Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza have stood at the edge of Cairo's sprawl for four and a half thousand years, and the Nile between Luxor and Aswan is lined with temples best seen from a cruise boat or felucca. Add the Red Sea's coral reefs and reliable winter sunshine, and expect to bargain for almost everything outside the big hotels.
Overview
Egypt's geography makes route-planning simple: almost everyone lives along the Nile, and the classic first trip follows it. Start with three or four days in Cairo for the pyramids at Giza and Saqqara, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the medieval mosques of Islamic Cairo. Then fly or take the sleeper train south to Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, cruise upriver past Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, and make the early-morning run to Abu Simbel. Finish with a few days of snorkelling or diving on the Red Sea at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab.
Day-to-day Egypt is cheap: street food, trains and local transport cost little, but entry tickets to the big sites have risen steeply and are priced for foreigners, so budget for them separately. Winter is high season, and Luxor's tombs can be crowded by mid-morning; summer in Upper Egypt regularly tops 40°C. It suits first-timers on a tour as much as independent travellers, although the latter need patience with touts, constant offers and requests for baksheesh. What surprises most people is the warmth and humour of Egyptians once the hard sell is over, and how close the desert is to every town.
Map of Egypt
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, flanked by two more pyramids and the Sphinx. Arrive at opening time, walk to the panorama point, and pair it with Tutankhamun's treasures at the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum.
- 2History
Luxor's temples and the Valley of the Kings
Ancient Thebes straddles the Nile: Karnak's forest of columns and Luxor Temple on the east bank, and on the west the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Allow at least two full days.
- 3History
Abu Simbel
Ramesses II's colossal rock-cut temples near the Sudanese border, moved block by block in the 1960s to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Most visitors make a pre-dawn road trip or short flight from Aswan; staying overnight means seeing them almost empty.
- 4Culture
Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Three or four nights on a river boat or sailing dahabiya, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo as palms, farmland and desert slide past. Finish in Aswan with a felucca sail around Elephantine Island and a visit to Philae.
- 5Wildlife
Ras Mohammed National Park
At the southern tip of Sinai near Sharm el-Sheikh, sheer coral walls drop into deep blue water busy with turtles, reef sharks and huge shoals of fish. Day boats serve divers and snorkellers, and the wreck of the Thistlegorm is a classic dive nearby.
Biggest cities
Cairo
The Arab world's biggest city is loud and exhausting but essential: the pyramids, the museums, Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Islamic Cairo's minarets need at least three full days.
Alexandria
Alexander the Great's Mediterranean port mixes faded belle-époque cafés with the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qaitbay Citadel; best as a two-day trip from Cairo.
Port Said
A 19th-century Suez Canal city of wooden-balconied colonial buildings, where you can watch container ships enter the canal and ride the free ferry across to Port Fouad.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in Egypt
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Egypt
Best time: Oct–Apr.
Average climate in Cairo
Festivals & events
- Feb, OctAbu Simbel Sun Festival
Around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines down the length of the Great Temple to light the statues in its inner sanctuary; crowds gather well before dawn.
- Feb–MarRamadan
The fasting month moves about 11 days earlier each year, falling in February and March in 2026–27. Days are slower, but evenings come alive with iftar feasts, lanterns and late-night crowds.
- Apr–MaySham el-Nessim
An ancient spring festival held on the Monday after Coptic Easter, when Egyptians of every faith picnic in parks and along the Nile and eat salted fish and coloured eggs.
How much does Egypt cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Koshari
Egypt's carb-loaded street classic: rice, lentils, macaroni and chickpeas under a spiced tomato sauce, sharpened with garlicky vinegar and topped with crisp fried onions.
Ta'ameya
Egyptian falafel, made from dried fava beans rather than chickpeas and packed with herbs that turn it green inside; eaten in baladi bread with tahini and pickles at breakfast.
Molokhia
A silky green soup of finely chopped jute leaves with garlic and coriander, served with rice and chicken or rabbit; a favourite of home cooking.
Getting around
EgyptAir flies from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan in about an hour, with onward flights to Abu Simbel, while Abela's overnight sleeper trains link Cairo with Luxor and Aswan. Go Bus and other coach firms run to Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab. In Cairo and Alexandria, Uber and Careem avoid taxi haggling, and Cairo's metro is cheap and quick. Between Luxor and Aswan, cruise boats double as transport.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF220V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +20
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Baksheesh oils everything: tip 10–15% in restaurants even when service is added, and keep small notes for guides, drivers, guards and toilet attendants.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly away from beach resorts, covering shoulders and knees; women need a headscarf in mosques. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight hours.
- Main airports
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Cairo; Luxor International Airport (LXR), Luxor; Hurghada International Airport (HRG), Hurghada
Visas & entry for Egypt
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa.
If you are arriving by air to Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days at resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you do not need a visa. You will get a free entry permission stamp on arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport. If you plan to travel outside the resorts or stay more than 15 days, you must get a visa. You can get a visa at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport or online.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Egypt
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Coptic Christmas Day |
| Thu 28 Jan 2027 | January 25th Revolution and National Police Day (observed) |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 29 Apr 2027 | Sinai Liberation Day (observed) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Spring Festival |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Day of Arafah (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 10 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Thu 1 Jul 2027 | June 30 Revolution Day (observed) |
| Fri 23 Jul 2027 | July 23 Revolution Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Thu 7 Oct 2027 | Armed Forces Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Egyptian Arabic
| English | Egyptian Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHOOK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بكام ده؟ | bi-KAAM da |
Know before you go
- Most major sites, including Giza, now sell tickets by bank card only, so bring a card that works abroad, then keep small Egyptian-pound notes for baksheesh and street food.
- Agree prices for camel rides, carriage rides and taxis before you start, and be firm but friendly with touts: a smiling 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) works best.
- Start sightseeing at opening time: Luxor's tombs and the Giza plateau are far cooler and quieter before the coaches arrive, and many sites close by late afternoon.
Egypt travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
The best time to visit Egypt is generally Oct–Apr. Peak months are January, February, March, November and December. Average highs in Cairo range from 19°C to 35°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Egypt cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £75 mid-range and £170+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Egypt?
Egyptian pound (EGP).
What plug type does Egypt use?
Type C and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Egypt?
Traffic drives on the right in Egypt, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Egypt?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Egypt before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Egypt?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
