Egypt

Egypt is the home of one of the earliest civilisations in the world. Most of its monuments stand along the Nile, from the pyramids and museums of Cairo and Giza to the temples of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, and on to Abu Simbel near the Sudanese border. Outside the Nile Valley, the Western Desert has oases, white chalk rocks and ancient towns, and Sinai and the Red Sea coast have mountains, monasteries and coral reefs.

A classic trip combines a few days in Cairo with a Nile cruise or flights to Luxor and Aswan, and then a few days on the Red Sea or in Sinai. Travel by train, plane or road is cheap, and guides are easy to hire. The country is large, so plan carefully, and allow time at each site.

October to April is the best time, with warm days and cool nights. Summers are extremely hot, particularly in Upper Egypt and the desert, so sightseeing is best done at dawn. Dress modestly, especially in mosques and villages, and expect to be approached by guides, drivers and sellers at the major sites.

Getting there

Cairo International (CAI) is the main hub, with direct flights from most regions, and a new airport near the Pyramids is opening in stages. Luxor (LXR), Aswan (ASW), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Hurghada (HRG) and Alexandria also have airports, and many of them have direct international flights, especially in the winter season.

Getting around

Domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel save time, overnight sleeper trains run between Cairo and Luxor and Aswan, and Nile cruises link Luxor and Aswan in three to four nights. In cities, taxis and ride-hailing services are cheap. For the desert and Sinai, hire a local driver or join a tour.

Entry and safety

Most visitors need a visa, which can be an e-visa applied for online or, for some nationalities, a visa on arrival. Rules vary by passport and change from time to time, so check the official visa site before you travel.

Egypt receives many visitors each year, and tourist areas are heavily protected, but some regions, such as parts of North Sinai and areas near the borders, have official travel warnings. Check your government's travel advice, and use licensed operators for desert trips. Beware of scams, agree on prices in advance, and drink only bottled or filtered water.

Official sources

• Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
• Egypt e-visa portal
• UK government travel advice: Egypt

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.