Egypt Travel Guide for Americans
Everything you need to plan your trip to Egypt: when to go, how much it costs, and where to fly from.
Fares shown are modelled estimates, not live quotes.
About Egypt
Egypt is the gateway to one of humanity's greatest civilizations—the pyramids aren't just tourist attractions, they're the reason most people learn history in school. Beyond the pharaonic monuments, you get the Nile River (one of the world's most dramatic landscapes), Mediterranean beaches in Alexandria, Red Sea diving that rivals the Caribbean, and Cairo's controlled chaos of 20 million people living exactly as they have for centuries. The culture is deeply Islamic but incredibly welcoming to Western visitors; Egyptians are genuinely proud to show you their country and will go out of their way to help. Winter (November–February) is peak season because the heat is actually survivable, and that's when you'll see the most tourists flooding Giza and Luxor. The real magic happens if you skip the obvious tourist treadmill: cruise the Nile at sunset, haggle in Khan El-Khalili bazaar in Cairo, dive in the Red Sea near Sharm El-Sheikh, and eat koshari (Egypt's national dish) from street vendors. Expect to move slowly, negotiate prices constantly, and have your assumptions about the Middle East completely rewritten. Americans find Egypt shockingly affordable once you know where to eat and stay—a week of solid mid-range travel with flights runs $2,000–$2,500 per person.
At a Glance
Trip Cost: What to Expect
Getting Around
Cairo is the transport hub—EgyptAir and smaller carriers (FlyEgypt, Nile Air) run domestic flights that are cheap ($40–$80 one-way) and frequent to Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada if you want to skip long drives. The overnight Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (12–14 hours) is iconic and costs $150–$400 per person depending on cruise quality; book through reputable operators like Movenpick or Oberoi, not random agents. Long-distance buses (GoBus, SuperJet) connect Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria—they're clean, air-conditioned, and cost $10–$25, but ride 8–12 hours. Cairo metro is $0.15 per ride and the easiest transport in the city, though women should avoid solo evening use. Taxis are everywhere (negotiate before entering), Uber works in Cairo ($3–$8 typical rides), and local shared minibuses (microbuses) are chaotic but authentic. Train travel exists but buses and flights are faster. Never rent a car as a tourist—Egyptian driving is anarchic and your US license isn't recognized.
Practical Tips
Buy a SIM immediately at Cairo Airport—Vodafone, Etisalat, or Orangeegypt kiosks are in arrivals. Expect $3–$5 for the card, then $5–$15 for a data plan (3GB costs about $8, valid 30 days). Vodafone has the best coverage outside cities. Most hotels have Wi-Fi, so you don't need heavy data unless you're doing navigation constantly. Google Maps works offline (download the map before you go). Etisalat customer service is more helpful for foreigners but coverage is identical. Put your US phone in airplane mode and rely on the local SIM—roaming charges are brutal ($0.75–$2 per MB).
Egypt runs on tips—it's not optional, it's how service workers survive. In restaurants, 10–15% is standard (write it on the card or leave cash). Taxi drivers expect 5–10% if they help with luggage or navigate without overcharging. Tour guides absolutely expect $5–$10 per person per day (they earn nothing without tips). Hotel staff, doormen, and housekeeping expect $1–$2 per day. Bathroom attendants in tourist areas expect $0.50–$1. The rule: if someone provides a service beyond basic transaction, they're expecting a tip. Egyptians don't tip cashiers or fast-food workers, but they tip everyone doing personal service. Always carry small bills and coins.
Cairo is genuinely safe for tourists in 2026, despite headlines. Millions of Americans, Brits, and Europeans visit annually without incident. Stick to established tourist areas (Downtown Cairo, Khan El-Khalili, Giza, Nile cruises) and you're fine. Avoid: political demonstrations (rare but happen), the Sinai Peninsula outside resort towns, and walking alone late at night as a woman. Street harassment is real for solo female travelers, especially in Cairo—cover shoulders/knees, avoid eye contact with persistent men, and travel with a friend or guide. Petty theft happens in crowded areas (bazaars, metro), so don't carry valuables. Terrorist attacks are extremely rare in tourist zones but do occasionally happen; stay updated via US State Department travel advisories. The biggest actual risk is food poisoning if you eat from sketchy street vendors (stick to busy, popular ones). Tap water is not safe—drink bottled water everywhere. Medical care in Cairo is good; private hospitals cater to tourists. Register with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you go.
Book your Nile cruise independently through Movenpick or Oberoi's websites, not through tour operators—you'll save 30–40% and get better boats. Most tour companies markup cruises 2–3x. A 4-day Aswan-to-Luxor cruise costs $400–$600 directly booked instead of $800–$1,200 through an agent. Second: hire a private Egyptologist guide for a full day in Luxor or Giza ($50–$80/day cash) instead of group tours ($120+)—they provide context that makes monuments come alive, and you move at your own pace. Use WhatsApp to arrange taxis in Cairo instead of flagging them down; ask your hotel to call one and you'll pay a fixed rate with zero negotiation stress. Finally, eat breakfast and lunch like an Egyptian (koshari, falafel, local mezze for $2–$4), then splurge on dinner at a nice restaurant in Zamalek or Khan El-Khalili—your food budget stays absurdly low while you still eat well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Egypt?
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
How much does a trip to Egypt cost?
What are the best destinations in Egypt?
Save a price alert for Egypt
Fare reviews and notifications for Egypt are paused while the fare feed moves to a new provider. You can save the route now.
Your saved route will be waiting when fare reviews resume.
Create a price alert