How many days do you need in Egypt? Seven days is enough for the classic trio of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With ten days you can add a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel, or a few days on the Red Sea. Two weeks lets you go further: Alexandria, the Sinai mountains, or a night in the White Desert. Here are tried-and-tested routes for 7, 10 and 14 days, with travel times, what to see each day and the local-guided experiences that fit.
Before you plan: see our complete Egypt travel guide, the best time to visit Egypt, our Egypt visa guide and Is Egypt safe to visit?
How many days do you need?
- 4–5 days: Cairo and Giza, plus a quick trip to Luxor.
- 7 days: Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, the classic first trip.
- 10 days: the classic route plus a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel, or a few days on the Red Sea.
- 14 days: all of the above, plus Alexandria, Sinai or the Western Desert.
Getting around: travel times
| Route | How | About |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo → Luxor or Aswan | Domestic flight | 1–1.5 hours |
| Cairo → Luxor / Aswan | Overnight sleeper train | A night on the train |
| Luxor → Aswan | Road, via Edfu and Kom Ombo | 3–4 hours |
| Luxor ↔ Aswan | Nile cruise | 3–4 nights |
| Aswan → Abu Simbel | Road (or a short flight) | About 3.5 hours each way |
| Luxor → Hurghada | Road | About 4 hours |
| Cairo → Alexandria | Train or road | 2.5–3 hours |
| Cairo → Sharm el-Sheikh | Domestic flight | About 1 hour; Dahab is 1 hour further by road |
7 days: Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
- Day 1, Giza: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in the morning, then the Grand Egyptian Museum next door.
- Day 2, Cairo: historic Cairo: the Citadel, the old mosques and an evening in Khan el-Khalili. Try koshari for lunch.
- Day 3, fly to Luxor: the East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple, lit up at night. See things to do in Luxor.
- Day 4, Luxor West Bank: a sunrise balloon ride, then the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Day 5, Luxor to Aswan: drive south, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.
- Day 6, Aswan: the Temple of Philae, a felucca sail around the islands and an evening in a Nubian village.
- Day 7, Abu Simbel and back: an early start for Abu Simbel, then fly back to Cairo in the evening (or the next morning).
10 days: add a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel, or the Red Sea
Option A: Cairo + Nile cruise + Abu Simbel
- Days 1–3, Cairo and Giza: as above, with an extra day for Saqqara and Dahshur, home to the oldest pyramids. See our Giza Necropolis guide.
- Day 4, fly to Luxor and board a Nile cruise.
- Days 5–7, cruise to Aswan: the West Bank, then Edfu and Kom Ombo from the boat.
- Day 8, Aswan: Philae, a felucca and the Nubian villages.
- Day 9, Abu Simbel: the great temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari.
- Day 10, fly back to Cairo.
Option B: the classic 7 days + the Red Sea
Follow the 7-day route, then drive from Luxor to Hurghada (about 4 hours) for three days of snorkeling, diving and beaches. Fly home from Hurghada or via Cairo.
14 days: the grand tour
- Days 1–3, Cairo, Giza and Saqqara.
- Day 4, Alexandria as a day trip: the Corniche, the Citadel of Qaitbay and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. See our Alexandria guide.
- Days 5–9, Luxor, a Nile cruise to Aswan and Abu Simbel.
- Days 10–13, the Red Sea: fly to Sharm el-Sheikh and stay in Dahab, with a night climb of Mount Sinai for sunrise. See where to stay in Dahab.
- Day 14, fly home via Cairo.
Other routes: desert, Sinai and Jordan
- Desert and oases (4–5 days from Cairo): the Fayoum and Wadi el-Rayan as a day trip, then two days in the White Desert and the Black Desert with a night under the stars. Siwa Oasis, far to the west, needs at least two nights. See our Siwa guide.
- Sinai only (5–7 days): fly to Sharm el-Sheikh and stay in Dahab for snorkeling, diving, desert hikes, a Bedouin dinner and Mount Sinai. The free Sinai entry stamp may cover a short stay; see our visa guide.
- Egypt and Jordan (10–14 days): add Petra and Wadi Rum. Fly between Cairo and Amman, or cross the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry from Nuweiba. See our Jordan travel guide.
Planning tips
- Fly long distances. Domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Sharm el-Sheikh save whole days.
- Start early. Arrive at major sites when they open to beat the heat and the crowds.
- Don’t over-pack the days. Two big sites a day is plenty, especially in summer.
- Book ahead in peak season, especially Nile cruises, Abu Simbel and Red Sea hotels over Christmas and Easter.
- Use a local guide for the big sites. The stories make the stones come alive, and you skip the hassle.
- Allow for Ramadan and holidays. Hours can change; see the best time to visit Egypt.
Local-guided experiences
Experiences that fit these routes, run by our local hosts:
Private Valley of the Kings Tour in Luxor – West Bank Highlights
The royal tombs and the great temples of Luxor’s West Bank with Hassan Tayea, a local guide in Luxor.
4-Day Nile Cruise: Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours
Sail from Aswan to Luxor with guided visits to the temples along the Nile.
Aswan Felucca Tour at Sunrise: Nile Birdwatching
An early-morning sail among the islands of Aswan with Khaled Zaky, watching the birds of the Nile.
White Desert, Djara Cave & Desert Camping
Two days and a night in the Western Desert with Sameh Muhammed, with a night under the stars.
More ideas: an Alexandria day trip from Cairo, the Fayoum and Whales Valley, two days in Siwa and the Mount Sinai overnight hike.
Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Egypt.
Egypt itinerary FAQ
How many days do you need in Egypt?
Seven days covers Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Ten days lets you add a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel, or the Red Sea, and two weeks lets you add Alexandria, Sinai or the desert.
Is 5 days enough for Egypt?
It’s enough for Cairo and Giza plus a fast trip to Luxor by plane. You’ll need more time to include Aswan or the Red Sea.
What is the best way to get from Cairo to Luxor?
A domestic flight takes about an hour. The overnight sleeper train is a popular alternative that saves a night in a hotel.
Should I do a Nile cruise?
If you have at least 10 days, yes. A 3–4 night cruise between Luxor and Aswan visits the temples along the river at a relaxed pace.
Can I combine Egypt and Jordan in one trip?
Yes. Fly between Cairo and Amman, or take the ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba from Nuweiba. Allow at least 3–4 extra days for Petra and Wadi Rum.
Is a day trip to Abu Simbel worth it?
Yes. It’s a long day from Aswan, about 3.5 hours each way by road, but the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari are among the most impressive sights in Egypt.
Sources
- UNESCO — Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
- UNESCO — Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (Luxor)
- UNESCO — Memphis and its Necropolis (Giza, Saqqara, Dahshur)
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
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