We did this trip in Egypt in 2024. From 31/10/2024 to 16/11/2024
We visited Hurghada, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Giza and Cairo
We stayed in 8 hotels and spent one night on the sleeping train:
- Hurghada : The Grand Resort (2 nights)
- Luxor : Pyramisa Hotel Luxor (3 nights)
- Aswan (Elephantine Island) : La Terrace (2 nights)
- Abu Simbel : Tuya Hotel (1 night)
- Aswan (Nubian Village) : Nubian palace (1 night)
- Train de nuit de Aswan à Gizeh (1 night)
- Gizeh : West Pyramids Hotel (1 night)
- Le Caire : Champollion Hostel (3 nights)
- Le Caire (Zamalek) : Brassbell Apartments in Zamalek (2 nights)
Our tour was as follows :
Day 01 – Departure from Paris to Hurghada
Day 02 – Hurghada
Day 03 – Hurghada and departure to Luxor
Day 04 – Luxor: West Bank and Sunset on the Nile
Day 05 – Luxor: Temples and Culinary Experience
Day 06 – Hot Air Balloons in Luxor and Train to Aswan (Elephantine)
Day 07 – Aswan, Philae and Elephantine Island
Day 08 – Departure to Abu Simbel
Day 09 – Abu Simbel and return to Aswan (Nubian Village)
Day 10 – Aswan (Nubian Village) and sleeping train to Giza
Day 11 – Giza, Pyramids and Sphinx
Day 12 – Giza Pyramids, Cairo and Khan Al Khalili
Day 13 – Islamic Cairo and Egyptian Cuisine
Day 14 – Cairo, Souks and Dinner Cruise
Day 15 – Cairo, Egyptian Museum and Zamalek
Day 16 – Cairo, Azhar, Zamalek and Suburbs
Day 17 – Cairo, Zamalek and back to Paris
Our child is 2 years and 2 months old, so for the flights, we had to pay him a seat at the same price as an adult. Our budget for 2 adults and a 2-year-old baby was 3 128 € for 17 days:
To travel between cities :
For taxi rides, you can install these 2 applications in addition to Uber: Careem & Indrive.
Depending on the city, one of these 3 applications is more efficient than the others
This allows you to avoid direct negotiation with a taxi driver which can be complicated.
It can happen, especially during rush hour, not to find an answer via these applications. It is always possible to stop a taxi in the street, but you have to agree on the price (you have to be clear about the currency, the number of passengers, the luggage… to avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival)
The price of the taxi is very affordable in Egypt especially via applications (on average 50 EGP: 1 € for a 5 to 10 minute trip in the city)
To change euros or dollars into Egyptian pounds, the bank rates at the airport and those in the city are almost the same.
It is therefore not necessary to exchange a large amount upon arrival.
It is even preferable to keep euros or dollars. Local guides prefer to be paid in foreign currency.
You should also know that the purchase of entrance tickets for temples and museums is only possible by credit card. Cash is not accepted
In November 2024, 1 euro = 52 EGP and 1 US dollar = 50 EGP
An entry visa is required for Egypt.
The Visa costs $25 / €25 in cash
It is only available at the airport bank offices before passport control.
Don’t forget to buy a phone plan with an internet connection.
The prices are attractive.
There are special plans for tourists
Operator: Vodafone
Plan: Tourist Line
Local number: Included
International calls included: 30 minutes
National calls included: 200 minutes
Data: 30 GB
Price: 505 EGP = $11 = €10
Tips:
- Always keep your passport with you for checkpoints (and site entrances in case of a discount)
- For travel via Uber / Careem, be aware that you can have a delay between the application meeting time whith the driver and the real one, It can reach 20 minutes sometimes.
- For each service (taxi, transport, guide, etc.), negotiate carefully what is included and what is not
Our little Checklist:
- Antiseptic
- Paracetamol
- Diarrhea treatment
- Rehydration solution
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Anti-itch cream
- Hydroalcoholic gel
- Antibacterial wipe
- Hats
- Sunglasses
If you have a baby and plan to take a stroller, this table may be useful:
Some specialties of Egyptian cuisine to try :
Dishes :
- Kochari: This is the most famous dish of popular Egyptian cuisine. It is a mixture of several starchy foods: rice, pasta and lentils. Chickpeas and onions are added. It is eaten with tomato sauce and vinegar.
- Foul (called Full Mesdames): Foul means broad beans. It is a preparation based on dried and boiled broad beans that is served hot with oil, salt and lemon.
- Taameya: Looks like falafels, but these are made of broad beans and not chickpeas.
- Kofta: Meatballs minced with spices
- Mouloukhiyya: thick soup made from a plant of the same name in Arabic: corète potagère in French. It can be prepared with beef, rabbit or without meat
- Mahshi: Vegetables baked and stuffed with rice
- Warak Al Inab (Vine Leaves): Stuffed vine leaves
- Kebdah: One of the most famous egyptian Street Food. It is liver prepared with chili and garlic. It is often served in a sandwich on the street
- Hawawshi: Flatbreads stuffed with minced meat, onion and pepper
- Fiteer meshaltet: Light and flaky multi-layered bread made by stretching it like thin paper and folding it several times. It is served with a salty or sweet stuffing
- Moussaka: Eggplant tagine
Desserts :
- Kenafeh: Pastry made from kadaif, cheese, butter and dried fruits
- Basboussa: Soaked in sweet syrup, soft inside
- Um Ali: Similar to English bread and butter pudding
Drinks :
- Karkadé : It is a hibiscus infusion that can be served hot or cold. It is a famous drink offered by hotels upon arrival and available in all coffee shops
- Cane juice
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