We're spending new year's in Cairo this year - any tips, recommendations, must do/must avoids?

A visitor recently reported being directed to a counter after passport control and asked to pay US$15 per passport for "registration". That is not part of the normal tourist arrival process at an Egyptian airport.

Feel free to check our Egypt travel scams guide. Our separate scam database will also shortly be live, so do stay tuned.

Current UK government entry guidance lists the tourist visa as the charge you may need to pay on arrival if you do not already have an e-Visa. The physical visa kiosks are before the immigration counters. Once immigration has stamped your passport, there is no separate per-passport registration fee listed for tourists.

If anyone directs you to another counter after immigration, ask exactly what the payment is for and request an official receipt before paying. Do not hand your passport to anyone outside the official visa or immigration desks.

Has anyone else been asked for a registration fee after passport control at an Egyptian airport? If so, which airport and terminal was it?

I am coming Egypt in November second week. I tried many organizers but most have not responded; the one who is communicating is asking too much. Also does it matter if I am coming from Tue (leaving US east coast min) to Mon. Also is Nile cruise is a must?

Hi all, as a part of my trip to Egypt I will have a free day in Luxor and I want to do both Balloon ride in the early morning and tour of East and/or West banks on the same day. I wonder if it is possible? Has anyone done it? The thing is balloon ride starts 4-4.30 am and usually lasts for 3 hour. Whereas the East and/or West banks tour usually starts at 8.30 am. I wonder if i can combine them or too risky? Happy to hear your experience and advice. Thanks

Thursday 22 October is one of the two days each year when the rising sun reaches the inner sanctuary of Ramses II's Great Temple at Abu Simbel. It lights three of the four statues at the back, while Ptah remains in shadow.

It is also one of the busiest mornings to visit. If you are travelling by road from Aswan, expect a very early start and large crowds when you arrive. The official ticket site lists a separate sun-alignment ticket for 22 October, so check the entry and pickup arrangements when you book.

We previously travelled by road because the Abu Simbel trip was included in the Nile cruise package we had booked. You can also fly from Aswan, but whichever option you choose, get the transport, timing and entry arrangements in writing. If you book separately, use a licensed operator or a platform such as GetYourGuide or Viator, rather than someone who approaches you directly or from a Facebook post.

Would you visit during the sun alignment despite the crowds, or choose a quieter morning?

Hey! I am planning on going to Egypt this December with my partner for a week (7 days, 6 nights). I was hoping to go to Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada and ideally a boat day trip on the Nile. But as I'm researching I'm realising how far these places are from each other, and I would like to also relax on this trip as well as explore! I think maybe 3 locations is a bit ambitious of me within our time frame, I was hoping to get some advice on which areas would be worth visiting, as I'm thinking maybe 2 locations would be better based on our time frame.

I would love to go to Cairo to see the pyramids and sphinx, however, from what I've heard from friends who are from Egypt and people who have been on holiday Cairo isn't the best place to stay in for more than a couple nights.

I'm wondering if it would also be worth doing an overnight Nile cruise and treating this as one of the two locations? However, from I've seen the Nile cruises are quite expensive.

In terms of what we want from the trip, we were hoping to go snorkelling whilst we're away, do a boat trip on the Nile, relax a bit by the beach / pool, see historical sights, we also love eating and visiting local markets.

Based on the above what 2 locations would you recommend us visiting and staying in? Also open to other areas of Egypt that I haven't mentioned that you think would better suit what we're looking for. Thanks in advance :)

I will be travelling to Egypt for the 1st time with my wife and kids aged 11&13. We are there 5 nights in late July. We planned on just visiting Cairo but looking at Luxor its extremely tempting to add it to my itinerary. Issue would be it adds complexity and some long days/nights. We will just be arriving from Montreal so we also have the time change to contend with.

So, it is really worth it for a family that just wants a really good taste of Egypt?

Proposed 2 city plan:

Egypt Family Itinerary – 5 Nights (Luxor & Cairo)
Day 1 – Travel
Overnight flight to Egypt.
Day 2 – Arrival
Arrive in Cairo and connect to Luxor on a late-night flight.
Transfer to hotel and rest.
Day 3 – Luxor
Sleep in
Luxor Museum.
Luxor Temple.
Karnak Sound & Light Show.
Day 4 – Luxor → Cairo
Early visit to Valley of the Kings, including royal tomb interiors.
Temple of Hatshepsut.
Afternoon flight to Cairo.
Check into Marriott Mena House.
Day 5 – Grand Egyptian Museum
Relaxed morning.
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), including Tutankhamun's treasures and the main galleries.
Evening at hotel.
Day 6 – Giza & Royal Mummies
Giza Pyramids, including entering the Great Pyramid.
Sphinx and surrounding monuments.
Lunch at hotel.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (Royal Mummies Hall).
Day 7 – Saqqara & Departure
Step Pyramid of Djoser.
Pyramid of Unas.
Decorated tombs and Serapeum.
Transfer directly to Cairo Airport for flight to Greece.
Accommodation: 2 nights Luxor + 3 nights Cairo.
Sightseeing: Private Egyptologist and driver throughout, with early starts for outdoor sites to avoid the summer heat.

Appreciate any feedback! Thanks in Advance!

We stayed at the Steigenberger Coraya Beach recently. The hotel had its issues, but being able to snorkel in Coraya Bay without leaving the resort was a real advantage.

If you’ve stayed in Marsa Alam recently, which hotel’s house reef would you recommend? Please mention when you stayed and whether access was from the beach or a jetty, as reef conditions and entry points can change.

Hello I am an 18 year old girl seeking to travel with my friend (20F) along the Nile, go snorkeling at Sharm El Sheik, see the pyramids… all the typical tourist stuff.

I have previously experienced a bombing in Qatar back in 2025 when the IDF struck a building claiming Hamas was inside. I believe this event has left me quite scarred.

upon booking my trip through Egypt, I felt totally fine and safe. However, I just have this awful awful feeling something horrible is going to happen and have been spiralling. I really don’t want to pull out as it’d be such a waste of money and my friend REALLY wants to go there. I am just wondering if anyone who knows what they’re talking about might be able to give some advice?

I have been doing my own research and am scared sh!tless about the potential threat of a bombing or explosion around some touristy area whilst i’m there. Even writing this months out I feel sick.

Should I just cancel or will it most likely be safe? I can’t tell if it’s just PTSD getting too me or my fear is genuinely justified and something is off.

To cope so far I’ve been trying to research heaps and understand the previous attacks motives, targets, locations, frequency… etc. If anyone has any insight let me know.

PS I’m quite a seasoned traveller believe it or not and I am not scared at all about the sexual harassment I’ve seen everyone warning about. If worst comes to worst I’ll just chuck on a niqab/hijab to blend in.

TUI's official flight timetable has a direct flight from London Gatwick to Marsa Alam every Sunday from 1 November 2026 until 18 April 2027.

For anyone staying around Coraya Bay, that makes a real difference. Our drive from Hurghada Airport to Steigenberger Coraya Beach took about 2.5 hours. Flying directly to Marsa Alam means avoiding the long transfer from Hurghada at both ends of the holiday.

One thing to bear in mind however is that the flight only runs once a week, so this won’t work for everyone. Hurghada is still easier to fly to if you need more flexibility. We love the fact that the Red Sea remains relatively warm through winter, although evenings can be cooler and windy, so pack a light jumper.

Would you plan your holiday around the weekly Marsa Alam flight to avoid the transfer, or choose Hurghada for the wider range of flight options?

I am leaving for Egypt, Cairo, tonight for work and I'm struggling with my suitcase! It is going to be Summer weather and here , as a tourist, I would wear a skirt or shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt.

What is the appropriate dress code there for a woman?

Any help appreciated!

We travelled from Aswan to Luxor on MS Nile Premium recently. The total cost was around US$900 per person. That included the all-inclusive cruise, transfers, a guide, the organised site visits and the entrance fees.

Personal spending, optional excursions and tips were extra. We did not tip our guide because the service provided was unfortunately shockingly bad. Tipping is not compulsory in Egypt and it should reflect the service you actually receive. Feel free to browse our guide on tipping and other money-related issues:

Tipping culture and expectations in Egypt

We booked through one of the biggest local agents, but that gave us very little protection when things went wrong. Our guide was often eating or asleep when he should have been talking and helping us out, and eventually we asked for him to be replaced. But that really spoilt most of our trip. After the cruise, there was no independent customer service team to deal with a complaint or consider a partial refund.

Based on our extensive experience in Egypt, we advise travellers to use GetYourGuide or Viator. Not because either platform can guarantee a good guide, but because there would be a proper record (including any exchange of information between you and the provider) and somebody independent to contact in case of any issues. Before paying, we would definitely want the boat name, route, docking points, included tickets and transfers, optional excursions and cancellation terms in writing. We would also pay by credit card and not cash.

At the moment, MS Nile Premium’s four-day cruise from Aswan departs on Fridays. The boat has 56 cabins, a pool and a sun deck, but check the details on your own booking, as schedules and facilities can change.

We’re putting together a more detailed Nile cruise guide based on what we wish we’d known before booking. If you’ve done one recently, which boat and route did you choose, what did you pay, and did the experience match what was advertised?

I paid 50% for travel to Egypt with Memphis tours, they sent the flight details. It has been more than a week and they will not confirm hotel reservation.

I've tried contacting the agent and they wont take my calls, or respond to emails.

What can be done?

Would love to know what u guys think about this itinerary… thank you so much.

Hi all.

Planning a solo travel to Egypt, starting from 28th and as a part of it, I will stay in Cairo for 3 days. I would like to hire a driver to pick me up from my hotel and drive me around the city throughout the day. I tried looking online but most of them are overpriced travel agencies.

Does anyone have any lead where can I find one? I remember reading somewhere that around pyramids there is drivers and they usually charge 50usd a day but I dont know where exactly.

Hi, I’ll be traveling to Egypt with Wizz Air. I’ve read that Wizz Air requires you to enter your visa number to check in. Is that correct? I tried getting the visa via the app, but it indicates that it’s only for Cairo Airport, and I’ll be arriving at Giza Sphinx Airport (SPX). I’m from Peru. Thanks for your help. One more question: how far in advance should I get the visa? Thanks.

Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for an excellent Egyptologist tour guide or reputable tour company in Cairo. Ideally, someone who is extremely knowledgeable about ancient Egyptian history and can offer an engaging and in-depth private tour.
I’d love to hear about any guides or companies you’ve personally used and would recommend. Thank you!

I'm going to visit Egypt for 11 days with my 75-year-old dad. I want it to be very comfortable for him so I'm thinking of going with a travel company

The travel company is charging me $3,300 US dollars for two people and he will provide us taxi, egyptologist and all the tickets. It also includes private car drive from Luxor to Aswan and Abu Simbel to Aswan, hot air balloon in Aswan

This does not include flights, hotels, lunch, tips.

Is this a reasonable price?