- Combine Cairo and the pyramids with Luxor or a Nile cruise, then add Red Sea beach time
- October to April is the comfortable season for temples and tombs
- British visitors need a visa, available online or on arrival
- Prices are low for UK travellers, but site tickets add up, so budget for them
- Airports
- Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), Luxor (LXR), Marsa Alam (RMF)
- Flight time
- about 5h direct from London to Cairo or Hurghada
- Best time to go
- October-April for sightseeing; Red Sea resorts year-round
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP)
Egypt does history on a scale nowhere else can match. You can stand at the foot of the Great Pyramid in the morning, see Tutankhamun's treasures in the afternoon and sail past temples on the Nile a day later. Add the Red Sea, with reliable winter sun and some of the best snorkelling within easy reach of the UK, and it is one of the most rewarding holidays in our Africa guides.
It also takes some planning. Distances are long, summer heat in the south is fierce, and touts at the big sites can wear you down. This guide covers where to go, when, how to get there and what it costs in 2026.
Where to go in Egypt
Cairo and Giza
Cairo is loud, chaotic and unmissable. The Pyramids of Giza sit on the city's western edge, next to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened fully in late 2025 and now holds the complete Tutankhamun collection. Give it at least two full days.
Luxor
Luxor is the ancient city of Thebes, and it has more monuments per square mile than anywhere in the country. Karnak and Luxor Temple are on the East Bank; the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon are across the river on the West Bank.
The Nile between Luxor and Aswan
A three- or four-night cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the classic way to see the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. From Aswan, most people take an early-morning trip to Abu Simbel, about three hours' drive south.
The Red Sea
Hurghada, Makadi Bay, El Gouna and Marsa Alam on the mainland coast, and Sharm el-Sheikh in South Sinai, are built for all-inclusive beach holidays. The coral reefs are the draw: even a basic snorkelling trip shows you more marine life than most of the Mediterranean. Hurghada is about three to four hours by road from Luxor, so a twin-centre trip works well.
Best time to visit Egypt
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-February) | Warm, sunny days around 20-26 °C in Luxor, cool nights; peak season and busiest at the sites |
| Spring (March-May) | Heating up fast; occasional hot, dusty khamsin winds; Red Sea pleasant |
| Summer (June-September) | Very hot inland, often over 40 °C in Luxor and Aswan; Red Sea busy and good value |
| Autumn (October-November) | Excellent all round, sea still warm, sightseeing comfortable again |
For a sightseeing trip, October to April is the sensible window. The Red Sea works year-round, though winter evenings can feel cool and the sea drops to the low 20s °C.
Getting to Egypt from the UK
EgyptAir and British Airways fly direct from Heathrow to Cairo in about five hours. Charter and low-cost airlines, including TUI, easyJet and Jet2, fly direct to Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam from many UK airports, with some seasonal winter flights to Luxor. Otherwise, connect in Cairo or via Istanbul or the Gulf. Egypt is two hours ahead of the UK for most of the year, so jet lag is not an issue.
Entry requirements
British passport holders need a visa. You can buy a single-entry e-visa online in advance or a visa on arrival at the main airports, both around US$25 in recent years. Visitors flying straight into Sharm el-Sheikh and staying in the South Sinai resorts can usually get a free stamp for up to 15 days instead. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Rules and fees change, and the Foreign Office advises against travel to some border areas and parts of North Sinai, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Domestic flights on EgyptAir link Cairo with Luxor, Aswan and the coast in about an hour. Overnight sleeper trains run between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, and the Nile cruise itself covers the south. In Cairo, Uber and Careem are cheap and avoid haggling with taxi drivers. For day trips, most visitors hire a driver and a licensed Egyptologist guide, which is good value and saves a lot of hassle.
Money and costs
The Egyptian pound has fallen sharply in recent years, so food, transport and guides are cheap for UK travellers. Entry tickets are the exception: the big sites charge foreigners several hundred pounds Egyptian each, and extras such as the inside of the Great Pyramid or Tutankhamun's tomb cost more. Budget travellers can manage on around £40-60 a day, while mid-range trips with good hotels and private guides cost about £100-150 a day before tickets. Carry small notes, because tipping (baksheesh) is expected for almost every service, from toilet attendants to drivers and guides. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash rules elsewhere.
Top attractions in Egypt
Historic sitePyramids of Giza
The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, on the edge of Cairo, with the Sphinx standing guard below.
Historic siteValley of the Kings
The royal burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs, with painted tombs cut deep into the hills of Luxor's West Bank.
Egypt on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Egypt safe for UK tourists?
Millions of British visitors go each year without problems, and the main tourist areas are well policed. The Foreign Office does advise against travel to some border regions, so check its current advice and stick to the usual tourist routes.
Can I combine sightseeing with a beach holiday?
Yes, and it is a popular choice. A week split between Luxor or a Nile cruise and a Red Sea resort such as Hurghada works well. If you want somewhere closer to home in North Africa for a short break, see our Morocco guide.
How many days do you need in Egypt?
Ten days to two weeks lets you see Cairo, Luxor and Aswan at a sensible pace, or do a Nile cruise plus a few beach days. A week is enough for either the highlights or the coast, not both comfortably.
Do I need to dress modestly in Egypt?
Away from the beach resorts, yes. Cover shoulders and knees in towns, at sites and especially at mosques, where women will also need a headscarf.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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