Egypt Travel Costs 2026: How Much Will Your Trip Be?
Dreaming of Egypt? Discover the real cost of an unforgettable 12-day adventure, from pyramids to the Red Sea. You might be surprised!
How much does an Egypt trip cost? Egypt Travel Expenses |
Smoothing out your travels, this is <Travel Lubricant>.
A country many dream of for their bucket list, Egypt.
But many of you might be wondering, 'Won't it cost more than I think?', right?
After returning from a 12-night, 13-day trip to Egypt and actually calculating the expenses,
the total came out to be a more reasonable amount than expected.
Today, I'll meticulously break down how much an Egypt trip costs, together with you.
Table of Contents |
Itinerary Introduction |
Total Egypt Travel Expenses |
Transportation Costs |
Accommodation Costs |
Food Costs |
Admission Fees & Activities |
Other Details |
Conclusion |
1. Itinerary Introduction
The goal for this trip was to visit as many cities as possible,
so there was a lot of moving around.
🏃♂️Itinerary
• Total 11 nights, 13 days
• Route: Cairo - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Luxor - Dahab - Cairo - Siwa - Cairo
• Departed from Incheon, transited through Shanghai
While all that travel meant higher transportation costs,
it allowed us to experience all corners of Egypt.
The itinerary I followed was very tight, so
I recommend choosing just one from Dahab or Siwa in addition to Cairo/Aswan/Luxor, or
an itinerary that includes Hurghada, Egypt's representative resort city.
2. Total Egypt Travel Expenses
Category | Cost (for 2 people) | Notes |
Round-trip Airfare | ~$1,836 | Incheon-Cairo round-trip |
Transportation | ~$580 | Train/Car/Flights |
Accommodation | ~$311 | |
Food | ~$283 | |
Admission & Activities | ~$856 | No student discount applied |
Total: ~$3,865 |
⛔️Excludes domestic travel costs and Shanghai transit costs
👉Excluding round-trip airfare, approximately ~$2,719 (11 nights, 13 days/2 people) → Approximately ~$76 per person per day!
3. Transportation Costs
Category | Cost (for 2 people) | Notes |
Round-trip Airfare | ~$1,836 | Incheon - Cairo |
Flights | ~$165 | Luxor - Sharm El Sheikh |
Train | ~$191 | Cairo - Aswan (Overnight Sleeper Train) |
Taxi (inDrive) | ~$34 | Local transfers |
Private Car | ~$191 | Aswan - Abu Simbel Abu Simbel - Luxor Sharm El Sheikh - Dahab (round trip) |
Total: ~$2,417 |
Grand Total: ~$2,417
Using various modes of transportation such as airplanes, trains, taxis, and private cars,
I recommend a private car for long-distance travel between cities, but
the plane and night train from Luxor to Dahab were quite uncomfortable.
The plane was a very small model, so it shook a lot,
and the night train had issues with broken windows, bathrooms, and showers.
Therefore, I don't recommend it for trips with parents or children.
🔗 [Night Train Experience Review]
🔗 [Aswan Private Car Experience Review]
🔗 [Luxor West Bank Private Car Experience Review]
4. Accommodation Costs
Category | Cost |
Cairo | ~$35 |
Aswan | ~$119 |
Luxor | ~$46 |
Dahab | ~$83 |
Siwa | ~$23 |
Total: ~$306 |
Total ~$306
It's less than ~$173 per person.
Accommodation in Egypt is affordable, with many places costing less than ~$28 per night,
and by focusing on value-for-money options, I was able to save a lot on costs.
🔗 [Aswan - Obelisk Nile Hotel]
🔗 [Dahab - Raha House (Korean Guesthouse)]
🔗 [Cairo - Crown Pyramids View Hotel]
5. Food Costs
Total exchanged amount: 15,000 EGP (approximately ~$283)
• Explored a good mix of local eateries, tourist restaurants, and supermarkets.
• Tried a variety of dishes including Koshary, seafood, Western cuisine, and street snacks.
• Purchased wine and beer from liquor shops.
If you're concerned about hygiene, I'd recommend cleaner tourist restaurants over cheaper local eateries,
but be aware they can be a bit pricier.
Prices for alcoholic beverages vary greatly from shop to shop, so be sure to compare before buying!
🔗 [Pyramid View Rooftop Restaurant]
🔗 [Authentic Egyptian Koshary Restaurant]
6. Entrance Fees & Activities
🎟️Archeological Site Entrance Fees (per person/adult)
Total 4700 EGP (approx. ~$83)
Sites Visited | |
Cairo | Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Great Pyramid of Giza |
Aswan | Philae Temple Abu Simbel |
Luxor | Valley of the Kings Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple |
Siwa | Mountain of the Dead (Gabel al-Mawta) Temple of Amun |
50% discount with student ID (ages 30 and under) Note: GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) discount applies only to ages 25 and under. |
Visited a total of 8 places, including Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and Siwa!
🔗 [Quick Guide to Egyptian Archaeological Sites]
🔗 [Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)]
🔗 [Temple of Amun / Valley of the Nobles]
🤿 Activities & Tours
Total for 2 people: $780 (approx. ~$690)
Category | Location | Price (for 2 people) | Includes |
Scuba Diving | Dahab | $60 (approx. ~$55) | Equipment / GoPro Video |
Petra Day Tour | Dahab | $430 (approx. ~$400) | Transportation / Entrance Fees |
Siwa 3-day, 2-night Tour | Cairo | $290 (approx. ~$276) | Transportation (Accommodation, meals separate) |
All activities must be paid in cash (USD) |
The Petra Day Tour might be a bit pricey,
but it was an experience I'll remember for a lifetime!
🔗 [Siwa 3-day, 2-night Tour Part 1]
🔗 [Siwa 3-day, 2-night Tour Part 2]
7. Other Essential Tips
• Egypt Visa: $25 per person (purchased at the airport)
• SIM Card / eSIM: Purchase locally or use an eSIM provider
• Travel Insurance: Recommended to purchase before departure
When purchasing your visa at the airport, make sure to have the exact $25 as change might not be available!
Also, instead of buying a local SIM card, which might be prone to data scams,
we recommend preparing an eSIM from home before you go.
🔗 [Cairo International Airport: Visa / SIM Card / ATM]
🔗 [Review of Recommended eSIM for Egypt/Jordan]
8. Wrapping Up
From Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Siwa, to Dahab,
Exploring all over Egypt and even Petra in Jordan, it was a jam-packed trip for two people for ~$3,865!
That's ~$1,932 per person, or about ~$145 per day, and you can enjoy
everything from ancient ruins to scuba diving and even a Petra tour.
It was an incredible value-for-money trip!
For even more detailed Egypt travel stories, be sure to check out the links attached to each location!
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total cost for two people for an 11-night, 13-day trip to Egypt (Cairo-Aswan-Abu Simbel-Luxor-Dahab-Siwa), excluding round-trip airfare?
The 11-night, 13-day trip to Egypt for two people, excluding round-trip airfare, cost approximately ~$2,719. This can be calculated as about ~$76 per person per day.
What was the specific evaluation of using private cars and overnight trains for inter-city travel within Egypt?
Private cars were recommended for long-distance inter-city travel. However, the flight from Luxor to Dahab and the Cairo-Aswan overnight train were uncomfortable and not recommended for travelers with parents or children. The overnight train was particularly uncomfortable due to broken windows, and issues with the toilet and shower.
What are the student discount conditions for the admission fees to the 8 historical sites mentioned in the article, including the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)?
Admission fees to historical sites, including the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), offer a 50% discount upon presentation of a student ID. However, the discount for GEM applies to those aged 25 or under, while for other sites, it applies to those aged 30 or under.
What were the costs for two people for scuba diving in Dahab, a day tour to Petra, and a 3-day, 2-night tour of Siwa, and what was the payment method?
Scuba diving in Dahab cost 60 dollars for two people, the Petra day tour was 430 dollars, and the 3-day, 2-night Siwa tour was 290 dollars. All activities were paid for in cash (dollars).
How much does an Egyptian visa cost per person when purchased at the airport, and what should be noted?
An Egyptian visa can be purchased for 25 dollars per person at the airport. It's advisable to prepare the exact amount of 25 dollars, as change may not be available at the airport.
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