The Best Egypt Itinerary for 10 Days (2024)

Are you visiting Egypt for the first time and looking for the perfect Egypt Itinerary for 10 Days? 10 days in Egypt is not enough to discover the whole country. But you can see the most visited places, and at least you’ll have a reason to return to this magical country.

Visit the Pyramids of Giza, see the spectacular Abu Simbel Temples, explore the sights of Luxor, and enjoy the vibrant life of Cairo.

We’ve put together a detailed Egypt Itinerary for 10 days, covering all of Egypt’s main attractions and some hidden gems. You’ll also find all the useful tips and information you need to plan your Egypt Trip Itinerary.

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How to Get to Egypt

Egypt is one of the most visited countries in the world, with famous destinations such as Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Dahab. The best way to travel to Egypt is by plane.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Egypt.

Most travelers to Egypt arrive at Cairo International Airport (airport code CAI) or Hurghada International Airport (airport code HRG), as you can get cheap and direct flights there.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Egypt.

Cairo Airport to City Center

The journey time between Cairo Airport and the city center is 30-90 minutes, depending on traffic. You can get to the city center by taxi, shared minivan, bus, or private transfer.

Book a private transfer from Cairo Airport to the city, which starts from 33 USD, and 3 pax are allowed.

After arrival in Cairo, you can get to the Great Pyramids of Giza or your accommodation. The pyramids are just a 1-hour drive from the airport.

We have a detailed post about how to get from Cairo Airport to Giza Pyramids with all the information you need.

How to Get Around Egypt

The easiest and fastest way to travel within the country is by plane. EgyptAir, Air Cairo, and Nile Air operate several daily flights from Cairo International Airport to other destinations in Egypt.

The most popular modes of transport in Egypt are buses, trains, taxis, and shared or private transfers. But the best way to see the highlights of Egypt is to join a group or private tour that includes transport.

Some travelers rent a car in Egypt, but we don’t recommend this option as public transport is well-connected and affordable.

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Use Bookaway to book bus and train tickets or transfers in Egypt.

There is no Uber in Luxor and Aswan, only in the major cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, and Hurghada. We found traveling by train in Egypt comfortable and safe. But the cheapest way to get around Egypt is with Go Bus.

See also → Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Hurghada

Egypt Itinerary with Nile Cruise

Are you spending limited time in Egypt but want to make the most of your visit? For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day or 4-day Nile Cruise to Luxor with a Hot Air Balloon Ride and Flights.

The tour price includes the pick-up, drop-off, flight tickets (departure & return), transportation, an English-speaking guide, an unforgettable hot air balloon ride, horse carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, and accommodation for 3 nights on a 5-star cruise with full board.

Alternatively, if you are spending more time in Egypt and don’t want to worry about how to get from one place to another, book this excellent 8-night tour with Nile Cruise, Hot Air Ballon Ride in Luxor, all transport, and accommodations.

Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt?

Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

We don’t recommend walking at night and avoiding taxis alone.

In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April when temperatures are cool and pleasant for sightseeing and exploring the world-famous Pyramids of Giza.

The most visited months in Egypt are December and January. In Egypt, the weather can be extremely hot in the summer months, which run from May to September.

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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

We did this Egypt Itinerary in early February.

It’s good to know that the attractions have different opening hours in summer and winter. Bring your valid student ID, and get a 50% discount off all admission fees.

Budget Tip
Save money, avoid ATM transaction fees when going abroad, and pay in local currency with a Wise Card.

Do I need a Visa to Travel to Egypt?

Most visitors to Egypt will need a visa. You can purchase a Visa on Arrival at Cairo International Airport (airport code CAI) or online.

There is a small window just before the passport control where you can buy your Egypt tourist visa. But you can only pay with cash!

The Single Entry Egypt e-Visa is valid for 90 days and costs 25 USD per person.

Get an Egypt Visa.

Good to know
You cannot bring a drone to Egypt!

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The Ultimate Egypt Itinerary for 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt

Welcome to Egypt! We hope you had a great flight and are ready to explore ancient, magical Egypt!

Cairo is the best place to start your Egypt Itinerary, as there are many cheap and direct flights to Cairo.

Depending on when you arrive in Cairo, you can choose to start sightseeing or relax on your first day in Egypt. We arrived in Cairo in the afternoon. So after checking into our hotel, we decided to go to a local restaurant and spend the day relaxing.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Egypt.

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We recommend staying in Giza and booking a hotel with a fantastic view of the Pyramids of Giza.

Best hotels in Giza

Luxury: Marriott Mena House or Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo
Mid-Range: Hayat Pyramids View Hotel
Budget: Marvel Stone Hotel or Great Pyramid Inn

more hotels in Giza

Recommended post → Best Hotels with Pyramids View for All Budgets

Photo credit: Great Pyramid Inn

Day 2-4: Explore Cairo and Giza

Good morning! It’s time to start your Egypt Itinerary! Although most people only take a quick stop in Cairo, we recommend you spend at least 2-3 days in Egypt’s capital and discover the best places.

Make the most of your visit to Cairo and join a private tour of the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.

Alternatively, explore the best wonders of Ancient Egypt on this fully guided tour with a female guide. This tour is ideal for solo female travelers, first-time travelers, or families.

Read our → Cairo Guide

On your first full day, we recommend you explore the Giza Pyramids Complex and then visit the stunning museums. You can visit the Egyptian Museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum, or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

The Giza Necropolis is home to the Pyramids of Giza, several small pyramids, the Great Sphinx, tombs, funerary temples, and the Solar Boat Museum. At the Pyramids of Giza, allow enough time to walk around the Giza Plateau, see everything, and take beautiful photos.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is the best part of every Egypt vacation.

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Book this top-rated full-day private tour from Cairo to the Giza Pyramids, Memphis, and Saqqara through Viator or GetYourGuide.

Recommended post → Practical information about the Pyramids of Giza

Take a Day Trip to Saqqara, Dahshur, Memphis

On the 3rd day of the Egypt Itinerary, take a day trip to Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis and discover Egypt’s oldest pyramids. Our favorite pyramids are the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid. You can get to the historic sites by private driver or taxi.

The entrance fee to the Saqqara area is 450 EGP (14.5 USD).

Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt. Allow enough time to explore the historical sights and then visit Memphis.

Join a Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Private Day Trip, which includes lunch and entrance fees.

Spend your last day in Cairo sightseeing, walking around the Khan El-Khalili Market, visiting beautiful mosques, and eating Egyptian food. While sightseeing, don’t miss the Citadel of Saladin, which is located on Mokattam Hills. The main attraction is the beautiful Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Get a fantastic experience and see Cairo from a new perspective on a felucca ride.

Book a Felucca Ride on the Nile via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Then, leave Cairo and travel by overnight train, bus, or flight to Luxor.

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Add an extra day to your Egypt Itinerary and take a day trip to Alexandria.

Best hotels in Cairo

Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
Mid-Range: Grand Nile Tower or Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo
Budget: Tahrir Plaza Suites

more hotels in Cairo

Recommended post → 10 Best Luxury 5-Star Hotels in Cairo

Photo credit: Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo

Egypt Itinerary by Train

Cairo to Luxor

The distance between Luxor and Cairo is about 650 km, which is 8-10 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. The most comfortable way to get to Luxor is by train. We traveled to Luxor by overnight train from Cairo.

You can also board the train at El Giza Railway Station. The train takes about 20 minutes to reach Giza from Cairo. We recommend you arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.

The train tickets start from 54 USD, depending on the type of train. The single cabin starts from 130 USD, and a cabin for two people from 180 USD.

Get train tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.

Read the full post → How to Get from Cairo to Luxor (all ways)

Day 5-6: Luxor – Featured Destination in the Egypt Itinerary

Welcome to Luxor! On the 5th day, you will arrive in Luxor in the morning by night train. Once you arrive in Luxor, check into your accommodation, have a delicious Egyptian breakfast, and start exploring the East Bank of Luxor. The next day, take a local ferry to the other side and visit the best places on the West Bank of Luxor.

Book a Full-Day Tour to the East and West Bank of Luxor through GetYourGuide or Viator.

Luxor is one of the most beautiful places in Egypt, so your Egypt Itinerary wouldn’t be complete without Luxor. Luxor is the largest open-air museum in the world, with its magnificent temples, famous pharaohs’ tombs, and historical sites.

Read our → Luxor Guide

Luxor’s sights are located on the East and West Banks of the Nile. So we recommend you spend 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Luxor, then travel to Aswan.

Book a Luxury Sunrise Ballon Ride in Luxor.

You can visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, explore the Valley of the Kings, see Colossi of Memnon, wander around the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and take a hot air balloon ride.

Join this excellent tour, which includes the Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu Temple, and all entrance fees.

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You can easily modify our Egypt Itinerary to fly directly to Aswan from Cairo and then travel to Luxor.

Join this top-rated 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, with a visit to Abu Simbel Temples and a Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Best hotels in Luxor

Luxury: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor
Mid-Range: Iberotel Luxor or Pyramisa Hotel Luxor
Budget: Nefertiti Hotel Luxor

more hotels in Luxor

Luxor to Aswan

The distance between the two cities is about 240 km, which is 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. There are no direct flights or bus services between Luxor and Aswan! We arrived in Aswan by train from Luxor.

Get train tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Luxor to Aswan with all the information you need.

Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise – (Best part of your Egypt Itinerary)

For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with your own private guide. Visit the iconic sights like the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and the Abu Simbel Temples.

The tour price includes the pick-up & drop-off, an English-speaking guide, a horse carriage ride, a private cabin with all amenities, and 2 nights and 3 days on a 5-star boat with all meals.

Book the best Nile Cruise via GetYourGuide.

Alternatively, join a private guided Abu Simbel day trip from Luxor with lunch.

Day 7-9: Aswan

Looking for some hidden gems in Egypt? Aswan is the best base for visiting the Abu Simbel Temples. But Aswan also has some fantastic sights and is well worth a visit in your Egypt Itinerary.

Depending on when you arrive in Aswan from Luxor and if you have time, visit the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which can only be reached by boat on the Nile River. The Philae Temple was previously on Philae Island but was moved to the nearby island of Agilkia in the 1960s to rescue sites flooded by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Philae Temple is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The entrance fee to the Philae Temple is 450 EGP (14.5 USD).

You can also visit the Aswan High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk. Hatshepsut ordered the construction of this obelisk, which was planned to be 42 meters high. It was to have been one of the largest obelisks in the world, but work was abandoned because the obelisk cracked.

The entrance fee to the Unfinished Obelisk is 200 EGP (6.5 USD), and to the Aswan High Dam is 100 EGP (6 USD).

Book a private guided tour to High Dam, the Obelisk & Philae Temple via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Abu Simbel Temples – A popular place on your Egypt Itinerary

The Abu Simbel Temple Complex consists of two beautiful rock-cut temples and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distance between Abu Simbel Temples and Aswan is about 290 km, which is 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel with all the information you need.

As most group tours leave Aswan at 4 AM, a private tour is a great way to avoid the crowds and explore the temples on your own. For the best experience, choose a departure time of 8 or 9 AM, as you will arrive just when the other tourist groups are leaving.

Abu Simbel Temples are open daily from 5 AM to 6 PM. The entrance fee to Abu Simbel Temples is 615 EGP (20 USD) per person.

Book the Abu Simbel Temples day tour with Viator or GetYourGuide.

Taking photos with your phone is free, but you need to buy a camera ticket for 300 EGP (10 USD) to use a camera inside Abu Simbel Temples.

Spend your last day in Egypt relaxing or discovering some hidden gems. Take a day trip to the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, visit the Nubian Village, or go on a sunset felucca ride on the Nile River.

There are many local vendors in the port of Aswan. So, if you haven’t already bought souvenirs in Cairo or Luxor, now is the time to buy them. Then, leave Aswan and travel to Cairo.

Best hotels in Aswan

Luxury: Mövenpick Resort Aswan
Mid-Range: Basma Hotel Aswan or Obelisk Nile Hotel Aswan
Budget: The Mango Guest House

more hotels in Aswan

Day 10: Leave Egypt

We hope you enjoyed your visit to Egypt! But it’s time to leave Aswan and travel back to Cairo. Our 10-day Egypt Itinerary ends where it began. Go back to Cairo International Airport and fly home.

The distance between Aswan and Cairo is about 870 km, which is 10-13 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. We traveled to Cairo by sleeper train from Aswan.

Use Bookaway to book bus/train tickets or transfers.

Good to know
You can easily modify this itinerary to extend or reduce the number of days.

If you have more time in Egypt, we recommend you visit the Siwa Oasis, spend some relaxing days in Hurghada, Dahab, or Sharm el Sheikh, and explore the magical underworld at the Red Sea.

See also → Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Hurghada

We hope our 10-day Egypt Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to Egypt. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

The Best Egypt Itinerary for 10 Days (2024)