Egypt, the land of ancient tombs, archaeological treasures, unique desert landscapes, the gorgeous Nile River, and of course, the Pyramids of Giza. Egypt has always been on my ultimate bucket list because of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Since childhood, I have loved learning Egyptian history. In 9th grade, I continued to fall in love with Egypt as we studied the ancient river valley civilizations. The history is unmatched! Literally thousands of years of history right in front of your face. There is more to Egypt than the pyramids and the Sphinx - so many temples to explore, amazing museums to visit. If that is not your thing, you can sail the Nile or shop in a bazaar.
This Egypt travel guide is here to help everyone who has messaged me on Instagram saying that Egypt is on your bucket list. Before booking your flights, I’d strongly recommend reading through this post! If you don’t have time now, pin it or bookmark it and save it for later. This was one of the destinations that I’ve gotten the most questions about. I love how excited you guys are about it! You can read all my travel guides here to see where else we’ve been! We’ve traveled within the United States, Europe, Asia, and Mexico.
Is Egypt Safe to Visit?
This was the most common question I got. For the most part, yes, I felt safe. There were some moments where I was on edge or a little nervous. The US Travel Advisory is a Level 2: exercise increased caution. There were places we knew to avoid like the Sinai peninsula except Sharm el Sheikh and Western Egypt due to chances of terrorism. There were x-ray machines at the entrance to every hotel (both good and bad depending on how you look at it) and every historic site or monument. When going through security especially in airports, you will also be patted down.
Planning Your Trip
Visa Requirements
Do you need a Visa for Egypt? Yes, you can buy them in the Cairo airport before getting your baggage if you’re traveling from the US. They cost $25 USD and you can get them at the currency exchange or bank before passing through customs. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a 25 USD fee.
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Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Egypt is the cooler months of the year: November through March. In the southern part of the country, such as Luxor and Aswan, rain is unlikely. During the summer months, temperatures can be oppressive. High temperatures average around 40°C (104°F), but can shoot up to 55°C (130°F).
Transportation
When you’re traveling between cities, the fastest way is to fly. EgyptAir is the most prominent airline in Egypt for short flights within the country. Generally, the flights are about $50-$150 between cities depending on how far in advance you book. We flew EgyptAir for all 4 flights and spent just under $1000 for 2 people (8 flights total and 2 were first class because there were no other seats left on that flight). The airports are relatively small so security is quick.
Booking EgyptAir online is impossible with a US credit or debit card. In order to book flights, you will need to call the airline and make reservations over the phone. It wasn’t a huge hassle but it wasn’t as easy as booking a flight on Southwest. If you can’t fly, hiring a private driver is the next best option.
There are some routes that the airlines don’t fly. For example, there was no flight between Luxor and Aswan without flying back through Cairo. The travel time of that connection was so long that it didn’t make sense to fly so we ended up hiring a private driver. This cost us $120. We used Egypt Tailor Made Tours for this. They do more than transport between cities but this is what we used them for.
Note that you can’t drive on the roads as a foreigner after 8PM and before 6AM without a convoy. We were also told that the driver couldn’t drive us on the freeway so we had to take a longer route with a ridiculous amount of speed bumps. This just made the trip longer but it wasn’t unbearable.
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There are several companies who offer a Nile cruise between cities. Some even stop off in cities along the Nile which I personally feel would have been worth it if we had more time. I can’t say that I would recommend this based on the experiences of the others in our group. It largely depends on your luck in terms of how new or how old your train is. There is no way to know in advance. It’s by far the cheapest route being a few dollars but you get what you pay for.
Some of the people in our group said that the sleeper train was kind of like a frat house - a little dirty but bearable. Another couple had probably the worst experience. They walked into their first sleeper car and found fully formed feces covering the toilet seat as if a prior person had missed (we saw pictures). They were moved to a second one but still covered the arm rests with plastic bags for some degree of sanitation. I share this not to discourage anyone but just to give you all the information so you can make the right choices for your trip. My main goal is just to be a good resource!
As I mentioned above, tourism is relatively recent so some transportation systems aren’t what you might expect coming from the Western world. We probably had the best experience with Uber. The cost was fixed so that took out any pressure to negotiate and we could get all around Cairo for about $2 USD. Note that driving in Cairo is much like Mumbai, India - there are rarely street signs, signals, and there are no lanes. There is also a lot of honking.
Cultural Considerations
Generally speaking, the Egyptian people were very welcoming. Their number one priority is to make sure you were happy, having a good time, and making the most of your experience in Egypt. Tourism does help them economically as well but I generally felt this was sincere. They are also very direct people (which I appreciate as someone who is probably more on the direct side).
Like most Middle Eastern and Asian countries, Westerners are easily identified especially if you are tall, have blonde hair, or have blue eyes. So, you may get asked to have your picture taken especially by children or teenagers. For the most part, they really do just want a photo with you.
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One of the most surprising things was how forward (some might say aggressive) locals were with tourists when it came to selling goods. You definitely need to mentally prepare for this if this is something that makes you uneasy. We didn’t and feel like if we had, it would have made our overall experience a lot better. I debated what to label this section (Egyptians used the word “hustling” to describe it). Some tourists have also described it as scamming.
Locals quickly pinpoint Americans to sell their souvenirs to and they are very persistent. We were told by our tour guides to ignore every advance or else we would be inundated by salespeople. We saw this firsthand on several instances when someone in our group happened to show interest in a certain product. The other thing we noticed was that prices seemed to increase ~2x once locals found out we were American. Know this before you go and plan to negotiate.
Don’t pay more for anything than it’s worth to you and don’t be afraid to walk away if the price isn’t low enough for you. To be honest, this was the most exhausting part of the trip because we had to negotiate constantly for cabs, for goods, for whatever. We never knew what a good price was and constantly were wondering if we were taken advantage of.
As I mentioned above, the culture shock may be too much for some people (and there’s nothing wrong with that). The most memorable of these experiences was when we went to the Khan Al-Khalili night market in Cairo on Mawlid. Everyone was out celebrating and as Westerners, we were easy targets for the salesmen on the streets. One man got aggressive with Matt and cussed him out when Matt said “no thank you” to buying a dead rose. This was the moment we probably felt least comfortable the entire trip. We also felt a little unsafe given there were just too many people. We struggled to get a cab back to our hotel and the extreme traffic in Cairo contributed to it.
I only share this aspect of Egypt so my photos and videos about the culture don’t mislead anyone into an experience that might not be the best for them. I hope you guys know I truly have an appreciation for all people and all cultures and a sincere curiosity to experience new things with a deeper meaning.
Itinerary Suggestions
And now for the most important part! We started in Cairo, then went on to Luxor, and finished in Aswan.
Cairo
We arrived in Cairo at 8PM and checked into our hotel, Fairmont Nile City. It was a nice hotel and the rooms were about $150 per night. Most of our group stayed at Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir. It was another great option and probably a little more central to Cairo which made it more convenient if you are planning to venture out on your own.
Cairo…this sprawling, historic, ancient city is most visitors’ first stop on a trip through Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum top the list for most, but there is a lot more to see and do in this city. With 2 days in Cairo and Giza, you have enough time to visit the Pyramids of Giza, explore the amazing Egyptian Museum, and walk through Islamic Cairo. But what if you want to skip some of the sights in Cairo and go on a day trip instead? You can do that, too.
A few things to know about Cairo before I dive in. It’s very densely populated and is largely full of low income neighborhoods. There are ~25 million people living there which is 25% of the population of Egypt. The traffic is constant given the high population and there’s quite a bit of pollution/dirt in the air.
Since the rest of our group was coming into Cairo the day after, we decided to do Alexandria on this day so we could maximize the time we had with the rest of the group. We hired a driver and tour guide through Bes Egypt Tours to give us a day tour for $143 total which included lunch, water, and snacks. The drive is about 3 hours each way but on the way there, it took 5 hours. There was a sand storm which caused the government to shut down the freeway for an hour. Apparently, they have had many issues with large accidents (think 50 car pile ups) so I’m glad we got off the road. We left at 7AM and returned just before 8PM. We ended up eating dinner at the sushi restaurant called Saigon in our hotel which was pretty good!
If you’re looking for a great place to watch belly dancing and grab a few cocktails, I’d recommend Bab El Nil. In hindsight, I would say you can probably skip Alexandria if you are short on time.
Pyramids of Giza
This is the day we saw the pyramids! We all met at our friends’ hotel in order for Let’s Explore Egypt to pick us up in one spot! This was probably the most affordable tour and was the best value during all of Egypt. It was under $35 for a half day tour which felt like we got a full day tour! Our tour guide’s name was Heba and I would strongly recommend booking with her. She spoke great English, was very personable, and made sure we were happy every step of the way. That way, you can be sure you get a tour guided by her. If you are in Cairo for a day or two, most likely the great pyramids of Giza are on the top of your to-do list. And they should be…they are spectacular. The Pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx and a handful of smaller tombs, form one of the most iconic sights in the world. If you have plans to visit Egypt, then most likely these pyramids are at the top of your list. If you are planning a trip to Egypt and want to know where to get the best views of the Pyramids of Giza, we have some great spots for you to try. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last intact ancient Wonder of the World.
Pyramids - If you want to enter the first pyramid, it’s an extra 360 LE which is roughly $20 USD. It’s basically a dark empty room with one sarcophagus so there isn’t a lot to see but we did it because it’s probably the only time in our lives we will go inside a pyramid. The tunnel up to the room is a little small and you do have to crouch over at points.
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Visit to Topaz Bazaar. This is where I got my gold cartouche necklace! It is possible to order them online here and shipping apparently only takes a week! Everything is real gold or real silver and the store has a certificate of authenticity basically saying they aren’t allowed to produce anything that isn’t pure. The prices are based on the metal and the size.
Visit to Siwa Perfumes. If you are into essential oils, you’ll love this part. This is where we got to smell everything and test out essential oils which are really big in Egypt. We learned so much about what each oil is used for health wise. We also learned that a lot of the perfumes sold around the world have Egyptian essentials oil blends as a base.
Visit to a Papyrus factory. We skipped out on this piece because our group was pretty jet lagged.
Grand Egyptian Museum
We went to the the Grand Egyptian Museum during the morning and spent a few hours there. The regular ticket was 160 LE or $7 USD. However, we opted for the mummy rooms which were 180 LE separately. I want to say the combined ticket was 360 LE. This is the museum where King Tut’s mask is housed as well as the artifacts from his tomb (his mummy and actual tomb are located in Luxor). There were so many artifacts all over and it was amazing how most of them were completely out in the open (i.e. you could touch them). We didn’t opt to have a tour guide for this and I feel like it was the right decision. I’m very glad we decided to do the mummy rooms because it was one of the highlights of the trip.
Mosque of Muhammed Ali and the Cairo Citadel
After the museum, we went to the Mosque of Muhammed Ali and the Cairo Citadel which overlooks all of Cairo. One thing that surprised me was how brown the city of Cairo was architecturally. You’ll see that from this vantage point! There is also a museum on the property and another mosque.
Luxor
We left for Luxor first thing in the morning. It should cost you about 150 LE from the airport to the Hilton. We checked into the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa and had breakfast with part of our group who were in Luxor for the day! This was exactly what we needed. The hotel was pretty nice, reasonably priced, and an oasis in the desert.
Luxor, Egypt is the world’s greatest open-air museum. Ancient tombs and temples are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsut…these are just a few of the best things to do in Luxor. In this article, learn how to plan your visit to Luxor, with advice on how to get around, where to stay, and where to eat.
Matt booked a private 2 day tour in advance - one day for the East Bank and one day for the West Bank. It was about $280 which in hindsight was outrageously priced for Egypt after our experiences in Cairo. I would definitely recommend doing Luxor without a tour guide. You don’t need one. The value just wasn’t there especially when you can hire a taxi for 1/10th the price and have the same experience. We read online that you need one day for the West Bank and one day for the East Bank which is why we did this 2 day tour but you could do this all in one day especially if you move fast like we do. Since we were with a tour guide, we stuck with the plan and did the East Bank on the first day.
East Bank
The East Bank of Luxor is where you will find two of Egypt’s most important sites, the Luxor Temple and the sprawling Karnak Temple, as well as several small museums.
We visited Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple with our tour guide. The entry fees were included within our tour price. Karnak Temple was 150 LE and Luxor Temple was 140 LE. Karnak Temple was probably my most favorite part of the trip! There is also a sound and light show at Temple of Karnak at night which is an additional cost. I heard this show and the one at the Sphinx were a little gimmicky so we didn’t do any of these.
1. Dating back over 3,000 years, this temple is unique in many ways with the avenue of Sphinxes - a symbol of the god Amun, which comprises over 100 massive sandstone columns and an obelisk similar to the Washington monument. Whether you look up or around, you will catch yourself in a gaze of awe. No wonder it is the 2nd most visited site in Egypt after the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza.
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2. Luxor Temple appears to be a smaller version of Karnak Temple. This temple appears to have been the location of crowning of many pharoahs, versus their burial. This temple was built in 1400 BC, mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.
West Bank
We woke up really early for the second part of our tour which was the West Bank. This is where all of the tombs were and was one of the most interesting parts for me. We headed to the Valley of the Kings.
The West Bank of Luxor contains one of the largest collections of archaeological treasures in the world. This is where you will find the famous Valley of the Kings, the breathtaking tomb of Queen Nefertari, the mortuary temples of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and an astounding number of tombs.
The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. This is a royal burial ground, with exquisitely decorated tombs for the pharaohs who ruled Egypt between 1539 and 1075 BC. There are over 60 tombs in this small area, although only a handful are open to public. The Valley of the Kings is one of Egypt’s most spectacular destinations. Located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, this small area contains a staggering amount of exquisitely decorated tombs of Egypt’s ancient kings.
1. A royal burial ground for pharaohs who ruled Egypt between 1539 and 1075 BC, there are many famous pharaohs from this time period including Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Tuthmosis III, and Seti I. The valley has about 65 tombs that have been excavated (labelled with KV1 to KV65, KV standing for Kings Valley) . Tombs were carved deep into the earth and in this far away location so tombs and treasures would be safe from robbers, unlike the Pyramids of Giza.
HELPFUL to know: In order to get to the tombs, you take a 3 minute tram ride. From here, you take an uphill walk to get to the entrances of the tombs. There are three additional tombs that you can visit with an extra ticket.
2. The next stop was the Temple of Hatshepsut, who was Egypt’s longest-reigning female ruler (20 years) and had to portray herself as a man. This temple was her most famous architectural achievement and is quite unique when compared to other temples.
TIP: Pace yourself here as there are lots of steps and lots of sun. There is a shuttle that brings you a little closer if you want.
3. In comparison to the Valley of Kings, they did the Queens dirty!
Aswan
Beautiful, laid-back Aswan…for many, this is the starting or the ending point of a Nile Cruise. For others, it is the home base for a day trip to Abu Simbel. There are several ways to travel between Aswan and Luxor. Cruising the Nile River is the most popular option, but you can also drive or take the train between these two cities.
Abu Simbel
Sitting on the bank of Lake Nasser is one of Egypt’s most striking monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Built by Ramesses II over 3,000 years ago, these temples have stood the test of time.
1. Continuing this fast paced tour, we caught a super super early flight to Abu Simbel - we woke up at 3 AM to leave by 4:15 AM to get to the airport by 5 AM to catch a 7 AM flight. By 10:45 AM, we were flying back! Abu Simbel is a village further south from Aswan, only 40km north of the Sudanese border. The temples at this small village used to be located down the hill, facing the Nile. However, the rising waters of Lake Nasser caused the area to be underwater.
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