written by
Joanne Owen
updated 11.02.2025
Being home to some of the world’s most remarkakble archeological sites, incredible beaches and dive sites, and also offering opportunities to enjoy desert adventures, planning a trip to Egypt can be thrilling and daunting in equal measure. With that in mind, here we present a complete guide to how to plan a trip to Egypt. Alongside helping you hone in on the kind of Egypt vacation you most want, we also cover essential information on when to visit, average costs, how to get there, and a whole lot more.
Before going into the ins and outs around how to plan a trip to Egypt, our top tip is to lessen the likelihood of stress by planning your trip over several months.
That way, you’ll give yourself time to consider all your options, and make better decisions that will have a positive impact on how much the experience lives up to your expectations, and on your budget — booking earlier is likely to be notably better for your pocket.
Another broad-stroke tip is to remember not to pack too much into trip. Better to enjoy experiences and your chosen destinations in a more immersive way than to rush round with little time to appreciate the joy of travel.
Another top general tip when considering how to plan a trip to Egypt (and anywhere else, for that matter) is to mix up research and planning with actually booking the likes of flights, accommodation, tours and activities.
Doing that means you’ll keep on top of getting essentials sorted as the months pass and you’re counting down the days to your vacation.
Another suggestion if you're traveling in a group is to create a Google doc and WhatsApp group so everyone can share ideas and keep on top of plans, key dates and vital travel information, including booking confirmations and accommodation details as your plan takes shape.
Daunted by the sound of planning? Check-out our Egypt itineraries for inspiration and ready-made ideas, including a rewarding 7 days in Egypt itinerary and 10 days in Egypt itinerary,
You could also contact our travel experts to have them curate your ideal Egypt vacation for any duration.
Wondering how to plan a trip to Egypt? Step one: give yourself plenty of time! Image: Cario © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 6 months before your trip to Egypt
To get started, you need to give thought to what you want most from your trip, when to go, and how long you’re going to visit for before moving to decide where, exactly, you want to go, and the day-by-day detail of what you want to see and do.
Factors to consider while planning your trip to Egypt
Tomb of Ramesses VI in The Valley of Kings, Luxor, Egypt © Shutterstock
While you might be lucky to have long enough to cover a multitude of vacation types during your trip to Egypt, chances are, time constraints will compel you to focus your trip. So, here we run through the main options to consider.
At this early stage of the planning process, you might also find it handy to read up on some of the best things to do in Egypt.
Given that Egypt is home to some of the world’s most iconic ancient monuments, you may well want to focus your trip on seeing said monuments.
Sitting top of that tree is, arguably, the Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, closely followed by Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, a vast necropolis of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun's tomb.
The temples of Karnak and Luxor Temples are also must-visits on history-oriented trips, as is Aswan’s Abu Simbel — an extraordinary temple complex built by Pharaoh Ramses II.
If you’re looking for adventure from your Egypt vacation, scuba diving and snorkeling are top activities around the Red Sea, with Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Hurghada showcasing some of the world’s best coral reefs.
Or how about enjoying desert safaris in the White and Black Deserts? Think off-road adventures, camping under the stars and witnessing extraordinary landscapes.
Meanwhile, hikers might want to tackle the summit of the Mount Sinai mountain.
Mount Sinai, Egypt © Anton Kozlovsky/Shutterstock
Egypt’s coastline along the Red Sea and the Mediterranean is loaded with beautiful beaches and resorts, among them Sharm El Sheikh. The same is true of Hurghada, which is also notable for its family-friendly facilities.
Beyond the cultural allures of its ancient attractions, Cairo in particular offers opportunities to explore the country’s Islamic and Coptic heritage through visiting the likes of Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque and the Hanging Church. Cairo’s Khan El Khalili Bazaar is another notable highlight.
Meanwhile, Aswan is a great base for travelers who are keen to discover Nubian culture through visiting villages.
Felucca boat on the Nile © Egypt © Shutterstock
Taking a Nile River cruise is one of the best ways to experience Egypt’s historic, cultural and natural wonders in easy — and often — luxurious style.
Most cruises travel between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at ancient temples and tombs along the way, while also serving wonderful views of traditional felucca boats, lush farmland and palm groves, local villages, and truly soul-stirring sunsets and sunrises.
Key highlights of Nile cruises include the Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens (which boasts the Tomb of Queen Nefertari), the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
You’ll also pass through the Esna Lock, and see the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and the Philae Temple, the latter of which is located on an island and dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Nile cruise from Aswan, Egypt © Shutterstock
On balance, the best time to visit Egypt is from October to April — a time of year that sees pleasantly warm day time temperatures and cooler evenings that are more comfortable to sleep in.
To avoid the most intense heat and humidity, we advise against visiting in summer (May to September).
That said, the country does experience regional variations in temperature in summer, with Cairo averaging around 95°F (35C), and Aswan in Upper Egypt hitting average highs of 107°F (42C).
It’s also worth noting that there’s usually a bit of a breeze on the Nile in summer months, so a cruise could be considered.
As detailed in our guide to how many days to spend in Egypt, it’s possible to cover a lot of top attractions on a 7 days in Egypt itinerary, though you will need to really focus your trip, and pre-book trips and tours.
Following a 10 days in Egypt itinerary certainly opens things up. In fact, we recommend this as the best minimal time to spend in Egypt, but the same recommendation applies when it comes to pre-booking trips, tours, and entry tickets to top attractions — more on the details of that later.
Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, Egypt © Shutterstock
Given the range of vacation types you might be considering — along with the time of year and your travel style (budget versus luxury, for example) — it’s very tricky to gauge the average costs of a trip to Egypt. But we’ve given it our best shot below…
While prices vary based on the level of luxury and inclusions (food, drink and extra trips, for example), a 10-day package trip that includes a 3-4-night Nile cruise and visits to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan is likely to cost around $1000 per person.
A 10-day tour covering the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and temples in Luxor and Aswan could set you back around $2500, with some entrance fees and food coming at an additional cost.
All travelers entering Egypt must have a passport that’s valid for at least six months, and a valid visa.
You can either get a tourist visa at the point of arrival — paying a fee in cash when you arrive at Cairo International Airport, Luxor Airport, Aswan Airport, Hurghada Airport, Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria Port — or apply for an e-Visa before you travel.
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Cairo, Egypt © Shutterstock
When to do this: 5 months before
After identifying the kind of Egypt vacation you want, the first stage of digging into the detail of your itinerary is to make a list of the attractions you’re desperate to see, and the kind of experiences you want to enjoy, whether that’s seeing the pyramids, cruising the Nile, diving the Red Sea, chilling out at a beach resort, or heading to the desert.
If you're not traveling solo, have each person in your travel party suggest, say, three must-see sights and/or must-do activities.
Decisions to make:
Temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt © Shutterstock
While the overview of vacation types shared above is likely to have set you thinking about where to visit in terms of how destinations align with what you want from your trip, read on for a run through of key areas to consider.
Blending the ancient with the modern, Cairo serves as the gateway to the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, with the Egyptian Museum also showcasing an enormous collection of incomparable artefacts. These include royal mummies and King Tutankhamun’s gilded treasures.
if Cairo is on your list, read up on the best day trips from Cairo.
Located along the Nile River, Luxor is often hailed the world's greatest open-air museum Playing host to Karnak and Luxor Temples, which are connected by the Avenue of Sphinxes, its west bank is home to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
Exuding a totally different vibe from Cairo and Luxor (it’s more serene), Aswan is home to the Philae Temple — a monument dedicated to the goddess Isis — the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubian Museum.
Philae Temple, Aswan © Shutterstock
Situated close to the Sudanese border, and commissioned by Ramses II, the temples of Abu Simbel include the Temple of Queen Nefertari and the Temple of Hathor, in addition to Ramses II’s enormous temple.
A daily light show shows this UNESCO World Heritage Site in an (ahem!) different light.
The Mediterranean port city of Alexandria is steeped in history, and includes the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Qaitbay Citadel among its most notable attractions, with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina standing as a modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria.
Delivering pristine beaches and world-class dive sites, Egypt’s Red Sea Coast plays host to tourist-hotspot destinations like Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam
Located in the Western Desert, 780 km (485 miles) west of Cairo, the Siwa Oasis has a distinct culture and its own language, related to the Berber languages of North Africa.
Known for this unique culture, the area also boasts natural springs, salt lakes, and the ancient Temple of the Oracle, with the nearby Great Sand Sea inviting sandboarding adventures.
Shali Fortress in Siwa Oasis © Shutterstock
The Egyptian public transport system is pretty good, with an efficient rail network linking the Nile Valley, Delta and Canal Zone. Beyond these locations, it’s possible to get around by bus or shared taxi.
Meanwhile, on the Nile you can enjoy felucca boat trips and cruises.
For those in a hurry, or short on time, EgyptAir provides a network of domestic flights, or else you could pre-arrange tours that include pick-ups from your accommodation to ensure you get from A to B exactly when you need to.
Read more detail on getting around Egypt.
Sinai camel © Shutterstock
When to start: at least 5 months before
To secure your ideal travel schedule and accommodation — and to spread costs and stand a better chance of bagging a bargain — it’s best to book your main travel components around five months ahead of your trip.
At this stage, book:
When it comes to getting to Egypt, travelers from the US, UK and European are well-served by flights to Cairo, in particular.
From the United States, several airlines offer direct flights from major U.S. cities to Cairo. For example, EgyptAir operates non-stop flights from JFK Airport to Cairo, with a flight time of 10-11hours.
Travlers from the US wanting to get to the Red Sea Coast will have to transfer. For example, you can book flights from major U.S. cities to Hurghada International Airport and Sharm El Sheikh with layovers in European or Middle Eastern hubs.
From the UK, multiple airlines offer direct flights from the UK to Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
Kitesurfing in Hurghada © Pixabay
When it comes to finding accommodation in Egypt, you really will want to start your research early in order to find a place that fits your travel style and budget, not least because options can be pretty limited close to top attractions that see an influx of tourists on short stopovers as part of bigger tours.
Read on for a run through of some accommodation options in key Egypt destinations.
Defining the best areas to stay in Cairo will be dependent on your budget and what vibe you’re looking for.
For a flavour of modern life and convenience, check out accommodation in Downtown Cairo.
Meanwhile, many of the hotels in the West Bank area offer stunning views of the Nile River and easy access to the ancient sites of Giza and Saqqara.
Though most visitors tend to visit Abu Simbel as part of a tour, if you fancy staying longer, a clutch of hotels are located bear the temples.
Given that Aswan is a popular destination for Nile cruises, most visitors will stay aboard their boat, but you’ll also find a good range of places to stay to stay here, too.
Hurghada boasts a wide range of accommodation, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts, and the same is true of places to stay in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Ras Muhammad National Park, Red Sea, Egypt © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 4 months before
To make sure you don’t miss out — and to save yourself hassle and time when you arrive in Egypt — pre-book all your must-do activities and tickets to your must-see attractions a few months head of your departure date.
Questions to consider and take action on: what Egypt attractions, tours and experiences should be booked in advance?
If any of the following have made it onto your Egypt itinerary, don’t hang around — book tickets and tours in advance.
Hieroglyphs in King Tut's Tomb, Valley of Kings, Luxor, Egypt © Shutterstock
When to do this: three months in advance
To give yourself time to weigh up different options — and for peace of mind — it's best to attend to the likes of insurance a few months ahead of your trip.
Decisions to make:
Travel insurance is recommended for peace of mind wherever you travel. If you don’t already have something in place, take time to compare options a few months ahead of your trip.
While Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes and restaurants, it’s not always free in hotels (check before traveling), and you might find it handy to buy a local SIM card, or to get an eSIM ahead of traveling.
Offering the convenience of being able to activate a mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card, eSIMs also provide the peace of mind that comes of being able to set up connectivity before you arrive, such as the top-notch service offered by Travelsim.
Khan el Khalili market, Cairo © Shutterstock
When to do this: one week before
A or so week ahead of your trip, exchange currency, assemble your travel documents and itinerary details, and give thought to packing.
Decisions to make:
In a word: yes. While major hotels, upscale restaurants and larger stores in tourist areas often accept credit and debit cards, cash remains king in lots of local markets and smaller restaurants and cafés.
We suggest exchanging a portion of money before you arrive. The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
First up, have all your travels documents to hand — it’s a smart idea to have digital and physical copies of all your booking confirmations.
We also suggest assembling all the details of your day-to-day itinerary — plus booking confirmations, addresses and useful contact details — into one handy document.
When it comes to clothing, think lightweight, breathable fabrics, and bear in mind that men and women will need to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites. Women might consider carrying a scarf to cover their hair in mosques.
Heading to the coast? You’ll want swimwear, and cover-ups are advisable when moving away from pool or beach areas.
We also suggest bringing decent walking shoes to wear while visiting archaeological sites.
Sun protection items (a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen) are also essential, and insect repellent is advised, especially if you plan to visit areas near the Nile.
Egypt uses Type C and F sockets — bring a universal adapter to keep your devices charged.
Colossus of Memnon, Luxor, Egypt © Shutterstock
While this might seem an unnecessary “tip”, it’s here as a reminder that all the hard work of planning will be more than worth it.
And, if you’ve taken our advice to not over-pack your itinerary, and have a clear sense of your wants in advance, you’ll be all the more set up to simply enjoy your trip, without any worries around the likes of transfers and securing tickets to your must-visit sights.
Another way to increase your chance of truly enjoying your Egypt vacation is to have our local travel experts curate your ideal Egypt itinerary.
They’ll have done all the hard work for you — including booking transfers, accommodation and tours — leaving you free to make the most of your time in Egypt.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 11.02.2025
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Egypt
