Egypt Travel FAQ
Straight answers to the questions travellers ask us most — from visas and safety to the best time to go, how long to stay and what a private journey costs.
Planning & booking
How long to go for, what it costs and how a private Kemet journey comes together.
How many days do I need in Egypt?
A week is the most popular length for a first visit — enough for Cairo and Giza, Luxor and Aswan, and a stretch of the Nile at an unhurried pace. Five days covers the essentials if time is short; ten days to two weeks lets you add Abu Simbel, Alexandria or the Red Sea without rushing. Kemet's private journeys range from 3-day short breaks to a 14-day grand tour, and because every itinerary is built from scratch, the length is matched to you rather than a fixed package.
How much does a private Egypt tour cost?
Kemet's journeys are priced per person and depend on length, season, accommodation level and party size. Private full-day excursions start from around €52 per person, most multi-day private journeys fall between roughly €479 and €2,000, and the 14-day grand tour is about €2,480 per person. Every quote is fully itemised — what is included and excluded is shown before you commit, with no hidden costs.
Is a private tour better than a group tour?
For Egypt, a private tour is usually the difference between seeing the country and being processed through it. You travel on your own schedule with your own licensed Egyptologist guide and driver, start early to beat the crowds and heat, linger where you want and skip what doesn't interest you. There are no shared coaches, fixed departure dates or forced shopping stops. Kemet designs every journey privately and exclusively for one party.
What is included in a Kemet journey?
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are listed in full on every tour page, but a private Kemet journey typically covers your licensed Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned transfers, accommodation, monument and site entrance fees, and internal logistics such as domestic flights or Nile-cruise segments where the route calls for them. International flights, visa fees, travel insurance and personal spending are normally excluded — each tour states exactly which.
How do I book a trip with Kemet?
Start by sending an enquiry with your dates, interests and party size — there is no charge or obligation. We reply within one business day and design a private itinerary with a fully itemised quote, refining it with you until it is right. A deposit then confirms your journey and lets us secure hotels, guides and permits in your name, with the balance due before departure. Full details are on our Booking & Cancellation page.
Do you arrange honeymoons, family trips and solo travel?
Yes. Because every itinerary is built privately from a blank page, Kemet designs journeys for couples and honeymooners, multi-generation families, solo travellers and small private groups alike — matching the pace, accommodation and experiences to who is travelling. Dedicated honeymoon and family journeys are among our signature routes, and any of them can be tailored further.
Egypt travel basics
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
Yes. The major tourist centres — Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria — are well-policed and safe for international visitors. Standard precautions apply. Check your government's current travel advisory before booking.
Do I need a guide for Egypt?
You don't, but a knowledgeable private Egyptologist guide significantly enriches visits to temples and tombs — the visual record only tells part of the story. Most quality tour operators provide licensed guides who dramatically improve the experience.
How long do I need for Egypt?
A week is the minimum for a meaningful visit: Cairo and Giza in two to three days, Luxor in two days, Aswan in one to two days. Ten to fourteen days allows a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel and Alexandria without rushing.
Visas & entry
Can I get an Egypt visa on arrival?
Yes. Citizens of most European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities qualify for visa on arrival at Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh airports. The fee is USD 25 per person, paid in cash at the bank counter before immigration.
How long does the Egypt e-Visa take?
Standard e-Visa applications are processed within 3–7 business days through the official government portal.
Can I extend my Egyptian tourist visa?
Yes. A 30-day tourist visa can be extended at the Mogamma building in Cairo or at regional passport offices, allowing stays of up to six months in total.
What documents do I need at Egyptian immigration?
Your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond entry), your visa sticker or printed e-Visa, and your hotel booking confirmation. A return or onward ticket may be requested.
When to go & weather
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
October and November are generally ideal — the summer heat has passed, visitor numbers are picking up but not yet at peak, and conditions are reliably good across the whole country. March is a close second for the same reasons.
Is Egypt too hot to visit in summer?
Luxor and Aswan in June–August regularly reach 40–42 °C. It is possible with very early starts and air-conditioned hotels, but it is not the best experience. Cairo and Alexandria are more manageable. For most first-time visitors, summer in the Nile Valley is best avoided.
When is Egypt least crowded?
June–August sees the fewest international visitors due to the heat. April–May and September–October are quieter than peak winter with weather still broadly suitable.
How different is the weather in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan?
Significantly different. Cairo is cooler and slightly more humid. Luxor and Aswan, further south and deeper into the desert, are hotter and drier. In January, Cairo nights can approach 10 °C; Aswan daytime highs are around 23 °C with clear blue skies.
Getting around Egypt
Is it easy to travel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan?
Yes. Flights take under an hour; the high-speed Talgo train is around four and a half hours to Luxor and six hours to Aswan. The overnight sleeper is comfortable and saves a hotel night. A Nile cruise is the most atmospheric option if time allows.
Is Uber available in Egypt?
Yes. Uber is well established in Cairo and is the most convenient option for most tourist journeys within the city. It operates with the international app and accepts international payment cards.
What is a dahabhiya?
A dahabhiya is a traditional wooden Egyptian sailing vessel used for Nile travel. Unlike the larger motor cruisers, they carry small groups of passengers (typically 6–12), travel at a slower pace and can stop wherever the traveller wishes. They represent the most authentic and intimate form of Nile cruising.
Food & drink
Is Egyptian food safe to eat?
Yes — Egypt's tourist restaurant infrastructure is well established and food safety standards at hotel and tourist-facing establishments are generally good. Exercise standard caution with street food (high turnover is the best indicator of freshness) and use bottled water throughout.
Is Egypt vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. The Egyptian culinary tradition has a strong plant-based element — ful, ta'amiya, koshary, molokhia, mezze. Vegetarians will eat very well without needing constant special requests.
What is the national dish of Egypt?
Koshary is Egypt's most famous street dish — pasta, rice, brown lentils, fried onions and a tomato-vinegar sauce. But ful medames (stewed fava beans) is perhaps the more genuinely national food, eaten for breakfast across every social class.
Can I drink tap water in Egypt?
Tap water is treated and technically potable, but the pipe infrastructure in older areas can introduce contamination. Bottled water is inexpensive and universally available — use it for drinking and brushing teeth.
Money, connectivity & practicalities
Cash and cards, tipping, SIM cards, plugs and the small logistics that smooth a trip.
What currency is used in Egypt, and should I bring cash?
The Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards are accepted at hotels, cruise vessels and larger restaurants, but Egypt remains a cash-friendly country: bazaars, cafés, small shops and tips all run on cash. ATMs are plentiful in cities and dispense pounds at fair rates — drawing a modest amount on arrival and topping up as you go works better than carrying large sums. Euros and dollars are easily exchanged, and our quotes are settled before travel, so day-to-day cash needs stay small.
How does tipping work in Egypt?
Tipping — baksheesh — is woven into daily life and is best treated as a planned, cheerful part of the budget rather than a surprise. Small notes cover most moments: restroom attendants, porters, a mosque custodian who unlocks something special. Restaurants typically warrant around 10% if service isn't included. For guides and drivers on a private journey, we give you clear, honest guidance on customary amounts before you travel, so it never feels awkward.
Can I get a SIM card or eSIM in Egypt? Is there good internet?
Yes, easily. Vodafone, Orange and Etisalat sell visitor SIMs at the airport and in every city — bring your passport, and a generous data package costs a few dollars. Most travellers now simply activate an eSIM before flying. Hotel and cruise Wi-Fi ranges from good to patchy; a local data plan is the reliable constant, and coverage along the whole Cairo–Luxor–Aswan corridor is strong.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Egypt?
There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry from Europe or the Americas. Health authorities commonly suggest being current on routine immunisations, and some travellers opt for hepatitis A and typhoid cover — decisions to make with your own doctor or a travel clinic a few weeks before departure, based on your health and plans. Pharmacies in Egypt are excellent and everywhere, and private medical care in Cairo and the resort towns is of a good standard.
What are the electrical plugs in Egypt?
European-style two-pin sockets (types C and F) at 220 volts. Travellers from the UK, Ireland, North America and Australia need a simple plug adapter — worth packing two, though they are cheap and easy to buy locally. Modern phone and camera chargers handle 220V automatically; only high-wattage appliances like hair dryers need a voltage check, and hotels provide those anyway.
Is haggling expected in Egyptian markets?
In the bazaars — Khan el-Khalili, Aswan's souk — yes, it is part of the exchange and done with humour on both sides. Opening prices assume negotiation, so counteroffering around half and settling somewhere comfortable is normal; walking away politely is a legitimate move that often improves the price. Fixed-price shops, pharmacies, restaurants and anything with a printed tag are exactly that — no haggling there.
Ask us your own question
Whatever you're wondering about your trip to Egypt, message us — we answer every enquiry personally, usually within one business day.