First-Timer’s Guide to Egypt: Everything You Need

Planning your first trip to Egypt? You are in the right place. This first-timer’s guide covers everything you need — where to go, how long to stay, what it costs and how to make the trip flow.

We are Sam and Mo — two licensed Egyptologist guides with over 28 years of combined experience.

Where to go on your first trip

• Cairo & Giza — the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Two to three days.
• Luxor — the world’s greatest open-air museum. Two days.
• Aswan — Philae Temple, Nubia and Abu Simbel. One to two days.
• The Nile — a cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
• The Red Sea (optional) — add beach days if you have ten or more.

How long do you need?

• 5 days: Cairo + Luxor.
• 7 days: the classic — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan + a short cruise.
• 10 days: the sweet spot — add Abu Simbel or the Red Sea.
• 14 days: the country in depth.

The best route

Start in Cairo, fly south to Aswan, and travel downstream to Luxor — following the natural flow of Egyptian history. See our Egypt itinerary.

What it costs

Egypt is excellent value. Mid-range travellers commonly spend US$80–150 a day, excluding international flights. See our Egypt cost guide.

First-timer essentials

• Visa: get the e-Visa online or a visa on arrival. Visa guide.
• Best time: October to April. Best time.
• Safety: the tourist corridor is well-secured. Safety guide.
• Packing: light layers, sun protection, comfortable shoes. Packing list.
• Money: Egyptian pounds cash plus cards; budget for tips.

Should you go guided or independent?

For a first trip, a private guide removes nearly all the friction — tickets, transfers, language and context. Most first-timers land on guided for the temples and free time in Cairo.

Read next

Complete Egypt Travel Guide 2026, How to Plan a Nile Cruise, Top 10 places to see.

Ready to plan your first Egypt trip? Tell us your dates and we’ll build the perfect itinerary.