50% Off Your Next Trip. Hurry Up For your new Tour! Book Your Tour

Egypt

Egypt offers a range of destinations, from historical sites in cities like Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan to beach resorts on the Red Sea such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. You can also explore ancient wonders like the Giza Pyramids, cruise the Nile, visit the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria, or discover the unique landscapes of the Siwa Oasis and the White Desert.

🇪🇬 Egypt Travel Guide 2025

✨ Everything you need to plan the perfect holiday in Egypt

🗺️ Overview

Egypt is a timeless destination where ancient wonders meet modern hospitality. Whether you’re drawn to the Great Pyramids of Giza, a luxurious Nile cruise, or the coral reefs of the Red Sea, Egypt offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

📌 Quick Facts

  • 🕐 Best Time to Visit: October–April (pleasant weather for sightseeing & cultural tours).

  • 🛂 Visa Requirements: Most travelers need a visa. Options:

    • E-Visa (US$25) – apply online at least 7 days before travel.

    • Visa on Arrival (US$25) – available at major airports, cash only.

  • 💱 Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP). Approx. 1 USD ≈ 50 EGP. ATMs are widely available.

  • 🗣️ Language: Arabic (official). English widely spoken in tourist areas.

🧳 Planning Your Trip

🛂 Visa & Entry

  • E-Visa: Apply online, $25, valid 30 days.

  • Visa on Arrival: $25, pay in cash at the airport.

Requirements:
✔ Passport valid 6+ months
✔ Return ticket
✔ Hotel booking confirmation

💰 Budget Planning

  • Budget Travel (€30–50/day)

    • Hostels, local food, street eats, buses & public transport.

  • Mid-Range (€100–200/day)

    • 3–4★ hotels, private transfers, guided tours, restaurants.

  • Luxury (€200+/day)

    • 5★ hotels & resorts, private guides, VIP experiences, Nile cruises.

🎒 Packing Essentials

  • ☀️ Sun Protection: SPF 50+, hat, sunglasses, light long sleeves.

  • 👕 Clothing: Lightweight fabrics, modest outfits for religious sites, comfy shoes.

  • ⚕️ Health & Safety: Hand sanitizer, first aid kit, insect repellent, prescriptions.

  • 💵 Money & Currency: Carry small bills for tips, credit cards accepted in hotels/restaurants.

💸 Tipping (Baksheesh)

  • 🍽 Restaurants: 10–15%

  • 🗺 Tour Guides: 10–20%

  • 🏨 Hotel Staff: 20–50 EGP

  • 🚕 Taxis: Round up fare

🕌 Cultural Tips

  • Dress Code: Cover shoulders/knees at mosques & temples. Resorts = casual.

  • Greetings: “Salam Alaikum” with a handshake.

  • Etiquette: Use right hand for eating, ask before photos, remove shoes indoors.

Useful Arabic Phrases:

  • 👋 Hello = Ahlan wa sahlan

  • 🙏 Thank you = Shukran

  • 👉 Please = Min fadlak

  • 🙇 Excuse me = Afwan

🩺 Health & Safety

  • Recommended Vaccines: Hep A, Typhoid, MMR, DPT.

  • Travel Insurance: €100,000+ medical cover, evacuation & trip cancellation.

  • Tips: Drink bottled water, stay hydrated, use sunscreen, secure valuables.

☀️ Best Time to Visit

Egypt’s weather varies by region:

  • 🏖 Red Sea Resorts (Hurghada, Sharm, Marsa Alam) → Year-round beach paradise

  • 🏺 Historical Sites (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan) → Best in Oct–Apr (cooler weather).

  • ⛴ Nile Cruises → Best from Oct–Apr, shoulder seasons are less crowded.

Seasonal Guide:

  • Summer (Jun–Sep) 🌊 Peak for diving/snorkeling, hot inland.

  • Winter (Dec–Feb) ❄️ Mild weather, fewer crowds, better rates.

  • Spring & Autumn (Mar–May, Oct–Nov) 🍃 Best balance of weather, prices & crowds.

🏆 Top Destinations

  • 🏖 Hurghada – Beaches, coral reefs, water sports, dolphin tours.

  • 🌊 Sharm El Sheikh – Ras Mohammed National Park, nightlife, desert adventures.

  • 🐢 Marsa Alam – Unspoiled reefs, sea turtles, dugongs, Wadi El Gemal NP.

  • 🏙 Cairo – Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili.

  • ⛪ Luxor – Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Hatshepsut Temple, Nile cruises.

🎟 Featured Tours

  • 🐬 Hurghada Dolphin Watching Tour – from €17.50

  • 🏝 Orange Bay Snorkeling Cruise – from €20

  • 🏜 ATV Safari + Bedouin Village + Camel Ride – from €12.50

  • 🏖 Giftun Island Boat Trip – from €15

  • 🚙 Super Safari Quad, Jeep, Camel + BBQ Dinner – from €17

🚍 Transportation

  • ✈️ Flights – Cairo ↔ Luxor: 1 hr (US$80–150). EgyptAir is main carrier.

  • 🚆 Trains – Cairo–Luxor: ~10 hrs (€10–50). Sleeper available.

  • 🚌 Buses – Cairo–Hurghada: 6–7 hrs (€5–25). GoBus & BlueBus reliable.

  • ⛴ Nile Cruises – 3–7 nights (€300–1000+). Luxor ↔ Aswan.

  • 🚖 Taxis & Ride Apps – Uber & Careem available. Always agree fare in advance.

  • 🚗 Private Transfers – €20–200, often included in tour packages.

🏨 Top Hotels

  • Cairo 🏙 – Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Marriott Mena House (pyramid views), Kempinski Nile.

  • Luxor 🏺 – Luxury riverfront hotels, Nile cruise options.

  • Hurghada 🌊 – Beachfront all-inclusive resorts.

  • Sharm El Sheikh 🏖 – Luxury spa resorts, diving lodges.

  • Marsa Alam 🐠 – Eco-lodges & luxury reef resorts.

💡 Booking Tips:

  • Reserve 2–3 months in advance (Oct–Apr = peak season).

  • Shoulder seasons = best rates.

  • Check cancellation policies & airport transfers.

🍴 Food & Drinks

Must-Try Dishes:

  • 🥘 Koshari – National dish of rice, lentils, pasta & crispy onions.

  • 🧆 Taamiya (Falafel) – Made with fava beans.

  • 🍲 Ful Medames – Slow-cooked fava beans (classic breakfast).

  • 🥩 Kofta – Spiced grilled meat skewers.

  • 🍆 Mahshi – Stuffed vegetables.

  • 🌿 Molokhia – Garlic-coriander jute leaf soup.

  • 🥙 Shawarma – Meat wraps with tahini & pickles.

Popular Drinks:

  • 🌺 Karkade (Hibiscus Tea) – Hot or iced.

  • 🥛 Sahlab – Warm winter drink with milk, nuts & cinnamon.

  • 🍹 Asab (Sugarcane Juice) – Fresh pressed.

  • 🥭 Mango Juice – Tropical favorite in summer.

  • ☕ Turkish Coffee & Egyptian Tea – Social staples.

🎁 Souvenirs to Buy

  • 📜 Papyrus art – Ancient Egyptian motifs.

  • 🌸 Essential oils & perfumes – Lotus, jasmine, amber.

  • 🧂 Spices & herbal teas – Hibiscus, cumin, saffron.

  • 🪨 Alabaster carvings – Lamps, vases, scarabs.

  • 💍 Egyptian jewelry – Gold, silver, cartouches.

  • 🏺 Sand art bottles – Custom names & desert designs.

💡 Shopping Tips:

  • Haggle politely (start at ~50% of asking price).

  • Compare shops for quality.

  • Request certificates for jewelry/papyrus.

  • Avoid “too cheap” fakes in tourist traps.

❓ FAQs

  • Do I need a visa? Yes, e-visa or VOA available.

  • When’s the best time to visit? Oct–Apr for history; year-round for Red Sea.

  • Is Egypt safe? Tourist areas are generally safe with precautions.

  • What currency is used? Egyptian Pound (EGP).

  • What should I wear? Modest in cities/religious sites; casual at resorts.

  • Can I eat street food? Yes, but stick to busy stalls; drink bottled water.

  • Do I need vaccines? Hep A & Typhoid recommended.

  • How much to budget? €30/day (budget) to €200+/day (luxury).

  • What about Ramadan? Expect shorter hours & festive evenings (Feb–Mar 2026).

  • How to get around? Domestic flights, trains, buses, Nile cruises.

Destination:
Egypt
Population:
20cr
Capital City:
Cairo
Language:
Arabic
Currency:
EGY

Available Tours in Egypt

Explore the best tours available for this destination

Blue Hole and 3 Pools Snorkel with Lunch from Dahab
7 DAYS / 6 Nights

Blue Hole and 3 Pools Snorkel with Lunch from Dahab

EGYPT ZURICH EGYPT EGYPT THU
Starting From:
$500
TAXES INCL/PERS
Book A Trip
Discover Serenity, Exploration and Enlightenment.
14 DAYS / 13 Nights

Discover Serenity, Exploration and Enlightenment.

EGYPT ZURICH EGYPT EGYPT THU
Starting From:
$500
TAXES INCL/PERS
Book A Trip
Exploring Ancient Ruins, History Landmarks, And Cultural
14 DAYS / 13 Nights

Exploring Ancient Ruins, History Landmarks, And Cultural

EGYPT ZURICH EGYPT EGYPT THU
Starting From:
$850
TAXES INCL/PERS
Book A Trip