Egypt: 5,000 Years of "You Have to See This"
Pyramids, Nile cruises, desert oases, and the kind of history that makes you forget what century you’re in. Here’s how to plan your trip.
Egypt is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype. The Pyramids really are that big. Cairo really is that chaotic (in the best way). And the Nile at sunset is one of those travel moments that stays with you for years. But here’s what surprised us most: Egypt is also shockingly affordable. You can eat incredible food for a couple of pounds, hire a private guide for less than a London taxi, and sail a felucca on the Nile for the price of a takeaway coffee. This guide covers all of it, from the ancient sites to the practical stuff like visas, budgets, and how to not get ripped off.
4–5 hrs
From the UK
Oct – Apr
Best time
Arabic
Main language
EGP
Currency
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler, but still pleasantly warm across the country. This makes exploring the busy streets of Cairo, visiting the Pyramids in the desert, and exploring ancient Pharaonic tombs more comfortable and enjoyable.
The summer season (May to September) is hot, although the high temperatures are alleviated by very dry air, air conditioning, far fewer visitors and lower prices. This means summer is still a viable season for your trip. There also tends to be a bit of a breeze on the Nile, making a river cruise a good choice during this period.
What To Expect
25°C
- Temperature
Capital: Cairo
Language: The official language of Egypt is Egyptian Arabic. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Egyptian: “salām ‘alaykum” and “shukrān”
Currency: The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). £1 GBP is equivalent to 22 EGP. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: In Egypt, CASH IS KING, but you will find that many bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels will take major debit and credit cards. Some shops will have a sign near their entrance that tells you whether or not they accept foreign cards. If you’re looking to carry some cash during your visit, you can find many ATMs throughout big cities like Cairo and Alexandria.
Plugs: In Egypt, the power plugs are type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Egypt is a relatively safe place to visit, as long as you keep your wits about you and adhere to the local cultural customs. Egypt’s crime rates are low but be aware of scam artists and pickpockets which can be common. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Random useful tip: The tap water in Egypt is heavily chlorinated and unsafe. It’s okay for brushing your teeth with, but don’t drink it. Buy bottled water. It’s easy to get and only costs 5 EGP (0.28 USD) for a 1-litre bottle.
Never ever: Don’t talk to people who approach you in public areas offering services like city tours, special visits to tombs, sites or shops…etc. It’s always safer to use registered tour operators and agents.
Explore Egypt
From the Pyramids of Giza to the Red Sea coast, here’s everything you need to plan your Egypt trip.
City Guides
Maps & Itineraries
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Safety & Everything Else
How Much Does Egypt Cost?
Egypt is one of the most affordable destinations you’ll find. Here’s a realistic breakdown so you can plan without surprises.
🎒
Backpacker
~£20 / $26 / €24 per day
- Hostel dorms from £6/night
- Street food and local eateries
- Metro, minibuses, and walking
- Free mosques, bazaars, and Nile-side walks Button: “See Budget Tips” → anchor to money-saving tips
🍜
Mid-Range
~£50 / $65 / €60 per day
- Private rooms and budget hotels
- Mid-range restaurants and cafés
- Guided tours to key sites
- Entry fees + day trips to Alexandria or Fayoum
🏨
Upscale
~£120+ / $150+ / €140+ per day
- Boutique hotels and Red Sea resorts
- Fine dining and rooftop restaurants
- Private Nile cruises and exclusive tours
- Domestic flights and private drivers
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £6–15 / $8–20 / €7–18 per night
- Hostel private room: £15–38 / $20–50 / €18–45 per night
- Budget hotel: £20–50 / $26–65 / €24–60 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £45+ / $60+ / €55+ per night
- Boutique hotel: £60–120 / $80–160 / €70–140 per night
- Luxury resort (Red Sea): £150+ / $200+ / €175+ per night
City Travel
- Cairo Metro ride: £0.10–0.40 / $0.15–0.50 / €0.15–0.45
- Local bus/microbus: £0.10–0.30 / $0.15–0.40 / €0.12–0.35
- Uber/taxi short trip: £1.50–5 / $2–7 / €1.75–6
Long Distance
- Train Cairo to Luxor: £8–25 / $10–33 / €9–30
- Domestic flight Cairo to Luxor: £35–80 / $45–105 / €40–95
- Private car with driver (day): £30–60 / $40–80 / €35–70
Eat Cheap
- Street food (koshari, falafel): £0.50–1.50 / $0.65–2 / €0.60–1.75
- Local restaurant meal: £2–5 / $2.60–7 / €2.30–6
- Coffee (Turkish or instant): £0.40–1 / $0.50–1.30 / €0.45–1.15
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £6–15 / $8–20 / €7–18
- Upscale restaurant: £20–40 / $26–53 / €23–47
- Beer (where available): £2–5.50 / $3–7 / €2.50–6.50
Budget Fun
- Museum/temple entry: £5–15 / $7–20 / €6–18
- Felucca ride (1 hour): £3–8 / $4–10 / €3.50–9
- Free walking tour (tip-based): £2–5 / $3–7 / €2.50–6
Big Experiences
- Guided Pyramids tour: £20–65 / $26–80 / €24–75
- Nile boat cruise (day): £12–50 / $16–65 / €15–60
- Desert safari/camel ride: £15–50 / $20–65 / €18–60
10 Ways to Save Money in Egypt
💧 Bring a filtered water bottle — tap water isn’t safe and buying plastic bottles adds up fast
🚶 Walk everywhere in Luxor and Aswan — these cities are compact and exploring on foot is half the fun
🚇 Use Cairo’s metro — one of the cheapest metro systems in the world at under 50p a ride
🍛 Eat street food — koshari, falafel, and ful medames are filling, safe, and cost almost nothing
🏠 Stay in hostels or locally-owned guesthouses — way cheaper than chains and the hosts know everything
🎫 Buy a Luxor Pass — covers most temples and tombs on the West and East Banks for one price
🕰️ Visit in shoulder season — May and September are hot but prices drop and crowds disappear
🤝 Haggle respectfully — it’s expected in markets and for taxis (agree the price before you get in)
📱 Get a local SIM or eSIM — much cheaper than roaming and you’ll need maps and Uber
🚌 Take overnight trains — saves a night of accommodation and the Cairo-Luxor sleeper is actually decent
Getting Around Egypt
Egypt is bigger than you think. Cairo to Luxor is a 10-hour drive. Here’s how to cover the ground without losing your mind (or your budget).
Domestic Flights
Best for covering big distances fast. Cairo to Luxor or Aswan in about an hour.
✅ Fast and affordable if booked early
✅ Budget airlines from £35/$45/€40
❌ Luggage allowances can be tight
Private Car & Driver
Best for day trips and multi-stop touring. Surprisingly affordable in Egypt compared to Europe.
✅ Door-to-door convenience
✅ Full-day hire from £30/$40/€35
❌ Cairo traffic is genuinely wild
Uber & Local Taxis
Best for getting around within Cairo, Alexandria, and resort towns. Uber works well across Egypt.
✅ Uber is cheap and avoids haggling
✅ Available in all major cities
❌ Regular taxis will try to overcharge tourists
Train
Best for the Nile Valley route. The overnight sleeper from Cairo to Luxor is a proper experience.
✅ Scenic and comfortable
✅ Overnight sleeper saves a night’s accommodation
❌ Can be slow and delays happen
Intercity Bus
Best for budget travellers and Red Sea coast routes. Go Bus and East Delta are the main operators.
✅ Cheapest intercity option
✅ Good coverage including Sinai and Red Sea
❌ Journey times are long. Bring snacks.
Nile Cruises & Feluccas
Best for the Luxor-to-Aswan stretch. Multi-day cruises or short felucca rides at sunset.
✅ One of the best ways to experience Egypt
✅ Short felucca rides from £3/$4/€3.50
❌ Multi-day cruises can be touristy and pricey
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring one city
Uber + metro (Cairo) or walk (Luxor/Aswan)
Cairo, Luxor & Aswan
Fly between them. Overnight train if you want the experience.
Nile Valley exploration
Multi-day Nile cruise or private driver between temples
Red Sea & Sinai
Bus from Cairo (5–7 hours) or cheap domestic flight
Quick Tips
📱
Use Uber in Cairo
Avoids the haggling game entirely. It’s cheap and reliable.
💳
Book trains through official channels
The Egyptian National Railways website or your hotel can arrange sleeper tickets.
🚗
Don't rent a car in Cairo
Seriously. The traffic is on another level. Use a driver or Uber instead.
⏰
Allow buffer time
Delays happen. Don’t book a tight flight connection after a long train or bus journey.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Egypt?
Most nationalities need a visa, but here’s the good news: it’s dead simple. UK, EU, US, and Australian passport holders can buy a visa on arrival at the airport for $25 USD (single entry) or apply for an e-visa online before you travel. The e-visa costs the same and saves you queuing at the airport. Processing takes about 5 business days. Always double-check the latest requirements on Egypt’s official e-visa portal before your trip.
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
Yes, generally. Egypt’s main tourist areas (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada) are well-policed and millions of tourists visit every year without incident. The main things to watch for are scam artists at tourist sites, aggressive touts, and pickpockets in crowded markets. Use common sense, keep valuables secure, and you’ll be fine. The Sinai border areas and Western Desert have specific travel advisories, so check your government’s travel advice before heading to those regions.
How many days do I need in Egypt?
Most first-timers spend 7–10 days and cover Cairo (2–3 days), Luxor and the West Bank (2–3 days), and either Aswan or the Red Sea (2–3 days). If you want to add a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, allow 3–4 extra days. Two weeks gives you time to explore properly without rushing. You can do a solid highlights trip in a week, but you’ll wish you had longer.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Tap water in Egypt is heavily chlorinated and not safe to drink. It’s fine for brushing your teeth but don’t swallow it. Buy bottled water (cheap and available everywhere) or better yet, bring a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to save money and cut plastic waste.
What should I wear in Egypt?
Egypt is a conservative Muslim-majority country, so dress modestly — especially outside tourist resorts. Shoulders and knees covered is the general rule for both men and women when visiting mosques, markets, and residential areas. Beach resorts like Sharm and Hurghada are more relaxed. Loose, lightweight, breathable clothing is your best friend in the heat. Pack a scarf or shawl for mosque visits.
Is Egypt really that cheap?
It is, especially compared to Europe or the Middle East. A backpacker can genuinely get by on £20/$26/€24 a day including accommodation, food, and transport. Street food costs almost nothing — a plate of koshari (the national dish) runs about 50p. Hotels, tours, and entry fees are all significantly cheaper than comparable destinations. The only thing that isn’t cheap is feeling like you got ripped off, so haggle respectfully and agree prices upfront.
What's the best way to get from Cairo to Luxor?
Three options: fly (1 hour, from £35/$45/€40), overnight sleeper train (roughly 10 hours, from £25/$33/€30 for a private cabin), or bus (10+ hours, cheapest but least comfortable). The sleeper train is the classic choice and genuinely enjoyable. Flying is the smart choice if you’re short on time. The bus is fine if you’re on a strict budget and don’t mind a long ride.
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April is peak season — cooler temperatures make sightseeing much more comfortable. November and February are particularly good. Summer (May to September) is seriously hot (40°C+) but prices drop, crowds thin out, and the Red Sea is gorgeous year-round. If you can handle the heat and you want to avoid the tourist masses, summer works. For the Nile Valley temples, aim for the cooler months.
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