Travel Guide to Egypt 2026: Pyramids, the Nile & the Red Sea
Planning to visit Egypt? This travel guide to Egypt covers everything for a first trip: where Egypt is, the best time to go, visa rules and 2026 fees, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, safety tips, and the best hotels and universities. From the Pyramids of Giza and the new Grand Egyptian Museum to the temples of Luxor, a felucca on the Nile in Aswan, Abu Simbel and the coral reefs of the Red Sea, Egypt is one of the world's great journeys through history.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Egypt were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Egypt
- Capital: Cairo💡 The largest city in the Arab world
- Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP, £E)💡 Carry small notes for tips and taxis. Check today's rate
- Language: Arabic💡 English is widely spoken in tourist areas
- Population: About 110 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 1,001,450 km²💡 About 95% is desert
- Time zone: EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer💡 Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 7💡 Including Memphis and its pyramids, Ancient Thebes and the Nubian monuments
- Power: 220 V, plug types C and F💡 European plugs fit
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Egypt are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Egypt?
Egypt is in the north-east corner of Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge to Asia. It borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the north-east. The Nile flows north through the whole country to the Mediterranean, and almost all Egyptians live in its valley and delta. The Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Cairo has flights from around the world, and charter flights from Europe go direct to Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Domestic flights, sleeper trains and Nile cruises link Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt is October to April, when days are warm and sunny (around 20–28°C in Cairo and Luxor) and nights are cool. December to February is peak season for Nile cruises and temples, so book early. Summer (June–August) is extremely hot inland, often above 40°C in Luxor and Aswan, but Red Sea diving is good all year. Check the dates of Ramadan (around mid-February to mid-March in 2026), when opening hours are shorter.
Warm and pleasant; watch for occasional sandy khamsin winds.
Very hot inland; best for Red Sea beaches and diving.
Comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than winter.
Peak season for Nile cruises, Luxor and Aswan.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Egypt to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Egypt Visa & Entry Requirements
Most visitors need a visa: citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport (about US$30 after a fee rise in 2026, paid in cash at bank counters before immigration) or apply in advance for an e-Visa on the official portal. Some nationalities must apply at an embassy.
- PassportValid at least 6 months after arrival, with a blank page.
- Sinai stampIf you only visit Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab or Taba for up to 15 days, you can get a free Sinai-only entry stamp.
- e-VisaApply only on the official portal; many look-alike sites charge extra.
- Grand Egyptian MuseumAbout EGP 1,450 for foreign adults (2026); tickets are sold online only.
🔗 Official sources: Egypt e-Visa portal · Grand Egyptian Museum tickets. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Egypt were last checked in October 2026.
🏜️ 10 Best Places to Visit in Egypt
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Egypt, with the best months to see each one.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Sphinx and desert panoramas on the edge of Cairo.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprThe world's largest archaeological museum, with Tutankhamun's gold mask and treasures.
💡 Best time: All yearThe Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque, Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Hanging Church.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprKarnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings and a sunrise hot-air balloon flight.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprFelucca rides, Philae Temple and colourful Nubian villages on the Nile.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprRamses II's colossal temples, moved in the 1960s to escape Lake Nasser.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprThree to four nights between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprRed Sea resorts with coral reefs, dolphins and dugongs.
💡 Best time: All yearWorld-class diving and snorkelling in a protected national park.
💡 Best time: All yearThe modern Library of Alexandria, Roman catacombs and seafood on the Corniche.
💡 Best time: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov🗺️ 7-Day Egypt Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Fly or take the sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan to save time.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Egypt day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Cairo: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, ideally early in the morning.
- Cairo: the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the evening.
- Aswan: fly south; Philae Temple and a sunset felucca ride.
- Abu Simbel: early day trip by road or air, then board a Nile cruise or continue by road.
- Edfu & Kom Ombo: temples along the Nile on the way to Luxor.
- Luxor West Bank: the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's Temple, after a balloon flight.
- Luxor East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple at night, then fly to Cairo or the Red Sea.
➕ With more time: add 3–4 days on the Red Sea, Alexandria, or the White Desert and Siwa Oasis with a licensed operator.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost?
Egypt is excellent value for most visitors, although entry tickets to major sites are priced for foreigners. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$40–70 | Guesthouses, local food, trains and shared transport |
| Mid-range | US$100–180 | Good hotels, guided tours, a Nile cruise cabin |
| Luxury | US$350 + | Historic hotels, luxury cruises and private Egyptologist guides |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Egypt are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
💵 Tipping (baksheesh) is expected for many small services; carry small notes in Egyptian pounds.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Egypt
Popular tourist areas such as Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts are heavily policed and visited by millions each year. Governments advise against travel to North Sinai and remote border areas, so check your government's latest advice. The most common problems for visitors are persistent touts, overcharging and scams at the pyramids; agree prices first, use ride-hailing apps in Cairo and book camel or horse rides through your hotel. Dress modestly away from the beach resorts.
Grand Egyptian Museum tickets are sold online only.
Uber and Careem avoid taxi haggling in Cairo.
Avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources.
"Salaam alaikum" (hello) and "Shukran" (thank you).
Cover shoulders and knees in towns and religious sites.
Visit temples at opening time to beat heat and crowds.
🏨 Best Hotels in Egypt: 8 Top Picks
Stay near the pyramids for at least one night, and choose a historic hotel in Luxor or Aswan.
Rooms and gardens with views of the Great Pyramid.
Check prices on Booking.com →Luxury on the Nile with excellent restaurants.
Check prices on Booking.com →Where Agatha Christie wrote; views over the Nile and Elephantine Island.
Check prices on Booking.com →A Victorian palace on the Corniche, near Luxor Temple.
Check prices on Booking.com →A peaceful garden hideaway close to the Valley of the Kings.
Check prices on Booking.com →Terraced villas above a private coral reef.
Check prices on Booking.com →A large Red Sea resort with a long sandy beach.
Check prices on Booking.com →A 1929 landmark facing the Mediterranean.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Egypt: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of styles and prices. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Egypt
Egypt has some of the Arab world's oldest and largest universities, and the American University in Cairo teaches in English.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo University | Giza | Public |
| The American University in Cairo (AUC) | New Cairo | Private |
| Ain Shams University | Cairo | Public |
| Alexandria University | Alexandria | Public |
| Al-Azhar University | Cairo | Public |
Founded in 1908; Egypt's leading public university.
Visit website →An English-language liberal arts and research university.
Visit website →A large university known for engineering and medicine.
Visit website →Strong in medicine, engineering and marine sciences.
Visit website →One of the oldest centres of Islamic learning in the world.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Egypt: the leading universities in Egypt by size, history and reputation. Last checked: October 2026.
🌺 Egyptian Culture & Food
Egyptian civilisation stretches back more than 5,000 years, from the pharaohs and their hieroglyphs to Greek, Roman, Coptic Christian and Islamic eras. Today Egypt is the cultural heart of the Arab world for film, music and literature, and Cairo's street life, coffee houses and call to prayer are unforgettable.
Egyptian food is hearty and cheap. Try koshari (rice, lentils and pasta with tomato sauce), ful medames (stewed fava beans), ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans), molokhia soup and grilled fish on the coast, with sweet mint tea or fresh sugar-cane juice.
❓ Travel Guide to Egypt: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most visitors do. Citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia can get a 30-day visa on arrival (about US$30 in 2026) or an e-Visa online.
Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open?
Yes. It is fully open, including the Tutankhamun galleries. Book tickets online in advance.
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April, when it is warm but not too hot. Summer is very hot inland but fine for the Red Sea.
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas are well policed and visited by millions each year. Avoid North Sinai and remote border areas, and check official travel advice.
How many days do you need in Egypt?
A week covers Cairo, Luxor and Aswan; add 3–4 days for the Red Sea.
Can you drink tap water in Egypt?
It is best to drink bottled or filtered water.
What should I wear in Egypt?
Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees in towns and at religious sites. Swimwear is fine at resorts.
How many UNESCO sites does Egypt have?
Egypt has 7 World Heritage Sites, including Memphis and its pyramids, Ancient Thebes and the Nubian monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Egypt
- Experience EgyptOfficial tourism portal
- Egypt e-VisaOfficial visa portal
- UNESCO: EgyptWorld Heritage Sites in Egypt
- Grand Egyptian MuseumOfficial tickets and opening hours
Finished this travel guide to Egypt? 🌍 More Africa & Middle East guides: Morocco · Jordan · Oman · All of Africa
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🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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