A little more
Egypt.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Egypt: what to know before you go

Egypt is home to the pyramids of Giza, the temples and tombs of Luxor and Aswan, and the Nile valley that has sustained life in the desert for thousands of years. Beyond the ancient sites are the coral reefs of the Red Sea, the desert oases of the Western Desert and the vast, busy city of Cairo. It suits history lovers, divers and anyone who wants to see some of the most famous monuments on earth.

Where to go

• The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx stand on a plateau at the edge of Cairo.
• Grand Egyptian Museum. A huge museum close to the Giza pyramids, built to house tens of thousands of artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.
• Islamic and Coptic Cairo. Medieval mosques, minarets and madrasas fill the historic centre, around the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Citadel of Saladin.
• Luxor. Ancient Thebes has the vast Karnak temple complex and Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile, and on the west bank the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

Best time to visit

October to April is the most comfortable time to visit, especially for Luxor and Aswan, where summer temperatures can be extremely high. December and January are the busiest months.

Staying online in Egypt

Mobile coverage is good in Cairo, Alexandria, along the Nile valley and in the Red Sea resorts, with 4G widely available. Signal weakens or disappears in the Western Desert, in parts of Sinai and out at sea on dive boats. Hotels and cafés usually offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary. Some internet-calling features in messaging apps may not work as expected. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so ride-hailing and maps work from the airport.