Egypt Travel Guide: Cairo, Luxor, Red Sea & Where to Go in 2026

Most travelers need a visa for Egypt, but the process is straightforward. Citizens of most EU/Nordic countries, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and around 50 other countries can get a visa on arrival at Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh airports — $30 USD cash at the bank kiosk before passport control (US dollars or euros, exact change preferred). The same nationalities can apply for an e-Visa in advance at visa2egypt.gov.eg — $25 single-entry or $60 multiple-entry, valid 30 days, processing 3 business days (apply 1+ week ahead). Russian and Chinese passport holders apply at the Egyptian consulate. Holders of a valid Schengen, US, or UK visa get a free 15-day visa on arrival. South Sinai exception: if your trip is exclusively in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba (15 days or less), you receive a free entry stamp at Sharm Airport — no visa needed. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival.

October to April is the universal answer for inland Egypt — comfortable 18–28°C in Cairo and Luxor, ideal for the Pyramids, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. November to February is peak season (book Nile cruises 4–6 months ahead, expect crowds at major sites). March is the sweet spot — warm, sunny, before the heat, slightly thinner crowds. Avoid June to August — Luxor and Aswan regularly hit 40–45°C, even the locals struggle inland. May and September are workable for the heat-tolerant — prices drop 30–40%, sites half-empty. The Red Sea coast (Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam) inverts this — beach season is April to October (warm sea, 25–35°C), sea breeze keeps it bearable even in summer. Khamsin sandstorm season (March–early May) is occasional in inland Egypt — usually a single bad day at a time, not a trip-killer.

8–10 days minimum for the classic combination. Cairo (3 nights): the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx (go at 8am opening to beat tour buses), the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM, opened 2024 — the largest archaeological museum in the world, day trip from Cairo), the old Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square for the original Tutankhamun treasures, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Coptic Cairo. Nile cruise (4 nights): Luxor to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo temples — book a small dahabiya boat (8–14 guests) over the large floating hotels for atmosphere. Luxor (built into the cruise): Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun's tomb costs extra and is worth it), sunrise hot-air balloon over the West Bank. Aswan (built into the cruise): Philae Temple, the High Dam, day trip to Abu Simbel (3-hour drive or short flight — the 4am departure is the rite of passage). Add 3–4 nights at Hurghada or Marsa Alam for Red Sea diving, or skip the beach extension.

The tourist circuit (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Marsa Alam) is well-policed and routine for the 15+ million visitors arriving annually. The main practical issues are scams and persistent hassle, not violent crime. Expect persistent baksheesh requests at sites — small tips (10–20 EGP) to guards and tomb-keepers are standard; carry small notes. Decline unsolicited "help" at the Pyramids (the camel-ride scammers are aggressive — agree on a price IN WRITING beforehand). Use Uber or Careem in Cairo, not street taxis (Cairo street taxis won't use meters; either insist or use the apps). Avoid the western desert oasis routes beyond Bahariya without a tour operator (Foreign Office advisory for the Libyan border zone). The Sinai Peninsula north of the southern resorts is on most government advisories — stick to Sharm/Dahab/Nuweiba/Taba/St Catherine. Solo female travelers should expect attention and consider modest dress.

Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP) — €1 ≈ 55 EGP in 2026 after several devaluations. USD and EUR are accepted at the Pyramids ticket office, Nile cruise companies, and major hotels — but always at slightly worse rates than ATMs. ATMs at banks (CIB, NBE, QNB) work with international cards; avoid the standalone Euronet machines (high markups). Bring $200–300 USD cash for the visa, tips, and emergencies. Tipping (baksheesh) is universal and built into the economy — budget around 10–15% of your total trip cost for tips. Specific norms: Egyptologist guides $20–30/day, Nile cruise staff $10–15/day per person (split among staff via the boat), restaurant 10% (service often included as 12%), bathroom attendants 5 EGP, tomb guards 10–20 EGP for a photo. Common scams to know: the "the temple is closed, let me show you another" detour, fake papyrus shops, camel rides where the camel doesn't sit back down without an extra payment.