Egypt Travel Guide: Honest Tips, Budget & Real Experience

How to Reach?

Mate, let me tell you about my trip to Egypt last month. Honestly it was a bit of a mission to get there but totally worth it in the end.

I flew from Delhi straight into Cairo on Air Arabia. The ticket set me back around 28k INR return if you book early. Ngl the flight was long and my back was killing me by the end. You can also come via Dubai or Istanbul if you want cheaper connections but they add extra hours.

Don’t even think about overlanding from Jordan unless you’ve got months to spare. The visa on arrival is straightforward for Indians now. Just pay 25 USD at the airport. It wasn’t as painful as I expected.

Trains inside Egypt are actually decent if you’re going south to Luxor or Aswan. I took the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor. The AC sleeper class costs about 2500 INR and it’s proper basic but it works. Buses are cheaper but slower and the wifi was terrible. Like non existent.

Flying domestically with EgyptAir isn’t bad either. Just don’t expect fancy service. To be fair their prices have gone up in 2026 but still cheaper than taking taxis everywhere. Seriously the traffic in Cairo will make you want to cry.

Where to Stay?

I stayed in a mix of places and learned some hard lessons. First up in Cairo I booked this cheap hostel in Downtown called something like Cairo Moon. Cost me 900 INR a night for a private room. The bed was rock hard and the shower pressure was pathetic but it was central and that saved me loads of time.

In Luxor I went proper mid-range and stayed at a little hotel right by the Nile. About 3500 INR a night. The view from the rooftop at sunrise made up for everything. In Aswan I found this cute guesthouse run by a local family for 1800 INR. Nothing fancy but they fed me breakfast that could feed an army.

Don’t bother with the big chain hotels unless you’re rolling in cash. The smaller places give you way better vibes and the staff actually talk to you like a human. Just check recent reviews because some spots look nice online but turn out grim in real life.

What to Eat?

Mate, the food is one of the best parts. You’ve got to smash some koshari – it’s basically carbs on carbs with lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas all mixed up with spicy tomato sauce. Costs next to nothing and keeps you full for ages.

Street food in Cairo is dangerous because you can’t stop eating it. Falafel sandwiches for like 50 rupees each. Fresh and crispy. Just make sure the place looks busy so you don’t end up with a dodgy stomach.

In Luxor I lived on grilled meats and those little mezze plates. The tahini was next level. Don’t sleep on the fresh juices either – mango, guava, sugar cane. They’re everywhere and taste like they were picked that morning.

Just don’t be that person who goes full tourist and only eats at hotel restaurants. Get out there and eat where the locals eat. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you.

Best Time to Visit

Go between October and March, full stop. That’s when it isn’t stupidly hot. I went in February and it was perfect – warm days, cool nights, no sweat pouring off you every five minutes.

Avoid summer unless you like being slowly cooked. June to September the temperature sits around 40°C and it’s proper brutal, especially in Luxor and Aswan. I’m not joking, you won’t enjoy it.

December and January get busy with European tourists so book everything early. November or February to March is the sweet spot in my opinion.

Budget (₹)

You can do Egypt pretty cheap if you’re not silly. I spent about 4500-5500 INR per day including everything.

Breakdown looked like this:

– Flights from India: 28,000 return

– Hostels/hotels: 900-3500 per night

– Food: 600-1000 a day if you eat local

– Trains and domestic flights: 2000-5000 per trip

– Entry to sites: 3000-5000 per big place (Pyramids, Valley of the Kings etc)

If you’re careful you can squeeze it down to 3500 a day easy. But don’t be cheap on the good experiences – some of those tombs and temples are worth the extra cash.

Tips

Book your Giza tickets online before you go. The queues are mental otherwise.

Always carry small notes. Everyone wants baksheesh for everything and it gets annoying fast.

Learn a few Arabic words. Even just “shukran” makes people smile.

Don’t drink the tap water. Ever. Buy bottled or you’ll regret it.

Haggle like your life depends on it in the markets but don’t be a dick about it. They expect it.

Get a local SIM at the airport. Data is cheap and you’ll need Google Maps constantly.

And for the love of god, don’t pet the street cats no matter how cute they look. They’ve got attitudes.

FAQ

Is Egypt safe right now?

Yeah, for tourists it’s generally fine. Just stick to normal big cities and tourist spots. Use your common sense like you would anywhere.

Can I drink alcohol there?

You can but it’s expensive and not everywhere serves it. Some hotels have bars. Local beer is decent if you fancy one.

Do I need to cover up?

Be respectful. Shoulders and knees covered at religious sites. Outside of that it’s pretty relaxed in tourist areas.

Is it easy to get around without a guide?

Mostly yes. But for the Pyramids and some tombs it’s worth getting a decent guide for a few hours. They know their stuff.

Will my stomach survive the food?

Probably. Just don’t drink tap water, avoid dodgy looking meat, and you should be alright. I survived fine.

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About the Author: Jeetu is a travel writer from Bhilwara, Rajasthan. He shares real, unfiltered travel experiences at PunyaPaths.

Category: Egypt