First-timers
First time in Egypt: the questions everyone asks
For a first trip, plan about ten days between October and April: two or three nights in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then three to four nights on a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, which carries you past most of the great temples with your hotel moving with you. Get an e-visa before you fly and carry some cash in Egyptian pounds.
The plan
Planning the trip
How long should my first trip be?
Ten days is ideal and a week is the minimum that feels complete. See how many days you need.
What is the classic first route?
Cairo first, a short flight south, then the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Add Abu Simbel from Aswan or a few days on the Red Sea at the end. See Cairo and a Nile cruise and a Nile cruise and the Red Sea.
Nile cruise or hotels in Luxor and Aswan?
For a first visit, the cruise. You unpack once, the boat moves between the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo that are awkward to reach by road, and meals and guided visits are usually included. See cruise, dahabiya or land tour.
Big ship or dahabiya?
A ship has a pool, more space and a lower price per night at the entry level. A dahabiya carries a few dozen guests at most, moors at quiet islands and feels like a private yacht. See dahabiya vs Nile cruise.
Is Abu Simbel worth it?
For most people, yes: it is one of the great sights of Egypt. It sits far south of Aswan, so it takes a long morning by road or a short flight. See Abu Simbel on a Nile cruise.
Timing
When to go
What is the best time for a first visit?
October to April, when days in Luxor and Aswan are warm rather than hot. December and January are the coolest and busiest; October, November, March and April are warmer and a little quieter. See the best month for your kind of trip.
Can I go in summer?
Yes, and boats are quieter and cheaper, but Luxor and Aswan are very hot by midday. Visits start at dawn and the afternoons are for the pool. See when to cruise the Nile.
How far ahead should I book?
For December, January and the Easter weeks, book the boat several months ahead, since the best cabins go first. Book the cruise before the flights, because boats sail on fixed weekdays. See how far ahead to book.
Before you fly
Visa, money, clothes and safety
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors do. Many nationalities can buy an e-visa online before travelling, at about US$30 for a single entry, or a visa on arrival at the airport. Check the rules for your passport. See e-visa vs visa on arrival.
Cash or card?
Both. Hotels, boats and bigger restaurants take cards; tips, small shops and taxis want cash in Egyptian pounds. See money and tipping in Egypt and how much to tip.
What should I wear?
Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees for towns, mosques and churches; a hat and good walking shoes for the temples; a warm layer for winter evenings on deck. See what to wear in Egypt.
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts, are well policed and visited by millions each year. The usual hassle is persistent selling rather than danger. See is a Nile cruise safe and scams to know about.
Do I need a guide?
At the big sites, an Egyptologist turns stones into stories. Most Nile cruises include guided visits; in Cairo, a guide for the pyramids and the museum is worth it on a first trip. See do you need a guide.
Budget
What a first trip costs
The boat is the biggest single cost, and the easiest place to choose your level.
Nile cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500, usually with meals and guided visits included. A private trip to Abu Simbel costs about US$200 or more per person. Flights, Cairo hotels and tips come on top. See how much an Egypt trip costs and what a Nile cruise costs.
Good first boats at different levels include Jaz Regent, Sonesta St George, Historia and, for a dahabiya, Loulia or Iris.
Asked often
Quick answers for a first trip
- What is the best itinerary for a first trip to Egypt?
- Two or three nights in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then a three- or four-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with Abu Simbel or the Red Sea added if you have ten days or more.
- Is a Nile cruise good for first-timers?
- Yes. It is the easiest way to see Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan: you unpack once, the boat does the travelling, and meals and guided visits are usually included.
- When should I go to Egypt for the first time?
- October to April, when Luxor and Aswan are warm rather than hot. December and January are the coolest and busiest months.
- Do I need a visa for Egypt?
- Most visitors do. Many nationalities can buy an e-visa online before travelling, at about US$30 for a single entry, or get a visa on arrival. Check the rules for your passport before you fly.
