egypt
Egypt is a land where the past is always present, the present is ever-changing, and every moment is an opportunity for discovery.
Egypt is a land of extremes. A land of ancient mysteries. It is a place in a constant state of transformation, and a place where the same timeless scenes have been playing out unaltered for thousands of years. It is home to chaotic and mesmerizing cities, to ancient temples, and to the Nile. There are few places in the world that captivate us with such an enduring fascination. The Egyptians left an indelible mark on the imagination of people across the world. Everyone knows the pyramids, but Egypt offers so much more. Egypt is an amalgam of its location. It is African, it is Mediterranean, it is Middle Eastern. But more than anything, it is, principally and unequivocally, Egyptian.
Egypt Videos
Blogs
Tyler’s Tips
Eat
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Cairo Tower hosts two restaurants, including one that rotates at the top! If the air is clear, you can even see the pyramids in the distance as you eat.
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Located in the Al-Azhar Park, the Citadel View Restaurant (also called Studio Masr) offers a beautiful terrace and spectacular views of the Mosque of Mohammed Ali.
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Located in the busy Khan el-Khalili Market, the Naguib Mahfouz Coffee Shop & Restaurant is named after the Nobel Prize-winning author from Cairo. Originally called simply the “Khan el-Khalili Restaurant”, after winning his 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature, it was renamed. Along the walls, you’ll find pictures and other miscellaneous articles celebrating the Nobel laureate.
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Located inside the famed Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, the 1902 Restaurant is a beautifully decorated high-end restaurant serving some of the fanciest French food on the Nile.
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Located on the grounds of the famous Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, the casual outdoor restaurant called Oriental Kebabgy serves a great selection of grilled meats and fish. Their moussaka was my favorite!
Experience
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I mean, come on, they’re the pyramids. You’re not going to go all the way to Egypt and NOT see them, are you?
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Both the Grand Egyptian Museum and the original Egyptian Museum are worth visiting, along with other great museums in Cairo like the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
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Sometimes referred to as the “Alabaster Mosque”, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali has been a staple on the skyline of Cairo since it was built in the mid-1800s. You’ll find it in the heart of the Citadel in Cairo.
Mosque of Muhammed Ali Blog
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When you close your eyes and imagine walking down a street in Cairo, this is it. Wandering here, you find yourself in a symphony of sights, sounds, textures, and smells. This is quintessential Old Cairo.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Blog
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With the exception of the pyramids, the place I was most excited to visit in Egypt was Abu Simbel. Not only is this an incredible monument, but it has a fascinating story.
Abu Simbel Blog
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Located in Aswan, the Temple of Isis, (better known as the Temple of Philae because of the island it once occupied), has some of the most fascinating history of all the temples in Egypt.
Temple of Philae Blog
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The Temple of Kom Ombo is a bit unique in Egypt in that it is completely symmetrical, split down the middle, because it is dedicated to two gods - the falcon god Haroeris (meaning Horus the Elder - basically Horus depicted as a falcon-headed god), and the local crocodile god, Sobek.
Temple of Kom Ombo
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In the heart of Luxor, you’ll find the temples of Karnak and Luxor, two of the most amazing temple complexes in all of Egypt. They’re linked by the incredible Avenue of the Sphinxes, which reopened in 2021, for the first time in 3,000 years.
Temples of Karnak and Luxor Blog
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On the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, this is where a man named Howard Carter, in 1922, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, better known as King Tut. So far, 63 tombs have been discovered here, and you’ll have the opportunity to see for yourself the final resting place for many of Egypt’s Pharaohs.
Valley of the Kings Blog
Stay
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Situated in the heart of the city, right along the Nile in Tahrir Square, it was the first “modern luxury” hotel in Cairo. When it first opened its doors in 1959, it was simply called the Nile Hotel, and remained so until 2015, when Ritz-Carlton renovated and reopened it.
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The Marriott Mena house is a 5-star hotel with views of the pyramids. What’s not to love?
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Opened in 1899, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel is one of, if not the most famous hotel in all of Egypt. From the beautiful lush gardens, to the classic, sophisticated lobby, to the Moorish-style architecture this hotel is not to be missed.
The hotel’s location in Aswan, historically an important trading hub since ancient times, means that it’s hosted a who’s who of famous people throughout the years. Winston Churchill, King Farouk, Howard Carter, Jimmy Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Omar Sharif and Princess Diana, just to name a few. But, perhaps most famously, Agatha Christie is said to have penned her book Death on the Nile in this very hotel.
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Perhaps the best way to see Upper Egypt is on a Nile River Cruise. You’ll have the opportunity to visit many incredible cities & temples, all while only unpacking once. Many river cruise lines are expanding their departures in Egypt every year, with major names like Viking and AmaWaterways getting in on the action. Plus you’ll find incredible tour guides onboard, and well crafted itineraries.
Immerse
Read
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If you are looking for one, all encompassing book about the entire 3,000 years of history of Ancient Egypt, this is it. From its birth under the first Pharaoh, Narmer, all the way through Cleopatra and the Romans in 30 B.C.E., this is a thorough, but not overwhelming look at Ancient Egypt.
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I love a good guidebook, and Eyewitness Travel did an amazing job with this one. This travel guidebook is packed with maps, photographs, illustrations, carefully curated recommendations, important bits of historical context, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time in Egypt. If you buy one guidebook before you travel to Egypt, this should be the one.
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An utterly fascinating read about Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt, the woman who, in the 1960s, organized an international campaign to save some of Egypt’s most ancient temples from drowning with the building of the Aswan High Dam. Without her, we wouldn’t have Abu Simbel, the Temple of Dendur and many others. Given the fact that she was an archeologist, she’s often referred to as the “female Indiana Jones”, but after you read this, I think you’ll agree - she’s way cooler than that.
Watch
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Check out my Egypt videos on YouTube!
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Rick Steves is normally found wandering around Europe, but he did a fantastic episode on Egypt. He starts in Cairo and works his way to Abu Simbel, with his trademark take on history and culture, this episode is not to be missed!
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A fantastic documentary that gives all the basics of the King Tut discovery in a convenient 45 minute package. Great old footage has been restored to full color. If you watch one documentary about King Tut, this should be the one.
Listen
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Hosted by John Navarre, this podcast has some great episodes full of good travel advice for anyone going to Egypt. There are episodes with practical travel advice, news updates, history episodes, and interviews with travelers who have been to Egypt.
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This is a great podcast with hundreds of episodes on, you guessed it, the history of Egypt. Of particular interest to travelers would be: Episode 04: Djoser’s Step Pyramid, Episode 06: Khufu’s Great Pyramid, Episode 07: He Appears Like the Sun, Episode 96: The Colossi of Memnon, Episodes 108-135: (starting with AKA Amunhotep IV, these mostly all deal with Akhenaten), Episodes 139-154: (these all deal with King Tut), Napoleon in Egypt, Episode 206: Ramesses II, & Episode 219: Abu Simbel.
Top Destinations
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Egypt’s capital, the “City Victorious”, has a history that dates back over 5,000 years. It is at once fossilized and ever changing, demolished, and rebuilt. From the ancient Memphis 20 miles south of here, to the Mamluks, to the Ottomans, to the modern Cairo - change is the only constant.
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In the heart of Luxor, you’ll find the temples of Karnak, dedicated first and foremost to the god Amun-Re. Karnak is an absolutely massive temple complex that would easily fit St. Peter’s Basilica from Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral from London just in the main hypostyle hall. To walk through Karnak is to take a stroll through over a thousand years of Egyptian history.
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Slightly south of Cairo you’ll find Giza, the famous of the home of the pyramids.
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Luxor was once the capital of Egypt. Back then, it was called Thebes, and from about 1550 - 1069 BCE, it was the most important city of ancient times. It’s often described as the “world’s largest open air museum”, and this place packs a punch when it comes to ancient sites - it’s home to the temples of Karnak and Luxor, to the Valley of the Kings, to the Ramesseum, the Colossi of Memnon, Dier el-Medina, and the temples of Hatshepsut, just to name a few. Even the ancient Romans and Greeks came here to stand in awe of these Egyptian marvels.
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Egypt’s southernmost village, right along the border with Sudan. What was once Nubian homeland for thousands of years, but, since 1971, has been the domain of Lake Nasser. It is home to the incredible monument of that gave it its name, Abu Simbel. Not only is this an amazing monument in and of itself, but it has a fascinating modern story.
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The Temple of Kom Ombo is a bit unique in Egypt in that it is completely symmetrical, split down the middle, because it is dedicated to two gods - The falcon god Haroeris (meaning Horus the Elder - basically Horus depicted as a falcon headed god), and the local crocodile god, Sobek.
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Aswan has been a major city in Egypt dating back thousands of years. Originally, this marked Egypt’s southern border, making it hub for trade with Nubia and the rest of Africa. Far from the chaos of Cairo, life here is more laid back. Aswan is situated right at the first cataract of the Nile, and it’s a great home base for exploring some of Egypt’s greatest temples.
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The Valley of the Kings is a stretch of remote, unforgiving, barren desert. That made this the perfect hiding spot for the ancient pharaohs’ most important treasure…themselves. Most famously, is where a man named Howard Carter, in 1922, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, better known as King Tut. So far 63 tombs have been discovered here in total. Unfortunately for the Pharaohs, their efforts of hiding their tombs from ancient thieves was done in vain. Nearly every tomb that was discovered was found devoid of any earthly possessions. That is until the tomb of Tut was found completely intact.
Gallery
Egypt 101
Currency
Egypt uses Egyptian Pounds (LE). Credit cards are accepted larger cities, but cash is really the best way to get around most places in Egypt. As of 2025, $1 USD is equal to about £50 Egyptian Pounds, but that changes all the time. See the link below to check the current exchange rate. I also recommend downloading an app on your phone that works offline to quickly do an exchange rate if your curious in the moment how much something will cost in USD. There are several free and paid versions of these types of apps.
Climate
This might come as a shock to you, but Egypt is hot. Like really hot. Like, “people from Texas in our group kept complaining how hot it was” hot. It is, after all, in the middle of the Sahara Desert. However, in the evenings, especially in the winter months (Nov-Feb), it does get chilly, so sweaters, long sleeves, & light jackets are a good idea. Pants are always preferable in Egypt, even when the weather is hot. They help protect against dirt & sand, and they are more modest than shorts.
When to go
It’s pretty hot year round, but if possible, I suggest you visit Egypt during the cooler months from October to April. During this period, temperatures are slightly more mild, making it ideal for exploring ancient sites without the intense heat of summer. That said, it’s hot year round, so be prepared for that. The evenings can be pleasantly cool, especially in the desert. Avoiding the peak summer months also means fewer crowds, allowing for a more intimate connection with Egypt’s rich history.
Scams
There is no shortage of people in Egypt that are going to work overtime to try and part you with your hard earned money. Especially at the major tourist sites like the Pyramids, be wary of common scams targeting tourists. Avoid unofficial taxi drivers who may overcharge—always insist on using the meter or pre-agree on a fare. If you’re staying at a hotel, have someone call a taxi on your behalf. They can make sure the taxi is reputable and they can help you be certain you’re paying the correct amount. Beware of overly persistent guides offering unsolicited tours near major attractions; they often demand inflated fees afterward. If you didn’t book them before you arrived in Egypt, don’t go with them. Don’t be afraid to say “La’a” or “No”, kindly but forcefully and move along. Never follow someone to a second location. Be cautious when exchanging currency—use reputable banks or simply pull cash out of official ATMs to avoid receiving counterfeit notes.
Check out this Podcast from The Egypt Travel Podcast all about the most common scams to avoid at the Pyramids.
Visas & Vaccinations
Visas are required for all U.S. citizens to enter. U.S. citizens may obtain 30-day tourist visas on arrival for a fee. It must be paid in U.S. dollars cash. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your departure date. No vaccinations are required for U.S. citizens.
Tipping
You will be asked for a tip (or baksheesh) everywhere. Make no mistake, some people will very persistent and it can be a little intimidating. Don’t be afraid to simply say “No” or “La” (Arabic for “no”), politely, but firmly, and walk away. My rules of thumb are as follows: 1) if I asked for help and received it, I tipped. 2) If I did not ask for help, but received it anyway, I did not tip even if they asked for it.
Now, that said, I sometimes broke those rules, because for $1-$5 USD, I could tip people and they would leave us alone. That small amount didn’t mean much to me, but it can go a long way for them, and it let us go on our way with minimal difficulty. When it doubt, tip it out, then dip out.
Outlets
Egypt uses the round two-pronged outlet, or thr round two-pronged with the ground clip (the same kind you’ll find in Europe). These are known as Type C or Type F. Keep in mind that Egypt’s power system is a 220V electrical system, which is different from the US 120V. For most modern devices all you will need is an adapter. Most devices (cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, etc), can handle 110V-240V. Check your device capability before you travel. If it can’t handle 220V, then you will need a power converter in addition to the adapter. See my recommendations here under “Electronics”.
Safety
Egypt is a relatively safe country to visit, but you should always exercise caution. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times and avoid displaying expensive items to minimize the risk of theft. Most crime in the country is limited to petty theft. Exercise additional caution if traveling to the Sinai Peninsula. I always recommend visiting Egypt with a professional tour company. If traveling on your own, use reputable transportation options, such as licensed taxis or arranged tours, especially after dark. In Egypt it’s especially important to respect local customs and dress modestly. Not only does this help prevent you from standing out, it can better foster positive interactions with locals, enhancing both your safety and experience.
For the most up-to-date information on travel to Egypt, always check the current travel advisory from the US State Department.
Useful Links
Save these helpful links for easy access!
US State Department Travel Advisory
Book your Egypt trip through my agency, People Mover Travel!
Modesty
Egypt is a very modest country, and you should plan to dress accordingly. Men should plan to wear pants and long sleeves. Avoid shorts. Women should plan to cover their shoulders and knees especially at religious sites. There’s no need for women to cover their heads. While you’ll find Egyptian women wearing traditional hijabs, many do not. Avoid public displays of affection if traveling with a loved one.
Bathrooms
Bathroom in Egypt are reminiscent of “Urinetown: The Muscial.” If you’re unfamiliar with that little piece of musical theatre, the essential premise of the show is that you have to pay in order to use the bathroom. In many places in Egypt, you’ll find the same thing. Travel with some small bills so you can pay to use the bathroom when needed. Further, many bathrooms either do not have toilet paper, or they will charge you extra for some. Avoid this by bringing your own or be prepared to pay a little extra. This is another reason to travel with a group - typically your group leader will pay at the beginning for the entire group so that you don’t need to worry about it.
Time
Egypt is GMT +2. Egypt does have Daylight Savings Time, so take that into account.
Transportation
For most travelers, even experienced travelers, I recommend visiting Egypt with a group. You’ll get much better access to all the historical monuments, you’ll have a built in tour guide and translator, and all your transportation will be taken care of so you don’t have to worry about it. That said, if you do insist on visiting on your own, there are lots of options for transportation. EgyptAir is the main airline once you’re in Egypt when it comes to flying between major cities like Cairo, Aswan & Abu Simbel. I highly recommend setting up a traditional Felucca ride, which you can find all over Egypt. They’re not a practical means of conveyance, but they’re a fun means of exploring the Nile for a while. I would highly suggest you don’t rent a car in Egypt. There is a whole set of rules and regulations that one could never possibly hope to understand as an outsider, not to mention that, unless you can read Arabic, you won’t have any luck reading road signs. Cars honk in a sort of morse code known only to Egyptians. If you do desire a car, hire one with a driver. Busses are available, and are likely your best bet especially outside of Cairo, but are constrained to the flows of traffic. There are trains, but most are decrepit and there have been many fatal accidents in recent years. The route from Alexandria to Cairo is newer, but otherwise, trains should be avoided.
Phones & Technology
This will vary depending on who your carrier is and the age of your phone. Many modern phones do not have physical SIM cards. Your phone company may have options to simply add on Egypt as an additional country for a month, while in other cases you may need to purchase a local SIM card. Check with your cell phone provider before you travel to find out your best options. You can generally expect your cell phone to work smoothly in major cities like Cairo and Alexandria. In more remote areas, cell service may be patch. I HIGHLY recommend you download offline maps and emergency contacts beforehand. Traveling with an experienced local guide will help as they will be able to use their phone if yours is not working. I always recommend backing up all your documents so they’re available in a password protected online drive even if you lose your phone. See my Pre-Travel Checklist for details.
Language
Arabic is the official language of Egypt. You’ll find English spoken in many major cities like Cairo and Luxor, and at most major tourist sites. Outside of those, you will find fewer English speakers. I recommend learning a few basic Arabic phrases to help you get by. More importantly, however, is to download language translation apps on your phone and make sure they’re available offline. I recommend downloading multiple (Google Translate, Apple Translate, etc), and make sure you have Arabic and English downloaded for offline use. With these apps you can type to translate, they can listen to a conversation and translate in real time, and you can even point your camera at signs or a menu and it will translate instantly! What a time to be alive!
Tyler’s Fun Facts - Egypt
Cairo is also known as the “City of a Thousand Minarets”
There are dozens of theories on how the pyramids were built, none of which have ever been proven.
Lake Nasser, the man-made lake in the south of Egypt, stretches more than 310 miles and reaches depths of nearly 600 feet. It covers an area larger than the size of Rhode Island.
When viewing Hieroglyphics, you can always tell which one is the Pharaoh. They are always shown 3-4 times larger than everyone else - often times as large or larger even than the gods.
The goddess Isis was worshipped not only in Egypt, but all over the Roman Empire. Temples dedicated to her were built as far away as Delphi in Greece, Pompeii & Rome in Italy, as well as in Germany and Spain.
The brand new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is one of the largest museums in the world and cost over a billion dollars to construct.
Packing List & Travel Products
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Egypt Packing List
Tyler’s Egypt Travel Essentials
Explore some of Tyler’s “must haves” for Egypt in the Travel Store.
Egypt Video Script
Get the full script from Tyler’s Egypt Videos
The Temple of Isis, commonly known as the “Temple of Philae” due to the island it once rested on, has some of the most fascinating history of all the temples in Egypt.