Egypt might seem like a cliché vacation destination, and as an independent traveler, I had heard nothing but bad things about it, mostly about the scams. After spending two weeks traveling along the Nile, I can tell you that the scams and relentless touting are indeed a massive problem.
That said, despite the constant hassle throughout the country, I also experienced many genuinely heartwarming encounters with locals that made my trip far more memorable than the scams ever were.
There is also no place quite like Egypt when it comes to history. From the ancient pyramids to magnificent temples that have stood for thousands of years, the country's incredible heritage alone is reason enough to visit. In this guide, I've compiled everything you need to know to make your trip as smooth as possible, including tips on avoiding scams, getting around, the best places to visit, and much more.
Egypt Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ☀️ Day 1-3: | Cairo |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Day 4-5: | Alexandria |
| ☀️ Day 6-8: | Aswan |
| ☀️ Day 9-11: | Luxor |
| ☀️ Day 12: | Fly Out of Cairo |
2 Weeks Egypt Itinerary
Day 1 - 3: Cairo (4 Nights)
- 📍 Stay: Victory of Downtown Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 4 Nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt
The first day you arrive, you will likely want to hit the ground running and check the Pyramids of Giza off your bucket list. Unfortunately, the pyramids are not in the city, so you will have to either hail a taxi, which is extremely troublesome, or book an organized tour, which I recommend for visiting the Pyramids.
A full-day tour can combine the Giza Plateau with sites farther south such as Saqqara, which is why I found it much easier than trying to negotiate transport independently. At Giza, be sure to see the three main pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure as well as the Great Sphinx. Keep in mind that the general Giza Plateau ticket does not include entry inside the pyramids; those require separate tickets, including a separate ticket for the Great Pyramid.
The second day, you can spend your time seeing the real Cairo. First, you can go to the area called Coptic Cairo, where the Coptic Christian community resides. In this area, you will find the famous Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt, dating back to the 3rd century AD.
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Also, be sure to spend some time walking around the markets in the area, and you might find a hidden gem like I did. There was this book market tucked away from the crowds that stood out to me. With small alleyways and bookshops on both sides, you can feel the knowledge flowing into you just by walking through the market.
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali is another must-see stop in Cairo. The architecture and sheer size of the mosque will take your breath away.
From the mosque, you will also be able to see the cityscape of Cairo.
In the evening, you can also visit the famous Cairo bazaar called Khan el-Khalili. Khan el-Khalili is the main hub of trade in the historic center of Islamic Cairo. Here, you can find all kinds of souvenirs (bargain hard), or if you are not interested in shopping, this place can be a good spot for you to grab a cup of coffee and watch people.
Not to say, the bazaar itself is one hell of a photogenic place.
If you have another day in Cairo, make time for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza. It officially opened in November 2025 and is now fully operating, with the Tutankhamun Galleries, Main Galleries, Grand Hall, Grand Stairs, and Khufu's Boats Museum included in the visitor experience. It is a massive museum, so I would give it at least half a day rather than treating it as a quick stop. The original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square also remains open and still holds an extensive collection, so museum lovers can visit both if they have enough time.
Day 4 - 5: Alexandria (2 Nights)
- 📍 Stay: Downtown Seaview Suites
- 🕐 Time: 2 Nights
- 📖 Full Guide: The Best Things to Do in Alexandria (via Backpackadventures.org)
After a few days in the bustling capital, it is a good time to visit Alexandria on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city is easy to reach from Cairo by train or bus. Some travelers visit on a day trip, but I would still recommend staying for 2 nights so you have a full day to explore without rushing back to Cairo.
Citadel of Qaitbay, Montaza Palace, and the Library of Alexandria are a few places you can visit while in Alexandria. You should also try out some of their seafood, for which the city is known.
Day 6 - 8: Aswan (3 Nights)
- 📍 Stay: Citymax Hotel Aswan
- 🕐 Time: 3 Nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 8 Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt
From Alexandria, first you have to get yourself back to Cairo, either via buses or trains, and then you can take an overnight train across the country to Aswan.
In Aswan, you can either take a shared organized tour or a private tour to Abu Simbel, near Egypt's southern border with Sudan. Abu Simbel is, hands down, my favorite place in Egypt. The scale of this place is best seen with your own eyes. The gigantic statues in front of the Great Temple of Ramesses II were unlike anything I had ever seen in my life. The site currently opens from 6 AM to 5 PM, although most road tours from Aswan still leave very early in the morning.
Nearby the main complex, lies another temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari - an impressive temple carved on the side of a mountain. This place reminded me of why I decided to visit Egypt. It is truly the definition of Egypt for me.
After visiting Abu Simbel, the tour should drop you back around 4 PM, just in time for a nice climb up the sand dune across the Nile to watch the sunset. In order to get across the river, you have to take a local motorboat from the pier next to the River Transport Authority. On the other side, you can either pay to go into the Tomb of the Nobles or hike up around the temple complex and go to the top of the sand dune for free. Hands down, it is the best sunset spot in Aswan.
If you have another day, you can visit Philae Temple, which sits on Agilkia Island and requires a boat from the visitor marina after you reach the site by road. Bargain hard with both the taxi and the boat! In the evening, you can rent a felucca and head out onto the Nile to enjoy a quiet evening while watching the sunset. Again, bargain hard for those feluccas. Go for half price or even lower when bargaining with them.
Day 9 - 11: Luxor (3 Nights)
- 📍 Stay: Steigenberger Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 3 Nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt
Coming from Aswan, you can either take a bus or a train to Luxor, which should take you no more than 4.5 hours by train and 6 hours by bus.
The area around modern Luxor contains ancient Thebes, which served as Egypt's capital during important periods of the Middle and New Kingdoms. That is why so many monumental temples and royal tombs are concentrated here. Sites such as the Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut are on the West Bank, away from central Luxor, so combining them by tour or hired car makes the day much easier.
Therefore, I would recommend going with the Full Day Tour to East and West Banks of Luxor or arranging a driver for the West Bank. A typical itinerary can include the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon. Entrance tickets are generally separate by site, and some tombs inside the Valley of the Kings require additional tickets beyond the standard valley admission.
The tour should take you the entire day, so when you get back, you can splurge a little and enjoy a nice, delicious meal at Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant. The camel burger from there comes highly recommended.
With its yellow, dusty landscape of the desert and all the stunning ruins scattered around the area, Luxor is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to go on a sunrise hot air balloon trip. Start your second day early with a hot air balloon tour and enjoy Luxor from above.
You can also visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple independently, as both are easy to reach from central Luxor. Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall, with its 134 enormous columns, is one of the most impressive ancient spaces I saw anywhere in Egypt and is absolutely worth seeing early in the day before the larger tour groups arrive.
The Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 gigantic columns, including 12 taller central columns rising to about 21 meters. The hall was originally roofed, although most of that roof is now gone. I arrived early enough to have the hall almost to myself for a few minutes before the crowds flooded in, which made a huge difference to the experience.
For Luxor Temple, I would still recommend visiting around sunset and staying into the evening, when the illuminated columns and statues completely change the atmosphere. It is particularly convenient for this because the temple currently stays open until 8 PM, later than many of Luxor's archaeological sites, and it is easily accessible from the city center.
Flying out of Cairo (1 Night)
- 📍 Stay: Victory of Downtown Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 1 Night
From Luxor, it will take you several hours to get back to Cairo. On my trip, the best-value option I found was an overnight bus, which also saved me the cost of one night's accommodation. I would still compare the current bus, train, and flight options for your dates, but if you find a comfortable overnight bus at a good time, it remains a practical way to finish this route.
Why Visit Egypt?
Egypt and its ancient culture along the Nile has captivated and amazed travelers for centuries. From the sand-covered tombs of lost civilizations to the dusty, barren desert of the Sahara, Egypt will bring out the adventurer in all of us.
You get to learn the history of Ancient Egypt, see firsthand the ruins of the pinnacle of human achievements, and act out one of your favorite scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. Now, tell me why you would not want to visit Egypt? 😛
When to Visit Egypt?
October to April is generally the most comfortable time to travel around Egypt, especially if you plan to spend long days outdoors at archaeological sites. December and January bring cooler temperatures but also more visitors.
For a balance of weather and crowds, I would look at October to November or February to April. I would no longer recommend June as a shoulder-season sweet spot for this itinerary: Upper Egypt around Aswan and Luxor can be brutally hot by then, making daytime sightseeing much harder.
How to Get to Egypt?
Cairo is a big city, in fact, one of the biggest in Africa, and you will have no trouble finding a flight there. But be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest possible flight for your trip.
How to Get Around Egypt?
Trains and long-distance buses connect the main stops on this itinerary. On my trip, buses were often the cheapest option, while trains were a more relaxed way to travel along the Nile. For Cairo to Aswan and the other long Upper Egypt legs, compare journey times and ticket rules before you travel, as train booking arrangements for foreign visitors have changed over the years.
For train schedules, I recommend checking out Seat61.com's comprehensive guide to trains in Egypt.
For buses, I used Go Bus extensively on my trip and found the coaches comfortable, reliable, and good value. The company still operates intercity services in Egypt, so I would keep it on the shortlist and compare its current departure times and fares with the train for each leg.
In Cairo, the metro is useful for many central areas, while taxis or ride-hailing apps are more practical for places beyond the network, including Giza. When I traveled in Egypt, I often hailed taxis from the street and had to deal with the classic 'broken meter' problem, so I always confirmed the meter or agreed on a price before getting in. Today, using a ride-hailing app can remove much of that negotiation, although traffic remains the bigger problem either way.
How NOT to Get Scammed?
Scamming is common in Egypt, and it is important for you to know how they do it and how you can avoid getting scammed, like I did. I have written an entire article about it, so you can read more on ways to avoid getting scammed in Egypt here.
Here are a few things to keep in mind: the Pyramids of Giza are one of the places where I encountered the most aggressive touting. Common tactics include drivers claiming the meter is broken, people presenting themselves as unofficial guides or guards and then demanding money, and 'free' gifts that suddenly come with a price. You will not necessarily be scammed, but it pays to be skeptical of unsolicited help and to agree on prices before accepting a service.
If you really have no time for these scammers and would like to visit Egypt in peace, I highly recommend that you go on either a day trip or an organized tour instead. Being with a local tour guide will significantly reduce your chances of having to deal with these people, and you will be able to enjoy Egypt without any hassles.
There are several day trips you can join in Egypt from Viator or GetYourGuide. If you want to explore further, you can also go on an organized multi-day trip that will help you avoid all the unnecessary annoyances that come with visiting Egypt.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Is it Safe in Egypt?
As of September 2026, several parts of Egypt remain subject to official warnings, particularly North Sinai, sections of the Western Desert, and some border areas. The main Nile Valley destinations in this itinerary are outside most of those restricted zones, but regional conditions can change quickly, so check again shortly before you travel.
I have written an entire article about it, so you can read more on ways to avoid getting scammed in Egypt there. That said, not all locals are out to scam you. It's just that the scammers are the loudest, most aggressive, and they always make themselves known to you the moment you arrive at a tourist attraction.
Here are a few things to keep in mind: everyone gets scammed at the pyramid, whether it be the taxi driver who pretends the meter was broken, a person impersonating a security guard taking you to where you want to go before asking for money, or people pretending to give you free stuff but then aggressively asking you to pay.
There is no shortage of persistent touts around major tourist attractions, but you can reduce the hassle by declining unsolicited help, confirming prices in advance, using official ticket counters, and walking away from interactions that become uncomfortable. I would be particularly cautious when a stranger approaches with an offer that sounds free or unusually helpful.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Egypt?
Egypt's main mobile networks include Vodafone, Orange, e& Egypt, and WE. Tourist-oriented SIM options are widely available, including at major airports, but packages and prices change frequently enough that I would compare the current offers when you arrive rather than choosing based on an old data allowance.
I personally used Vodafone as they have a package specifically for tourists and can be easily obtained at the airport or in any Vodafone shop you find in the country. There are 2 packages available - one with 8 GB of data, 200 minutes, and 20 international minutes for 200 EGP, and another with 30 GB for 500 EGP.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
For more information about Egypt's local SIM card: Egypt's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
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16 Comments
i'd like to go solo, in oct or nov 2022. i'm hoping they'll have some events planned for the 100th anniv. of tut's tomb. any suggestions for a hotel that is female friendly and quiet? maybe with ac and or a pool?
Hey Tegan,
That will depend on which places you are planning to go. I have only stayed in hostels and cheap hotels in Egypt so I have no real world experience when it comes to good hotels there. That said, I found that I can always rely on booking.com for hotel suggestion almost anywhere in the world so be sure to check their listings out.
Sorry, can't be much help here.
when was this blog written? (for reference on my assignment)
Hey Geraldine,
It was first published in 2019 with continuous updates and so on but I took the trip in 2015. I hope this helps!
Your travel blogs are truly helpful because they always contain the information that I would need. I avoided Egypt before because I was scared of the scams and robberies that were prominent on the news before. as I travel alone. But I have long held a fascination for Egypt and hope that I can take that trip one of these days. Thank you it was comprehensive.
Hey Maria, it was definitely challenging at times but there is no other place out there quite like Egypt and I considered it part of the Egypt experience. 😂 As long as you have that reality in mind, you should be able to enjoy Egypt as I did. I expected nothing less from scammers there haha.
Hey! I was wondering where did u get the currency exchanged (EGP) ? Was it after you landed at the Cairo Airport? Do they offer good rates or is it not satisfactory and hence, better to exchange it in the city somewhere?
Please help with recommendations. I’m travelling this 11th
I personally relied on ATMs when I was there but if you want to exchange cash, it is always a good idea to exchange it where the locals do which is mostly at local banks in Cairo City. I would recommend you check out the exchange rate of each bank here and use them to gauge whether you are getting a good deal or not first.
Better yet, it's best to exchange it where you live before arriving so that you can see what you are getting beforehand. Always try to avoid exchanging it at the airport. The fees are horrible.
I hope this helps.
Wow I love the information you have shared.Egypt is a must go to for me.i will go solo I am a but worried but it would be worth it
It's definitely worth it. There is no place quite like it.