Tipping in Egypt: How Much to Tip and When
Working tipping amounts for Egypt — guides, drivers, Nile cruise crew, hotels and restaurants — plus the cash to carry and the situations where you should not tip at all.
Aswan to Abu Simbel: How to Get There
How to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel by road, air or Lake Nasser cruise, what changed with the police convoy, and when to arrive to avoid the crowds.
Cairo to Luxor Sleeper Train: How It Works
How the Cairo to Luxor overnight sleeper train works: who runs it, what the cabins are like, what is included, and whether it beats flying.
How to Choose the Best Nile Cruise
With hundreds of boats on the Nile, choosing a cruise can feel overwhelming. These questions will help you narrow it down. 1. How long do you have? Three nights from Aswan or four nights from Luxor covers the main sites. Dahabiyas take four to five nights. 2. What is your budget? Standard boats are cheapest, […]
How to Book a Nile Cruise
Booking a Nile cruise is simple once you know the steps. Here is how to do it. 1. Pick your dates Cruises depart on fixed days of the week from Luxor and Aswan. Have your arrival and departure dates in Egypt ready. 2. Choose your boat Decide between a standard ship, a 5-star ship or […]
The Complete Nile Cruise Guide
A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the classic way to see Upper Egypt, and for many travelers the highlight of the whole trip. This guide covers everything you need to know to choose and plan yours. The route Almost all cruises sail the 200 km between Luxor and Aswan. From Luxor, cruises usually […]
Nile River Map and Guide
The Nile is about 6,650 km long, one of the two longest rivers on earth. Its two main branches meet at Khartoum in Sudan: the White Nile, from the lakes of East Africa, and the Blue Nile, from Lake Tana in Ethiopia, which brings most of the water and, before the dams, the silt. From […]
How Safe Is a Nile Cruise?
Nile cruises are one of the most popular and well-established forms of tourism in Egypt, and millions of travelers have taken them. Here is what to know about safety on board and on shore. On board Licensed cruise boats are inspected and must carry life jackets and safety equipment. Look for the safety notice in […]
Types of Nile Cruise Explained
There is more than one way to cruise the Nile. Here are the main types of boat and who each suits. Standard cruise ships Comfortable, with simpler cabins and buffet meals. Good value for travelers who mostly want the sightseeing. 5-star and deluxe cruise ships Larger cabins, better food, a pool and sun deck, and […]
Best Time for a Nile Cruise
The best time for a Nile cruise is from October to April, when days are warm and sunny and evenings cool. But each season has its own character. October and November Warm days and fewer crowds than midwinter. An excellent time. December to February The peak season, with the most pleasant daytime temperatures, around 20 […]
Nightlife in Egypt
Egypt comes alive after dark. In summer especially, people go out late, and cities stay busy well past midnight. Here is what to do in the evening. Cairo A dinner cruise on the Nile with music and a show. The sound and light show at the pyramids. Khan el-Khalili and Al-Muizz Street, lit up at […]
Facts About Egypt
Some quick facts about Egypt, ancient and modern, for curious travelers. Modern Egypt Capital: Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East. Population: more than 100 million. Language: Arabic. Currency: the Egyptian pound. Area: about 1 million square km, most of it desert. Almost everyone lives along the Nile and in […]
Egypt Travel FAQs
Here are quick answers to the questions travelers ask us most about Egypt. For more detail, follow the links to our full guides. Planning When is the best time to visit? October to April. See best time to visit Egypt. How many days do I need? 8 to 10 days for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and […]
How to Plan a Group Tour to Egypt
Traveling in Egypt as a group, whether family, friends, a club or a company, is one of the best ways to see the country. Costs per person drop, and sharing the experience makes it richer. Here is how to make a group trip run smoothly. Plan early Groups need more rooms and cabins, so book […]
10 Adventure Experiences in Egypt
Egypt is not only temples and museums. For adventurous travelers, it offers deserts, mountains and some of the world’s best underwater scenery. Here are ten experiences to try. Ten adventures Dive the Red Sea, from the reefs of Hurghada to the wrecks of Abu Nuhas and the Thistlegorm. See Hurghada diving. Snorkel with turtles at […]
Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt
A first trip to Egypt is exciting, and a little preparation makes it much smoother. Here are the things we tell every guest before they travel. Visa and passport Your passport should be valid for at least six months. US, UK, Canadian, Australian and most EU citizens can get a tourist visa on arrival at […]