Egypt Budget Tours

Affordable Egypt Tours Without the Guesswork About Your Hotel

Egypt does not have to be expensive. The Great Pyramid is the same 4,500-year-old building whether you reach it from a five-star suite or a clean three-star room near the airport. Our Egypt budget tours run from $575 for four days to $1,975 for fifteen, and they cut the cost in specific, honest ways rather than by quietly thinning out the itinerary. Anything under seven days runs as a private tour — your own guide, driver and vehicle — at these prices.

Here is the part most operators leave vague. Egyptian hotel stars are awarded on facilities — how many restaurants, whether there is a pool — rather than on service, upkeep and finish. A three-star hotel in Cairo is not a three-star hotel in Madrid or Chicago. So we grade our budget accommodation twice: once by the Egyptian licence, and once by what a traveller from the US or Europe will actually walk into. The table below sets out both. We would rather you arrived with the right expectation than the flattering one.

The second saving is transport. Our budget tours move between Cairo and Upper Egypt by sleeper train rather than by domestic flight. You board in Cairo in the evening, sleep in a private cabin, and wake up in Luxor or Aswan. It saves a night’s hotel and a good deal of money, and it is a genuine experience in its own right — but it is a train, not a flight, and you should know that before you book rather than after.

What we do not cut is the guiding. Every sightseeing day is led by a licensed Egyptologist, the same guides who work our premium tours. Entrance fees to everything in the itinerary are included. The difference between a budget tour and an expensive one is where you sleep and how you travel between cities — not how much you understand of what you are looking at.

Twenty-three itineraries cover Cairo and the Pyramids, Luxor and Aswan, Alexandria, Abu Simbel, El Alamein, the Red Sea, and a Nile cruise or felucca on the longer trips. Egypt Best Vacations is a licensed Egyptian tour operator based in Luxor and a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

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Budget tours at a glance

Shortest and cheapest: 4 days, Cairo and Luxor, from $575

Longest: 15 days, from $1,650

Full price range: $575 to $1,975 per person

With a 3-night Nile cruise: From $935 (7 days)

With a felucca instead: From $790 (6 days)

With Red Sea beach time: From $1,100 (10 days)

Under 7 days: Private tour — your own guide, driver and vehicle

7 days and over: Small group, maximum 16 (private on request)

Accommodation: Bronze or Silver — see the grading table below

Intercity transport: Sleeper train, not domestic flights

Guiding: Licensed Egyptologist on every sightseeing day

What Bronze and Silver actually mean

Egyptian hotel stars are awarded on facilities rather than on service, upkeep and finish. So we grade twice: once by the Egyptian licence, once by what a traveller from the US or Europe will actually walk into.

Bronze	3-star (Egyptian licence)	About 2.5-star by US or European standards	A clean, simple en-suite room with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Simple buffet breakfast. Often no pool. Fittings and furniture will look dated, lifts and hot water can be temperamental, and rooms are chosen for location and cleanliness rather than for a view. Staff are helpful; the level of English varies.	Travellers who treat the hotel as somewhere to sleep and shower between long days at the monuments, and who would rather put the money into the trip length.
Silver	4-star (Egyptian licence)	About 3-star by US or European standards	More space, better upkeep, and usually a pool. A proper breakfast buffet, a restaurant and often a bar. Closer to what a European or American traveller pictures when they hear ‘mid-range hotel’. Some properties offer a Nile or pool view. Still not luxurious, and not pretending to be.	Travellers who want the budget itinerary and the budget price but would rather not compromise much on where they sleep. The usual choice for first-time visitors and for anyone travelling in the summer heat.

Where Bronze and Silver sit in the full range

Bronze	≈ 2.5-star	Budget tours
Silver	≈ 3-star	Budget tours
Gold	≈ 3.5-star	Standard and classic tours
Platinum	≈ 4-star	Deluxe tours
Diamond	≈ 4.5-star	Ultra deluxe tours
Elite	≈ 5-star	Luxury tours

Choosing your budget tour

By land, no cruise

Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria by road and sleeper train. The cheapest way to see the most, and the shortest trips available.

Tour	Duration	Tour type	From
4 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo & Luxor	4 days	Private	$575
5-Day Cairo & Alamein Budget Tour	5 days	Private	$615
5 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor	5 days	Private	$705
6 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor	6 days	Private	$815
6 Day Cairo Luxor Aswan Budget Tour	6 days	Private	$895
7 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor	7 days	Group	$870
8 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan	8 days	Group	$1,080
9 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan	9 days	Group	$1,230
10 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan	10 days	Group	$1,285
Egypt Hidden Gems in 15 Days by Land	15 days	Group	$1,975

With a Nile cruise

A 3-night cruise between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu. The cruise replaces two hotel nights, so it costs less extra than you would expect.

7-Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise	7 days	Group	$935
8 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise	8 days	Group	$985
9-Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise	9 days	Group	$1,120
10 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise	10 days	Group	$1,210
14 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise	14 days	Group	$1,550

With a felucca

A traditional sailing boat instead of a cruise ship. Simpler than a cruise — you sleep on deck under blankets rather than in a cabin — and cheaper, with a very different atmosphere.

11 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise & Hurghada	11 days	Group	$1,270
12 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada	12 days	Group	$1,315
12 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise & Red Sea	12 days	Group	$1,320
13 Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise & Hurghada	13 days	Group	$1,430
15 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan	15 days	Group	$1,650
15-Day Egypt Budget Tour with Nile Cruise & Red Sea	15 days	Group	$1,650

What budget means in practice

Where the savings come from. Bronze or Silver hotels instead of five-star. Sleeper trains instead of domestic flights. On trips of seven days and over, a small group of up to 16 sharing the vehicle and guide. Breakfast included and most other meals left to you.
Private under seven days. Every itinerary of six days or fewer runs as a private tour at the price shown — your own licensed Egyptologist, your own driver and vehicle, and nobody else’s timetable. Budget here means the hotel standard and the sleeper train, not sharing a coach with strangers.
Where they do not. Licensed Egyptologist guides on every sightseeing day, the same people who guide our premium tours. Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary. Airport meet and greet inside the arrivals hall. Air-conditioned vehicles. Nothing important is quietly removed to hit a price.
Included on every budget tour: accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, all transfers, intercity transport, guided sightseeing with entrance fees, and all taxes and service charges.
Not included: international flights, the $30 visa on arrival, lunches and dinners unless the itinerary names them, drinks, tipping, optional excursions and travel insurance.
Domestic flights can be added to any itinerary in place of the sleeper train, at extra cost. Ask us for the difference on your dates.

Things to know

About the sleeper train

The overnight train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan is how these tours stay affordable, and it is the single thing most worth understanding before you book.

You travel in a private two-berth cabin with a washbasin; toilets are shared at the end of the carriage
Dinner and a light breakfast are served in the cabin
It saves a hotel night as well as the airfare, which is why the sums work
Trains can run late; we build the following morning around that
If you would rather fly, tell us at enquiry and we will price the upgrade

Private or small group — it depends on the length

The dividing line is seven days, and it applies across the whole site rather than only to budget tours:

Under 7 days — private. Your own licensed Egyptologist, your own driver and vehicle, at the price shown. Six of the itineraries on this page fall here.
7 days and over — small group capped at 16, sharing the vehicle and the guide. That sharing is part of why the longer trips stay affordable.
Any group itinerary can be run privately for a supplement — ask us for the figure on your dates.

Visa on arrival

Most nationalities buy a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport for $30 per person, paid in cash, and it is not included in any tour price. Many nationalities can also apply for an e-visa in advance. Check current requirements with the Egyptian embassy in your country before you travel.

Meals and what to budget on top

Breakfast is included every day. Lunches and dinners are included only where the itinerary names them, which keeps the headline price down and leaves you free to eat cheaply. Egypt is inexpensive for food: budget roughly $10 to $20 a day for meals outside the tour, more if you want wine.

Tipping

Not included and entirely at your discretion, but it matters to the people looking after you. A working guide:

Tour guide, full day — $15 to $20 per person per day
Driver, full day — $3 to $5 per person per day
Representative or tour leader — $3 to $5 per person per day
Nile cruise crew — $5 to $10 per person per night

Best time to travel

October to April is the comfortable season and the expensive one. May to September is hot in Upper Egypt — often above 40°C — but noticeably cheaper and much quieter at the monuments. If you are travelling in summer on a budget, we would steer you to Silver rather than Bronze, because air conditioning and a pool stop being a luxury.

4 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo & Luxor

From$575Start From

4 Days / 3 Nights

Availability : Every Day

5 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria And Luxor

From$705Start From

5 Days / 4 Nights

Availability : Every Day

5-Day Cairo & Alamein Budget Tour

From$615Start From

5 Days / 4 Nights

Availability : Every Day

6 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria And Luxor

From$815Start From

6 Days / 5 Nights

Availability : Every Day

6 Day Cairo Luxor Aswan Budget Tour

From$895Start From

6 Days / 5 Nights

Availability : Every Day

6 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Luxor And Felucca Cruise

From$790Start From

6 Days / 5 Nights

Availability : Every Day

7 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria And Luxor

From$870Start From

7 Days / 6 Nights

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7-Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 8 Days

8 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise

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8 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor And Aswan

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9 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor And Aswan

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 9 Days

9-Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise

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10 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor And Aswan

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10 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise

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10 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Hurghada and Felucca Cruise

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 11 Days

11 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise & Hurghada

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12 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan And Hurghada

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 12 Days

12 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise & Red Sea

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 13 Days

13 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise & Hurghada

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 14 Days

14 Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise

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15 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Luxor And Aswan

15 Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor And Aswan

From$1,650Start From

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Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise In 15 Days

15-Day Egypt Budget Tour With Nile Cruise & Red Sea

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Egypt Hidden Gems In 15 Days By Land For Budget Travelers

From$1,975Start From

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Our Travelers Reviews

What Customers Say About Us

      
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   122 Tripadvisor reviews 
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   Giuseppe Z 
 
 
 
 Verified Vacanza spettacolare...servizio eccellente.. Tour 10 gg spettacolare...massima disponibilità dell'agenzia nel tarare il viaggio in base alle nostre esigenze.sin dall'arrivo al cairo dove ci hanno accolto e aiutato con i visti, fino alla partenza per il rientro, siamo stati seguiti in modo eccellente...io e mia moglie ci siamo trovati benissimo...Abbiamo chiesto guide che parlassero italiano, Abram e Amro sono state 2 guide eccezionali, disponibili e preparatissime...ci siamo sentiti coccolati e mai soli...grazie di tutto
  
 
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   AtlantaTraveller 
 
 
 
 Verified An unforgettable and beautifully orchestrated Egypt experience An unforgettable and beautifully orchestrated Egypt experience We just returned from an incredible trip to Egypt with Egypt Best Vacations, and it was truly one of the most memorable journeys our family has taken. Egypt can feel overwhelming at first — the airports, early morning flights, cruise schedules, temple visits, Cairo traffic, tickets, transfers, and the sheer magnitude of history everywhere you go. But Egypt Best Vacations handled the logistics with impressive precision and made the entire experience feel effortless. That allowed us to be fully present and enjoy the trip instead of constantly worrying about the next step. Our journey began in Cairo and then continued to Luxor, where we boarded our Nile cruise to Aswan. Luxor was absolutely extraordinary. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon were all breathtaking. What made the visits even more meaningful was having a knowledgeable guide who could explain the history, symbolism, and significance behind what we were seeing. In Egypt, the right guide makes a huge difference — otherwise you are just looking at ancient stones without understanding the civilization behind them. The Nile cruise was another highlight. Sailing between Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan gave the trip a beautiful rhythm. Philae Temple was stunning, and Abu Simbel was worth every minute of the early morning journey. Standing in front of those monumental temples is humbling and almost surreal. Back in Cairo, we visited the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and Khan El-Khalili. Each place had its own character, from the grandeur of the pyramids to the spiritual depth of Coptic Cairo and the energy of the bazaar. The itinerary was ambitious, but it never felt chaotic because the team managed the details so well. What we appreciated most was the professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care from Egypt Best Vacations. They were punctual, organized, flexible when needed, and clearly experienced in creating a smooth experience for travelers. For a first trip to Egypt, that kind of coordination is invaluable. I would highly recommend Egypt Best Vacations to anyone planning to visit Egypt. They helped turn a complex itinerary into a seamless, enriching, and unforgettable adventure.
  
 
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   Hey M 
 
 
 
 Verified Cairo day trip to pyramids and Grand Egyptian museum. My personal guide was amazing. So knowledgeable and friendly. The driver was professional and the car was spotless.
  
 
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   Astrid Q 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing, informative and easy! We had the BEST experience with this tour company. We are a family of 5 with 3 younger children and needed a way to see Cairo on our own schedule. We were referred this company from a friend and so glad we booked. We were met at the airport before passport control by one of the guides who escorted us through the visa process, passport control, luggage and straight into an awaiting van. Our driver took us to the hotel for our afternoon checkin. The next morning our tour guide MINA met us. He was cheerful, friendly and so intelligent. As we drove out to the pyramids of Giza he point out local places and gave us much information about them. He also made learning about where we were going interesting for our children. He worked with our pace and interests. He taught us so much about the pyramids. We were bought to a great lunch spot with great food whic and as included in our booking. The GEM museum was huge (20 football fields huge!) Mina was as so respectful of our children and made sure we saw the most important parts of the exhibitions to make the trip quick and effective. Our first day was perfect. On our 2nd day Mina took us to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur. Again he made this trip so quick, pointing out the important things and making sure our children were enjoying themselves and learning as well. We are so grateful to the team who made this trip so easy and enjoyable!
  
 
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   matttttt75 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Experience on the Nile The boat was excellent and very comfortable, with a top-notch crew who always provided professional and attentive service. Very clean and the cabin was spacious enough for 2 people. You could also find beer and/or wine on board. The food was ok, and one evening the crew even provided entertainment with music and dance after we had moored shortly before arriving in Aswan. Amazing bbq that night!! Ahmed our guide was incredibly generous with his time, always happy to answer questions, and constantly went above and beyond to make our experience richer and more meaningful. Beyond being an outstanding guide, Ahmed was also a wonderful person: intelligent, funny, thoughtful, and a true pleasure to spend time with. Thanks to him, we discovered not only the magnificence of Egypt’s ancient past, but also the kindness, humor, and hospitality of its people. He took us also to a Patisserie to taste Egyptian sweets. This made the entire trip feel far deeper and more authentic than a standard tour experience. We left Egypt absolutely enchanted, and much of that was thanks to Egypt Best Vacations, Essam and his team, our guide Ahmed, and the entire Dahabiya crew. Highly recommended.
  
 
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   Amanda B 
 
 
 
 Verified Outstanding service and highly recommend We spent eight nights away and was highly impressed with the service. For the airport pick up, the tour guides, the hotels, the transport, the cruise and every aspect of our holiday, it simply was the best. It removed any chaos and was an easy holiday being guided the whole way through. I highly recommend this company and their services to any people looking for a great holiday away with educational tour guides and an amazing experience with lots of great memories. Won’t get better than this!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   benjie c 
 
 
 
 Verified Our 9-Day Egyptian Adventure Our 9-day tour to Cairo, Alexandria, and the Nile cruise with Egypt Best Vacations was a fantastic and memorable experience. From the moment we landed in Cairo, the logistics were seamless; a representative helped us through customs, and we had reliable transportation for every pick-up and drop-off throughout the trip. Both our hotel stays and the cruise ship were very comfortable. Our guides were the true highlight of the journey. In Cairo, Omar shared his deep knowledge and even taught us how to read cartouches, adjusting his explanations based on the group’s interest. In Aswan and Luxor, Khalifa led us with incredible passion, providing the perfect context for the site and artifacts. Both were friendly, professional, and excellent communicators. The itinerary was reasonably paced, giving our group just enough time to explore these massive sites on our own while ensuring we didn't miss the most important details. If you want a professionally organized tour with expert guides who make the most of your time, I highly recommend this company.
  
 
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   CRIS L 
 
 
 
 Verified Well organized and hassle free group tour Essam was super responsive from the moment we booked all the way through the end of the trip. Everything was really well organized and ran exactly according to the itinerary, which made the whole experience stress-free. We had a few specific requests for our hotel and cruise, and he was able to make it happen without any issues. We were a bit worried at first because of the Middle East conflict, but Essam was very reassuring, kept communication open throughout, and provided updates when needed. He also handled things professionally for anyone in the group who preferred to cancel, which we appreciated. We were also welcomed at the airport by Tory, who handled everything seamlessly—from visa processing to hotel and flight check-ins—so arrival and departures were completely hassle-free. The guides were also great—Omar in Cairo/Alexandria and Khalifa in Aswan/Luxor were both very knowledgeable, shared a lot of historical context, and answered questions in detail, which made the tours much more interesting and engaging. Even the airport pickups and drop-offs were smooth and well-coordinated. Overall, it felt like a very well-organized group tour where you didn’t have to worry about the details at all.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ottavia S 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent! Amazing journey and super skilled and kind guide. Ahmed advised us about the excursions and the best treasures to focus on, and also made multimedial contents for us so that the explanations would be clearer! He took care that everything would be fine and without setbacks, I literally had nothing to think/worry about.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Peter a 
 
 
 
 Verified more than a guided tour We highly recommend this agency for the incredible trip they organized for us in Egypt. From the very beginning, their customer service was punctual, attentive, and extremely well organized, and they created a tailor-made itinerary that perfectly matched our expectations. The experience included a sustainable Nile cruise, private transfers, visits to all the must-see sites along the Nile, an English-speaking guide, and all meals on board. Everything was arranged at a very high level, and the transfers were always exclusive and seamless. A special mention goes to our guide, Khalaf. He was much more than a tour guide: he was a true travel companion throughout the journey. We shared meals and had conversations that went far beyond a simple sightseeing trip, which made the experience truly memorable and personal. The boat itself was also a wonderful surprise — a level of luxury we honestly did not expect. For all these reasons, we strongly recommend this agency and their guide to anyone looking for an outstanding experience in Egypt

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Related FAQs About Egypt Budget Tours

Most Asked Questions about Egypt Budget Vacation Packages

How much does an Egypt budget tour cost?

From $575 per person for four days covering Cairo and Luxor, up to $1,975 for fifteen days. A week costs roughly $870 to $935 depending on whether you want a Nile cruise. Prices are per person sharing and include accommodation, guided sightseeing, entrance fees, transfers and intercity transport.

What are the hotels actually like?

Budget tours use Bronze or Silver accommodation. Bronze is licensed 3-star in Egypt, which is realistically about a 2.5-star by US or European standards: a clean en-suite room with air conditioning, simple breakfast, dated fittings, often no pool. Silver is licensed 4-star in Egypt, realistically about a 3-star in the West: more space, better upkeep, usually a pool and a restaurant. Egyptian stars are awarded on facilities rather than service and finish, which is why we publish both figures instead of only the flattering one.

Why do you show two star ratings for the same hotel?

Because the Egyptian license and the traveler’s expectation are two different things. A hotel can hold an Egyptian 4-star license on the strength of having a restaurant and a pool while its rooms and service would rate three stars in Europe. Most operators quote the Egyptian figure and let you find out on arrival. We would rather set the expectation correctly before you book.

What is the difference between Bronze and Silver?

Roughly one Western star, and it is most noticeable in room condition, whether there is a pool, and how well the air conditioning works. Bronze suits travellers who use the hotel only to sleep and shower. Silver suits anyone who wants somewhere pleasant to come back to, and we recommend it for summer travel and for first-time visitors.

Can I upgrade the hotels?

Yes. Any budget itinerary can be quoted on Gold, which is roughly a 3.5-star by Western standards, and upward through Platinum, Diamond and Elite — Elite being a genuine international 5-star. Bronze and Silver are the two tiers we use on budget tours; the four above them are the same tiers you will see on our standard and luxury itineraries. Tell us the itinerary and your dates and we will price the difference.

Are domestic flights included?

No. Budget tours travel between Cairo and Upper Egypt by overnight sleeper train, which saves both the airfare and a hotel night. That is a large part of why these tours cost what they do. Flights can be substituted on any itinerary for an additional cost.

What is the sleeper train like?

You travel in a private two-berth cabin with a washbasin, with shared toilets at the end of the carriage. Dinner and a light breakfast are served in the cabin. It is comfortable rather than luxurious, it is a genuine part of the experience, and Egyptian trains do sometimes run late, so we plan the following morning with that in mind.

Are these private or group tours?

It depends on the length. Every itinerary under seven days runs as a private tour at the price shown — your own licensed Egyptologist, your own driver and vehicle. That covers six of the trips on this page, starting at $575. Trips of seven days and over run as a small group capped at 16, because sharing the vehicle and guide is part of what keeps the longer itineraries affordable. Any group itinerary can be run privately for a supplement — ask us.

A private tour on a budget price — what is the catch?

None, but be clear about what you are buying. On a short budget tour you get the private vehicle, the private guide and the flexible timings; what you do not get is a five-star hotel or a domestic flight. The savings come from Bronze or Silver accommodation and, on the longer routes, the sleeper train. We would rather give you a private guide in a three-star hotel than a shared coach and a nicer lobby.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast every day. Lunches and dinners only where the itinerary names them. Egypt is cheap for food, so leaving meals out keeps the headline price down and lets you eat where you like — budget roughly $10 to $20 a day.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, to every site named in your itinerary. Special-access tickets bought separately at the gate — going inside a pyramid chamber at Giza, or the tombs of Seti I, Ramses V and VI and Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings — are not included, and your guide can arrange them on the day.

Do I need a visa, and how much is it?

Most nationalities buy a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for $30 per person in cash, or apply for an e-visa online in advance. It is not included in any tour price. Check the current requirements for your nationality with the Egyptian embassy in your country.

Which budget tour should I choose?

Start with how long you have. Under a week and you are choosing between Cairo with Luxor or Cairo with Alexandria. A week or more opens up Aswan and Abu Simbel, and it is worth adding the Nile cruise, which replaces two hotel nights and so costs less extra than you would expect. Ten days or more lets you finish on the Red Sea. The four groupings on this page are arranged that way.

Is a budget tour a good idea for a first visit to Egypt?

Yes. The itineraries cover the same monuments as our more expensive tours with the same licensed Egyptologist guides. What changes is the hotel standard and the sleeper train instead of a flight. If it is your first visit and you are unsure, take Silver rather than Bronze — it is a modest difference in price and the single upgrade that most affects how the trip feels.

Are budget tours suitable for solo travellers?

They work well either way. On the shorter private tours you get a guide to yourself, which suits solo travellers who want to ask questions rather than queue for them. On the longer group tours you get people to travel with. A single room carries a supplement on any itinerary since you are not sharing — ask us for the figure on your dates. If you are happy to share, tell us and we will try to match you with another solo traveller on the same departure.

Is Egypt safe for budget travellers?

The main tourist areas are well established and heavily visited, and travelling on a budget does not change where you go or how you are looked after. You will have a licensed guide with you on sightseeing days and a driver we know personally.

When should I book?

Three to six months ahead for October to April, when demand is highest. Summer departures can often be booked closer in and cost noticeably less, if you can take the heat.