This is one of my top travel tips for Egypt – hydration solves a lot of potential health problems!

Egypt’s natural landscapes: how to visit

“Egypt is well known for its ancient wonders, but I would argue that the natural side of Egypt is more worth a traveler’s time. Being in the White and Black Deserts as well as along the Nile were a good taste of what Egypt has to offer in terms of natural beauty, and should not be missed in the itinerary of any worldly traveler.” –Sean, Traveler

I agree wholeheartedly with Sean’s statement. Egypt is more than its ancient temples. Its varying landscapes make it an outdoor lover’s dream! Learn more: check out my guide to camping in the White and Black Deserts : an activity not to be missed when visiting Egypt! Also consider Fayoum, Wadi-el-Hitan, or Siwa. Check out more information here .

What’s “Egyptian Time?” 

“Trains run on Egyptian time, which basically means they’ll leave and arrive whenever they feel like. Definitely take that into account when planning your trip.” –Olga, Traveler

Travel tip: If you’re one of those people that plan an hourly schedule when you travel, throw your plan away and start again. Most things run on Egyptian time, and there’s no point in getting worked up by long lines or transportation delays.

Bonus Egypt travel tip: Egyptian hospitality

• “I thought Egyptians may not be hospitable to westerners, but they are actually really welcoming.” –Louise, Traveler
• “Almost everyone was friendly and welcoming, which I didn’t expect.” –Olga, Traveler
• “As a solo traveler, I was nervous but was completely overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the Egyptian people.” –Travis, Traveler
• “The people were very kind. All in all, Egypt was amazing.” –Josie, Traveler

I’m not surprised by the number of people who think Egypt is hostile to foreigners before visiting for the first time, thanks to the mainstream media . Egyptian hospitality may not be making headlines, but it certainly should be. When I went on my group tour , we were welcomed by vendors and locals alike, everywhere we went. Everyone wanted to know where we were from and excitedly took selfies with our group. They made sure to remind us that we (and our friends) are welcome in Egypt.

Overall: Egypt will impress you

• “Egypt was a pleasant surprise and a place that I would encourage everyone to visit – to be that close to ancient human history is absolutely humbling. Don’t let other people put you off – the world is a good place!” –Sarah, Exploring Kiwis
• “I loved discovering North Africa and I am inspired to travel to more Arab countries. Morocco, Jordan and Lebanon are in the cards.” –Louise, Traveler
• “All in all, Egypt was amazing! It was safe, fun and I learned so much historically and culturally.“ –Josie, Traveler
• “My experience gave me the motivation to make sure I was spreading my word of positivity as a tourist in Egypt. It’s a country of great depths and diversity that I will most definitely visit again soon.” –Travis, Traveler

There you have it: things to know when traveling to Egypt. You are now armed with the best Egypt travel tips for visiting Egypt for the first time. I highly recommend booking a group tour to Egypt as it is not an easy country to navigate independently. I personally did this combined Egypt/Jordan tour , but you can also book the Egypt only portion here . So what are you waiting for? Travel to Egypt and see what this historically-rich country has to offer!

More Egypt Resources

• 30+ Awesome Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt: The Ultimate Cairo Travel Guide
• What to Pack for Egypt: The Ultimate Egypt Packing List
• 2 Days in Luxor Itinerary: The Best Things to Do, See, and Eat in Luxor
• 2 Days in Aswan Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt
• Egypt Travel Guide
• Pharaohs and Feluccas: Exploring Egypt with Intrepid Travel
• Camping in the White Desert, Egypt: A First Timer’s Guide
• Traditional Egyptian Food Guide: 20 Must Eat Foods in Cairo, Egypt
• Egypt Travel Tips for the First Time Visitor: Expectations vs Reality
• Bellies En-Route Downtown Cairo Food Tour: The Best Thing to Do in Cairo for Foodies
• Visiting the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: Everything to Know Before You Go
• Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt: The Best Hotels in Cairo for Every Budget

Tell me: have you ever visited Egypt? What was the most surprising part of the country and what did you wish you knew before you went? 

Like this post? Pin it for later!

37 thoughts on “ Best Egypt Travel Tips for First Time Visitors: Everything to Know Before You Go ”

I definitely have pre-conceived notions about Egypt. Some are from the press, but many are just based on the photos I’ve seen — for instance, I never knew that about the Great Pyramids of Giza! Also, I’m not sure if it makes me laugh or sort of sad that one of the best views of the show is in the Pizza Hut parking lot. I guess those chains really are everywhere. I do have safety concerns, but reading the different reports, particularly about the group tours was really enlightening. Thanks for sharing!

Totally! It’s kind of sad but also hilarious – I haven’t even checked out the show from there before haha so I’ll definitely have to next time I go. I honestly find that traveling in a group is totally safe and that the media just freaks people out. You should reconsider and visit soon 🙂

Thanks for shedding a light on the reality of travel to Egypt – it’s sad that media headlines can have such an effect on the livelihoods of those who rely on the tourism industry. I’m like the blogger you interviewed who is surprised that it has affected tourism so much – I also thought everyone wanted to see the pyramids!

It’s sad indeed! And there are so many places that are affected by it too. And yeah, same! Apparently people don’t want to see the Pyramids that badly haha.

It is great to see your post that paints a candid and real picture of Egypt. It is unfortunate that the media presents pictures that are far removed from reality. A recent visit to Africa completely changed my perception fed by the media.

Thank you! I try to include both the good and the bad but I can definitely say that the media’s portrayal of Egypt is very inaccurate. I’m glad you were recently able to visit the continent and see for yourself!

Love this Sally! I wish more articles were written about the realities of traveling to certain places. I have been wanting to visit Egypt for about 10 years and my husband keeps saying no that he feels it is unsafe. But as a solo female traveler – I don’t feel unsafe at all. I have been around the globe alone and feel the media is wrong about a lot of places. Maybe I can just sneak out and go 😉

Thanks Nicki! I honestly don’t every feel unsafe there. There is a bit of a catcalling problem towards women which is seriously annoying but I never felt concerned for my safety. The media portrays so many places inaccurately and it’s SUCH a shame. You should definitely go for a visit 🙂

I love this article and how you are debunking the fear mongering myths from the media. It is so sad how much that has affected tourism and the local economy. We haven’t been to Egypt but have always wanted to go. I have heard others say its unsafe but really haven’t thought twice about their comments since we weren’t planning a trip soon. Thanks so much for your insight and all the others you’ve collected who have actually been there! I will be passing this along if Egypt comes up in conversation again!

Thanks so much! I tried to be as accurate in portraying both the good and the bad, but the reality is that the media blows everything out of proportion. I jut went this year and plan on going back so I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself sometime 🙂

Pizza Hut has one of the best views in Giza?? Whoa, I would have never thought of it. 🙂 I really hope to visit Egypt soon. My husband visited the Giza and Aswan a few years back and has some amazing stories to share. It’s good to read so many people’s thoughts and suggestions here.

LOL hilarious isn’t it? I highly recommend a visit sometime! It’s a pretty amazing place.

What a great post setup. Seriously, it’s genius! Plus, thank you for setting a really great perspective on Egypt. I had been less-apt to visit because of alerts and such. I’m really loving hearing that it feels safe! I wasn’t planning on going anytime soon, but it’s definitely higher on my radar to maybe check out after Morocco. I’m definitely going to share this!

Thanks so much, Paige! I know that the media makes it seem like a dangerous country, but the reality is that it’s totally fine to visit. I definitely recommend visiting with a group or having a guide because of the language barrier and stuff but it’s seriously an amazing place to visit! I hope you end up going!

This was such a great read! It’s so sad that Egypt’s tourism industry is suffering. Such a beautiful place to visit. I’ve always thought Egypt would be super interesting and unique to explore. I hope I make it there one day, and I hope your post helps to bring a wave of people to Egypt!

It makes me so sad :(. I hope you get a chance to go sometime soon and I hope more people consider visiting Egypt!

I love this article! I see so much how media has portrayed the country and how people will often condemn you if you show interest in visiting, but you are trying to change the opinions and I love it! You have some super helpful tips in here and the photos are amazing

Thanks so much! I hope that people can see that Egypt isn’t the big scary place the media makes it seem 🙂

Thank you for all the practical tips and advice! Egypt has always been so high up on my bucket list but was hesitant because of the travel alerts and news. I’m hoping that 2018 is THE year to make that trip happen, maybe I’ll even make it to Pizza Hut by the pyramids!

DO IT! It’s the most beautiful and amazing place. It has its challenges forsure but it’s totally worth a visit. I hope you get a chance to visit next year!

Really good advice article. Egypt has been on my to-go list since forever, but you’re right, with all the negative media, I tend to think it’s more dangerous. So your article and research gives me more courage for sure.

Thank you! I’m glad it helped and I seriously hope you get a chance to visit soon 🙂

I have always wanted to travel to Egypt and love learning about the history there. Thank you for the great guide!!

You’re welcome! I hope you get a chance to visit soon 🙂

Holy Cow! It sounds like you had an amazing adventure! Did you get to meet Cleopatra?

Haha I got to see some artifacts at the Egyptian Museum! That counts, right?

Wow! What a great blog! I love the analytical approach you have made. What others have said, then what you think about the topic. We really want to go, but as you say, it’s easy to get put off by the unfavourable media coverage of it. You have obviously travelled extensively, so this is bookmarked for future research! Thanks 🙂

Thank you! I’ve travelled to Egypt several times so I can honestly say it’s a great place to visit, despite what the media says. I hope you get a chance to go sometime soon 🙂

The blog was amazing and informative. I strongly agree that you should book your tour to Egypt with a local tour operator.

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

Very informative article, thanks for that! Also we have been in Egypt for over two months and experienced a lot.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your time!

What a great blog! This is such an amazing post. Thank you for sharing with us and glad to you for advice. I have visited with my family to spend our vacation with the help of Ask-Aladdin and we enjoyed our trip with safe. Egypt is the best ancient place for tourist and there are very things to learn also. This is mainly famous for Pyramids of Giza, the Nile, and Cairo. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and such a wonderful place. Keep blogging like this.

Thanks Andrew! Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Egypt :). It’s a great country.

Great to read about your Intrepid trip to Egypt. i’m doing the same trip over Christmas and I can’t wait!

Oh NICE! I’m so excited for you – you’re going to love it 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview

• ☎️ 020 3131 5187
• Up to 4 nights
• Up to 7 nights
• 5 to 7 nights
• 8 to 14 nights
• 15 to 28 nights
• I’m flexible +/- 5 days
• Custom range

All of our arrangements have been specially designed to incorporate a reason to travel and, for ease of choice, these have been categorised under the titles shown below.

The Wonders of Egypt

Request your free copy or view online

We are thrilled to offer our brochure, The Wonders of Egypt, where we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery through ancient lands on our small group tours and cruises.

From the indomitable Pyramids, the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, to the Temples of Karnak, built across a period of 2,000 years, Egypt is a never-ending treasure trove of history and culture. Our trips have been designed to extract the very best of the country, from bucket list sites to rarely visited gems sought out by our team of experts. We offer Nile cruises ranging from four to 14 nights, offering something for every traveller – from first-time visitor to Egypt expert.

Starting in Cairo,  Lake Nasser & the Nile  is a new 10-night trip combining a land stay in the capital with two contrasting cruises: four nights on Lake Nasser, and three nights from Aswan to Luxor on the MS Hamees. It’s our only itinerary that visits the temples of Lake Nasser by water, so it’s ideal if you’re after an alternative take on the region. You’ll also explore big hitters including the Pyramids of Giza, the ancient treasures of Luxor, and sail to Abu Simbel to witness a delightful sound and light show.

The  Timeless Nile by Royal Steamer  sails on the SS Misr, the vessel is home to just 24 cabins, so it’s intimate and personalised, with décor befitting of its royal heritage and original steam engines you can still view. This exclusive new Jules Verne charter includes a visit to the ancient, rock-cut temple complex of Abu Simbel and a rare visit to Denderah, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

Classic Week on the Nile  is a new week-long trip perfect for travellers short on time, offering excellent value for money. You’ll sail on the contemporary vessel MS Hamees, taking in the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu temple, and Aswan.

If you’d prefer to stay on land, opt for our eight-day Unpack & Explore itinerary based in Luxor.  Leisurely Luxor  is one of two new single-centre tours, taking you on guided land excursions around Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings, the Temples of Karnak, and other key sites. Settle into the Pavillon Winter Hotel, a comfortable hotel located in the grounds of the famous Old Winter Palace hotel, or for a truly special experience upgrade to sleep at the palace itself (for an extra supplement).

Gems of Cairo  is a four-night stay that is all about Cairo’s cultural lures. From a base in the heart of modern Cairo, you’ll enjoy full-day tours to the Pyramids, Memphis, and Saqqara, as well as the Egyptian Museum – soon to be the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. The tour also includes a free day to explore at leisure, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a flexible, personalised trip.

In addition to these new tours, the brochure also includes our existing cruises. If you’ve never been to Egypt and want to pack in the classic sites,  Pyramids & the Nile  is a great choice. Alternatively, if you have already visited Egypt and want to get further off the beaten track, we recommend our 10-night  Treasures of the Nile  cruise on the charming Moroccan-inspired MS Darakum. The  Secret Nile , our longest cruise, overlaps with the Treasures of the Nile for the first 10 days, while the final four days explore the West Bank, home to several little-known temples. If you are looking to dig a little deeper, sail on our  600-Mile Nile  and you'll take in all the famous sites, combined with lesser-visited spots.

It’s all about the journey on the SS Misr, and you can expect an exceptional on-board experience.  A Royal Steamer Restored  offers a memorable seven-night voyage, sailing round-trip from Luxor, or sail the entire 600-mile route from Aswan to Cairo on  The Original Nile by Royal Steamer .

Please note that prices are correct at the time of publication and may increase due to currency fluctuations. The price we confirm at the time of booking is the price we guarantee.

Request by post

Please select the brochures you require below.

Please note, brochures are delivered to addresses within the UK only, overseas visitors wishing to order a brochure please click here to view our brochures online.

From time to time, we may send you details of Jules Verne products (including new brochures), services, and news which we believe will be of interest to you.

Please tick if you wish to receive postal mailings and brochures from us

Please tick if you wish to receive the latest offers and late availability deals by email

* I have read and agree to the Jules Verne Privacy Policy and T&c’S

Your brochure request has been submitted successfully and will take 5 - 7 working days to arrive.

Egypt Travel Brochures

• Travel Agent
• Business Cards
• Cup Sleeves
• Door Hangers
• Gift Certificates
• Letterheads
• Loyalty Cards
• Newsletters
• Pocket Folders
• Reminder Cards
• Social Media Designs
• Table Covers
• Table Tents

Design Resources

10 eye-catching travel brochure designs that inspire and excite, unlock your dream vacation: discover the power of travel brochures, boost your business with 10 custom travel poster designs, 15 ingenious travel flyer ideas that will skyrocket your bookings, 10 creative menu ideas to transport diners on a global taste adventure, 10 jet-setting designs for custom travel business cards, 10 clever ways to make your travel table tent stand out, 10 inspiring travel pocket folder templates for small travel agencies.

Egypt Travel Guide

Popular destinations, san francisco, new york city.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved