Trip length
How many days in Egypt do you need?
In short: for most first trips to Egypt, 10 to 12 days is the ideal length. Cairo and the pyramids alone take 4 to 5 days, a Nile cruise with Luxor and Aswan needs 8 to 10 days including travel days, and the desert or the Red Sea take the trip to 14 or 15 days. How many days in Egypt you need depends on what you want to see: only Cairo and the pyramids, or a complete tour along the Nile, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea. Below you will find what fits into 5, 10, 12, 14 and 15 days, what to do with a week, and the private tour that matches each length.
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For most travellers 10 to 12 days is the ideal length; flying in from North America or Australia, aim for at least 10.
Cairo and the pyramids are well doable in 5 days.
Do you want the desert or the Red Sea as well? Then allow 14 to 15 days.
5 days: Cairo and the pyramids
A good fit if you want the iconic highlights of Egypt. You visit the pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and discover the historic heart of Cairo. This is the structure of our 5-day private tour Historic Cairo.
10 days in Egypt: the classic route
The ideal first introduction to Egypt. You combine Cairo with a multi-day Nile cruise along Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings. Our 10-day private tour Egypt Highlights follows exactly this structure, and our 10-day Egypt itinerary shows what fits into those days, day by day.
12 days: Alexandria and Abu Simbel as well
Do you want to visit Alexandria and Abu Simbel on top of the classic route? Then we advise at least twelve days. That way you never have to rush and you experience the complete classic route, as in our 12-day tour Classic Egypt, which also ends with two nights at the Red Sea.
14 days: with the desert and the Bahariya Oasis
For travellers who want to discover the Bahariya Oasis and the White and Black Desert as well as the famous highlights. Our 14-day private tour Adventurous Egypt combines adventure with ancient Egypt, and our 14-day Egypt itinerary gives you a sample route.
15 days: everything, plus the Red Sea
Our most complete trip. You visit all the highlights of Egypt and finish at ease with five nights at the Red Sea. This is the structure of our 15-day tour Complete Egypt.
Our advice: 10 to 12 days, or 7 if that is all you have
For most travellers we think 10 to 12 days is the ideal length of a trip to Egypt. You have enough time for the main sights without the trip feeling rushed. If you are flying in from North America or Australia, the journey is long, and long-haul travellers usually want at least 10 days to make it worthwhile. Fewer than 10 days? That is possible too: together we look at which route is realistic within your days, for example a compact trip of 8 days or a Cairo city break. With 7 days in Egypt, Cairo and the pyramids fit comfortably, while adding Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise is where it gets tight. Tell us your dates and we will say honestly what fits, as a tailor-made trip.
Compare
Egypt trip length at a glance
What each length covers, the private tour that matches it and its from-price per person sharing a double room.
| Days | What fits | Matching tour | From price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Cairo and the pyramids | Historic Cairo | from €1,195 (about $1,375 or £1,040) |
| 10 days | Cairo and a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor | Egypt Highlights | from €2,195 (about $2,525 or £1,910) |
| 12 days | The classic route plus Alexandria and Abu Simbel | Classic Egypt | from €2,495 (about $2,870 or £2,170) |
| 14 days | Adds the Bahariya Oasis and the White and Black Desert | Adventurous Egypt | from €2,895 (about $3,330 or £2,520) |
| 15 days | Everything, plus five nights at the Red Sea | Complete Egypt | from €2,995 (about $3,445 or £2,605) |
Prices are in euro, per person sharing a double room; dollar and pound figures are rough equivalents. International flights, visa, tips and travel insurance are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Egypt?
For most first trips to Egypt, 10 to 12 days is ideal. That is enough for Cairo, a multi-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings without rushing. Cairo and the pyramids alone take 4 to 5 days, and the desert or the Red Sea take you to 14 or 15 days. If you fly in from North America or Australia, aim for at least 10 days.
What is the minimum number of days you need for Egypt?
For Cairo and the pyramids alone, 4 to 5 days are enough. If you also want to see Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise, allow at least 8 to 10 days including travel days.
Is 10 days enough for a trip through Egypt?
Yes. In 10 days you combine Cairo with a multi-day Nile cruise along Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, at a comfortable pace and with room to rest. It is the trip length we advise most travellers, and our 10-day Egypt itinerary shows the route day by day.
Is 7 days enough for Egypt?
Seven days is enough for Cairo and the pyramids, but short for a route that adds Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise, which needs at least 8 to 10 days including travel days. If a week is all you have, we plan a tailor-made 7-day Egypt itinerary around your dates, for example a Cairo city break, and tell you honestly what fits.
Is 5 days enough for Egypt?
For Cairo and the pyramids of Giza, yes: that combination is well doable in 5 days, as in our 5-day private tour Historic Cairo. If you also want to see Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise, 5 days is too tight and you should allow at least 8 to 10 days.
How many days do you need for Cairo?
Three full days are the minimum for the pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the historic centre. With 4 to 5 days you can also take in Saqqara, Dahshur and Coptic Cairo at an easy pace.
How many days does a Nile cruise take?
A classic Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor takes 3 to 4 nights: usually three sailing downstream from Aswan to Luxor and four sailing upstream. Including the flight to Aswan and the excursions around it, set aside about 5 days within your trip.
Can you do Egypt in fewer than 10 days?
Yes, that becomes a piece of tailor-made planning. Together we look at which highlights fit within your days and build a logical route around them, for example Cairo with a compact Nile cruise in 8 days.
How many days do you need for a complete trip through Egypt?
For a complete trip with Cairo, a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel and a finish at the Red Sea, allow 15 days, as in our 15-day tour Complete Egypt. If you leave out the Red Sea, 12 days still goes a long way, Alexandria included.
Read on
Egypt itinerary: 10 days
A compact route for travellers who want to experience the heart of Egypt properly, day by day.
Egypt itinerary: 14 days
A two-week route through Cairo, Luxor, the Nile, Aswan and Abu Simbel, with the Red Sea as an option.
How to plan a trip to Egypt
Route, season, duration, budget and the choices that shape your trip, in the order you should make them.
How much does a trip to Egypt cost?
Realistic prices for a private tour: hotels, Nile cruise, guides, flights and the extras people forget.
Best time to visit Egypt
Month by month: when Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are at their most comfortable.
Egypt Highlights (10 days)
Private tour through Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with the great sights of ancient Egypt.
Talk to us about your Egypt trip
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