By Essam Ali, Egyptologist and founder of Egypt Best Vacations, Luxor. Updated October 2026.
Planning a trip to Egypt is easier than most first-time visitors expect, but a few things are worth knowing before you book: which visa to get, how much cash to carry, how tipping works, and which months are comfortable for sightseeing in the south. I have guided travellers through Egypt for many years from our base in Luxor, and this guide answers the questions our guests ask us most before they arrive.
Planning a Trip to Egypt: The Essentials at a Glance
- Visa: most visitors need one. A single-entry tourist visa costs $30, online as an e-visa or on arrival at the airport for eligible nationalities.
- Passport: valid for at least six months after you arrive, with a blank page.
- Money: the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards work in hotels and larger shops; carry small notes for tips and markets.
- Best time to visit: October to April. December and January are the busiest months; May to September is very hot in Luxor and Aswan.
- Trip length: 7 to 10 days covers Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with a Nile cruise.
- Language: Arabic. English is widely spoken in hotels, on cruises and at the main sites.
- Religion: about 90% of Egyptians are Muslim and about 10% Christian. The weekend is Friday and Saturday.
- Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz, with two-pin European plugs (types C and F).
- Time zone: Egypt uses summer time from late April to late October (UTC+3), and UTC+2 the rest of the year.
Egypt Visa and Entry Requirements
Almost every visitor needs a tourist visa. Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, the EU and many other countries can choose between an e-visa bought online before travel and a visa bought on arrival at the airport. Other nationalities must apply in advance through the e-visa site or an Egyptian embassy, so check before you book flights.
| Visa option | Cost | Entries | Maximum stay | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa, single entry | $30 | One | 30 days | Online at visa2egypt.gov.eg, at least 7 days before travel |
| E-visa, multiple entry | $65 | Several within 180 days | 30 days per visit | Online at visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Visa on arrival | $30 | One | 30 days | Bank counter in the arrivals hall, before passport control. Pay in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, not Egyptian pounds |
| Sinai entry stamp | Free | One | 15 days | On arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh, valid only for the South Sinai resorts. Not valid for Cairo, Luxor or Aswan |
Egypt has announced a small increase in visa fees from 1 January 2027, so check the official e-visa site shortly before you travel. When you book a package with us, our representative meets you inside the arrivals terminal and helps you with the visa formalities.
Customs Allowances
- Egyptian pounds: you may bring in or take out no more than EGP 5,000 in cash.
- Foreign currency: no limit, but you must declare amounts above $10,000 or the equivalent.
- Duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g of tobacco, and 1 litre of alcohol. You can buy more at the duty-free shop after arrival.
- Drones: do not bring one. Drones need a government permit and are confiscated at the airport without it.
Money in Egypt: Cash, Cards and ATMs
Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E), divided into 100 piastres. Notes run from 5 to 200 pounds. Hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and larger shops accept Visa and Mastercard, but markets, taxis, small cafés and tips are cash only. ATMs are easy to find in cities and resorts, and they usually give a better rate than exchange counters. Ask for small notes whenever you change money, because almost nobody can break a 200-pound note for a small tip. Most hotels have a safe in the room for passports and spare cash.
Tipping in Egypt: How Much to Give
Tipping, called baksheesh, is part of daily life in Egypt, and many people in tourism rely on it for a large part of their income. These are the amounts we suggest to our own guests. Tip in Egyptian pounds where you can; US dollars and euros are welcome for larger tips such as guides and cruise staff.
| Who | Suggested tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Egyptologist guide | $10–20 per person per day | Given at the end of the tour |
| Driver | $2–5 per person per day | Given at the end of the tour |
| Nile cruise or dahabiya crew | $5–10 per person per night | Put in the tip box at reception on the last day; it is shared among the crew |
| Restaurant waiter | 5–10% of the bill | On top of the 12% service charge most restaurants add |
| Hotel porter | EGP 20–50 | Per visit to your room, not per bag |
| Toilet attendant | EGP 10–20 | Keep small notes ready at the sites |
| Felucca captain | EGP 50–100 per boat | If the sail is included in your tour |
| Site guardian | EGP 20–50 | Only if you accept an offer to show you something or take a photo; you can always say no |
You are welcome to use this table with a link back to this page.
Best Time to Visit Egypt: Weather Month by Month
Egypt is dry and sunny all year. What changes is the heat, and the south is much hotter than Cairo. October to April is the most comfortable time for sightseeing, with December and January the busiest and most expensive months. From May to September, Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C, so tours start at dawn and rest in the middle of the day, while the Red Sea resorts are at their best for swimming and diving.
| Month | Cairo | Luxor | Aswan | Hurghada | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 23°C | 23°C | 21°C | High | Sightseeing; cool nights, bring a jacket |
| February | 21°C | 25°C | 25°C | 22°C | High | Sightseeing and Nile cruises; Abu Simbel sun festival on 22 February |
| March | 24°C | 29°C | 29°C | 24°C | High | Sightseeing; hot-air balloons over Luxor |
| April | 28°C | 35°C | 34°C | 27°C | Medium | Easter trips; early starts in the south |
| May | 32°C | 39°C | 39°C | 31°C | Low | Lower prices; Cairo and the Red Sea |
| June | 34°C | 41°C | 42°C | 33°C | Low | Red Sea beaches and diving |
| July | 35°C | 41°C | 42°C | 34°C | Low | Red Sea; quiet sites at dawn |
| August | 35°C | 41°C | 41°C | 34°C | Low | Red Sea; Alexandria’s Mediterranean breeze |
| September | 33°C | 39°C | 39°C | 32°C | Medium | Diving; the heat starts to ease |
| October | 30°C | 35°C | 36°C | 29°C | High | Sightseeing and cruises; Abu Simbel sun festival on 22 October |
| November | 25°C | 28°C | 29°C | 26°C | High | Ideal weather everywhere |
| December | 20°C | 24°C | 24°C | 22°C | Very high | Christmas and New Year; book early |
Average daytime highs. Desert nights are much cooler than the days, especially from December to February.
Where to Go on Your First Trip to Egypt
Most first trips follow the Nile: two or three days in Cairo, then south to Luxor and Aswan, usually with a Nile cruise between them. Add the Red Sea or Alexandria if you have more time. See our guide to the best places to visit in Egypt for more ideas.
Cairo and Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum with the treasures of Tutankhamun, the Citadel of Saladin and the mosques and churches of Islamic and Coptic Cairo. Allow at least two full days.
Luxor
Ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt for much of the New Kingdom. Luxor holds the temples of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Two days is the minimum; see our Luxor day tours.
Aswan and Abu Simbel
The most relaxed city on the Nile, with feluccas, Nubian villages and the Temple of Philae. Most visitors make the trip south to the Abu Simbel temples of Ramesses II, about three and a half hours away by road.
Alexandria
Egypt’s Mediterranean city, founded by Alexander the Great, with the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Citadel of Qaitbay. An easy day trip from Cairo. Read more about Alexandria.
The Red Sea
Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh offer some of the best coral reefs in the world and warm sea all year. Hurghada is about four hours’ drive from Luxor, so it pairs easily with a Nile trip.
What to Wear and Pack for Egypt
Egypt is a conservative country, and modest, loose clothing is both respectful and the most comfortable choice in the heat. At the sites, light trousers or long skirts and tops that cover the shoulders are ideal for men and women. Women should bring a light scarf to cover their hair when visiting mosques. Shorts and swimwear are fine at hotel pools, on cruise sun decks and at the Red Sea resorts.
- Comfortable walking shoes for uneven ground in the temples and tombs
- A sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, even in winter
- A warm layer for desert nights and early starts from December to February
- A refillable water bottle, hand sanitiser and tissues
- Any prescription medicine in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription
Is Egypt Safe for Tourists?
Millions of travellers visit Egypt every year without problems. The main tourist areas, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the Red Sea resorts, have a strong security presence and a dedicated tourist police. Some remote areas, such as North Sinai and the border with Libya, are closed to visitors. Check your own government’s travel advice before you go.
The more common annoyance is persistent selling. Agree prices before any ride or service, be wary of anyone offering to guide you uninvited, and remember that a polite “la, shukran” (“no, thank you”) and walking on is always acceptable.
Health, Food and Water
No vaccinations are required for most visitors, but ask your doctor a few weeks before you travel, and take out travel insurance that covers medical care. Drink bottled water, which is sold everywhere, and avoid ice and raw salad from street stalls in your first days. Egyptian food is one of the pleasures of a trip: try koshari, ful medames, ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans), molokhia, grilled kofta and baba ghanoush.
Phones, Internet and Getting Around
- SIM cards: Vodafone, Orange, e& (Etisalat) and WE sell tourist SIM cards in the arrivals hall at the main airports. Bring your passport. eSIMs bought before travel also work well.
- Wi-Fi: available in almost all hotels and on cruise ships, though often slow on the Nile.
- Taxis: in Cairo and Alexandria, Uber and Careem are the easiest option. In Luxor and Aswan, agree the fare before you get in, for taxis and horse-drawn calèches alike.
- Photography: phone photography is allowed at most sites. Flash is forbidden inside tombs, and tripods need a permit. Never photograph military sites, police or government buildings, and ask before photographing people.
Religion and Local Customs
About 90% of Egyptians are Muslim and about 10% are Christian, most of them Coptic Orthodox. You will hear the call to prayer five times a day. During Ramadan, which in 2027 is expected to run from about 8 February to 9 March, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels, cruises and tourist restaurants serve as usual. Alcohol is available in hotels, on cruises and in tourist restaurants. Read more about Islam in Egypt, Christianity in Egypt and Judaism in Egypt.
Plan Your Trip With a Licensed Operator in Luxor
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator based in Luxor, with Egyptologist guides and three Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice awards. Browse our Egypt tour packages, from short breaks to luxury tours, or tell us what you have in mind and we will plan it with you.
Planning a Trip to Egypt: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Egypt?
Yes, almost all visitors need a tourist visa. Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, the EU and many other countries can buy an e-visa online or a visa on arrival at the airport. Other nationalities must apply in advance.
How much does an Egypt visa cost?
A single-entry tourist visa costs $30, whether you buy it online or on arrival. A multiple-entry e-visa costs $65. A small increase has been announced from 1 January 2027, so check the official e-visa site before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are comfortable for sightseeing. December and January are the busiest months. May to September is very hot in the south but ideal for the Red Sea.
How many days do I need in Egypt?
Seven to ten days is enough for a first trip covering Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, with a three- or four-night Nile cruise. Add three or four days for the Red Sea or Alexandria.
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts, are well protected, with a dedicated tourist police, and millions of visitors travel there every year without problems. Some remote border areas are closed to visitors, so check your government’s travel advice.
What should I wear in Egypt?
Loose, modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is best at the sites and in towns. Women should bring a scarf for mosques. Shorts and swimwear are fine at hotel pools, on cruise decks and at the Red Sea resorts.
How much should I tip in Egypt?
We suggest $10–20 per person per day for a guide, $2–5 per person per day for a driver and $5–10 per person per night for Nile cruise staff. Keep small Egyptian notes for toilet attendants, porters and other small services.
Can I drink tap water in Egypt?
It is best not to. Drink bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere, and use it to brush your teeth in your first days.
Sources
- Government of Egypt, official e-visa portal (visa types and fees)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Egypt travel advice (entry requirements, safety, customs)
- US Department of State, Egypt international travel information
- CIA World Factbook, Egypt (population and religion)
