The Ultimate 7 Days Egypt Itinerary

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Are you looking for the perfect 7 days in Egypt itinerary? Then keep reading! 

Egypt is a fascinating country offering a mix of ancient history, jaw-dropping landscapes, and a vibrant culture. From the temples in Luxor to the Great Pyramids of Giza near Cairo, there is something for everyone to explore. 

This article includes everything you need to know before visiting Egypt. I’ve put together the perfect one-week Egypt itinerary. Additionally, I’ve included safety tips, where to stay in Egypt, how to get around, and even a map with all the spots mentioned in this article. Alright, let’s get into this Egypt itinerary!  

Looking for more Egypt travel guides? 

• 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt 
• 10 Best Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt 
• The Perfect Egypt Tips for First-Time Travelers 
• The Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt 

Keep reading for the ultimate 7 days Egypt itinerary. 

7 Days Egypt Itinerary Overview 

Day 1: Explore Cairo 

Day 2: Cairo and Giza

Day 3: Travel to Aswan

Day 4: Explore Aswan 

Day 5: Board your Nile Cruise 

Day 6: Explore Luxor

Day 7: Ancient Luxor 

Egypt Travel Itinerary – The Basics 

Currency = Egyptian Pound

The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. 

1 USD = 30.8 Egyptian Pounds

You will likely need cash during your entire trip to Egypt. Places in Egypt rarely accept cards unless you are in a nice hotel and at times a nicer restaurant. 

If your bank allows, I suggest ordering local currency before your trip. However, Egyptian Pounds are hard to get (especially in the US) my bank couldn’t order them, so I waited to use an ATM at my hotel when I arrived. 

I suggest using the Charles Schwaab debit card for traveling. There are zero foreign transaction fees with this card so you can pull out cash as much as you want without the extra fees. They will reimburse your account for any ATM fees. It’s an incredible card.

Language = Arabic 

Egypt’s local language is Arabic. Although some people speak English it’s beneficial to brush up on a few common words and phrases in Arabic. 

Phone & Internet  

The cell service and wifi are so-so here. Depending on where you are, the service might work just fine or not at all. I wouldn’t have any high expectations of your phone working well everywhere. 

In Luxor, I stayed on a Nile Cruise and had no service and the wifi was horrible. But it was quite nice to have a break from my phone! 

While traveling internationally, I suggest using an eSIM for affordable cellular data. Airalo makes it easy to purchase and install an eSIM suitable for the destination you are visiting. Purchase data with Airalo here.

Daily Budget 

Egypt is an extremely affordable destination to visit. Aside from your hotel, you can plan on spending around 30 to 40 US dollars per day on a mid-range budget. You can honestly spend as little as 20 dollars a day or even less. 

This is one of those destinations where you can make it as cheap or luxurious as you want. Depending on the places you shop and activities you partake in – will affect your budget. But all and all, Egypt is an extremely affordable country to visit. 

Is The Tap Water Drinkable? 

No. Do not drink tap water in Egypt. 

However, in Cairo, it is safe to brush your teeth with tap water. I know some who didn’t want to risk it the entire trip but I did brush my teeth with the water in Egypt and never had a problem.  

Tipping in Egypt

Tipping is customary in Egypt. It’s typical to leave a 10% to 15% tip at restaurants and cafes. It’s also important to tip when doing activities such as riding camels, a hot air balloon ride in Luxor, or tipping your crew after a Nile cruise. 

Tipping in Egyptian pounds at the end of your experience or dinner is great, but US dollars typically work as well if it’s a small bill. I ran into a few cases where the locals preferred US dollars to their currency. 

The Perfect 7 Days in Egypt Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Arrive in Cairo

Welcome to Cairo! This is Egypt’s bustling capital city and a great place to start your one week in Egypt. You’ll likely be exhausted from the long flight so check into your hotel and relax for a bit. 

There are so many amazing hotels in Cairo, if you are looking for a place with a view of the Pyramids, check out Marriott Mena House or Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa. If you’d like somewhere near the airport, I suggest Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino. If you are looking for a good all-round affordable hotel, make sure to check out the Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort. 

I’ve stayed at both the Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort and Le Passage Cairo Hotel and they were great! Search for more hotels in Cairo here. 

Egyptian Museum 

Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of Cairo’s highlights. I suggest starting with a visit to the Egyptian Museum. You can’t visit Cairo without a visit to the Egyptian Museum. There are over 120 thousand artifacts here. 

Book your tickets to the Egyptian Museum here.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar

After the museum, head to Khan El Khalili Bazaar. This is one of the city’s famous markets offering all sorts of goods and great food as well. 

It’s a lively and chaotic place so just keep this in mind before visiting. Like visiting any crowded place, keep your things close. Pickpocketing can happen. 

I traveled around Egypt with EF Ultimate Break on their Egypt: Cruise the Nile trip. I enjoyed traveling with a guided tour group around Egypt because everything was already planned out and we always had our local tour guide there with us to ask questions. Traveling with a group takes the stress out of traveling, I really enjoyed it and always felt safe throughout Egypt! 

Browse EF Ultimate Break’s tours here. 

Day 2: Explore Cairo 

Pyramids of Giza

Day two in Egypt begins with an early start to visit one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx. Allocate a good amount of time here and I suggest having a tour guide so that you can learn all about the ancient Pyramids. 

You’ll want to have plenty of time to see the Pyramids from various unique points of view, go inside the pyramid if you’d like, and ride a camel. 

You can go inside the main Pyramid for a small fee, but the outside is better. Also, you can ride camels here at the pyramids, and I have some words to say about this in my Cairo travel guide, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it because many of the animals look as though they are treated badly. It was extremely sad to see. Make sure you have enough time to see the Sphinx! 

Book a guided tour from Cairo to the Pyramids of Giza here.

Pyramid of Djoser

You can’t miss the Pyramid of Djoser while you are in Cairo. This is the oldest pyramid ever known. The Pyramid of Djoser at the Saqqara complex served as the burial grounds for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. 

Visit a Local Papyrus Shop 

Papyrus is considered the first-ever paper. Papyrus is an Egyptian art created on a paper-like material made out of the papyrus plant. There are many papyrus shops around Cairo. 

Mosque of Muhammad Ali

If you are an architecture lover, you can’t miss the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The Mosque of Muhammad Ali was built around 1830 and its design was inspired by the Ottoman architecture. Now, it’s an active place to worship and visitors can explore its interior and the panoramic views of Cairo from the terrace. 

When visiting any mosque in Cairo make sure you have your shoulders and knees covered. I suggest packing a lightweight scarf to throw in your purse.

Purchase tickets to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali here.

Day 3: Cairo to Aswan

Travel to Aswan

Today we are starting bright and early with a flight from Cairo to Aswan. I stayed at Basma Hotel and it was great. Basma Hotel has the best views of the Nile River. 

Aswan is much more laid back compared to other Egyptian cities such as Luxor and Cairo. It’s quite a different vibe than Cairo and well worth a spot on your 7 days Egypt itinerary. 

Book a hotel in Aswan here.

Nubian Museum 

Start your time in Aswan with a visit to the Nubian Museum. Here you can learn all about the Nubian way of life. The museum traces the history from the earliest settlements to the present day of Nubia. 

Nubianis are an ethnic group indigenous to the region which is now Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt. The Nubian people were known for their trading skills and mastery of the Nile River. 

Felucca Ride 

A great way to spend an evening in Aswan is to enjoy a felucca ride followed by a traditional Egyptian meal along the Nile. A felucca is a traditional Egyptian sailboat and something you must experience while you are in Egypt! Afterward, head to dinner at a nice spot along the Nile River to end your first evening in Aswan. 

Book a Felucca ride here. 

Day 4: Explore Aswan

Aswan High Dam and Lake Nassar

Today you’ll visit Aswan’s top attractions. Start your day with a tour of the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nassar. 

Construction began on the Aswan High Dam in January 1960 and was finished in 1972. It’s incredibly important to the region as it sustains the entirety of Egypt by providing power to the country. 

Did you know that the Aswan High Dam Volume is 17 times the Giza Pyramid? 

Lake Nassar is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and is where the Aswan High Dam is located. 

Temple of Philae

The Philae temple complex is unique in the sense that it’s an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. You’ll need a boat to get here and I suggest taking a guided tour to learn all about this amazing temple complex. 

Check out this guided tour from Aswan to the Temple of Philae here.

Nubian Village 

As mentioned above, Nubian culture is a prominent part of the Aswan region and Egyptian history. Nubia is a region along the Nile in part of Egypt and Sudan. 

One of the best things to do in Aswan is to visit a traditional Nubian village along the Nile. I booked the local tour, Animalia – it was incredible we learned all about the  Nubian way of life from our guide, Muhamad. He was wonderful! 

Book a Nubian village tour in Aswan here. 

Optional: Aromatherapy Shop 

If you like to, you can visit a perfume and essential oils shop. Egypt has an extensive history of producing high-quality essential oils. There are various places around Aswan and Egypt in general where you can pick up Egyptian essential oils. 

In Aswan, visit the Herb and Spice Market or many local Nubian shops will sell handmade essential oils. You can also pick up essential oils at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Cairo. 

Day 5: Cruise The Nile River 

Board Your Nile Cruise 

It’s time to board your Nile River cruise! For travelers seeking to explore Egypt’s fascinating ancient history and culture, a Nile River cruise is a must. 

There are typically several cruises offering unique itineraries between Luxor and Aswan or vice versa. You’ll want to book this cruise ahead of time, I’ve included a few options below. Choose a cruise that fits in with your 7 days Egypt itinerary.   

Kom Ombo Temple – House of Crocodile 

If you can, choose a cruise that makes a stop at the Kom Ombo Temple. It’s a unique Egyptian temple located in the town of Kom Ombo, about 30 miles north of Aswan. 

Kom Ombo is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon-headed god. Here you’ll see mummified crocodiles and impressive ruins. It’s a must-see spot while on a Nile river cruise. 

Optional: Abu Simbel 

If you have extra time in Aswan, you can visit the iconic Egyptian temple complex, Abu Simbel. It’s located in the southern parts of Egypt near the border of Sudan. It’s a popular day trip from Aswan. 

Here, you can explore the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor. You’ll see stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and well-preserved colors. 

Book a day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel here. 

Day 6: Arrive in Luxor 

Hot Air Balloon Ride 

A hot air balloon ride in Luxor is one of my favorite travel experiences yet. I couldn’t recommend it enough. I have a full blog post here all about what to expect on a hot air balloon ride in Luxor. 

You’ll have to wake up at the crack of dawn but it’s well worth the early wake-up call. Riding a hot air balloon in Luxor is the ultimate bucket list experience. 

Book a sunrise hot air balloon tour here. 

Valley of The Kings 

The Pharaohs of old are buried at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the new kingdom Pharaohs have been buried in the Valley of the Kings.  It was surreal stepping inside of these ancient tombs. Visiting the Valley of the Kings is truly as if you are stepping back in time. 

Karnak Temple 

In the afternoon visit the Karnak Temple complex. This is one of the largest temple complexes in the world – it’s absolutely massive. 

To make your time in Luxor seamless, you can book this tour that includes a visit to many of Luxor’s sites.

Day 7: Luxor – Head Home or Continue Exploring 

Luxor Temple 

Depending on the time of your flight, spend your last day in Luxor exploring more of the city’s attractions such as Luxor Temple or Luxor Museum. Luxor Temple is located in the heart of the city, you’ll likely be able to see it from your Nile River Cruise. 

If you need a place to stay in Luxor, search for the best hotels here. 

Egyptian Meal 

End your one week in Egypt with a nice Egyptian meal for lunch or dinner. There are many great restaurants in Luxor but one in particular that I loved was Sofra Restaurant & Cafe. The vibe here was wonderful and the food was delicious. 

Possible Trip Extensions: 

I know this is a jam-packed one-week Egypt Itinerary. If you can, I suggest spending at least 10 days in Egypt. This will make the itinerary a little less busy and allow you to see a bit more. 

I spent 10 days in Egypt and would have loved to stay longer to see the coast of Egypt and Alexandria. If you can stay longer in Egypt, here are a few locations to consider adding to your itinerary. 

• Sharm El Sheik: Sharm El Sheik is a resort town bordering the Red Sea known for its wonderful snorkeling and diving. You’ll also see a lot of dolphins here!
• El Gouna: El Gouna is another resort town on the Red Sea. El Gouna is known for its lagoons, coral reefs, and sandy beaches.   
• Alexandria: Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and is located on the Mediterranean coast. Alexandria is more laid-back compared to Cairo. A visit to both will show you two different sides of modern Egypt life. 

Egypt Travel Itinerary FAQs 

Is Egypt Safe? 

Egypt is a popular tourist destination with many safe areas to visit. A few tips to ensure safety in Egypt are to stay informed about travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State or your country’s government. Additionally, make sure to choose reputable accommodation and transportation and respect local laws and customs. 

Safety as a solo female traveler in Egypt was a concern for me and that’s why I decided to travel with a group tour. I traveled with the tour company, EF Ultimate Break, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Everything was sorted out for us and we had our local Egyptian guide to help us with anything that we needed. I honestly never felt unsafe during the trip. If you have safety concerns about traveling to Egypt, book a guided group tour. 

How to Get Around Egypt? 

You’ll likely either fly or take a train from city to city in Egypt. Egypt is a large country with lots to see. Domestic flights are affordable and Egypt has an extensive railway network. 

Alternatively, if you are cruising the Nile, you can also reach various Egyptian cities by boat. Uber is also available in most of Egypt’s major cities. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Egypt? 

I have a detailed guide here about when the best time to visit Egypt is. It depends on your travel preferences. 

If it’s your first time visiting Egypt, read my guide here all about what you need to know before visiting Egypt. 

7 Days Egypt Itinerary Map 

I hope you enjoyed this 7 days Egypt itinerary! Make sure to check out my detailed travel guides on Luxor, Cairo, and Aswan. If you have any questions about visiting Egypt, comment below or DM me on Instagram. 

Recommended Tours in Egypt

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