Egypt Travel Costs 2026: From Budget to Luxury

Shady May 19, 2026
Egypt Travel Costs 2026: From Budget to Luxury

Before my first trip to Egypt, I had no idea what anything cost. I found old blog posts with outdated prices. I read forum threads with conflicting information. I was confused.

So I decided to track everything. Every sandwich. Every Uber. Every hotel room. Every museum ticket. For 6 months, I wrote down every single pound I spent.

Now I'm sharing everything with you.

This guide covers Egypt travel costs for 2026 – from budget backpacking to luxury resort stays. No outdated information. No guesswork. Just real numbers from someone who paid the bills.

The Short Answer: How Much Does Egypt Cost?

Egypt is affordable. More affordable than you probably think.

Here's what you can expect to spend per person, per day:

  • Budget traveler: $30-50 per day (hostels, street food, public transport)
  • Mid-range traveler: $70-120 per day (nice hotels, restaurants, private tours)
  • Luxury traveler: $150-300+ per day (5-star resorts, fine dining, private guides)

I traveled comfortably on $60-80 per day. I stayed in good hotels. I ate at nice restaurants. I took Ubers everywhere. I never felt like I was missing out.

Let me break down exactly where that money goes.

Egypt Travel Budget Breakdown: Real Numbers for 2026

I've organized everything in Egyptian Pounds (EGP) and US Dollars for easy comparison. Exchange rate used: 1 USD = approximately 50 EGP (subject to change – check before you go).

Accommodation Costs (per night)

  • Hostel dorm bed: 400-600 EGP ($8-12)
  • Budget hotel (private room, basic): 800-1500 EGP ($16-30)
  • Mid-range hotel (3-4 star, good location): 2000-4000 EGP ($40-80)
  • Luxury hotel (5-star, Marriott Mena House, Old Cataract): 7500-15000 EGP ($150-300+)

My experience: I stayed in mid-range hotels for most of my trip. Clean rooms. Good locations. Breakfast included. I paid around 2500-3500 EGP per night and was always satisfied.

Food and Drink Costs

  • Street food (koshari, falafel, sandwiches): 40-80 EGP ($0.80-1.60)
  • Local restaurant meal (with drink): 150-300 EGP ($3-6)
  • Mid-range restaurant (tourist area): 300-600 EGP ($6-12)
  • Nice dinner (rooftop view, Nile view): 600-1200 EGP ($12-24)
  • Bottled water (1.5L): 5-10 EGP ($0.10-0.20)
  • Local beer (Stella, 500ml): 40-80 EGP ($0.80-1.60)
  • Tea or coffee at a cafe: 20-50 EGP ($0.40-1)

My experience: I ate like a king for 400-600 EGP ($8-12) per day. Street food for lunch. Local restaurant for dinner. Fresh juice from market stalls. Egyptian food is delicious and affordable.

Transportation Costs

Getting Around Cities

  • Uber/Careem (short ride within Cairo): 50-100 EGP ($1-2)
  • Uber/Careem (Cairo airport to downtown): 150-250 EGP ($3-5)
  • Metro (Cairo, any distance): 5-10 EGP ($0.10-0.20)
  • Public bus (Luxor/Aswan): 5-15 EGP ($0.10-0.30)

Between Cities

  • Train (Cairo to Luxor/Aswan, seated class): 300-500 EGP ($6-10)
  • Sleeper train (Cairo to Luxor/Aswan, private cabin): 3000-4000 EGP ($60-80) – includes dinner and breakfast
  • Domestic flight (Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, one-way): 1500-2500 EGP ($30-50)
  • Domestic flight (Cairo to Hurghada or Sharm): 1200-2000 EGP ($24-40)
  • Private driver (Luxor to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo): 2000-3000 EGP ($40-60) – split with other travelers

My experience: I used Uber constantly in Cairo – it's cheap and stress-free. For long distances, I flew when possible. A 1-hour flight replaces an 8-10 hour train ride. Worth the extra cost.

Sightseeing and Entrance Fees

These are the 2026 prices for Egypt's top attractions (foreigner rates):

  • Pyramids of Giza (main entrance): 600-800 EGP ($12-16)
  • Pyramids (inside the Great Pyramid): 400-600 EGP ($8-12) – limited tickets, sold separately
  • Egyptian Museum (Tahrir): 300-400 EGP ($6-8)
  • Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): 600-800 EGP ($12-16)
  • Karnak Temple: 400-500 EGP ($8-10)
  • Luxor Temple: 300-400 EGP ($6-8)
  • Valley of the Kings (includes 3 tombs): 500-700 EGP ($10-14)
  • Tutankhamun's tomb (additional fee): 400-600 EGP ($8-12)
  • Hatshepsut's Temple: 300-400 EGP ($6-8)
  • Abu Simbel (per person): 500-700 EGP ($10-14)
  • Nile cruise (3-4 nights, full board): 4000-6000 EGP ($80-120) per night
  • Hot air balloon (Luxor, sunrise flight): 2000-3500 EGP ($40-70)

Money-saving tip: Buy the Cairo Pass or Luxor Pass if you plan to visit multiple sites. They pay for themselves after 3-4 attractions.

Tour Costs: Nile Cruises, Balloons, and Desert Trips

These are the big-ticket items. Here's what you can expect to pay:

Nile Cruises (Luxor to Aswan or reverse)

  • Budget cruise (3-4 nights): 4000-5000 EGP ($80-100) total – basic boat, smaller cabin
  • Mid-range cruise (3-4 nights): 6000-9000 EGP ($120-180) total – better food, larger cabin
  • Luxury cruise (3-4 nights): 10000-15000 EGP ($200-300) total – suites, fine dining, private balconies

My experience: I booked a mid-range cruise. 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan. Food was great. The cabin was comfortable. Seeing the temples from the river deck at sunset was worth every pound.

Hot Air Balloon (Luxor, sunrise flight)

  • Standard package: 2000-3000 EGP ($40-60) – includes hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Premium package: 3500-4500 EGP ($70-90) – longer flight, smaller group, breakfast included

Is it worth it? Yes. Flying over the Valley of the Kings at sunrise is one of my top travel memories. Do not skip this.

White Desert Camping (from Cairo or Bahariya Oasis)

  • 2-day, 1-night tour: 3000-4500 EGP ($60-90) – includes transport, guide, meals, camping gear
  • 3-day, 2-night tour (includes Black Desert and Crystal Mountain): 5000-7000 EGP ($100-140)

My experience: I did the 2-day tour. Camped under stars that looked like glitter poured over black velvet. The rock formations are surreal. One of my favorite Egypt experiences.

Red Sea Diving and Snorkeling (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh)

  • Snorkeling day trip (includes boat, lunch, gear): 500-800 EGP ($10-16)
  • Discover Scuba Diving (1 day, no certification needed): 1500-2500 EGP ($30-50)
  • Certified diving (2 dives, includes gear and guide): 2000-3000 EGP ($40-60)
  • PADI Open Water certification (3-4 days): 8000-12000 EGP ($160-240)

Sample Egypt Trip Cost: 10 Days in 2026

Let me give you real numbers for a 10-day trip. These are actual costs from my travels – not theoretical budgets.

Budget Option ($500-600 total)

  • Accommodation (9 nights): $90-150 – hostels and budget hotels
  • Food (10 days): $80-120 – street food and local restaurants
  • Transportation: $100-150 – trains, public buses, shared taxis, some Ubers
  • Attractions and tickets: $150-200 – main sites, student or budget options
  • Miscellaneous (water, snacks, tips): $50-80

Mid-Range Option ($1000-1400 total) – Recommended

  • Accommodation (9 nights): $300-450 – good 3-4 star hotels, breakfast included
  • Food (10 days): $200-300 – mix of local and tourist restaurants
  • Transportation: $200-300 – domestic flights, Ubers, one sleeper train
  • Attractions and tickets: $200-300 – all major sites, maybe a Nile cruise
  • Miscellaneous (water, snacks, tips, small souvenirs): $100-150

Luxury Option ($2000-3500+ total)

  • Accommodation (9 nights): $1000-2000 – 5-star hotels (Marriott Mena House, Old Cataract)
  • Food (10 days): $400-800 – fine dining, rooftop restaurants with Nile views
  • Transportation: $300-500 – private drivers, first-class flights, luxury cruises
  • Attractions and tickets: $300-500 – all sites, private guides, hot air balloon
  • Miscellaneous (spa, souvenirs, premium experiences): $200-400

Money-Saving Tips: How to Reduce Your Egypt Trip Cost

Here's how I kept my Egypt travel budget under control without feeling like I was missing out.

  • Travel during shoulder season (March-April or October-November). Prices drop significantly compared to winter peak season. Weather is still beautiful.
  • Book domestic flights in advance. Cairo to Luxor flights can be half the price if booked 2-3 months ahead.
  • Share tours with other travelers. Private drivers from Luxor to Aswan cost the same whether you're 1 person or 4. Ask at your hotel – there are almost always other travelers looking to share.
  • Eat where Egyptians eat. Street food in Cairo is delicious, safe, and costs $1-2 per meal. Avoid tourist restaurants directly in front of major sites – walk one street back and prices drop by half.
  • Use Uber, not street taxis. Uber gives you fixed prices. Street taxis require haggling – you'll almost always pay more.
  • Get the Cairo Pass or Luxor Pass. If you're visiting 4+ major sites, these passes save you money. The Luxor Pass costs around $100 USD and covers Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut's Temple, and more.
  • Stay in hotels with breakfast included. A good Egyptian breakfast (eggs, bread, cheese, beans) will fuel you until late afternoon. You can skip lunch or just have a snack.
  • Bring refillable water bottle with filter. Bottled water is cheap – but it adds up. Some hotels and hostels have filtered water stations.

What's NOT Included in These Budgets?

My numbers above cover everything inside Egypt. Here's what you need to add:

  • International flights to Egypt: Varies wildly by departure city and season. Budget $800-1500 round trip from North America, $300-800 from Europe.
  • Egypt visa: $25-30 USD (available on arrival for many nationalities – check your country's requirements)
  • Travel insurance: $50-150 for a 10-day trip – highly recommended
  • Tips: Egyptians rely on tips (baksheesh). Budget 50-100 EGP ($1-2) per day for drivers, guides, hotel staff, and bathroom attendants.
  • Souvenirs: As much or as little as you want. A small alabaster vase might cost 100-300 EGP ($2-6). A large papyrus painting could be 500-1500 EGP ($10-30).

Common Questions About Egypt Travel Costs

Q: Is Egypt expensive for tourists?
A: No. Egypt is one of the most affordable long-haul destinations. Daily costs are similar to Southeast Asia, much cheaper than Europe or North America.

Q: Do I need to carry cash or can I use credit cards?
A: Both. Hotels, nicer restaurants, and airlines/train companies accept credit cards. But street markets, small shops, taxis, and tips require cash. I recommend carrying 2000-3000 EGP ($40-60) at all times.

Q: Can I use US dollars in Egypt?
A: Some hotels and tour companies quote prices in USD and accept dollars. But for daily expenses, use Egyptian Pounds. You'll get better rates and smaller shops won't accept dollars.

Q: Should I exchange money before I go?
A: No. Get a small amount (50-100 USD worth) at the airport ATM when you arrive. The rates are fine. Exchange shops and ATMs are everywhere in cities.

Q: How much should I tip in Egypt?
A: 20-50 EGP ($0.40-1) for porters, bathroom attendants, and small services. 100-200 EGP ($2-4) for guides and drivers for a full day. Tips are expected and appreciated – but you'll never be chased or pressured.

The Bottom Line: Is Egypt Worth the Cost?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

When I look back at my 6 months in Egypt, I don't think about what I spent. I think about standing inside the Great Pyramid. Floating in the Dead Sea of the White Desert. Watching the sun rise over the Valley of the Kings from a hot air balloon.

Egypt gives you experiences you can't get anywhere else – at prices that won't break your budget.

You can do Egypt for $50 a day. Or you can spend $200 a day and feel like royalty. Either way, you'll leave with memories that last a lifetime.

Start planning. Book that ticket. Egypt is ready for you.

Still Have Questions About Egypt Travel Costs?

Planning a trip and not sure about your budget? Tell me in the comments:

  • How many days are you planning?
  • What's your daily budget goal?
  • Which cities do you want to visit?

I'll help you build a realistic budget that works for you.

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Shady

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