With these 5 Egypt travel tips I used during my trip, you can visit one of the world’s most fascinating countries on almost any budget!
I know it sounds far fetched, but it’s possible to visit Egypt and see all of the major attractions for less than 30$ a day! Trust me, because I did it.
Egypt is a very cheap country, so by avoiding expensive services offered specifically for tourists, a savy traveller can save a lot of money, and still be quite comfortable. Now lets get into those 5 top Egypt travel tips for the budget traveler:
If you like all inclusive tours, this guide may not be for you. While knowledgable guides can add extra insights, in 2023 so much information is available online, sites have descriptions and plaques, and you can also discover a lot just by chatting up local people, to learn plenty about each site without a guide.
This mean getting to the various sites on your own, how? The answer is anything but a Taxi.
For public transportation, Cairo has an effective metro that can cost as little a 1$ for a trip, and small minivans that got to almost any location for even less. Sometimes they try to kick tourists off because they are for “locals”, but if you insist they will take you.
Lastly, Uber is very popular in Cairo and extremely cheap. So if you want the convenience of a taxi, just use Uber.
Uber also has motorbikes that are even cheaper, although they don’t provide helmets and sometimes drive like crazy, so use this option at your own peril!
For transport between cities, I would reccomend a bus. Trains used to be a great option, but in 2023 the Egyptian government implemented a “foreigner price”, payable only in dollars or Euros, for tourists. The price is double or triple what a local pays! The trains arent even much faster or more comfortable. Bus companies like GoBus are absolutely fine and much, much cheaper.
If you want to spend more for a comfortable trip, flights are a better option than trains. I got a flight from Cairo to Aswan for just 27$ (hand lugggae only). A train would cost triple and take far longer.
Most sites in Egypt, from the world famous pyramids of Giza to the more obscure monuments and archological sites, have an entrance fee. Luckily, this fee is not very expensive (240 Egyptian Lira for the pyramids, around 8$), but there is a way to enter for even cheaper: An international student card!
With a valid student card you can get a 50% discount at every site. The pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel…everywhere! This adds up to alot of money. If you are not a student, it should still be possible to get a card. Several websites can create one for a small fee. Erasmus, the student exchange program in Europe, are extremely lax in handing out cards. The options will be different for each person depending on where you live, but it’s definitely worth looking into various possibilities even if you are not a student.
This wins the award for the dodgiest Egypt travel tip on this list, but it’s a pretty harmless crime that falls within the acceptable spectrum in my opinion.
Egypt has a huge range of accomodation options, from luxury hotels to dirt cheap rooms with no fan. I spent around 8$ a night on average on accomodation, yet never slept in a dorm! That’s because many places, including hostels, offer small rooms without a bathroom.
For a budget traveller, I think this is a very reasonable tradeoff, and is even cheaper than some dorms, where travelers pay more to be in a “hostel environment”. If you are two people, its even better as your expenses will be cut in half! Here are a few good budget options:
Cairo – Dahab Hostel
https://hostelworld.prf.hn/click/camref:1100lAMk6/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fst%2Fhostels%2Fp%2F6292%2Fdahab-hostel%2F (rooms and dorms available)
Aswan – David Hostel
https://www.booking.com/Share-rcsNJv
Luxor – Al Salam Camp https://hostelworld.prf.hn/click/camref:1100lAMk6/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fst%2Fhostels%2Fp%2F25706%2Fal-salam-camp%2F
This advice applies for almost any country, and is particularly true in Egypt.
Falafel and Kushari are two tasty local dishes that you can find for as little as one dollar, while Turkish coffee will always be half the price of a cappucino or machiato, and you get used to it pretty quickly.
Avoid eating at or close to tourist sites where prices skyrocket. A can of coke costs 200 pounds at Abu Simbel, thats almost 20x the normal price!
Many a tourist has fallen for a scam by an Egyptian claiming you need him in order to enter a site, reach a certain place, get the best expereince and cetra. Don’t be fooled!
Entrance to historical sites is very straightforward: there is a main ticket booth, you buy your ticket, you enter. Thats it. There is no need for any additional services.
Also, when someone offers to do you a favor, very often they will want money in return. I was burned by this once: A nice, semi-retired gentleman offered to show me around some local markets in cairo, and only after we started said that he does this for some extra money. I was in a bind and ended up paying. The experience was ok, but I wouldn’t have done it if I knew the nature of the transaction.
Lastly, try not to eat at places with no menus or price lists. They will often invent prices on the spot, and we know in which direction.
Learning a few words in arabic can go a long way in avoiding this last scam. Learn how to count in Arabic and you will be able to understand and negotiate prices better, and its part of the authentic experience, so make the effort!
Egypt is a very cheap country, but many tourists don’t know how to take advantage of this. Using these 5 Egypt travel tips is a good start.
A final word of advice. Egypt is a very safe country because of the extensive police presence, and the harsh (and sometimes not democratic) punishment for criminal activity. When safety is less of a concern, you become freer to explore alternative options, less central accomodation locations, and to get lost or make mistakes, without paying any serious price for it.
Don’t be afraid to do things on your own, and you will be rewarded with a better experience and healthier bank balance
How much should I spend per day in Egypt?
The benchmark set out in this Egypt travel tips guide of 30$ a day is attainable, especialy for two people who can split their accomodation expenses.
When is the chepest time to visit Egypt?
May to September is considered the off-season because of the hot weather. Although May and Spetember are not as bad as June-August, so these would be the best months to visit.
How many days in Egypt is enough?
To see more than just the area of Cairo, but also places like Aswan, Luxor and Alexandira, you need at least 2 weeks.
Its also worth noting that flights into Egypt are quite expensive, and the 25 dollar visa entry is somewhat hefty by Egyptian standards. Thus a budget traveler already paying these expenses, should spend at least two weeks in Egypt.