Travel in Egypt: when to go, places and advice

Five thousand years of history along the Nile: the pyramids of Giza and the brand-new Grand Museum, the columns of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel rescued from the waters and the feluccas gliding at sundown. Add the coral beds of the Red Sea, Islamic Cairo and the oases of the White Desert: Egypt is a total journey, where every stage tells a chapter of humanity. The Nile cruise remains one of the great classics of travel, and for good reason.

Capital: Cairo
Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP)
Language: Arabic
Direct flight: ≈ 4 hr 45 from Paris
Time difference: +1 hr all year round

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Egypt

The itineraries in Egypt are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Egypt?

From October to April, Egypt is at its best: 25 °C in Luxor, crystal skies, cruises fully booked, with a visitor peak at Christmas. Summer crushes Upper Egypt beyond 42 °C, visits then happen at dawn; only the Red Sea stays very pleasant. May and September, hot but liveable, offer quiet sites and good prices.

January : Ideal
February : Ideal
March : Ideal
April : Pleasant
May : In-between
June : Avoid
July : Avoid
August : Avoid
September : In-between
October : Ideal
November : Ideal
December : Ideal

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Egypt

Getting around

The night train and domestic flights link Cairo to Luxor and Aswan; the Nile cruise strings the temples together without repacking. In town, Uber and Careem spare you any haggling.

Money

The Egyptian pound (EGP). Withdraw locally, keep small notes for baksheesh, tips expected everywhere. The major sites increasingly take cards.

Language

Egyptian Arabic. English is common in tourism, French still present among guides. A few words of Arabic (shukran, la shukran) smooth everything.

Useful apps

Uber or Careem for the cities, the sites' official online ticketing (Giza, GEM) to skip the queues, and a local eSIM, 4G covers even the desert.

Accommodation

Historic palaces on the Nile, cruise boats of every class, colourful Nubian guesthouses in Aswan: the choice is immense and the value excellent.

Etiquette

Covering clothing in the mosques, smiling bargaining in the bazaar and easy baksheesh for any service rendered. On Friday mornings, the country slows down.

The iconic places

Pyramids of Giza

Cairo

The last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, guarded by the Sphinx. Arrive at opening time for the raking light and the calm.

Karnak

Luxor

The largest religious complex of antiquity: the hypostyle hall and its 134 giant columns leave you literally speechless.

Valley of the Kings

Luxor

The painted tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun's. The colours look laid down yesterday.

Abu Simbel

Nubia

The four colossi of Ramses II, cut apart and rebuilt above Lake Nasser. Twice a year, the sun reaches into the sanctuary.

Philae

Aswan

The temple of Isis on its island, itself rescued from the waters, reached by boat. The most romantic of Egyptian temples.

Dahab's Blue Hole

Sinai

The Red Sea's legendary dive site, a 100 m coral well accessible from the beach. Mask and snorkel are enough to fall for it.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Pyramids of Giza : The last ancient wonder
Grand Egyptian Museum : Tutankhamun's treasure in full
Khan el-Khalili : The great bazaar of Islamic Cairo
Bibliotheca Alexandrina : Alexandria's cultural lighthouse
Karnak : Luxor's forest of columns
Valley of the Kings : The painted tombs of the pharaohs
Temple of Hatshepsut : The terraces of Deir el-Bahari
Philae : The temple of Isis on its island
Abu Simbel : The colossi of Ramses II
Mount Sinai : The sunrise of Moses
Blue Hole : The legendary dive of Dahab
Siwa Oasis : Palm groves and a salt fortress