From desert to cities and beaches, Egypt has it all and will fascinate lovers of nature, history, art and shopping.
A visit to see the pyramids in Giza is a must when going to Egypt. The largest one is The Great Pyramid, one of the original and best kept seven wonders of the world.
This is an experience like no other, especially in the Western Desert, which will reward you with white sand dunes and incredible rock formations.
Hang out at the beach resorts along the Red Sea. Sharm El-Sheikh is an especially popular destination, and their diving center gives you the opportunity to explore the sea and its creatures.
The souk of Khan Al Khalili in Cairo is a market set up in medieval style, with vendors and shops lining up all along the laneways and courtyards. You will find local products, souvenirs and jewelry, and don't forget to bargain for a good price.
An ancient city located on the east side of the Nile river, the Luxor is where you can visit grand temples, such as Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Crossing to the other side of the river, you will find royal tombs, such as the Valley of the Kings.
The summer months in Egypt can get very hot, and as a result, the best time to visit is from September to April when the weather cools down and temperatures are mild.
Visitors traveling to Egypt will need a tourist visa in order to enter the country. Visas can be requested from Egyptian embassies or consulates, while citizens of a limited number of countries can get a visa on arrival.
Egypt has 8 international airports and flying is a very common way to enter the country. EgyptAir is the national airline and it offers flights to over 70 destinations.
Regular ferries run from Aqaba in Jordan to Nuweiba in Egypt, and weekly ferries run from Wadi Halfa in Sudan to Aswan in Egypt. Some ferries connect the ports on the Red Sea with Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Accommodation is available for all budgets throughout the country, from hostels and furnished apartments to luxury hotels and resorts, with more choices available in the main touristy areas.
While most of the country is serviced by buses or long-distance trains, Cairo has an underground metro system with 3 different lines and cars dedicated to female travellers and indicated with a red sticker. A one-way metro ride costs approximately 2 EGP (0.15 USD).
The national railway system in Egypt is run by Egyptian National Railways and has lines linking cities throughout the country. Foreigners have restrictions when it comes to train travel – if your plan is to use trains, research your route and get tickets in advance.
Buses travel everywhere in Egypt. Some of the long-distance travel companies include Pullman, Bedouin Bus, East Delta and Golden Arrow. For safety reasons, buy your tickets from an authorized reseller of the main bus companies.
Car rental is not very common in Egypt; however, it is a good way to travel around. Please be aware that some areas do not have any gas stations, so it is best to fill up the car any chance you get, especially before heading to the desert areas.
Flying is a very common way of getting around in Egypt when traveling long distances, and EgyptAir has the most extensive network of routes. If you are planning to book local flights online, please note that you can only do so up to 72h ahead of the flight time, so make sure you plan in advance.
Going out for a meal in Egypt is relatively inexpensive, with a cheap meal costing around 60 EGP (4 USD), while a nice sit down meal costs around 150 EGO (9.50 USD) per person, and groceries will be about 350 EGP (20 USD) per week. You can use credit and debit cards in major stores and businesses; however, you are advised to carry some money with you as most smaller vendors deal only with cash.