How much does a trip to Egypt really cost? For most travelers who want comfortable 4-star hotels, a good Nile cruise, a professional guide and no stress about logistics, the answer is about $1,500 to $2,500 per person for an 8-day trip, and around $1,800 to $3,000 for 10 days, not counting international flights. This guide breaks that number down item by item, using prices checked in November 2026, so you can plan a realistic budget before you book.
All prices are in US dollars per person. Egyptian prices are converted at about 56 EGP to 1 USD, the exchange rate at the end of October 2026.
Average daily budget for a mid-range traveler
If you organize the trip yourself, a mid-range traveler usually spends $100 to $180 per day. Here is where the money goes:
| Expense | Typical mid-range cost |
|---|---|
| 4-star hotel (double room, per person) | $35–75 per night |
| Meals (local and tourist restaurants) | $15–35 per day |
| Local transport (Uber, taxis, transfers) | $10–25 per day |
| Entrance tickets | $10–35 per day on sightseeing days |
| Guide or guided day tour (shared cost) | $20–60 per day |
| Tips | $5–15 per day |
Daily spending is lower on a Nile cruise, because cabin, meals, guide and most transport are already included in the cruise price.
Hotels: what 4-star accommodation costs
A good 4-star or upper mid-range hotel costs roughly $70–150 per room per night in Cairo and Giza, and $60–130 in Luxor and Aswan. Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada are often sold all-inclusive, from around $70–130 per room per night. Prices are higher from December to February and during holidays.
For a first trip, many travelers choose a hotel with a view of the Pyramids or the Nile. It costs a little more, but it is often the highlight of the stay.
Nile cruise prices
A Nile cruise is usually the best-value part of an Egypt trip. A 4-night Luxor to Aswan cruise on a good ship costs about $950 to $1,650 per person sharing a cabin, depending on the ship and the season. That normally includes:
- Your cabin and full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guided visits with an Egyptologist
- Entrance tickets for the sites in the cruise program
- Transfers between the ship and the airport or train station
Summer departures (May to September) are usually 20–30% cheaper than winter.
Entrance ticket prices for foreign visitors
| Site | Price (EGP) | About (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Giza Pyramids plateau | 700 | $12.50 |
| Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (extra) | 1,500 | $27 |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (from 1 Nov 2026) | 1,830 | $33 |
| Egyptian Museum, Tahrir | 550 | $10 |
| Saqqara | 600 | $11 |
| Karnak Temple | 600 | $11 |
| Luxor Temple | 500 | $9 |
| Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) | 750 | $13 |
| Temple of Hatshepsut | 440 | $8 |
| Edfu Temple | 550 | $10 |
| Kom Ombo Temple | 450 | $8 |
| Philae Temple | 550 | $10 |
| Abu Simbel | about 750–820 | about $14 |
A classic itinerary covering the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae comes to about 7,000 EGP (around $125) in tickets. Most major sites now accept card payment only, so bring a credit or debit card. Prices can change; see our Grand Egyptian Museum ticket guide for the latest museum prices.
Getting around: flights, trains and private cars
- Domestic flights (Cairo to Luxor or Aswan): usually $60–180 one way, depending on how early you book.
- Trains Cairo to Luxor: about $25–40 in first class, or around $110+ for the overnight sleeper train with dinner and breakfast.
- Private car with driver for a day of sightseeing: shared between your group, it is often the most comfortable option, especially with children or in summer.
Food and drink
Eating in Egypt can be very affordable. A meal at a good local restaurant costs about $5–12, while tourist and hotel restaurants usually charge $15–35. Street food such as koshari or ta’ameya costs just a few dollars. A mid-range traveler can budget $15–35 per day for food outside the cruise.
Other costs to plan for
- Visa: most nationalities can get an e-visa or a visa on arrival, usually around $25–30 for a single entry. Check the official requirements for your passport.
- Tips: tipping is expected in Egypt. Budget about $5–15 per day for drivers, guides, hotel and cruise staff.
- Optional extras: a hot-air balloon ride in Luxor, a felucca sail in Aswan, a Nile dinner cruise in Cairo, or a day trip to Abu Simbel.
- Travel insurance and a local SIM card.
Sample budget: 8 days in Egypt for a mid-range traveler
| Item | Estimated cost per person |
|---|---|
| 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in Cairo / Giza | $110–230 |
| 4-night Nile cruise Luxor–Aswan (meals, guide and cruise sightseeing included) | $950–1,400 |
| Domestic flights (Cairo–Luxor, Aswan–Cairo) | $150–300 |
| Cairo sightseeing with guide and tickets (Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara) | $200–350 |
| Meals outside the cruise, transfers and tips | $100–200 |
| Estimated total | about $1,500–2,500 |
International flights and visa are extra. A 10-day trip that adds Alexandria or a few days on the Red Sea usually comes to about $1,800–3,000 per person.
Is a package tour cheaper than planning it yourself?
Often, yes, or at least very close in price. A local tour company books hotels, cruise cabins, guides and transport in bulk, and handles all the details: airport pickup, tickets, timing and the transfers between cities. For a first visit, a private package also saves a lot of time and avoids the common tourist traps.
These Amon Ra Tours packages are popular with mid-range travelers. Each tour page shows the current price and what is included:
- 8 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise by Flight: the classic first trip to Egypt.
- 7 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise by Flight: the same highlights in one day less.
- 5 Days Cairo & Luxor by Flight: for shorter trips.
- 5 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan by Train: a budget-friendly way to see the main sites.
- 3 Days Cairo Tour Package: the Pyramids, the museums and historic Cairo.
- 4 Nights Nile Cruise from Luxor: if you only want the cruise.
Tips to save money without losing comfort
- Travel in shoulder season. March–April and October–November offer good weather and better prices than December–January. See when is the cheapest time to go to Egypt.
- Book the cruise and domestic flights early. The good ships and the cheaper fares go first.
- Choose the train for one leg. The overnight train saves a hotel night.
- Compare what is included. A cheap price that excludes tickets, guide and transfers often ends up costing more.
- Carry a card and a little cash. Card for tickets, small cash for tips.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need per day in Egypt?
A mid-range traveler usually spends about $100–180 per person per day, including a 4-star hotel, meals, transport, tickets and a guide.
How much is a 7-day trip to Egypt?
About $1,300–2,200 per person for a comfortable mid-range trip, without international flights.
Is Egypt expensive for tourists?
Compared with Europe or the US, Egypt is good value. Hotels, food and transport are affordable; the biggest costs are usually the Nile cruise, domestic flights and the main museum and site tickets.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Tour companies, cruises and many hotels accept US dollars or euros. Entrance tickets are paid in Egyptian pounds, mostly by card, and small purchases and tips are easier in local cash.
Want an exact price for your trip?
Tell us your dates, number of travelers and the places you want to see, and we will send you a personalized itinerary with a clear price, showing exactly what is included.
WhatsApp us: +20 114 505 5184Send an inquiry
Or email us at booking@amonratours.com
Prices in this guide are average market prices checked in November 2026 and are for planning only. Ticket prices are set by the Egyptian authorities and may change. For Amon Ra Tours prices, see each tour page or contact us for a quote.
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