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So you want to travel Egypt cheap! But how much does a trip to Egypt cost? This ultimate Egypt on a budget guide covers everything from getting there, best budget accommodation in Egypt, best way to get around, and all the cheapest and best activities.
I’ll also show you what you can expect to pay, how to save costs in Egypt, as well as my TOP TIPS to save more money for your Egypt itinerary.
This budget trip to Egypt article is for solo travelers, couples and friends, as well as families. It includes how much you should expect to spend and the costs associated for hotels, food, activities and transport.
Money saving articles to help you save even more
Further reading: Planning a trip overseas you can actually afford
Further Reading: A cheats guide to saving money while traveling.
- Fast Facts about Egypt
- Important information for budget travel in Egypt
- How to travel Egypt cheap – things to consider
- Best time to go to Egypt
- Best Egypt travel tips
- How much does a Budget trip to Egypt cost?
- Egypt Estimated Costs – Egypt on a Budget
- Estimated Food Costs
- Conclusion to Budget Travel Egypt
Fast Facts about Egypt
- Population – 105 million
- Currency – Egyptian Pound
- Official Languages – Modern Standard Arabic
- Percentage of Egyptians that can speak English : Basic English is taught in school but it is not spoken as a second language s,o you may find many Egyptians only know basic words and sentences.
- Yearly Visitors – 13.1 million (2019) – the year of COVID in 2020 was 3.7 million
- Climate – Egypt has 2 seasons. Nov to April is winter where temperatures are mild during the day and can be quite cold during the evening. Summer is May to Oct and is hot and dry with little to no rainfall.
- Average Stays in Egypt- The average stay is 6 to 7 days with many European and Asian visitors making up this percentage. For those coming from further away, such as North America and Australia, stays of up to 14 days is more common.
Important information for budget travel in Egypt
For the budget traveler, Egypt is the perfect place to visit.
Seeing Egypt on a budget is not too difficult, but you do need to be aware of when to budget and when to pay a bit extra. I can’t stress this enough, as there will be times when going the cheapest option will cause you to highly regret your decision.
I know you have probably dreamed of going to Egypt for many years, so let’s get this right, OK.
What this guide to Egypt is and isn’t
I’m no backpacker, so this is NOT a backpackers guide to Egypt. I really want to show you the cheapest and BEST way to see and tour Egypt, not just the cheapest.
So I’m not going to do is tell you the cheapest way to see Egypt if I wouldn’t advise my worst enemy to do it this way. I’m not going to show you the cheapest travel hacks if they are considered unsafe or unacceptable. That’s because I want you to absolutely love Egypt as I do.
So rather, this Egypt budget guide is an affordable, safe and best way to tick off all those bucket list items, while saving money along the way, I’ll show you the perfect way to travel Egypt on a budget, as well as my best Egypt travel tips.
How to travel Egypt cheap – things to consider
Having been to Egypt 11 times and seeing so much of the country, I can certainly help you plan the ultimate budget trip to Egypt.
Firstly, you need to think about what type of trip this is.
For many it will be a all about the ancient wonders such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, the Nile and Abu Simbel. They are the big draw cards and for good reason.
But I also recommend Sakkara, Alexandria, the Red Sea and my favourite, the Sinai Mountains.
The first thing to establish is your Egypt on a budget itinerary.
What are the cities you plan to visit and how long you will need at each? Also consider the distance and travel times. If internal flights are beyond your budget, then train and bus travel, though much cheaper,will also take much longer. These are all things you need to factor in.
I also suggest looking at what attractions you want to see and do. Once you have established how much this is all going to cost, you can start budgeting everything else such as food, accommodation and transport.
Finally, if this is your first and last trip to Egypt then try not to exclude things just because they cost extra. I suggest saving extra and just doing it.
You may like to read my article on How to save money for Travel here.
This is my travel motto –
Best time to go to Egypt
While many say November to April is the the best time to go to Egypt, I beg to differ. BUT it all depends on what type of weather you want and also how well you handle the heat.
November to February: days are warm an sunny, perfect for touring the country. It’s not too hot so makes for more comfortable conditions. Nights are cool to chilly.
March & April – temperatures starting to warm up but still very comfortable for cities such as Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
July and August: extremely hot with temperatures ranging from 35-40 Celcius in Cairo and up to 45 Celcius in Aswan. (which has also recorded temps up to 50) Suitable for Red Sea resort areas such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheik and Marsa Alam.
May, June, September & October: hot days and balmy nights perfect for Red Sea resorts. Hot in the cities but much more bearable then the months of July and August.
I personally love September, especially the last 2 weeks. But I also like the hot days and nights.
When I travel to Egypt, I tend to spend as much time in the cities as I do relaxing and snorkeling the Red Sea. So I definitely want beach weather too. For some, September may still be too hot, so otherwise May, June and October are good months for both seeing the ancient wonders and spending time in the water.
Also, during my very first trip to Egypt many years ago, it was early September and the Upper Egypt cities of Luxor and Aswan were unbearably hot. But it was also exactly what I was expecting in the desert and took it as part of the experience.
On a later trip in December I was shocked to how cold it was at night and didn’t pack accordingly.
Best Egypt travel tips
You’re traveling on Egypt time
One thing to remember is that Egypt travel time is rarely ‘on time”.
Your 2 hour bus trip may take 3 hours. You tour guide might be 30 minutes late. One thing is for sure, don’t rely on what you read or get told. This does not mean showing up late yourself as we know this will be the one time everything is running to schedule.
Negotiate everything
Not everyone is comfortable with heavy bartering, but you’ll need to start if you are to negotiate a fair price. Also, if you really want to get good at budget travel in Egypt, you’ll need to get comfortable with bartering.
This includes tour guides, taxis and any type of market or bazaar. For this reason, pre-booking your accommodation and tours could save you lots of hassle and save you being ripped off.
Don’t worry about entry tickets to major attractions such as the pyramids, you’ll be fine as the prices are set. If in doubt, take a list of expected attraction entry prices with you to compare.
As for taxis, always negotiate the price before you set off, not after you arrive or it’s going to be a verbal stand off that you don’t want to have.
Also, many tourist attractions will have guides waiting to take you around. If you choose to use a guide,the prices are all negotiable. Start with at least half the asking price and go from there. This also includes markets where souvenirs are being sold.
Dress appropriately
Wearing the right clothing is not only important, but appropriate.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen tourists wearing next to nothing at the Pyramids of Giza, either unaware or unfazed. I’ve seen topless women at the Red Sea resorts and couldn’t believe they forgot where they were.
Proper dress code should be shoulders and knees covered. Pack light, loose and breathable fabrics and avoid dark colours that feel hotter to wear. I also try to wear full length pants or skirts in lesser areas of tourism simply out of respect.
Places you can dress with less concern are the Red Sea Resorts and high end hotels and restaurants. Places like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are open for dress code so short skirts and sleeveless tops and dresses are widely acceptable.
Keep all your valuables on you
For best practice, carry all your valuables with you such as money,camera and passport.
I also recommend carrying money in different spots such as in you wallet but also somewhere else safe. Don’t worry because pick pocketing is not a thing here, it’s more that you don’t wan’t to flash all your funds everywhere you go.
Speaking of cash
I always take US Dollars with me to Egypt as it is widely accepted in many places. You can cash it in at the airport and many reputable hotels. Many of the big attractions also accept US dollars and you’ll be given the local currency of Egyptian Pounds back in change.
I prefer not to use credit card but have it with me as a back up.
How much does a Budget trip to Egypt cost?
Want to know how much a budget trip to Egypt costs?
The following budget costs are based on two types of budgets.
- The cheapest way to travel, cheapest places to stay and affordable sightseeing
- The most convenient way to travel, highly rated budget hotels and affordable must see and do activities
Starting with at least an idea of how much you want to spend is a good way to understand what type of budget trip this is going to be. After some initial research you might discover Egypt is more expensive than you expected. Or even cheaper than you thought. Wouldn’t that be awesome!
Expected daily costs and what it includes:
- hostels
- trains & buses
- eating local food (no high end restaurants)
- must see major affordable attractions
Expect to pay USD $55 – $70 / EURO $52 – $68/ AUD $68 – 140 per person per day
- cheap 2 to 3 star hotels
- taxis or Uber & bus or train in mid class seating
- eating local food (no high end restaurants)
- including entry costs to major attractions
Single / Solo traveler
Expect to pay USD $68 – $100 / EURO $65 – $95/ AUD $100 – 140 per person per day
Twin share – 2 people
Expect to pay USD $65 – $85 / EURO $60 – $80 / AUD $90 – 120 per person per day
Family of four of 2 adults & 2 children
Expect to pay USD $140+ / EURO $133+ / AUD $200 + per family per day
What you should know about public transport
I want to tell you that public transport is reliable and clean, but unfortunately it is not always the case.
If you do choose only public buses and trains over taxi and Uber, expect to save up to USD $20 per day. This really depends on how much you move around of course. Buses and micro buses can be as cheap as $1 per ride making it a very cheap alternative to taxis.
Are there any CONS to using buses?
Yes. Using the public buses is no easy feat for most. You may be facing overcrowding, non English signage and non English speaking drivers, tonnes of confusion and most likely no air conditioning on board. It takes a cool customer to navigate and achieve getting from point A to point B. Flagging a bus can alsobe a bit tricky when you don’t know where the allocated stops are.
Taxis can sometimes be equally as frustrating as you have to negotiate the cost everywhere you go. But you will get to where you need to much quicker and hopefully in air conditioned comfort.
I find the heat makes me easily flustered and ready to give up, because I’ve just about had enough. It certainly can test your patience, so pay the extra for the vacation you deserve.
Best option for getting around Egypt
The best way to get around Cairo is by Metro train and taxis.
With the traffic in Cairo being seriously congested, the quickest, easiest and most convenient way is to take the train.
Cairo Metro: from less than $1 Us dollar per trip
You’ll also need to take a taxi for the shorter distances that the train does not reach.
For the best way to get to other cities such as Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, the train wins hands down, with first and second class options and a sleeper train as well.
Cairo to Alexandria: from $2 USD
Cairo to Luxor: from $4 USD
Cairo to Aswan: from $4 USD
Sleeper Overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan start from $110 USD
Special Note: Children will usually be charged around half the amount of an adult ticket.
Further Reading: A cheats guide to saving money while traveling.
Flight costs for Egypt
International flights will arrive at Cairo International Airport
There are up to 45 carriers flying into Cairo at any given time. So chances are one of your preferred airlines are heading there.
Egypt’s National Carrier- Egypt Air flies to and from many worldwide destinations. They are also part of Star Alliance and may code share with several airlines.
Other popular airlines that fly into Cairo include:
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- British Airways
Domestic flights in Egypt
Egypt Air operates the majority of domestic flights and you can expect to pay around USD $70 plus for each leg.
While this may be more expensive than , let’s say the metro, it will save you a lot of time when traveling from main cities within the country.
Ways to save on flights to Egypt
- sign up to newsletters and notifications from the airlines direct
- use your frequent flyer / mileage points
- be flexible with month of travel (key in various dates and days to make comparisons)
- Use a multiple search across all airlines such as CheapOair or Skyscanner.
The sooner you know you are going, the longer you can keep an eye out for flight specials which do come up quite regularly. If you can secure good priced flights, you should be able to do Egypt on a budget much easier.
Egypt Estimated Costs – Egypt on a Budget
It’s time to look at the costs associated with doing Egypt on a budget , which includes accommodation and the most popular tours and attractions.
CAIRO
With a population of nearly 22 million, Cairo is buzzing all day and night.
During the hotter months it is best to get an early start so you can rest up during the afternoon if needed. Then head back out during the evenings when the temperatures are more pleasant.
Recommended days in Cairo
For a first time visitor I recommend 2 to 3 full days in Cairo to see all the attractions.
Also be aware that traffic is horrendous much of the day and and night, so getting around takes time. Probably much longer than you expect.
As for driving yourself, this is certainly a skill best kept for those who live here.
Budget Cairo Hotels
Pricing in USD via Booking.com
Note: hotel prices may fluctuate at different times of year, and you may also find cheaper prices if on sale.
The following hotels feature private rooms (some apartments) with en-suites and breakfast included. They also rate extremely high with guests and are super cheap. No need for a hostel at these prices.
You’ll get an entire apartment with kitchen, Netflix, air conditioning and breakfast included. Rated 10/10 by guests.
Single traveler from $8 per room
Twin share from $9 per room
Family of four from $35 per room
This apartment features full kitchen, spa bath, washing machine and breakfast. Plus you’ll find many more facilities including a children’s playground and casino on site. Guests rate it 9.3/10.
Single traveler from $8 per room
Twin share from $9 per room
Family of four from $40 per room
Hotel room with 2 x double beds, kitchenette, satellite TV and balcony. Breakfast is included and guests rate the property 9.8/10
Single traveler from $12 per night
Twin share from $13 per room
Family of 3 (child must be over 10 years) from $13 per room
Cheap Cairo Tours & Attractions – under $50
Top attractions in Cairo
- Giza Pyramids & Sphinx – 80 EGP
- Sakkara Pyramids – 80 EGP
- Grand Egyptain Museum – 400 EGP
- Khan El Khalili Markets – free
- Cave Church – Free
- Nile River- Free
Affordable tours and attractions under $50 USD
Dinner Cruise on the Nile: approx $42
Pyramids/ Sphinx/ Camel Ride/ Lunch: approx $40
Cave Church and Old Cairo: approx $50
LUXOR
Located some 670 km from Cairo, Luxor sits on the east bank of the Nile.
The city and surrounding area is a treasure trove of ancient wonders, making it a must see city for anyone visiting Egypt. It is also perfect for those wanting to see Egypt on a budget, with super cheap transfers by train and plenty of affordable accommodation.
Recommended days in Luxor
For all the best sights, a total of 2 to 3 fulls days is recommended for Luxor.
Luxor is home to many of Egypt’s most prized attractions, including Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and cruising the Nile River.
I also highly recommend seeing Luxor Temple at night.
Cheap Hotels in Luxor
All pricing is in US dollars via Booking.com
Note: hotel prices may fluctuate at different times of year, and you may also find cheaper prices if on sale.
The following hotels feature private rooms (some apartments) with en-suites and breakfast included. They also rate extremely high with guests and are super cheap. No need for a hostel at these prices.
This ground floor apartment feature kitchen and air conditioning. There is a restaurant and pool on site.
Single traveler from $27 per room
Twin share from $27 per room
Family of four from $32 per room
Superbly located, the hotel features single to family rooms with free breakfast.
Single Traveler from $18 per night
Twin Share from $21 per room
Family of four from $33 per room
Basic rooms with breakfast included. The property features a roof top terrace, tour dest and 24 hour reception.
Single Traveler from $20 per room
Twin share from $24 per room
Family of four from $35 per room
Cheap Luxor Tours & attractions – under$50
Top attractions in Luxor
- Luxor Temple – 100 EGP
- Karnak Temple – EGP 120
- Valley of the Kings – EGP 150
- Valley of the Queens EGP 100
- Temple of Hatshepsut EGP 80
Affordable tours and attractions under $50 USD
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon – approx $35
Sunset Felucca ride 2 hours – approx $19
Valley of the Kings / Temple of Hatshepsut / Lunch – from $50
Half Day East Bank/ Karnak Temple / Luxor Temple – from $40
ASWAN
The jewel of the Nile, Aswan is truly a wonder in its own right.
It is the gateway to the Abu Simbel, an historical two temple landmark carved into the side of a mountain. it was built by Ramses II and is one of Egypt’s most popular sights.
Recommended days in Aswan
A minimum 1 to 2 full days is recommended in Aswan with an extra day for those venturing to Abu Simbel.
Nile River Cruise to Aswan
Heading south from Luxor, many tourists choose to cruise a Nile River Cruise, soaking up the incredible scenery along the way.
After being on the move between cities and attractions, it’s a great way to slow down. It’s also very affordable even for those seeing Egypt on a budget.
This 3 day cruise from Luxor to Aswan includes all meals, tours and sightseeing from only $220 USD per person.
Read more about Amazing Sailing Nile Cruise here.
Cheap Hotels in Aswan
All pricing is in US dollars via Booking.com
Note: hotel prices may fluctuate at different times of year, and you may also find cheaper prices if on sale.
The following hotels feature private rooms (some apartments) with en-suites and breakfast included. They also rate extremely high with guests and are super cheap. No need for a hostel at these prices.
Walking distance to beach (3 mins) , a restaurant on site and breakfast included.
Single traveler – from $15 per night
Twin share from – from $22 per room
Family of four- from $37 per room
With breakfast includes, free WiFi and positive reviews.
Single traveler dorm – from $7 per person
Twin share private- from $22 per room
Cheap Aswan Tours & Attractions – under $50
Top rated attractions
- Abu Simbel – approx 250 EGP
- Elephantine Island
- Unfinished Obelisk – 80 EGP
- Philae Temple – 60 EGP
- High Dam
Affordable tours for under $50 USD
Abu Siimbel Tour from Aswan- from $37
Nubian Village Tour by boat – from $35
Philae Temple/ High Dam/ Unfinished Obelisk – from $50
Felucca tour to Elephantine Island/ Agha Khan / Botanial Gardens – from $35
ALEXANDRIA
A short 2 hour drive from Cairo is the seaside city of Alexandria.
Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt’s second largest city is home to historic Greco-Roman influences such as the Roman Amphitheater and Pompey’s Pillar.
Recommended days in Alexandria
1 to 2 full days is best when going to Alexandria.
For those short on time, all the main highlights can be seen in a day trip from Cairo. Alternately, an overnight stop is perfect with those with extra tine.
Cheap Hotels in Alexandria
Prices in US Dollars via Booking.com
The following hotels feature private rooms (some apartments) with en-suites and breakfast included. They also rate extremely high with guests and are super cheap. No need for a hostel at these prices.
A short walk to the beach, this hotel features free WiFi and balcony.
Single traveler – from $27 per night
Twin Share – from $42 per room
Family of four – from $59 per room
Single traveler – from $11 per person mixed dorm
Cheap Alexandria Tours & attractions – under $50
- National Museum – approx 35 EGP
- Roman Amphitheater – 80 EGP
- Pompey’s Pillar – approx 80 EGP
- Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa – approx 80 EGP
- Citadel of Qaitbay – approx 60 EGP
Affordable tours and attractions
Catacombs/ Roman Amphitheater / Pompeys Pillar/ New Library/ Lunch & more – approx $56
RED SEA RESORTS
A trip to the Red Sea Resorts is the perfect end to any trip to Egypt.
A diving and snorkeling mecca, the Red Sea is simply amazing. With crystal clear water, enjoying the many water activities is a highlight, but for those who just want to swim, sun bake and relax, spending your days on the beach is perfect.
How many days at Red Sea Resorts
As a minimum, 3 to 4 nights is a good amount of time to unwind and do some incredible water activities.
Personally, I usually spend a week at the resorts and have no issue filling in the time, but that’s because it’s a highlight of my trip, rather than an end to a bigger vacation.
Here is an overview of each resort area, what to expect, how to get there, and budget expectations.
HURGHADA
Highlights
- closest resort for those traveling to Luxor with cheap transfer
- big party scene
- plenty of budget hotels to choose from
- affordable snorkel and dive tours
Hurghada is quite a big city and there are many resorts that hug the shoreline for private beach access. It is the type of city that is perfect for swimming and any other water activities. It also has quite a big party scene and plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Best alternative for those wanting a more relaxed stay
For those who would prefer a more relaxing resort area to stay, I recommend Marsa Alam to the south. This up and coming area is much smaller and doesn’t have the party scene or amount of resorts that Hurghada does.
Affordable Hotels in Hurghada
If beach side is out of your budget, there are some good places close to. It’s all about location when staying in Hurghada, so you can walk everywhere and keep your Egypt travel budget down.
Prices in US Dollars via Booking.com
Located in the middle of the action, close to the beach and includes breakfast.
Single traveler – from $11 per tent
Twin Share – from $36 per room
This “all inclusive” hotel is beach front and rates highly from guests. All meals and select activities are included.
Single traveler – from $70 per night
Twin Share – from $85 per room
Family of four – from $120 per room
Cheap Hurghada Tours & Atrractions – under $50
Activities and Tours under $50 USD
Full Day snorkel with lunch to Orange & Giftun Island – approx $33
Quad Bike 3 hour Desert Safari – approx $24
Full Day Scuba Dive with lunch – from $32
SHARM EL SHEIKH
Sharm El Sheikh is my absolute favourite Red Sea resort area.
Located on the Sinai Peninsula, the area is simply breath taking.
Known for it’s amazing coral and marine life, plus on land bucket list adventure such as climbing Mount Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh is the perfect place to stay. You’ll find plenty of party action, plus hotels and resorts for all budgets. You can also choose to spend your time relaxing.
For a more quiet stay, Dahab is close by and is home to the famous Blue Hole.
For a more detailed article on Sharm El Shiekh including overview and things to do, go to What to do in Sharm El Shiekh
Cheap Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh
Staying in Naama Bay mans means staying right in all the action. It is the best beach in Sharm plus there are many highlights all within walking distance.
All prices in US Dollars via Booking.com
Close to the beach with private beach access. Features include a swimming pool, in house activities and a tour desk.
Single traveler – from $30 per night
Twin Share – from $34 per room
Family of four – from $60 per room
Beach frontage and caters to all travelers. There is a restaurant on site with free WiFi and breakfast included.
Single Traveler – from $45
Twin Share – from $54
Family of four – from $104
Affordable attraction and tours
Activities and tours under $50 USD
Full day snorkel to White Island & Ras Mohammed Marine Park – approx $32
Bedouin Dinner and Show in the Desert – approx $22
Mount Sinai overnight hike – approx $45 HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Estimated Food Costs
Egypt has some amazing dishes and street food to try, and eating out in general is pretty cheap. So doing Egypt on a budget is not too hard with food.
A budget of $20 USD maximum per day should easily cover your food costs. For those with free breakfast in their hotel rate and eating mainly take out and cafes, you could get this down to $10 per day.
For takeaway vendors, you can get a meal of Kushari for around $2, a delicious and hearty meal. Even in a restaurant you shouldn’t pay anymore than $5 to $10.
For easy sandwiches and salads on the go, you can’t go past On the Run which is a fuel station and coffee house. The popular chain is cheap and clean and has a big range of western style light meals and snacks.
Water is super cheap from less than $1, and if you can afford to try a freshly made mango juice you won’t be disappointed. It is simply delicious.
Some of Egypt’s best dished include:
- Kebabs – mouth watering pieces of grilled meat goes well with flat bread and salad.
- Kofta – ground meat and spices rolled into a sausage shape
- Shawarma – thinly sliced grilled meats and salad wrapped in a flat bread
- Kushari – rice, lentils, pasta and tomato sauce makes a great vegetarain option
- Falafel – chick peas ground and rolled into balls then deep fried.
Conclusion to Budget Travel Egypt
A trip to Egypt is probably only done once by many, so do it right first time.
Remember, this is a third world country and if you decide to do every single thing extra cheap, you may be disappointed. For this reason, my biggest tip for cheap Egypt travel is to decide what will be acceptable and what would be unacceptable. Because paying a little extra might be the difference from a bad experience and a really great experience.
Personally, I would never stay in a hotel that didn’t have good reviews. I also choose to use taxis over micro buses within Cairo , but that’s my choice, yours might be different.
I hope this guide has given you some tips and ideas to make your perfect vacation a reality, without breaking the bank.
Booking resources for budget travel
CheapOair – these guys service over 400 airline carriers with huge discounted prices.
Booking.com – the biggest range of hotels / apartments / entire homes
Hotels.com +plus get a free night for every 10 nights you save up.
VRBO – for private rentals on condos, cottages, homes and apartments.
RentalCars.com – why look at one car rental company when you can look at them all.
Expedia – Book your flight and hotel together to get great discounts. Plus cruises.
Viator – for day tours from a range of tour suppliers
Klook – for all your entry tickets plus skip the line
