Planning a trip to Egypt? Here is everything you need to know before going. This blog is the best Egypt travel guide! Including where to stay, what to eat, & top places to visit!
Welcome to Egypt! This bustling country with a population of 109.3 million can seem like a daunting place to visit! But it is rich in history and offers some of the most amazing ancient landmarks. Cairo is Egypt’s capital and is home to one of the world’s most famous destinations: the Pyramids! Sail down the Nile to visit Luxor, a stunning city on the water.
The most popular route is to the north in Alexandria and traveling south to Cairo and Luxor. But if you travel west, there are some hidden gems to discover!
Where Is It
Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley, and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East.
The time zone in Egypt is Eastern European Time (UTC/GMT plus one)
How To Get There
The most popular way to get to Egypt is to fly. (Or take a Red Sea Cruise)!
Single-entry tourists will need a visa to enter. 46 nationalities can purchase the e-visa on this site.
Egypt has 4 International Airports:
Cairo International Airport – One hour to downtown.
Hurghada International Airport – Great for a Red Sea resort getaway. Prearranged pick-up is recommended.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport – The airport is mainly used by tourists who travel to hotels and resorts in the South Sinai region. Prearranged pick-up is recommended.
Luxor International Airport – Book a hotel transfer instead of haggling with taxi drivers.
Language
The official language in Egypt is Arabic. It is a good idea to learn common phrases and also have google translate.
Currency
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound. However, in some places, the euro is accepted.
Credit cards are accepted, but it is a good idea to carry cash for emergency purposes. (I found most taxi drivers and shopping stalls preferred cash).
Where To Eat
Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Red Sea resort towns have a wide variety of eating options. Away from the main centers, the choices will be limited.
Restaurants: Range from expensive hotel dining, where booking is essential. To budget style restaurants, typically serving kababs and stews. Most places will not serve alcohol.
Cafes: Usually open for most of the day and night, they only serve drinks and shisha (smoking substance), no food
Street Food: A huge part of the Egyptian food scene. Fast and Fresh at local prices.
Where To Stay
There is a great range of stays in Egypt from B&Bs to five-star hotels. Advance booking is highly recommended, especially during the high season.
Hotels: Range from low quality to luxury accommodation in larger cities. Do your research when booking a place to stay. I recommend that most of your budget goes to your accommodation.
Cairo: Ramses Hilton or Marriott Mena House (request a Pyramid view).
Luxor: Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa
B&Bs: Less common in Egypt and mostly run by families are the one and two-star hotels.
Best Time To Go
High Season (October-February)
Egypt’s ‘winter’ is sunny and warm. It can be quite cool in the evenings (especially in Alexandria). High crowds in the Mediterranean.
Shoulder (March-May, September-October)
It still can be quite warm during these months, however, the crowds will be lighter. Spring brings the occasional dust storm (disrupting flights).
Low Season (June-August)
Summers in Egypt can be brutal. Only the bravest tourist will visit Upper Egypt. The desert should be avoided, however, the coast will be the main destination of choice.
The weekend in Egypt is Friday and Saturday. Some businesses will be closed on Sunday. During Ramadan, tourist sites will keep shorter hours.
Climate
The climate of Egypt is dry, hot, and dominated by desert.
It has a mild winter season (December-March) with rain falling along coastal areas, and a hot and dry summer season (May to September).
The average temperature ranges from around 65F (18C) in the winter to around 92F (34C) in the summer. March and April can be windy and cause sandstorms.
What To Do
Visiting Egypt will be an unforgettable experience. There is nothing quite like stepping onto the desert sands for the first time and feeling the sun shining down from a cloudless sky.
Pyramids of Giza
Of course, you cannot visit Cairo and not see the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. There are two main entrances to the pyramids. One is near Pyramid Rd, and the other is below the Sphinx. (All other options will be counterfeit). The fee to enter is 240 LE or around 8 USD. There are additional fees if you wish to go inside the pyramids, so bring extra cash (30 USD per person). Opening times are 8 am-4 pm (but double check the day of your trip, as some times may vary).
Plan for at least a half day or more to explore the entire site. Go early, as the site will be crammed with horses, camels, stray dogs, tour buses, and hustling vendors. Keep an eye out for scams (nothing is ever free) and if you do not wish to buy anything from the vendors just smile and walk away.
I do not recommend using any animal services, as most are not treated kindly. But if you must, choose the one that looks well-fed, has no wounds, or abrasions, and the handler does not use a whip.
The site is made up of 3 large pyramids; The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The smaller Queen Pyramids and Tomb of Senegemib-Inti are spread out on the plateau. There is a Cheops Boat Museum, where you can view a 4,500-year-old barge. And, of course, the Great Sphinx.
Karnak Temple
One of my favorite places in the world, Luxor is where you can find the Karnak and Luxor Temple. A connecting ancient complex built over 1,300 years ago! It is an amazing location and perfect for your Instagram content! Karnak is considered the world’s greatest open-air museum. Open from 6 am to 6 pm, tickets are 175 LE or 6 USD. Famous for its spectacular columns, it is one of the largest religious complexes. The 1.8-mile alley of the sphinx connects the Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple. It is not yet fully open to walk from one temple to the other. Explore the sanctuaries, pylons, and obelisks dedicated to the pharaoh of the New Kingdom.
What To Pack
Egypt is a conservative country, so modest dress is recommended. In resort towns, women will usually wear loose clothing or long dresses or skirts. If you plan to visit a religious area, covering your hair is required. Along with having your shoulders and knees covered (no shorts for men also).
If you plan on doing any outdoor excursions, I recommend bringing a hat as well. When visiting the Pyramids in Egypt, there is little to no shade.
Bring comfortable walking shoes (preferably close-toed; there are lots of animals that roam the streets in Egypt). They are great for the airport as well!
I also recommend bringing some sort of allergy medication. I also like to bring acetaminophen, anti-diarrheal, and an antiacid for emergency purposes.
Sunscreen is a must, under the desert sun!
Bug spray, the animals around the major sites attract bugs!
Camera (This should be at the top of the list!)
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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