Egypt is a trip you remember for the rest of your life. The key to enjoying it is choosing the right season and not trying to see everything in a few days.
What to see in Egypt
A first trip usually combines Cairo, a Nile cruise and, on the biblical route, Sinai.
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure have stood on the Giza plateau, on the edge of Cairo, for more than 4,500 years. The Great Pyramid is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing, with the Sphinx keeping watch below.
Go early: first thing in the morning there are fewer people and the heat is easier.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Next to the pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum holds more than 50,000 objects and shows Tutankhamun’s treasure complete for the first time. Give it at least half a day.
Islamic and Coptic Cairo
The Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Saladin’s Citadel with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and Coptic Cairo, with the Hanging Church and the crypt tradition links to the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt.
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Ancient Thebes holds the temples of Karnak and Luxor on one bank of the Nile and, on the other, the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
A Nile cruise, Aswan and Abu Simbel
Between Luxor and Aswan the boat stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. From Aswan you reach Abu Simbel, the two temples of Ramses II that were moved block by block to save them from the dam’s waters.
Sinai and Saint Catherine
At the foot of Mount Sinai, where tradition places the giving of the Ten Commandments, stands Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world. It is a key stop on the route of the Exodus.
Sinai nights are cold even after hot days; bring a jacket.
Best time to visit Egypt
Egypt is best in its winter: from October to April the days are sunny and mild.
- Jan Ideal
- Feb Ideal
- Mar Good
- Apr Good
- May Very hot
- Jun Very hot
- Jul Very hot
- Aug Very hot
- Sep Very hot
- Oct Good
- Nov Ideal
- Dec Peak
From November to February Cairo daytime temperatures hover around 68 °F, ideal for outdoor sightseeing; Christmas and New Year are peak season.
From May to September the south is extremely hot: Luxor and Aswan top 104 °F. If you travel then, visits are scheduled at sunrise and sunset.
Entry requirements for Egypt
Both US and Mexican citizens need a tourist visa, which you can get online.
US passport (including Puerto Rico)
e-Visa or visa on arrival
- e-Visa on the official portal before you travel ($25, single entry).
- You can also pay for the visa at the airport on arrival.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Mexican passport
e-Visa before you travel
- Apply for the e-Visa on the official portal ahead of time.
- Carry a printed copy of the approval.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
We recommend getting the e-Visa before you fly even if it can be bought on arrival: entry is faster and you travel with it settled. Use only the Egyptian government’s official portal.
Official sources: Egypt e-Visa (official portal) · U.S. State Department travel advisories
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
The tourist areas of Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and South Sinai welcome millions of visitors a year and have a strong police presence. We review the State Department advisories before every departure.
- Always drink bottled water. And skip ice and unpeeled fruit in places you do not know.
- Light, modest clothing. Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches; women, a scarf for the hair.
- Tipping is customary. Carry small bills in Egyptian pounds for guides, drivers and restrooms.
- Bargain with a smile. In Khan el-Khalili the first price is never the last.
Our Egypt trips
We visit Cairo and Sinai on our Exodus Journey, which follows the biblical route from Egypt to Jordan and the Holy Land.
Bookings for the 2026 trip are closed. Ask us about the next departures or about an Egypt trip with a Nile cruise.
Suggested itinerary: Egypt in 8 days
A classic first-trip route with three nights on a Nile cruise.
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Days 1–2
Cairo
The Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum; the next day, Islamic and Coptic Cairo.
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Day 3
Fly to Luxor
Karnak and Luxor temples and boarding the cruise.
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Days 4–5
Nile cruise
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
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Day 6
Aswan and Abu Simbel
The temples of Ramses II and a felucca sail.
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Days 7–8
Back to Cairo
A free afternoon in Khan el-Khalili and the flight home.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
The usual tourist areas (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and South Sinai) welcome millions of visitors and have a strong police presence. Before every departure we review the State Department advisories and keep you informed.
Do US citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. You can get the e-Visa on the official portal before traveling or pay for it at the airport on arrival. It costs $25 for a single entry.
What do Mexican citizens need to travel to Egypt?
A passport valid for at least 6 months and a tourist visa, applied for online on the Egyptian government’s official portal before the trip.
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April, when temperatures are pleasant. In summer the heat tops 104 °F in Luxor and Aswan.
How many days do you need in Egypt?
About 8 days covers Cairo and a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. With 10 to 12 days you can add Abu Simbel at an easy pace or Sinai.
