Explore Egypt

Discover ancient wonders, vibrant cities, desert landscapes, and the timeless beauty of the Nile.

Discover Egypt

Egypt is one of those destinations that can feel unlike anywhere else in the world. Thousands of years of history sit alongside busy modern cities, traditional neighbourhoods, desert landscapes, beaches, markets, and everyday Egyptian life.

For many travellers, the Pyramids of Giza are the main reason to visit, but they are only the beginning. Travel south along the Nile and you’ll find the temples and tombs of Luxor, the relaxed atmosphere of Aswan, colourful Nubian culture, and some of Egypt’s most impressive ancient monuments. Head north to Alexandria for a completely different Mediterranean atmosphere, or east to the Red Sea for beaches, diving and snorkelling.

Egypt can sometimes feel busy and intense, particularly when you first arrive in Cairo, but that’s also part of the experience. Give yourself enough time to explore beyond the major attractions, try the local food, walk through neighbourhoods and markets, and experience the country at a slower pace.

EGYPT TRAVEL GUIDE

Everything you need to know to plan your trip to Egypt, from the best time to visit and travel costs to transport, accommodation, food, and practical tips.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN EGYPT

Egypt is a large country, and each destination offers something different. If it’s your first visit, combining Cairo and Giza with Luxor and Aswan gives you a great introduction to the country’s ancient history and modern culture.

Cairo & Giza

Cairo is huge, energetic and sometimes chaotic, but it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the region. Just outside central Cairo, Giza is home to the world-famous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx.
Don’t make the mistake of visiting only the pyramids. Cairo itself deserves time for its historic mosques, old neighbourhoods, museums, markets and local food. Khan el-Khalili is one of the city’s best-known market areas and is particularly atmospheric later in the day.

Luxor

If you’re interested in ancient Egypt, Luxor should be high on your itinerary. The city sits on the Nile and is surrounded by some of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites.
On the east bank, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Cross to the west bank for the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of ancient pharaohs were carved into the mountains. You’ll also find the Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon and many other historic sites nearby.
Give Luxor at least two or three days rather than trying to see everything in one rushed day.

Aswan

Aswan feels noticeably calmer than Cairo and Luxor. The Nile is particularly beautiful here, with islands, traditional feluccas and desert scenery surrounding the city.
It’s also a great place to learn more about Nubian culture. You can visit Nubian communities, take a felucca ride on the Nile and explore nearby archaeological sites.
Many travellers also use Aswan as the starting point for a trip to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most spectacular ancient temple complexes.

Alexandria

Alexandria sits on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and offers a different experience from the Nile Valley.
Spend time walking along the Corniche, visit historic sites, explore local neighbourhoods and try some of the city’s seafood. Alexandria can work particularly well as a short trip from Cairo if you have extra time.

Red Sea

If you want to combine sightseeing with a few relaxing days by the sea, Egypt’s Red Sea coast is an excellent addition to your itinerary.
Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are among the best-known resort destinations, offering beaches, boat trips, snorkelling and diving. The Red Sea is famous for its clear water, colourful coral reefs and marine life.

BEST TIME TO VISIT EGYPT

For most sightseeing trips, October to April is generally the most comfortable period to visit Egypt. Temperatures are cooler than during summer, making it much easier to spend long days exploring archaeological sites and walking around cities.

December to February brings some of the coolest weather, particularly in Cairo and northern Egypt. Days can still be pleasant, but mornings and evenings may feel surprisingly cool, so bringing a light jacket is useful.

Spring and autumn can be excellent compromises between weather and visitor numbers.

Egyptian summers can be extremely hot, particularly in Luxor, Aswan and southern Egypt. If you visit during summer, start sightseeing early in the morning, take a break during the hottest part of the afternoon and carry plenty of water.

The Red Sea is more of a year-round destination, although temperatures can still become very high during summer.

HOW MUCH DOES EGYPT COST?

Egypt can be a very affordable destination, especially for independent travellers. Your total cost will depend on where you stay, how often you use private transport, which attractions you visit, and whether you take tours or a Nile cruise.

As a rough guide, a budget traveller can spend around $20–35 (£15–£26) per day, while a more comfortable mid-range budget is around $40–70 (£30–£52) per day. If you choose higher-end hotels, private guides, domestic flights and organised tours, you could easily spend $100+ (£74+) per day. Current traveller-spending data puts the overall average at about $38 per person per day, although actual hotel prices can push the total higher depending on season and destination.

For a one-week trip, I would personally budget approximately £150–£250 for a budget trip, £300–£500 for a comfortable mid-range trip, and £700+ for a higher-end trip, excluding international flights.

Typical costs you can expect are:

  • Budget hotel/guesthouse: around $20–40 (£15–£30) per night
  • Mid-range hotel: around $40–80 (£30–£60) per night
  • Local/street-food meal: around $2–5 (£1.50–£4)
  • Restaurant meal: around $5–15 (£4–£11)
  • Local transport: usually inexpensive; traveller data averages about $6 per day
  • Sightseeing: allow roughly $10–25 (£7–£19) per day if visiting several paid attractions
  • Private tours and organised excursions: considerably more, depending on the destination and tour

For example, the official foreign-adult entrance price for the Giza Plateau is currently EGP 700, so entrance fees for major archaeological sites should be included separately in your budget.

Food can be particularly affordable if you eat locally. Current traveller data suggests an average of about $17 per person per day for food, but budget travellers eating Egyptian street food and at local restaurants can spend considerably less.

💡 My Thailand Tip

Don’t calculate your Egypt budget based only on cheap food and hotels. Entrance tickets, tours, long-distance transport, domestic flights and Nile cruises can become some of the biggest expenses, especially if you plan to visit Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and several archaeological sites in one trip.

GETTING TO EGYPT

For most international visitors, Cairo International Airport is the main gateway into Egypt. Cairo has connections with many cities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other regions.

Depending on your itinerary, you may also find international or connecting flights to destinations such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, which can be convenient if you’re primarily visiting the Red Sea.

Before booking your flight, check Egypt’s current entry and visa requirements for your passport. Requirements can vary depending on nationality and can change, so official government information should always be checked before travelling.

If you’re planning a longer Egypt itinerary, consider arriving in one city and departing from another. For example, flying into Cairo and eventually leaving from a Red Sea destination may save you from unnecessarily travelling back to Cairo.

GETTING AROUND EGYPT

Because Egypt is such a large country, you’ll probably use several forms of transport during your trip.

For long distances, domestic flights are the quickest option. They can be particularly useful if you’re combining Cairo with Luxor, Aswan or the Red Sea and don’t have much time.

Trains connect Cairo with cities including Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan. Overnight travel can save accommodation time, although comfort and journey times depend on the service you choose.

Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful within larger cities where available. In places where you’re negotiating directly with a driver, confirm the fare before beginning your journey.

For archaeological sites around Luxor and Aswan, hiring a driver or joining an organised tour can sometimes make sightseeing considerably easier.

And, of course, travelling by boat is part of the Egyptian experience. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is popular, while a traditional felucca offers a much simpler and more peaceful way to experience the river.

WHERE TO STAY IN EGYPT

Choosing the right area can make a big difference to your experience, particularly in Cairo.

If seeing the pyramids is your priority, staying in Giza gives you easy access and some hotels offer pyramid views. However, you’ll be farther from many central Cairo attractions.

Staying closer to central Cairo makes it easier to explore the city itself, restaurants, museums and neighbourhoods. For a longer stay, you may even consider splitting your accommodation between Cairo and Giza.

In Luxor, staying near the east bank is convenient for restaurants, transport and Luxor Temple, while the west bank offers a quieter atmosphere closer to several archaeological sites.

Aswan has accommodation ranging from simple guesthouses to luxury Nile-side hotels. Staying near the river can be particularly atmospheric.

At Red Sea destinations, accommodation ranges from inexpensive hotels to large all-inclusive resorts, so choose according to whether you want to explore independently or mainly relax at the resort.

FOOD IN EGYPT

Egyptian food is filling, flavourful and often very affordable, especially when you eat where locals eat.

One dish you should definitely try is koshari — a combination of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, tomato sauce and crispy onions. It sounds like an unusual combination, but it’s one of Egypt’s most famous comfort foods.

Ful medames, made from slow-cooked fava beans, is another staple and is commonly eaten for breakfast. Ta’ameya, Egypt’s version of falafel, is traditionally made with fava beans and is another inexpensive local favourite.

Other dishes worth looking for include molokhia, grilled meats, stuffed vegetables and freshly baked Egyptian bread.

For dessert, try basbousa, konafa or umm ali.

Don’t limit yourself to tourist restaurants. Small local restaurants, bakeries and busy street-food spots can be some of the most memorable places to eat.

INTERNET, SIM CARDS & MONEY

Mobile internet is useful in Egypt for navigation, translation, booking transport and staying connected while travelling.

Local SIM cards are widely available, including at airports and mobile phone shops. Compare current data packages when you arrive because prices and offers change regularly. An eSIM may also be convenient if your phone supports one.

The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP).

Cards are accepted at many hotels, larger restaurants and businesses, but cash remains important, especially for smaller shops, markets, tips, local transport and smaller purchases.

ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist destinations. It’s useful to carry smaller notes because getting change can sometimes be difficult.

SAFETY & PRACTICAL TIPS

Millions of travellers visit Egypt, but it’s still important to prepare properly and understand that travelling there may feel different from travelling around Europe.

Busy tourist areas can involve persistent sellers, guides or people offering services. A polite but firm “no, thank you” is often the easiest response when you’re not interested.

Agree on prices before accepting services where prices aren’t clearly displayed. This applies particularly to taxis, guides, souvenir shops and certain tourist activities.

Keep normal precautions with your phone, wallet and valuables, especially in crowded places.

Dress respectfully when visiting mosques, religious sites and more conservative neighbourhoods. Egypt is accustomed to international tourism, but being aware of local customs makes travelling easier.

Most importantly, check the latest official travel advice before your trip, as security conditions and regional restrictions can change.

WHAT TO PACK FOR EGYPT

What you pack depends partly on the season, but lightweight and breathable clothing is useful for much of the year.

Bring comfortable walking shoes because archaeological sites can involve a lot of walking on uneven and dusty ground.

Sun protection is essential. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and consider carrying a reusable water bottle.

A light jacket or extra layer is useful during winter, especially for mornings and evenings.

Also bring a portable power bank. Long sightseeing days, navigation, photography and video can drain your phone quickly.

If you’re visiting religious sites, having clothing that covers your shoulders and knees will make things easier.

HOW LONG TO SPEND IN EGYPT

For a first visit, I recommend around 7–10 days if you want to experience more than Cairo without rushing.

With 5–7 days, you could focus on Cairo and Giza and add either Luxor or another nearby destination.

With 7–10 days, you can combine Cairo and Giza with Luxor and Aswan and see many of Egypt’s most famous historical attractions.

If you have two weeks, you’ll have much more flexibility. You could travel from Cairo through Luxor and Aswan and then finish with a few relaxing days on the Red Sea.

Egypt rewards slower travel. Distances can be long, archaeological sites can take several hours to explore, and trying to visit too many places in a short trip can quickly become exhausting.

MY EGYPT TRAVEL TIPS

Don’t treat Egypt as a destination where you simply tick off the pyramids and leave. The famous monuments are extraordinary, but some of the best travel experiences come from everything surrounding them.

Start sightseeing early whenever possible. You’ll avoid some of the heat and often experience major attractions before the busiest part of the day.

Keep small amounts of cash easily accessible for tips and minor purchases rather than repeatedly taking out your wallet.

Don’t schedule every hour of your trip. Cairo traffic, transport delays and large archaeological sites can make days take longer than expected.

Try local food, explore beyond your hotel area and spend some time simply observing everyday life.

And when visiting major historical sites, consider using a knowledgeable licensed guide for at least some of them. Understanding what you’re looking at can completely change the experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON EGYPT

Egypt is much more than a trip to see the pyramids.

It’s a country of ancient temples, enormous cities, desert landscapes, colourful markets, Nile sunsets, Mediterranean coastlines and Red Sea beaches. Few destinations allow you to experience such famous history while also discovering such a distinctive modern culture.

Egypt can sometimes feel intense, particularly for a first-time visitor, but travelling with a little preparation and enough time makes a huge difference.

Whether you’re standing in front of the Great Sphinx, exploring an ancient tomb in Luxor, sailing along the Nile in Aswan or simply sitting down for a plate of koshari in Cairo, Egypt has a way of creating travel memories that stay with you long after the trip is over.

READY TO EXPLORE EGYPT?

From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples of Luxor and the beauty of the Nile, Egypt is full of unforgettable experiences waiting to be discovered.