Egypt in 10 days: route, budget and main tips

10 days is the optimal timeframe for Egypt: you have time to cover Cairo, sail up the Nile to Aswan, and finish your trip on the Red Sea without turning it into a race.

📍 Days 1–2: Cairo — pyramids and the old city

Arrival at Cairo International Airport. Get a taxi through the Uber or inDrive app right away — fixed price, no haggling. To the center is about 650–800 rubles (70–90 EGP).

• Giza Plateau — pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Sphinx. Entrance 890 rubles (100 EGP), inside Khufu's pyramid — another 890 rubles.
• Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square — Tutankhamun's masks and the mummy chamber. Entrance 1,070 rubles (120 EGP).
• Islamic Cairo — Muhammad Ali Mosque, Khan El-Khalili bazaar. Entrance to the mosque is free, haggling at the bazaar is mandatory.

🏛 Days 3–4: Luxor — temples and the Valley of the Kings

Flight Cairo–Luxor: from 4,450 rubles (50 USD), flight time 1 hour. Alternative — night train, about 890 rubles, but takes 10–12 hours.

• Karnak Temple — the world's largest temple complex. Entrance 800 rubles (90 EGP).
• Valley of the Kings — Tutankhamun's tomb has a separate entrance. Combined ticket 890 rubles, tomb — another 1,780 rubles.
• Hatshepsut Temple — entrance 710 rubles (80 EGP), convenient to reach with a driver: 1 day car rental with guide about 4,450 rubles.

🚢 Days 5–6: Aswan and Abu Simbel

From Luxor to Aswan: 1st–2nd class train 400–890 rubles, about 3 hours.

• Abu Simbel Temple — 280 km from Aswan, organized bus tour about 3,560 rubles per person, departure at 03:30. Entrance 1,780 rubles (200 EGP).
• Philae and Kom-Ombo — two temples along the way, entrance 620 rubles each.
• Felucca on the Nile — sailboat rental at sunset about 890 rubles per group.

🤿 Days 7–10: Hurghada — relaxation and diving

Direct flights Aswan–Hurghada are rare — more convenient via Cairo or GoBus coach (about 1,340 rubles, 6 hours). Hurghada is suitable for snorkeling and diving: single-day diving tour with instructor from 6,230 rubles (70 USD). Giftun Reef is the best option for snorkeling, entrance to the marine park 445 rubles.

✈️ Logistics and practical tips

• MIR cards don't work in Egypt — bring cash dollars or euros and exchange at a bank or money changer (bank rates are better than at the airport).
• Visa on arrival — 25 USD (2,225 rubles), paid only in cash at the counter.
• For communications, set up an eSIM in advance at e7m.ru — rates from 207 rubles, works right after landing.
• Haggling is appropriate everywhere: in souvenir shops, the initial price is inflated 3–5 times.

💰 Approximate trip budget

This budget is realistic when booking accommodation independently through Booking or Airbnb and purchasing tickets in advance. All-inclusive in Hurghada reduces food expenses but adds to the hotel cost.