16-Day Self-Launched Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise & Sharm El Sheikh

Fly into Cairo International Airport. Take the Airport Bus Line 356 or a pre-booked Airport Taxi (~£8-12) to your accommodation near Giza. Get settled, grab some koshari from a local restaurant, and orient yourself. If energy allows, take an evening stroll along the Nile Corniche.

🚌Airport bus (Line 356) ~£1, or shared taxi ~£8-12 to Giza area

🛏Pyramids View Inn or similar guesthouse near Giza (~£15-20/night)

• →Arrive at Cairo International Airport
• →Transfer to guesthouse/hotel near Giza by local taxi or bus (~£8)
• →Explore local streets and grab dinner at a koshari restaurant (~£3-5)

Head to the Giza Plateau early morning to beat the heat and crowds. Book entry tickets directly at the gate or via GetYourGuide for a skip-the-line option. Walk among the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. Visit the Valley Temple of Chephren. Consider a self-guided audio tour via the free Giza Plateau app. Have lunch at a local restaurant just outside the plateau.

🚌Walk or local minibus from Giza accommodation (~£1)

🛏Pyramids View Inn or similar guesthouse near Giza (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu (entry ~£14)
• →Explore Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure on Giza Plateau
• →View the Great Sphinx and Valley Temple of Chephren
• →Iconic three-pyramid photo from the panorama viewpoint
• →Optional: Sound and Light Show at Giza in the evening (~£10)

Take a microbus or shared taxi south to Saqqara (~30 mins from Giza). Explore the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the Imhotep Museum, tombs of high officials, and the Pyramids of Titi and Unas. Afternoon: head to the open-air museum of Memphis to see the colossal Statue of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx at the Temple of Ptah. Return to Cairo/Giza by shared taxi.

🚌Shared microbus from Giza to Saqqara (~£1-2 each way), shared taxi to Memphis (~£3)

🛏Pyramids View Inn or similar guesthouse near Giza (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit Step Pyramid of Zoser at Saqqara (~£12 entry)
• →Explore Imhotep Museum and royal tombs
• →Visit Pyramids of Titi and Unas
• →Explore Memphis open-air museum — Ramses II statue and alabaster sphinx (~£5 entry)

Take an overnight sleeper train from Cairo Ramses Station to Luxor (book via Egyptian National Railways — tourist sleeper ~£50 per person, departs ~8pm arriving next morning, but for a day train, the Abela Egypt sleeper is recommended). Alternatively, a budget flight on EgyptAir or Nile Air can be found for ~£40-60. On arrival in Luxor, check into your guesthouse and head straight to Karnak Temple complex (self-guided with audio tour) and Luxor Temple in the evening when it is beautifully lit up.

🚌Sleeper train Cairo–Luxor (~£50) or budget domestic flight (~£40-60)

🛏Nefertiti Hotel or Boomerang Guesthouse, Luxor (~£12-18/night)

• →Overnight sleeper train or budget flight Cairo to Luxor (~£40-60)
• →Check into Luxor guesthouse
• →Visit Karnak Temple Complex (entry ~£12)
• →Visit Luxor Temple in the evening — stunning illuminations (entry ~£9)
• →View Obelisk of Ramses II and Mosque of Abu el-Haggag

Cross the Nile to the West Bank by local ferry (£0.50) and hire a local bicycle or take a shared microbus to the main sites. Visit the Valley of the Kings with entry to three tombs included in the base ticket; add the tomb of Tutankhamun for a small extra fee (~£16). Visit the stunning Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari) and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Return to Luxor by ferry in the afternoon.

🚌Local ferry (~£0.50), bicycle hire or shared microbus on West Bank (~£2-5)

🛏Nefertiti Hotel or Boomerang Guesthouse, Luxor (~£12-18/night)

• →Local ferry across the Nile to West Bank (~£0.50)
• →Visit Valley of the Kings — 3 tombs included (~£14)
• →Visit Tomb of Tutankhamun (extra ticket ~£16)
• →Visit Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (~£10)
• →Stop at Colossi of Memnon (free)
• →Optional: Hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise (book via GetYourGuide ~£85)

Book a self-organised day trip by shared service taxi or join a small group minibus (bookable at the Luxor tourist office or via GetYourGuide) south to Edfu and Kom Ombo. The Temple of Edfu — dedicated to Horus — is one of Egypt's best-preserved temples. Continue to the remarkable double Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, dramatically set above the Nile. Return to Luxor or continue overnight to Aswan.

🚌Shared service taxi Luxor–Edfu–Kom Ombo–Aswan (~£10-15 total)

🛏Keylany Hotel or Memnon Hotel, Aswan (~£12-18/night)

• →Shared service taxi or minibus day trip to Edfu and Kom Ombo (~£8-15)
• →Visit Temple of Edfu (entry ~£10)
• →Visit Temple of Kom Ombo (entry ~£8)
• →Optional: Continue to Aswan by shared taxi or local bus (~£5-8)

Spend the day exploring Aswan's highlights independently. Start at the Aswan High Dam, then visit the fascinating Unfinished Obelisk at the granite quarries. In the afternoon, take a short motorboat (bookable at the Nile corniche) to Agilkia Island to visit the beautifully relocated Temple of Philae. End the day with a traditional felucca sail on the Nile at sunset — haggle directly with boatmen on the corniche (~£5-8 per hour).

🚌Local taxi around Aswan (~£5-8), motorboat to Philae (~£4 shared)

🛏Keylany Hotel or Memnon Hotel, Aswan (~£12-18/night)

• →Visit Aswan High Dam (entry ~£5)
• →See the Unfinished Obelisk at Granite Quarries (~£7)
• →Motorboat to Philae Island and visit Temple of Philae (~£10 entry + £4 boat)
• →Sunset felucca sail on the Nile (~£5-8/hr — negotiate directly)

Use this day to rest, explore Aswan's colourful Nubian market, or take an optional day trip to the incredible Abu Simbel temples — one of Egypt's most dramatic sights. Book a shared minibus from Aswan (departs ~4am, returns midday, ~£20-25 per person including entry). Alternatively, relax by the Nile, visit Elephantine Island, or explore the Nubian Museum in the afternoon.

🚌Shared minibus to Abu Simbel (~£20 return) or local walking

🛏Keylany Hotel or Memnon Hotel, Aswan (~£12-18/night)

• →Optional: Day trip to Abu Simbel temples by shared minibus (~£20 transport + £17 entry)
• →Explore Aswan Nubian market and Corniche
• →Visit Nubian Museum (entry ~£8)
• →Relax by the Nile or take a felucca to Elephantine Island

Fly from Aswan Airport to Sharm El Sheikh (via Cairo if necessary — book Nile Air or EgyptAir in advance, ~£60-90). Check into your accommodation in Naama Bay or Sharm's Old Town (much cheaper than resort strips). Spend the evening exploring Naama Bay's waterfront and grab dinner at a local Egyptian restaurant rather than the resort buffet.

🚌Domestic flight Aswan–Sharm El Sheikh (~£60-90, may connect via Cairo)

🛏Camelot Hotel Sharm or similar budget hotel in Naama Bay (~£20-30/night, often includes breakfast)

• →Domestic flight Aswan to Sharm El Sheikh (~£60-90, book via EgyptAir or Nile Air)
• →Check into guesthouse or budget hotel in Naama Bay
• →Evening stroll along Naama Bay waterfront
• →Dinner at a local Egyptian restaurant (~£5-8)

Spend a full day enjoying Sharm's world-class Red Sea reef. Book a snorkelling or diving trip to Tiran Island or Ras Mohammed National Park via GetYourGuide or directly at Naama Bay dive shops (~£30-45 for a full-day boat trip with snorkel gear). Beaches like Shark's Bay and Naama Bay are free to access or cheap entry. Enjoy a relaxed evening with fresh seafood at the Old Market.

🚌Walk or local tuk-tuk around Naama Bay (~£1-2)

🛏Camelot Hotel Sharm or similar budget hotel in Naama Bay (~£20-30/night)

• →Boat snorkelling day trip to Tiran Island or Ras Mohammed (~£30-45 via GetYourGuide)
• →Snorkelling at Naama Bay house reef (free with fins hire ~£5)
• →Visit Old Market for fresh seafood dinner (~£8-12)
• →Optional: Intro scuba dive for beginners (~£50-65)

Book a desert safari by ATV quad bike or jeep into the Sinai desert (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide or local operators on the strip). Alternatively, take an overnight trip to Mount Sinai — depart at midnight, hike 2-3 hours by camel or on foot, watch the sunrise from the 2,285m summit, then visit St Catherine's Monastery. This is one of the highlights of any Egypt trip. Book via a Sharm guesthouse or GetYourGuide (~£25-40 transport + guide).

🚌Organised safari transfer included in tour price; local tuk-tuk for town (~£1-2)

🛏Camelot Hotel Sharm or similar budget hotel in Naama Bay (~£20-30/night)

• →Desert quad bike or jeep safari in Sinai (~£25-35 bookable via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional overnight: Hike Mount Sinai for sunrise (~£25-40 transport/guide)
• →Visit St Catherine's Monastery (free, open mornings)
• →Relax at beach or hotel pool in the afternoon

A free day to enjoy Sharm at your own pace. Try a dolphin watching cruise, paddleboard, or simply relax on the beach. Visit the Sharm Old Town market to pick up souvenirs at local prices — avoid the resort shops. Consider a glass-bottom boat trip through the reef from Naama Bay marina (~£15-20).

🚌Walk or local tuk-tuk (~£1-2)

🛏Camelot Hotel Sharm or similar budget hotel in Naama Bay (~£20-30/night)

• →Glass-bottom boat trip from Naama Bay marina (~£15-20)
• →Relax on Shark's Bay or Naama Beach
• →Browse Sharm Old Market for souvenirs
• →Optional: Dolphin watching excursion (~£25-35)

Take a morning flight back to Cairo (EgyptAir or Nile Air, ~£50-70 booked in advance). Alternatively, take the public bus or shared taxi via the Sinai highway (~5-7 hrs, ~£15-20) if you prefer a scenic overland return. Check back into your Cairo/Giza accommodation. Rest and explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the evening — Cairo's famous medieval market.

🚌Domestic flight Sharm–Cairo (~£50-70) or long-distance bus (~£15-20)

🛏Pyramids View Inn or Cairo hostel near Islamic Cairo (~£15-20/night)

• →Morning flight or bus back to Cairo (~£50-70 flight or £15-20 bus)
• →Check in to accommodation near central Cairo or Giza
• →Explore Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the evening (free entry)
• →Dinner at a local Egyptian restaurant in Islamic Cairo (~£4-6)

Take the early morning express train from Cairo Ramses Station to Alexandria (2 hrs, ~£5-8 in 1st class, bookable at the station or via Egyptian Railways). Spend a full day exploring Alexandria's highlights independently: Montazah Palace gardens, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (one of the world's great libraries — entry ~£5), Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (~£8), and Qaitbay Citadel (~£6) with stunning sea views. Return to Cairo by evening train.

🚌Train Cairo–Alexandria return (~£10-16 total), local tram or taxi in Alexandria (~£3-5)

🛏Pyramids View Inn or Cairo hostel near Islamic Cairo (~£15-20/night)

• →Express train Cairo to Alexandria (~£5-8, ~2 hours)
• →Visit Montazah Palace and gardens (~£2 entry)
• →Explore Bibliotheca Alexandrina (~£5 entry)
• →Visit Pompey's Pillar (~£4)
• →Visit Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (~£8)
• →Explore Qaitbay Citadel (~£6)
• →Return train Alexandria to Cairo (~£5-8)

Dedicate today to Cairo's museums. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Plateau — home to the complete Tutankhamun collection and thousands of ancient artefacts (entry ~£20-25, bookable via the GEM website). In the afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (entry ~£14) for the original Mummy Room. End the day with a Nile dinner cruise from the Corniche if budget allows (~£15-25 bookable via GetYourGuide).

🚌Local taxi or ride-share (Uber/Careem) around Cairo (~£3-6)

🛏Pyramids View Inn or Cairo hostel near Islamic Cairo (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — Tutankhamun treasures (~£20-25 entry)
• →Visit Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square (~£14 entry)
• →Optional: Nile dinner cruise with entertainment (~£15-25 via GetYourGuide)
• →Final evening exploring Cairo's rooftop cafés

Enjoy a final Egyptian breakfast at your hotel. Pick up any last souvenirs from the local market near Giza — much cheaper than the tourist shops inside attractions. Transfer to Cairo International Airport by local taxi or Uber/Careem (~£8-12). Allow plenty of time for airport security.

🚌Local taxi or Uber/Careem to Cairo Airport (~£8-12)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at hotel
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping at local markets
• →Transfer to Cairo International Airport by taxi or Uber/Careem (~£8-12)