Ultimate Guide to Visit Egypt for the First Time
For tourists looking for a bustling destination with a rich culture, Egypt is a land of dreams. Along with Turkey and Tunisia, Egypt has always been a popular vacation destination for Europeans. Especially for weekends getaways with occasional day trips to Luxor and Cairo. Egypt is full of many things you can include in your bucket list. The most famous of these is the Great Pyramids of Giza near the capital city of Cairo. But there are also some other ‘must see’ places in central and southern Egypt.
Top sights in my opinion would have to be the archaeological museums and temples of Luxor. And the incredible pharaoh statues and ancient tombs at Abu Simbel. Read through this complete Egypt travel guide.
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Safety in Egypt
How safe is Egypt? Absolutely! Safety wasn’t the main concern in Egypt as far back 2008. Unfortunately, the Middle East is currently experiencing political or social unrest. Yes, there are places that are not safe, but there are other places that are completely safe. The same as in any other country or city. Nevertheless, the only rules across Egypt is for tourists who visit Egypt is to “enjoy and feel at home.”. The other thing to note is that Egyptian culture is conservative, so clothing in public should be modest.
When to Go to Egypt?
Egypt has an arid climate, so it is always hot and dry. The coolest months, which are also the most popular seasons for tourist are December to March. Although any month in the spring or fall would be fine. When you visit Egypt in September, the heat might be extreme in Luxor, but I didn’t consider it to be a major issue in Cairo.
In comparison to Middle Eastern nations like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Egypt’s weather is still friendly. Bring a sweater and maybe warm socks because nights can be very cold. You’ll appreciate this information and also make sure to avoid traveling to Egypt during Ramadan.
How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Egypt?
Not much. If you’re coming from a developed country, Egypt is reasonably cheap. You should expect to pay around $4 for a bed in a dorm, $12 for a guesthouse, and not more than $150 for a standard one. Backpackers wouldn’t have any issues getting $30 a day. The hot-air balloon flight was the most expensive thing you could accessed for ($50) in Egypt .
Always keep enough of little coins and notes with you. You will have to “tip” frequently throughout the day for a various reasons. While it’s not required, it’s customary to for example, tip a restroom attendant who gives you a few sheets of toilet paper. In Egypt, meals ranges from $5 to $10, depending on where you are. Typically, people travel by car or train, both of which are relatively affordable.
Food in Egypt
The food in Egypt is delicious. Ranging from simple kebabs to local veggies and rice to the most traditional dish, koshary. With tomato-vinegar sauce and fried onions on top, it consists of rice, macaroni, and lentils. You will be served a A LOT of food if you’re staying in one of the local hostels or hotels. You will be served a few bread rolls, 8 falafel balls, hummus, an omelet, hard-boiled eggs, french-fried, yogurt, and a fruit smoothie for breakfast. It will be impossible to eat it all!
How to Get Around Egypt
As a tourist there are numerous ways in which you can get around in Egypt to visit its sight attractions.
Bus
The primary mode of transportation for locals in Egypt is bus. The majority of cities and towns are reachable by bus at a fair cost. It is the best route to some remote areas outside the Nile Valley and is safe and reliable. Long-distance bus services are controlled by five major companies, each of which serves a different part of the country. The Canal area, Mansoura, and Damietta are served by the Eastern Delta; Kafr El-Sheikh, Manufiyyah. And Tanta are served by the Middle Delta; Damanhur, Alexandria, the Northwest coast, and Siwa are served by the Western Delta.
All of the Nile Valley and the Red Sea Coast are served by the Southern Areas; and the Sinai Buses Company serves all of Sinai area. Buses, however, move very slow and are often late. You can spend at least one hour in traffic when traveling to or from Cairo. You can consider Go Bus if you’re on a strict backpacking budget. Their buses are highly comfortable, reasonably cheap, and simple to book on their website or mobile app.
Plane
Egypt has excellent and cheap domestic flights. You will have to choose between NileAir and EgyptAir. You will pay between $50 and $80 for a one-way flight from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, which takes about an hour.
Train
The Nile Valley, Delta, and Canal Zone are linked by an efficient north-south railway. Travel by train is pleasant between Alexandria in the north and Aswan in the south. Trains traveling on the main line travel from Cairo to Aswan to Luxor. Alexandria via Tanta, Suez, and Ismailia, Damietta via Mansoura, and Sallum via Mersa Matruh. There are fast air-conditioned trains from Cairo to Alexandria or Aswan, including sleepers and regular non-air condition local services.
Foreigners are only allowed to travel on four “tourist trains” (two of which are sleepers) from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan. So be careful not to board the wrong train. Ramsis Square’s main downtown station is where the majority of trains depart from.
Boat (Nile Cruise)
All of the popular tourist destinations offer Nile cruises, and the majority of tourists decide to do it. Many tourists mistakenly believe that the Nile Cruise is the only way to see certain destinations. However these places can also be accessed by car or bus. Know that lounging by the pool and dining on the boat won’t be a local experience. While there is nothing wrong with that at all, not everyone may find it interesting. You can decided to take a cheaper options by staying at local guesthouses.
Uber & Taxis
In Egypt, you can use cab apps like Uber and Careem. Uber is highly cheap in Cairo and you can use it to travel anywhere. An ordinary taxi ride from Cairo Airport to downtown Cairo. For instance, it shouldn’t cost more than 50–60 LE, while a trip to the Pyramids from Cairo Airport should cost 100–110 LE.
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What To Do in Egypt – Egypt Itinerary for First Timers
Cairo’s top tourist destinations are spread throughout the entire country. However, you shouldn’t let it discourage you because there are quick and cheap ways to get everywhere. I would suggest the following itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo, then transfer to a hotel for the night and a Sounds and Light Show at the Pyramids.
Day 2: Visit the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Saqqara (from Cairo to Hurghada). Visit the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon. fly to Hurghada.
Day 3: (Hurghada) afternoon desert ATV trip and snorkeling with dolphins (wild, not captive).
Day 4: (Hurghada to Luxor) Enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel. Afterwards, proceed to Luxor.
Day 5: (Luxor) Visit to the West Bank (Hatshepsut Temple, Medinet Habu, and more). Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show. Spend the night in Luxor.
Day 6: A hot-air balloon flight in the morning in Luxor. Visit the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple. felucca for a relaxed afternoon.
Day 7: Domestic flight for those finishing the tour here to Cairo. You can also go to Aswan and the Abu Simbel Temple if you have time for a long visit.
Day 7-10: (Aswan) Transfer to Aswan from Luxor. Visits to Edfu, Kom Ombo & Abu Simbel Temples. Exploration of Aswan’s highlights: Nubian museum, High Dam & the unfinished obelisk. Late flight to Cairo.
Day 11-12: Tour to the Bahariya Oasis and white sand desert, therapeutic hot and cold springs, Gebel al-Ingleez, Gebel Dist and The Temple of Alexander the Great.
Day 13: Final departure from Cairo. For those leaving in the afternoon a visit to Hanging Church and Saladin Citadel.
Are you looking for how to plan your trip to Egypt: including tours, activities, attractions and other things? We have packages that go with your budget, Contact us to plan your next trip.
