How to plan a trip to Egypt

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. 

What kind of Egypt vacation do I want?

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 places to visit in Egypt.

History and archaeology focussed trips to 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.

Adventure vacations in Egypt

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.

Beach breaks in Egypt

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. 

Cultural trips to Egypt

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.

What can I see on a Nile cruise?

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.

When is the best time to visit Egypt? 

If you're not traveling solo, have each person in your travel party suggest, say, three must-see sights and/or must-do activities. 

What are the best places to visit in Egypt?

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.

Cairo

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.

Luxor

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.

Aswan

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. 

Abu Simbel

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.

Alexandria

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. 

Red Sea Coast

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 

Siwa Oasis

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.

How to get around Egypt

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.

How to get to Egypt

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. 

Where to stay in Egypt

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. 

Cairo

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.

Abu Simbel

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.

Aswan

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.

Red Sea Coast

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.

How will I get online and stay connected?

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.

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.