Two weeks is the sweet spot for Egypt: long enough to see the headline wonders without rushing, short enough to keep momentum. This itinerary blends the must-sees — pyramids, temples, a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel — with quieter rewards like the Siwa Oasis and a few restful days on the Red Sea. Below is a realistic, day-by-day plan with approximate costs, drive times and practical tips for 2026.
Before You Go: The Essentials
Most nationalities need a visa. The easiest route is the **e-Visa** (apply online, around 25 USD, single entry) or visa on arrival at Cairo airport (also about 25 USD, US dollars in cash help). A 30-day single-entry tourist visa covers this whole trip comfortably.
The best months are **October to April**, when Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel) is pleasant rather than scorching. November to February is peak season — book Nile cruises and Abu Simbel well ahead. Budget roughly 80–150 USD per person per day for mid-range travel (3–4 star hotels, guided sites, internal flights), more for luxury. Carry cash in Egyptian pounds for tips (baksheesh is woven into daily life) and small purchases; ATMs are widespread in cities.
The Route at a Glance
This loop minimizes backtracking: Cairo → Luxor (fly) → Nile cruise to Aswan → Abu Simbel → fly back via Cairo → Siwa Oasis (or skip for more Red Sea) → Red Sea → Cairo. Internal flights (EgyptAir) save days; the Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo legs each run roughly 1–1.5 hours and 60–120 USD if booked ahead.
If you prefer the romance of rail, the overnight sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor/Aswan is a classic alternative — around 100–120 USD per person for a private cabin with dinner and breakfast, departing Cairo in the evening and arriving the next morning. It saves a hotel night and is an experience in itself, though slower and less reliable on timing than flying. Our companion guide on getting around Egypt breaks down trains, flights, domestic buses and private drivers in detail. However you move, the golden rule is to book the Nile cruise and Abu Simbel first and slot flights around them, since cruise departures are fixed to set days of the week.
Days 1–3: Cairo and Giza
### Day 1: Arrival and the Egyptian Museum
Land in Cairo, settle in, and ease into the chaos. If you arrive early, head to Tahrir Square's **Egyptian Museum** or the newer **Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)** near Giza, which now houses the most spectacular collections including (as of 2026) the full Tutankhamun treasures. GEM entry runs around 1,200–1,500 EGP for foreigners (roughly 25–30 USD). Allow at least 3 hours.
### Day 2: The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
The big day. The Giza plateau opens around 7am — arrive early to beat both heat and crowds. The general site ticket is roughly 700 EGP (about 14 USD); entering the Great Pyramid of Khufu costs an extra ~900 EGP (~18 USD) and is claustrophobic but unforgettable. The Sphinx stands at the plateau's edge. A camel or horse ride is optional (agree the price firmly first, around 300–500 EGP). Afternoon: the step pyramid at **Saqqara** and the ruins of **Memphis**, about 40 minutes south.
### Day 3: Islamic and Coptic Cairo
Explore the medieval city: the **Citadel of Saladin** and the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the labyrinthine **Khan el-Khalili** bazaar (great for souvenirs and mint tea), and **Coptic Cairo** with the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Fly to Luxor in the evening. A common rookie error here is trying to cram all of this into a half-day before a flight — Cairo traffic is relentless, and even a 12 km cross-town hop can take an hour. Build in buffers, and consider reading our guide to common Egypt travel mistakes before you go.
Days 4–5: Luxor — The World's Greatest Open-Air Museum
Luxor, ancient Thebes, packs more monuments per square kilometer than anywhere on earth.
### Day 4: East Bank
**Karnak Temple** is the headline — a vast complex built over 2,000 years, its Great Hypostyle Hall a forest of 134 colossal columns. Entry around 600 EGP (~12 USD). In the evening, walk the recently restored **Avenue of Sphinxes** to **Luxor Temple**, magical when floodlit (entry ~500 EGP).
### Day 5: West Bank — Valley of the Kings
Cross to the necropolis. The **Valley of the Kings** ticket (around 750 EGP) covers three tombs; Tutankhamun's tomb and Seti I's are extra (the latter, ~1,800 EGP, is the finest). Add the mortuary **Temple of Hatshepsut** and the **Colossi of Memnon**. Consider a sunrise **hot-air balloon** ride over the West Bank — unforgettable, roughly 2,000–3,500 EGP (40–70 USD). Photography inside tombs requires a separate ticket.
Days 6–8: Nile Cruise to Aswan
From Luxor, board a Nile cruise — the classic, relaxing way to travel between Luxor and Aswan over three to four days, with meals and most excursions included.
### Day 6: Edfu
Sail south, stopping at the **Temple of Horus at Edfu**, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, reached by horse-drawn carriage from the dock. Onboard, sundeck afternoons with tea as the riverbank life drifts by.
### Day 7: Kom Ombo
The unusual double **Temple of Kom Ombo**, dedicated to both Sobek (crocodile) and Horus, sits right on the river — atmospheric at dusk. A small museum displays mummified crocodiles.
### Day 8: Arrival in Aswan
Reach Aswan, Egypt's gentlest city. Visit the **Philae Temple** (by boat), the **Unfinished Obelisk** in the ancient granite quarries, and the **High Dam**. End with a felucca sail around Elephantine Island at golden hour. If your cruise schedule allows a spare half-day, Aswan rewards slow exploration: the colorful souk is one of Egypt's most pleasant to browse, the Old Cataract Hotel (where Agatha Christie wrote part of *Death on the Nile*) serves a memorable afternoon tea, and a short boat ride reaches a Nubian village for a taste of the living culture downstream.
Day 9: Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel justifies the early start. Ramesses II's colossal rock temples, relocated to escape Lake Nasser, sit about 280 km south of Aswan — roughly 3–3.5 hours each way by road, or a short flight. Most travelers leave Aswan around 4–5am to arrive for the cooler morning light. The four 20-meter seated colossi are among the most overwhelming sights in Egypt. This is best done as part of a structured trip such as our 5-day Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel tour. Entry around 800 EGP (~16 USD).
Days 10–11: Siwa Oasis (or More Red Sea)
If you crave somewhere truly off the beaten track, the **Siwa Oasis** is a remote Berber world near the Libyan border, famous for its salt lakes, the ancient Oracle of Amun (consulted by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE), mud-brick Shali fortress and desert hot springs. The catch: it's far — about 8–10 hours by road from Cairo, so it suits travelers with time and a taste for adventure. If two long travel days don't appeal, skip Siwa and add these days to the Red Sea instead.
Days 12–14: The Red Sea
After two weeks of temples, the **Red Sea** is the perfect decompression. Hurghada and El Gouna are easiest from Cairo (a ~5–6 hour drive or a short flight); the Sinai resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab offer world-class diving.
### Day 12: Travel and unwind
Transfer to your beach resort, swap walking shoes for flip-flops. Coral reefs begin just offshore.
### Day 13: Snorkeling or diving
The Red Sea has some of the planet's best coral and marine life. A day boat trip to reefs like Giftun Island runs around 600–1,200 EGP (12–24 USD) with snorkeling gear; an intro dive costs more. Non-divers can simply float over the reef.
### Day 14: Last morning and departure
A final swim, then transfer back to Hurghada or fly to Cairo for your international connection. Leave a comfortable buffer — Cairo airport security and check-in can be slow, and there are usually two separate security screenings (one on entering the terminal, one at the gate). Aim to be at the airport at least three hours before an international flight, and keep some small notes for porters and the final round of tips.
Costs, Tips and What to Skip
A realistic mid-range budget for two weeks, excluding international flights, lands around **1,200–2,200 USD per person**: internal flights, a 3–4 night cruise, hotels, guides, entry tickets and food. Luxury easily doubles that; budget backpacking can come in under 1,000 USD.
- **Tipping** is expected everywhere — keep small notes handy
- **Dress modestly** at religious sites; women may want a scarf
- **Drink bottled water** and pace yourself in the heat
- **What to skip if pressed for time**: Siwa (the longest detour) and, if cruising, you can trim a Cairo day
Ready to Plan Your Trip
Two weeks rewards a little structure — guided sites bring the hieroglyphs to life, and pre-booked flights and cruises remove the stress. Our 5-day Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel tour is an excellent anchor for the highlights, and a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan handles the most scenic middle stretch. Build the Red Sea around the ends, and you have one of the great trips of a lifetime.
