Egypt travel guide
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.
Places worth the trip
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. Arrive early to beat heat and crowds, and consider entering one of the pyramids or riding a camel across the desert behind them.
Grand Egyptian Museum
A huge museum close to the Giza pyramids, built to house tens of thousands of artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. In central Cairo, the older Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square still holds an important collection.
Islamic and Coptic Cairo
Medieval mosques, minarets and madrasas fill the historic centre, around the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Citadel of Saladin. Coptic Cairo has some of the oldest churches in Egypt and the Hanging Church.
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. Sunrise hot-air balloon flights float over the west bank.
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Aswan is the most relaxed Nile city, with felucca sailing boats, Nubian villages and Philae Temple on its island. Further south, the colossal temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel were moved in the 1960s to save them from the waters of Lake Nasser.
A Nile cruise
Cruise boats and traditional dahabiya sailing boats travel between Luxor and Aswan over several days, stopping at temples such as Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
The Red Sea
Coral reefs and clear water draw divers and snorkellers to Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab. Ras Mohammed National Park and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm are among the best-known dive sites.
The Western Desert and Siwa
The White Desert's chalk formations, best seen on an overnight camping trip, and the remote Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border, with palm groves, salt lakes and the ruins of the Oracle of Amun.
Interesting facts about Egypt
- The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest human-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years.
- The Nile flows north, so Upper Egypt is in the south and Lower Egypt, including the delta, is in the north.
- Cleopatra lived closer in time to the first Moon landing than to the building of the Great Pyramid.
- Twice a year, sunlight reaches deep inside the temple at Abu Simbel to light up statues in its inner sanctuary.
- The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, connects the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and is one of the world's most important shipping routes.
Best time to visit Egypt
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. Summer, from June to August, is very hot inland, but the Red Sea coast stays popular for diving, with sea breezes. Spring can bring the hot, dusty khamsin wind. During Ramadan, which moves each year, opening hours change and many restaurants close during daylight.
Getting around
Domestic flights link Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Trains run along the Nile valley from Cairo and Alexandria to Luxor and Aswan, including overnight sleeper services. Cairo has a metro, and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around the city without haggling. Long-distance buses serve the Red Sea and Sinai. Driving yourself in Cairo is not recommended for visitors because of the heavy, chaotic traffic.
Practical details
- Capital
- Cairo
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 180 fire, 126 tourist police
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Tipping, known as baksheesh, is part of daily life, from restaurant staff and drivers to guides and people who help at sites. Carry small notes.
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.
Useful apps
- Uber: Widely used in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, avoiding fare negotiations.
- Careem: A popular regional ride-hailing app operating in Egyptian cities.
- Google Maps: Navigation in Cairo and route planning along the Nile; download offline maps for the desert.
- Google Translate: Translate Arabic signs and menus with your camera; English is common in tourist areas.
Egypt travel FAQs
A week covers Cairo and Giza plus Luxor and Aswan, often with a short Nile cruise. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Abu Simbel, the Red Sea or the Western Desert.
Dress modestly in towns and at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees; women will need a headscarf in some mosques. Swimwear is fine at resorts and on beaches.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities, along the Nile and on the Red Sea coast, but limited in the desert. A travel eSIM gives you local data for maps and ride-hailing while your home number stays active.
Yes, for tips, taxis, markets and small purchases. Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and many shops in cities, and ATMs are common. Keep a supply of small notes.