Ancient Egyptian civilization left behind magnificent achievements that continue to inspire admiration. Egypt had long been on my travel bucket list. After spending some time, searching for travel companions, my team and I finally had the chance to see the Pyramids with our own eyes, watch the sunset over the Nile River, and lose ourselves in the bustle and hustle of Khan El Khalili Bazaar. In this blog, Chibikiu shares everything you need to know about traveling in Egypt.
Table of Contents
1. Things You Should Know About Egypt
1.1 Is Egypt Safe for Tourists?
Before visiting Egypt, I was quite worried because of the many negative stories about the country, ranging from terrorism and political unrest to security concerns. However, during my trip, thankfully nothing unpleasant happened (my group has 4 women).
If there is one thing to watch out for, it is unexpected extra charges. Some service providers may agree on one price beforehand and then ask for additional fees later. For example, when traveling from central Luxor to the airport, we negotiated a fare of 200 EGP. During the trip, the driver demanded an additional 50 EGP for highway tolls and later asked for tips as well. So be prepared as anything could happen.
1.2 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Egypt
I know Egypt is not a stranger on travel maps, many people have travelled to Egypt. However, I need to tell you something that may not be mentioned in any travel blog. “Nothing stings like the truth”, the Egypt you see on social media and the real one may differ.
– Egypt is still a developing country. Infrastructure and roads are generally less developed. Roads can be rough and urban planning may seem chaotic (they leave their house unpainted as if the house is painted, it will be considered as a finished house. It means they have to pay tax for that).
– The smell of horse and camel waste is common in many tourist areas because horse and camel transportation remains popular.
– You will often encounter children and elderly people asking tourists for money, and some can be quite persistent (they will follow tourists until they get some sort of money). My tour providers keep reminding us not to give them money as they need to work or go to school, instead of begging for money from tourists.
– Egyptians enjoy taking photos with foreign visitors and many are especially fond of K-pop culture.
2. Egypt Visa
Egypt offers three main visa options for international travelers: a traditional visa, a visa on arrival, and an e-Visa.
Eligible travelers can apply for an e-Visa online before their trip, providing a more convenient and time-saving option. Depending on nationality, both the visa on arrival and e-Visa are generally available as either single-entry or multiple-entry visas. You can apply to Egypt E-visa via this page.
However, my country was not “on the list” which means I have to apply for a traditional visa. The traditional visa must be obtained from an Egyptian embassy or consulate before departure.
3. Best Time to Visit Egypt
Egypt has a desert climate, so hot weather is expected throughout most of the year. The best time to visit is from November to March when temperatures are more comfortable.
We visited Egypt in January, during winter time, when temperatures ranged from 22°C to 28°C. Even being considered to be the best time to visit Egypt , the heat and sunshine felt intense.
Summer travel may be cheaper, but temperatures often exceed 40°C. Another important point is that day and night temperatures can differ by as much as 15°C, so pack accordingly.
4. Transportation in Egypt
4.1 Getting to Egypt
Flights were the most challenging part of planning this trip. Travelers departing from Europe usually enjoy much lower fares than those flying from Asia (me in Vietnam is such a challenging game).
Since there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Egypt, transit is required. After scanning and searching for flights, I came up with some options, including:
- One-time transit within a single airline carrier: Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Turkish Airlines. Qatar Airways often provides the best balance between price and travel time.
- One-time transit using two airline carriers: Fly from Vietnam to Mumbai with VietJet, then continue to Cairo with EgyptAir. This option can cost around 18–20 million VND round trip if booked early.
- Two-time transits: Usually cheaper but significantly more time-consuming. A friend of mine took the flight from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur, from then flew to Doha and then arrived in Cairo after more than a day.
Searching for flights with a tight budget is not an easy game and time consuming. Here are some tips to search for a suitable flight:
- Use Skyscanner or trip.com (or any flight scanner providers) to search for flights and remember to turn on incognito mode (website and service providers use cookies to track your searches and adjust prices when they see repeated checks for the same route, aiming to create a sense of urgency).
- Book your ticket directly with the airline carrier. You know what if something happens, you only need to work with airline customer service, not go through intermediate, it means way faster to processing things.
- If your transit is long enough, consider exploring the transit city if visa requirements permit.
4.2 Traveling Between Cities in Egypt
You can travel between cities by train, bus, private car, or airplane. However, due to the limited transportation infrastructure, domestic flights are often the most convenient option.
For example, a flight from Cairo to Aswan takes only about 1.5 hours, while traveling by train can take more than a day.
Within cities, ride-hailing apps such as Careem are generally cheaper than taxis. However, some drivers may still ask for additional charges upon arrival. The second time I need to remind anything could happen.
5. Famous Tourist Attractions in Egypt
5.1 Giza Pyramids – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Giza Pyramids are the oldest and best-preserved monument among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Their enormous scale and remarkable proportions make them one of humanity’s greatest architectural achievements.
5.2 Cairo – A City of Contrasts
Cairo showcases the legacy of ancient Egyptian civilization while embracing modern urban life. Visitors can explore treasures in the Egyptian Museum, admire historic architecture, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
5.3 Abu Simbel – A Monumental Temple
Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive achievements of ancient Egypt. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, the temple commemorated military victories and demonstrated Egypt’s power and religious influence.
Although relocated to protect it from flooding, the temple remains breathtaking, particularly its four colossal statues of Ramesses II.
5.4 Luxor – The Ancient Capital of Thebes
Luxor was once the capital of ancient Thebes and is often described as the world’s largest open-air museum. Its temples, tombs, and monuments stand as enduring evidence of the brilliance of ancient Egyptian civilization.
5.5 Siwa Oasis
Located in western Egypt, Siwa Oasis is a peaceful paradise surrounded by the Sahara Desert. Its relative isolation has helped preserve both its natural beauty and unique cultural heritage.
Visitors can float in the salt lakes of Zeitoun, explore the historic Shali Fortress, and enjoy desert adventures among the dunes of the Sahara.
6. Accommodation Booking Tips in Egypt
Hotel facilities in Egypt can vary greatly. Most of the properties are small family-run businesses, and service standards are often inconsistent.
One memorable experience from my trip occurred when the hotel we booked was overbooked (we booked our hotel on Booking.com). Without informing us in advance, the hotel transferred us to another nearby property. We only learned about the change after arriving at the airport. Unfortunately, the replacement hotel was of significantly lower quality. Anything could happen.
7. Food and Dining in Egypt
7.1. All you need to know about Egyptian Food
Egyptian cuisine may not suit the average Vietnamese or Asian palate. The flavors are quite different from what we are used to, with many dishes being heavily seasoned, salty, and often lacking the variety of fresh vegetables that are common in Asian meals. I tried some Egyptian food and gave up after two meals. Of course, this is entirely a matter of personal taste, and some travelers may enjoy trying local specialties. But not me.
Interestingly, KFC and McDonald are reliable dining options. Many of their branches occupy excellent locations, such as views overlooking the Giza Pyramids or Luxor Temple.
7.2. Egyptian Dishes You Should Try
Below is some dishes you should try during your trip to Egypt:
- Koshary: A mixture of rice, pasta, macaroni, and tomato sauce. Personally, I did not enjoy it.
- Hamam Mahshi: Stuffed pigeon with rice. The rice absorbs the flavor of the meat and is quite delicious, although the bird is sometimes overcooked.
- Falafel: A popular Middle Eastern fried snack made from soaked and ground beans mixed with spices. I found it average at best.
8. Egypt Travel Itinerary
8.1 Planning Your Trip
You should spend at least eight days in Egypt. Since International flights to and from Egypt can take up a significant amount of time, a shorter trip may feel rushed and leave little room to explore.
The most common destinations are Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan which are home to many of the country’s most iconic historical and cultural attractions. Additional destinations include visiting Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast or the remote Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert.
That said, Egypt is a vast country and traveling between destinations can be time-consuming. Trying to fit too many places into a single trip can quickly become exhausting, so it’s often better to focus on a few key destinations and enjoy them at a more relaxed pace.
8.2 Sample Egypt Itinerary
I choose to visit Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and take a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo. The itinerary is suitable for first time visitors to Egypt which covers the most essential destination of the country. You can see the wonder, the UNESCO heritage sites, the tombs,… everything you would imagine about Egypt.
Below is my Egypt’s itinerary (keep in mind that this itinerary is only for reference):
Day 1: Hanoi – Cairo
Day 2: Alexandria day trip
Day 3: Cairo
Day 4: Giza
Day 5: Aswan
Day 6: Aswan
Day 7: Luxor
Day 8: Luxor
Day 9: Luxor
Day 10: Return flight to Vietnam
9. How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost?
What surprised me is that the travel budget in Egypt is quite cheap. At first I thought it would be expensive to travel in Egypt. However, it turned out to be cheaper than where I live (I live in Hanoi – Vietnam which is routinely named one of the most affordable tourist cities in the world).
However, there was one thing that drove me over budget when planning for my Egypt trip: airfare. As I fly from Vietnam, the airfare costs me more than 60% of our total travel budget. Actually I must be 70% if I combine the domestic airfare in Egypt.
Egypt is affordable for travellers. However, travellers may become the target for scammers which means you can lost more money unintentionally. If that happens, it will ruin your whole trip. Here are money-saving tips:
- Make sure to have proof of the agreed price when dealing with service providers, as they might end up with a way higher price than the original one.
- Egyptian pounds are difficult to exchange in Vietnam (or many conuntries), so bring USD or EUR to Egypt.
- Many tourism services in Egypt accept USD directly. For example, I booked the balloon tour with a tour provider. They didn’t ask for an up-front deposit.
10. Final Thoughts: Egypt Travel Guide
10.1. Egypt Travel Tips
– Tipping is common in Egypt, and it’s customary to reward good service. However, be aware that some people may expect or request tips regardless of the quality of service provided. This was something we encountered many times during our trip. And we refuse to give tips when the service is not good enough.
– Purchase a SIM card at the airport from providers such as Vodafone or Orange. You can buy a SIM card anywhere out of the airport, but I am not sure about the price or quality.
– Always negotiate prices when shopping in markets because initial prices are often heavily inflated.
Final Thoughts
No words can truly capture the feeling of finally seeing the Pyramids with your own eyes, cruising down the Nile, and wandering through centuries-old temples and tombs. It was as if history came to life, transporting us to the heart of one of the greatest civilizations ever known.
This concludes Chibikiu’s complete Egypt travel guide. For more information, be sure to check out the other articles in the Egypt travel series.
- Luxor Travel Guide & Tips
- Cairo Travel Guide & Tips
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