Self-Launched 14-Day Egypt Highlights: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada

Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Take the Cairo Metro Line 3 or a pre-booked airport transfer (around £5–8 via Uber/Careem) to your hotel in central Cairo, near Tahrir Square or Downtown. Get oriented, grab a koshary at a local restaurant (under £1.50), and rest up. Pick up an Egyptian SIM card (Vodafone or Orange) at the airport for around £3.

🚌Cairo International Airport to Downtown Cairo: Uber/Careem ~£5–8, or Cairo Metro Line 3 from Airport to Attaba ~£0.30

🛏Kempinski Nile Hotel Budget Alternative: Cairo City Centre Hostel, Golden Hotel Cairo, or similar 3★ budget hotel near Tahrir Square (~£18–25/night)

• →Arrive at Cairo International Airport
• →Take Uber/Careem or Metro into central Cairo (~£5–8)
• →Buy a local SIM card at the airport (~£3)
• →Explore the neighbourhood around Tahrir Square
• →Try local street food — koshary, ful medames

Spend the morning at the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square (entry ~£8, book on-site or via GetYourGuide). Explore the Tutankhamun collection and mummies. In the afternoon, head to Old (Coptic) Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Roman towers of Babylon. Take the Metro to Mar Girgis station — easiest and cheapest way (~£0.20). Wrap up with a wander through the nearby streets.

🚌Cairo Metro — use Line 1 and Line 2 for most city travel, tickets ~£0.20 each

🛏Cairo City Centre Hostel or similar (~£18–25/night)

• →Egyptian Museum visit — Tutankhamun treasures, Royal Mummies Hall (~£8 entry)
• →Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa) in Old Cairo — free entry
• →Ben Ezra Synagogue — free entry
• →Coptic Museum (~£3 entry)
• →Cairo Metro Line 1 to Mar Girgis (~£0.20)

Take an early Uber or shared minibus to Giza (from Giza Metro station, shared taxis cost ~£1). Entry to the Giza Plateau covers the three pyramids and the Great Sphinx (~£12 general entry; interior of the Great Pyramid costs an extra £7). Hire a local guide at the gate for more context (~£15–20 for 2 hours), or use an audio guide app. In the afternoon, take a shared taxi or microbus south to Saqqara (~£5 one-way) to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the surrounding necropolis (~£9 entry). Optional: camel ride near the Pyramids (~£8–12 for 20–30 minutes — negotiate firmly).

🚌Uber from Downtown Cairo to Giza ~£4–6; shared taxi/microbus Giza to Saqqara ~£4–6

🛏Cairo City Centre Hostel or similar (~£18–25/night)

• →Pyramids of Giza — Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure (~£12 plateau entry)
• →Great Sphinx — included in plateau entry
• →Optional: enter the Great Pyramid interior (~£7 extra)
• →Optional: camel ride 20–30 minutes (~£8–12, negotiate)
• →Saqqara Step Pyramid of Djoser (~£9 entry)
• →Shared taxi Giza to Saqqara (~£5 one-way)

Spend the day exploring Islamic Cairo on foot. Start with a walk down Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street, one of the oldest streets in Cairo, lined with medieval Islamic architecture — free to walk and explore. Visit the Al-Azhar Mosque (free entry with modest dress), then dive into the Khan El-Khalili bazaar for souvenirs, spices and people-watching. In the evening, take a 1-hour Nile felucca ride from the Downtown Corniche (~£4–6 per person). Tonight, book your overnight train or arrange transport to Aswan for tomorrow.

🚌Cairo Metro and on-foot; Nile felucca ride ~£4–6

🛏Cairo City Centre Hostel or similar (~£18–25/night)

• →Al-Muizz Street walk — medieval Islamic architecture, free
• →Al-Azhar Mosque visit — free with modest dress
• →Khan El-Khalili bazaar — browse spices, jewellery, souvenirs
• →Nile felucca ride from Corniche (~£4–6/person, ~1 hour)
• →Book overnight sleeper train Cairo to Aswan for Day 5 (~£25–35 in 2-berth cabin)

Board the overnight sleeper train from Cairo Ramses Station to Aswan (departs ~8pm, arrives ~8am; book via Egyptian National Railways or a local agent — ~£25–35 in a shared 2-berth sleeper cabin, meals included). On arrival in Aswan, check into your guesthouse. In the afternoon, take a shared taxi (~£1.50) or a private taxi (~£6 for the day) to visit the Aswan High Dam (~£3 entry) and then the stunning Temple of Philae, reachable by short motorboat (~£4 return). End the day with a short felucca ride on the Nile at sunset (~£5–8 per person, arranged directly at the waterfront).

🚌Overnight sleeper train Cairo to Aswan ~£25–35; local shared taxis in Aswan ~£1–2 per trip

🛏Marhaba Palace Hotel Aswan or Nubian Oasis Guesthouse or similar (~£15–22/night)

• →Overnight sleeper train Cairo Ramses to Aswan (~£25–35, includes meals)
• →Aswan High Dam visit (~£3 entry)
• →Temple of Philae — motorboat + entry (~£8 total)
• →Sunset felucca ride on the Nile from Aswan waterfront (~£5–8/person)

Morning: take a motorboat to the Nubian Village on Elephantine Island (~£4 return) for a colourful community experience. After lunch, take a shared microbus or taxi (~£3–4) north to the Temple of Kom Ombo (~£7 entry), a dramatic double-temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus on a Nile bend. The adjacent Crocodile Museum is included in the entry. Optional: book a day trip to Abu Simbel via a shared minibus from Aswan (~£25–35 including transport and entry; departs 3–4am — book via your guesthouse or local agency).

🚌Motorboat to Elephantine Island ~£4; shared microbus/taxi Aswan to Kom Ombo ~£3–4

🛏Marhaba Palace Hotel Aswan or similar (~£15–22/night)

• →Nubian Village motorboat trip to Elephantine Island (~£4 return)
• →Temple of Kom Ombo (~£7 entry)
• →Crocodile Museum — included in Kom Ombo entry
• →Optional: Abu Simbel day trip shared minibus from Aswan (~£25–35 all-in)

For the authentic Nile experience, book a 2-night budget Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (departing today, arriving Day 8 morning) — these can be booked directly with local cruise operators in Aswan for around £80–120 per person all-in (cabin, meals, and guided stops at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna Lock). Alternatively, take the train from Aswan to Luxor (~£4–7, ~3 hours) and visit Edfu Temple independently by taxi from Edfu town. En route, pass through Esna Lock if on the cruise. On arrival in Luxor (or late afternoon by train), check in to your guesthouse on the East Bank.

🚌Budget Nile cruise Aswan–Luxor ~£80–120 all-in; OR train Aswan–Luxor ~£4–7

🛏Nile Cruise cabin (if booked) OR Boomerang Hotel Luxor or Sofitel Winter Palace budget wing or similar (~£15–22/night)

• →Budget Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor (~£80–120 all-in for 2 nights, includes Edfu and Kom Ombo stops) OR train Aswan to Luxor (~£4–7)
• →Edfu Temple of Horus — horse-drawn carriage from Edfu dock (~£3) + entry (~£8)
• →Esna Lock passing — free if on cruise
• →Luxor Temple evening visit (~£8 entry, beautifully lit at night)

An iconic full day on Luxor's West Bank. Take a local ferry across the Nile (~£0.50) then hire a bicycle (~£3/day) or shared taxi for the West Bank sites. Visit the Valley of the Kings (~£12 entry, includes 3 tombs; Tutankhamun's tomb costs extra ~£15), the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari (~£8), and the Colossi of Memnon (free). In the afternoon, cross back to the East Bank for Karnak Temple (~£10 entry) — one of the most impressive ancient sites in the world. Optional: hot-air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise, bookable locally or via GetYourGuide (~£70–90).

🚌Local Nile ferry ~£0.50; bicycle hire for West Bank ~£3/day; shared taxi ~£4–8 for West Bank loop

🛏Boomerang Hotel Luxor or similar guesthouse (~£15–22/night)

• →Local ferry East Bank to West Bank (~£0.50)
• →Valley of the Kings (~£12 entry for 3 tombs; Tutankhamun extra ~£15)
• →Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari (~£8 entry)
• →Colossi of Memnon — free
• →Karnak Temple Complex (~£10 entry)
• →Optional: hot-air balloon ride at sunrise (~£70–90, book via GetYourGuide or local agent)

Travel from Luxor to Hurghada by air-conditioned Go Bus or Upper Egypt Bus Co. (~£6–9, roughly 3–4 hours; book the day before at the station or online). Arrive in Hurghada mid-morning, check into your hotel or budget resort. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach at El Dahar public beach or Sakalla area, and explore the old town (Dahar Quarter) on foot. Try fresh fish at a local restaurant in Dahar from ~£5.

🚌Go Bus or Upper Egypt Bus Co. Luxor to Hurghada ~£6–9; local tuk-tuk or microbus within Hurghada ~£0.50–1.50

🛏Sea Star Hostel Hurghada, Sand Beach Hotel, or similar budget guesthouse/hotel (~£18–28/night)

• →Go Bus or Upper Egypt Bus Co. Luxor to Hurghada (~£6–9, ~3–4 hours)
• →Check in to hotel/budget resort
• →Relax on Hurghada public beach (El Dahar area)
• →Explore Old Dahar Quarter on foot
• →Fresh seafood dinner at a local Dahar restaurant (~£5–8)

Book a half-day or full-day snorkelling boat trip from Hurghada Marina to the offshore reefs and islands (Giftun Island, Mahmya Beach) via GetYourGuide, Klook, or directly from the marina (~£15–25 including equipment and lunch on full-day trips). The Red Sea reefs here are spectacular — expect vivid coral, parrotfish, pufferfish and rays. Alternatively, rent snorkel gear independently (~£3–5) and snorkel from the beach at Sahl Hasheesh or Abu Dabbab. Spend the evening in Sakkala for dining and beach bars.

🚌Local microbus or tuk-tuk to marina ~£1–2

🛏Sand Beach Hotel or similar (~£18–28/night)

• →Snorkelling boat trip to Giftun Island or Mahmya Beach (~£15–25, book via GetYourGuide or marina)
• →Snorkelling equipment included or rent locally (~£3–5)
• →Optional: glass-bottom boat trip (~£10–15)
• →Beach relaxation and sunset at Sakkala beachfront

Another day in Hurghada to enjoy the Red Sea at your own pace. Options include a beginner PADI Discover Scuba Diving session bookable via GetYourGuide (~£45–60, no certification needed), a second snorkelling trip to different reefs, or simply relaxing on the beach. Alternatively, book a jeep safari into the Eastern Desert (~£20–30 via local operators at the marina or your hotel) for a very different Egyptian experience — sand dunes, Bedouin tea, and stargazing.

🚌Local tuk-tuk or microbus ~£1–2

🛏Sand Beach Hotel or similar (~£18–28/night)

• →Optional: Discover Scuba Diving beginner session (~£45–60, via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: jeep safari into the Eastern Desert with Bedouin tea (~£20–30)
• →Second snorkelling trip to different reef sites (~£15–20)
• →Beach relaxation and swimming
• →Explore Hurghada Marina for dinner options

Return to Cairo by Go Bus from Hurghada Bus Station (approximately 6 hours, ~£10–14; book the evening before). Alternatively, fly from Hurghada Airport to Cairo Airport with EgyptAir or Air Cairo (~£35–55 one-way, book in advance). Arrive in Cairo, check back into a central hotel near Tahrir Square or in Zamalek. Rest up and enjoy a relaxed evening — perhaps a rooftop dinner overlooking the Nile.

🚌Go Bus Hurghada to Cairo ~£10–14; OR EgyptAir/Air Cairo flight ~£35–55

🛏Cairo City Centre Hostel or similar 3★ budget hotel (~£18–25/night)

• →Go Bus Hurghada to Cairo (~£10–14, ~6 hours) OR flight Hurghada to Cairo (~£35–55)
• →Check back into Cairo hotel
• →Optional: rooftop dinner along the Nile Corniche
• →Evening stroll along the Nile in Zamalek or Dokki

Optional: take the train from Cairo Ramses Station to Alexandria (~£4–6, 2–2.5 hours on the Spanish Train/express) for a day trip — visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa (~£6), the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (~£3), the seafront Corniche, and the Citadel of Qaitbay (~£4). Return to Cairo by evening train. Alternatively, spend the day in Cairo revisiting favourites, shopping for final gifts in Khan El-Khalili, or visiting the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza (~£20 entry, book via GetYourGuide in advance).

🚌Cairo Ramses to Alexandria express train ~£4–6 each way; Cairo Metro for city travel ~£0.20/trip

🛏Cairo City Centre Hostel or similar (~£18–25/night)

• →Optional: day trip to Alexandria by train (~£4–6 each way, ~2 hours)
• →Bibliotheca Alexandrina Alexandria (~£3 entry)
• →Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa (~£6 entry)
• →Citadel of Qaitbay, Alexandria (~£4 entry)
• →Alternatively: Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza (~£20 entry, pre-book via GetYourGuide)
• →Final souvenir shopping at Khan El-Khalili bazaar

Final morning in Cairo. Enjoy a last Egyptian breakfast (ful medames, eggs, baladi bread) at a local café. Depending on your flight time, fit in a final visit to a nearby sight or stroll along the Nile Corniche. Take an Uber/Careem or the Metro Line 3 to Cairo International Airport (~£5–8). Allow at least 3 hours before departure for check-in. Safe travels!

🚌Uber/Careem Downtown Cairo to Cairo Airport ~£5–8; OR Cairo Metro Line 3 to Airport ~£0.30

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final Egyptian breakfast at a local café (~£2–3)
• →Optional: last Nile Corniche walk or final Cairo Museum stop
• →Uber/Careem to Cairo International Airport (~£5–8)