Egypt Itinerary: How to Spend 7, 10, or 14 Days in Egypt

We have been planning Egypt itineraries for over a decade, and the single most common question after “when should I go?” is “how many days do I need?” The short answer: a week gives you the essential highlights, ten days lets you breathe and add the Red Sea or Alexandria, and two weeks opens up everything from desert oases to deep-south temples that most tourists never see.

Below are three tested itineraries based on routes we actually run for our guests. Every hotel, restaurant, and timing suggestion comes from direct experience — not guesswork. Pick the one that fits your schedule, or mix and match sections to build something custom.

At a Glance: Which Itinerary Is Right for You?

Duration	What You Cover	Pace	Best For	Estimated Budget
7 Days	Cairo, Pyramids, GEM, Luxor, Aswan, Nile cruise	Active — something every day	First-timers with limited time	$1,200–$2,500 per person
10 Days	7-day route + Red Sea coast or Alexandria	Comfortable — built-in rest days	Couples, families, beach + history	$1,800–$3,500 per person
14 Days	Full country: Cairo, Nile cruise, Red Sea, desert or Alexandria	Relaxed — time to explore deeply	Thorough travelers, repeat visitors adding new regions	$2,500–$5,000 per person

Budgets include accommodation, domestic transport, guided tours, and meals. International flights are not included. Ranges reflect the difference between mid-range and luxury options.

The Classic 7-Day Egypt Itinerary

This is the route we recommend most often. It covers Egypt’s three essential pillars — Cairo and the Pyramids, the temples of Luxor, and the Nile between Luxor and Aswan — in a tight but comfortable week.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Most international flights arrive in the evening. Check into your hotel — we recommend Downtown Cairo (Kempinski Nile Hotel from $150/night, or the historic Cairo Marriott from $120/night) or Zamalek (Sofitel El Gezirah from $130/night for a quieter island setting). If you arrive early enough, take a walk along the Nile corniche and have dinner at Sequoia at the northern tip of Zamalek — the terrace overlooking the river is one of Cairo’s best dining experiences.

Day 2: Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum

Start early — arrive at the Giza Plateau by 8 AM before the crowds and heat build. Spend 2–3 hours exploring the three pyramids and the Sphinx. A licensed guide makes an enormous difference here; the history is layered and the site is vast. After the Pyramids, head to the Grand Egyptian Museum (just 2 km away). Plan for 3–4 hours — the Tutankhamun galleries alone are worth the trip. Have lunch at the GEM’s restaurant with pyramid views. In the evening, if available, catch the Sound and Light show at the Pyramids.

Day 3: Old Cairo, Islamic Cairo, and Saqqara

Morning: visit Saqqara (30 minutes south of Giza), home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the world’s oldest stone building. The recently opened interior passages are spectacular and far less crowded than Giza. Afternoon: explore Islamic Cairo — the Citadel of Saladin with its panoramic views, the Muhammad Ali Mosque, and then walk down to Khan El Khalili bazaar for coffee at El Fishawy cafe (operating since 1773). If time allows, visit Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church. Dinner at Abou El Sid in Zamalek for traditional Egyptian cuisine with modern presentation.

Day 4: Fly to Luxor — East Bank Temples

Take a morning flight to Luxor (1 hour, $80–$120 one way). Check into your hotel — Sofitel Winter Palace ($200–$300/night, historic and elegant) or Steigenberger Nile Palace ($100–$150/night, excellent river views). Afternoon: visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever built. Arrive around 3 PM when the light is beautiful and the worst heat has passed. Allow 2–3 hours. In the evening, walk to Luxor Temple (15 minutes on foot along the Sphinxes Avenue) — it is dramatically lit at night and one of Egypt’s most atmospheric experiences.

Day 5: Luxor West Bank — Valley of the Kings

Start at dawn. Cross to the West Bank (your guide will arrange a car or you can take the local ferry for a few pounds — a memorable experience in itself). Visit the Valley of the Kings first (opens at 6 AM) — your standard ticket includes three tombs. We recommend the tombs of Ramesses VI (KV9, stunning astronomical ceiling), Seti I (KV17, if open — the finest painted tomb in Egypt), and Merenptah (KV8). The tomb of Tutankhamun costs an extra 300 EGP and is small but historically significant. Next, visit the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari — a striking modern-looking temple built into the cliffs 3,500 years ago. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back. Afternoon: rest at the hotel pool or visit the Luxor Museum (small but beautifully curated, with the Luxor cachette of royal mummies).

Day 6: Nile Cruise — Luxor to Aswan

Board your Nile cruise in the morning. The Luxor-to-Aswan route takes 2 nights and covers about 200 km. Along the way you stop at Edfu Temple (the best-preserved temple in Egypt, dedicated to Horus) and Kom Ombo Temple (an unusual double temple on a bend in the river, spectacular at sunset). Between stops, relax on the sundeck watching the green Nile valley and desert cliffs slide past. Cruise options range from standard 5-star ships ($150–$250/night) to intimate dahabiya sailboats ($300–$500/night for a more authentic, wind-powered experience with only 8–12 guests).

Day 7: Aswan and Departure

Arrive in Aswan in the morning. Visit Philae Temple on its island — take the motorboat across and spend an hour exploring this beautiful Isis temple that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile. If you have time, take a felucca around Elephantine Island or visit a Nubian village for tea and a glimpse of Nubian culture. Afternoon: fly back to Cairo (1.5 hours) for your international departure, or extend your stay.

Optional add-on: If you can spare an extra morning, the pre-dawn drive to Abu Simbel (3 hours each way from Aswan, or a 45-minute flight) is one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring experiences. The four colossal statues of Ramesses II carved into the cliff face are unlike anything else in the country. We consider it worth the early wake-up for anyone who can fit it in.

The 10-Day Egypt Itinerary: Add the Red Sea

This itinerary follows the same 7-day structure above but adds three days on the Red Sea coast after Aswan. It is the version we recommend for couples and families who want history and beach time in a single trip.

Days 1–6: Same as the 7-day itinerary

Follow the Cairo–Luxor–Nile cruise route described above.

Day 7: Aswan to Hurghada (or Marsa Alam)

After visiting Philae Temple in Aswan, take a domestic flight to Hurghada (1 hour, $80–$120) or drive to Marsa Alam (4–5 hours via private transfer — the desert highway scenery is dramatic). Check into your resort. For Hurghada, we recommend Steigenberger Al Dau ($120–$180/night, excellent beach and house reef) in the Sahl Hasheesh area, or Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh ($250–$400/night) for luxury. For a quieter experience, Marsa Alam offers Jaz Solaya ($100–$160/night) near the incredible Abu Dabbab Bay where you can snorkel with sea turtles and dugongs right from the beach.

Days 8–9: Red Sea Relaxation and Adventure

Two full days on the coast. Possibilities include: a full-day snorkeling boat trip to Giftun Island (from Hurghada, ~$40 per person including lunch), a PADI Discover Scuba diving experience ($60–$80 for a supervised reef dive, no certification needed), or simply enjoying the resort’s beach, pool, and spa. For the more adventurous, book a desert quad-bike safari into the Eastern Desert mountains ($35–$50) or a stargazing evening in the desert. The Red Sea house reefs at the better hotels (Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay) are excellent — you can snorkel directly from the beach and see parrotfish, moray eels, and colorful coral without going anywhere.

Day 10: Fly Home via Cairo or Direct

Hurghada has direct international flights to many European cities. Otherwise, fly back to Cairo (1 hour) for your connection. If you fly through Cairo with a few hours to spare, a final dinner cruise on the Nile is a relaxing way to end the trip.

Alternative 10-day route: Instead of the Red Sea, you can add 3 days in Alexandria and the North Coast. Take the train from Cairo to Alexandria (2.5 hours, first class ~$10), explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and the Citadel of Qaitbay, eat seafood at Balbaa Village, and spend a day at the Alamein beaches before returning to Cairo. This is particularly appealing in summer when Alexandria’s Mediterranean breezes offer relief from the heat.

The Ultimate 14-Day Egypt Itinerary

Two weeks in Egypt means you can cover the classic highlights at a relaxed pace and add at least one off-the-beaten-path experience. This is the itinerary for travelers who want to go deeper.

Days 1–3: Cairo in Depth

Three days in Cairo lets you explore properly without rushing. Day 1: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (full day). Day 2: Saqqara and Memphis in the morning (the fallen colossus of Ramesses II at Memphis is remarkable), then Islamic Cairo — the Citadel, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and Khan El Khalili in the afternoon. Day 3: the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (still houses thousands of artifacts not yet transferred to the GEM), Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church, then free time to explore Downtown Cairo’s coffee shops and street food. Try koshari at Abou Tarek (Egypt’s national dish, about $1.50 for a huge portion) and ful and taamiya (Egyptian falafel) from any street cart near Tahrir.

Days 4–7: Luxor and Nile Cruise to Aswan

Fly to Luxor. Spend a full day on the East Bank (Karnak and Luxor Temple) and a full day on the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habu — an often-overlooked temple with the most vivid color preservation in Luxor). Board your Nile cruise on Day 6 and sail to Aswan over 2 nights with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo.

Day 8: Abu Simbel

Take the early morning flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel (45 minutes) or join the convoy at 3:30 AM for the desert drive. With two weeks, there is no reason to skip Abu Simbel — the twin temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari are among the most impressive monuments in the world, and the story of how they were relocated piece by piece to save them from Lake Nasser is engineering history. Return to Aswan for an afternoon felucca sail and dinner at a Nubian restaurant.

Days 9–11: Red Sea Coast

Fly from Aswan to Hurghada or Marsa Alam. Three nights gives you time for proper diving or snorkeling experiences. Suggestions: Day 1 — arrive and enjoy the resort. Day 2 — full-day boat trip to a remote reef (Giftun Island from Hurghada, or Sataya Dolphin Reef from Marsa Alam where you can swim with a resident pod of 200+ spinner dolphins). Day 3 — PADI Open Water course day 1 (if starting a certification), or a desert excursion to Bedouin camps in the Eastern Desert mountains. The sunsets from the desert ridges looking over the Red Sea are extraordinary.

Days 12–13: Western Desert Adventure (Option A) or Alexandria (Option B)

Option A — White Desert and Bahariya Oasis: Fly back to Cairo and join a 2-day desert safari to Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert National Park. The White Desert’s surreal chalk formations — shaped by millennia of wind erosion into mushrooms, pillars, and arches — look like another planet. You camp under the stars (the Milky Way is vivid with zero light pollution), eat Bedouin-cooked dinner around a fire, and explore the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain. This experience costs $150–$250 per person for the 2-day safari including meals, transport from Cairo, and camping equipment.

Option B — Alexandria: Take the morning train from Cairo to Alexandria (2.5 hours). Explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (one of the world’s great modern libraries), the Roman-era Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse, and the Montazah Palace gardens. For lunch, Balbaa Village serves the best grilled seafood in Egypt — choose your fish from the display and they grill it on the spot. Walk the corniche at sunset and take the evening train back to Cairo.

Day 14: Final Day in Cairo and Departure

Use the morning for any missed sights or souvenir shopping. The Tentmakers’ Market (Sharia al-Khayamiya) near Bab Zuweila sells handmade appliqué textiles that make unique gifts. For last-minute papyrus or alabaster, buy from the shops around Khan El Khalili rather than from touts at the tourist sites — better quality and fairer prices. Head to the airport for your evening departure.

Practical Tips for Any Egypt Itinerary

Domestic flights vs. overnight trains: Flights are faster and often cheaper than you would expect ($80–$120 one way for Cairo–Luxor or Cairo–Hurghada). The overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan ($100–$130 per person including dinner and breakfast) is a classic experience but takes 9–11 hours. We recommend flying at least one direction and taking the train the other if you want to try it.

Getting around cities: Uber and Careem work throughout Cairo and are the best way to get around — rides are metered, air-conditioned, and very affordable ($3–$5 for most trips). In Luxor and Aswan, your hotel or tour operator can arrange private drivers.

Guides and tour operators: Egypt is one of those countries where a good guide transforms the experience. The history is so deep and layered that sites like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings become ten times more meaningful with an expert Egyptologist explaining what you are seeing. Licensed guides in Egypt must complete a 4-year university degree in archaeology or Egyptology.

Money and tipping: The Egyptian pound (EGP) is the local currency. ATMs are widely available in cities and resorts. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants. Tipping (baksheesh) is part of the culture — carry small bills (20–50 EGP notes) for temple guards, drivers, and restaurant staff. A good guide for a full day typically receives $20–$30 USD as a tip.

What to wear: Lightweight, modest clothing is ideal. Women should bring a scarf for mosque visits (covering hair and shoulders). Both men and women should cover knees and shoulders at religious sites. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you will walk a lot on uneven ancient stones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do Egypt in 5 days?

You can, but it is very rushed. In 5 days you would cover Cairo (2 days) and fly to Luxor for a compressed temple visit (2 days) before flying home on Day 5. You would miss the Nile cruise, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and any coast time. If 5 days is all you have, focus on Cairo and the Pyramids with a day trip to Alexandria — or Cairo plus a Luxor day trip by flight. Our 7-day itinerary is the shortest route we genuinely recommend for a satisfying first trip.

Is it better to go Cairo-Luxor-Aswan or the reverse?

Cairo first, then fly south to Luxor and cruise down to Aswan. This is the most popular direction and has better flight schedules. The alternative (fly to Aswan, cruise upstream to Luxor) works too and some travelers prefer ending in Luxor where there is more to see. Either direction is fine — the key is to not try to drive between Cairo and Luxor (it is a 6-hour drive through empty desert with no compelling stops).

How much does a 7-day Egypt trip cost?

A comfortable mid-range trip (4-star hotels, 5-star Nile cruise, private guide, domestic flights) runs about $1,500–$2,000 per person. Budget travelers sharing rooms and using group tours can do it for $1,000–$1,200. Luxury travelers staying at the best hotels with premium cruise cabins and private Egyptologist guides should budget $3,000–$4,000 per person. All ranges exclude international airfare.

Do I need a guide in Egypt?

You do not legally need one, but we strongly recommend it for the major archaeological sites. Karnak, Valley of the Kings, and the Pyramids are vastly more meaningful with an expert guide. For beach resorts, Alexandria walking, and general Cairo exploration, you can easily go on your own. A full-day private Egyptologist guide costs $80–$150 depending on the location and the guide’s experience level.

Is Egypt safe for solo female travelers?

Egypt is generally safe for solo female travelers, especially in tourist areas and with a reputable tour operator. Unwanted attention (catcalling) can happen in busy urban areas like Downtown Cairo, but resort towns, Luxor, and Aswan are very relaxed. Practical tips: dress modestly (loose clothing covering shoulders and knees), use Uber rather than hailing street taxis, and book a female guide if you prefer — many excellent female Egyptologists work in the industry.

Ready to Plan Your Egypt Trip?

Whether you have 7 days or 14, Egypt rewards every moment you give it. Browse our Egypt travel packages for ready-made itineraries at every budget level, or explore our Nile cruise options. For a completely custom itinerary built around your dates, interests, and budget, contact our planning team — we design hundreds of tailor-made Egypt trips every year and would love to help with yours.