How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost? Complete Budget Breakdown
By Sarah Chen | October 12, 2026
A detailed 2026 Egypt trip cost breakdown covering flights, hotels, Nile cruises, pyramids entry fees, visas, food, and guided tours across three budget tiers.
Tags: Egypt, Cairo, Nile Cruise, Budget Travel, Africa, Cost Breakdown, Pyramids, 2026
Key Takeaways
- A 7-day budget Egypt trip costs $955–1,750 per person including international flights, or $35–60/day for in-country costs
- A 10-day mid-range trip with a Nile cruise and Red Sea resort costs $1,625–3,255 per person including flights
- A Nile cruise is the centerpiece of most trips — budget cruises start at $150–300 for 3 nights, luxury Oberoi cruises cost $1,000–2,000
- Entry fees for major sites (Pyramids, Karnak, Valley of the Kings) total approximately $80–150 per person for a standard 7-day trip
- Egypt is one of the most affordable major travel destinations — budget travelers can eat for $1–2 per meal and stay in hostels for $10–20/night
Article
Egypt is one of the most affordable major travel destinations in the world. You can see the Pyramids of Giza, cruise the Nile, and explore ancient temples for less than the cost of a week in Europe.
But Egypt also has luxury options — Oberoi Nile cruises, Four Seasons hotels in Cairo, and private Egyptologist guides that rival any destination in price.
This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget your Egypt trip accurately.
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## Quick Answer: Total Egypt Trip Cost
| Budget level | Per day (per person) | 7-day total | 10-day total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (backpacker) | $35–60 | $245–420 | $350–600 |
| Mid-range (comfortable) | $80–150 | $560–1,050 | $800–1,500 |
| Luxury (premium) | $200–500 | $1,400–3,500 | $2,000–5,000 |
These figures include in-country costs (hotels, food, transport, activities, entry fees). International flights are additional.
### International flight costs to Egypt
| From | Round-trip cost | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| London | $250–500 | EgyptAir, British Airways |
| New York | $600–1,000 | EgyptAir (direct), Delta |
| Frankfurt | $300–500 | Lufthansa, EgyptAir |
| Istanbul | $200–400 | Turkish Airlines |
| Dubai | $150–350 | Emirates, flydubai |
> **Flight tips:** See our [cheap flights guide](/blog/how-to-find-cheap-flights-complete-budget-traveler-guide) for booking strategies. Cairo is well-connected with budget airlines from Europe.
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## Visa and Entry Costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (on arrival) | $25 | Available at Cairo Airport for most nationalities |
| E-visa | $25 | Apply online at [visa2egypt.gov.eg](https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/) |
| Visa processing time | 7–14 days (e-visa) or instant (on arrival) | Check if your nationality qualifies for visa on arrival |
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## Accommodation Costs
### Cairo
| Type | Cost per night | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | $10–20 | Wake Up! Cairo, Holy Sheet Hostel |
| Budget hotel | $25–50 | Egyptian Hostel, New Palace Hotel |
| Mid-range hotel | $60–120 | Steigenberger Cairo, Ramses Hilton |
| Luxury hotel | $200–500 | Four Seasons Nile Plaza, St. Regis Cairo |
### Luxor and Aswan
| Type | Cost per night | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | $15–30 | Bob's Restaurant & Guesthouse, Nefertiti Hotel |
| Mid-range hotel | $40–80 | Steigenberger Nile Palace, Emilio Hotel |
| Luxury hotel | $120–300 | Sofitel Winter Palace, Old Cataract Aswan |
### Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh)
| Type | Cost per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotel | $20–40 | Beach access, basic rooms |
| Mid-range resort | $50–120 | All-inclusive options available |
| Luxury resort | $150–400 | Steigenberger, Four Seasons Sharm |
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## Nile Cruise Costs
A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the centerpiece of most Egypt trips. Cruises run 3–5 nights and include cabins, all meals, and guided temple visits.
### Nile cruise pricing (per person, 4-day/3-night)
| Tier | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $150–300 | Basic boat, shared guide, outside cabin |
| Mid-range | $350–600 | 5-star boat, private guide option, outside cabin with large windows |
| Luxury | $700–1,500 | Oberoi or Sonesta Star, luxury cabins, private Egyptologist guide, all drinks included |
### What is included in a Nile cruise
- Cabin (all meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner buffet)
- Guided temple visits (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple)
- Onboard entertainment (Galabiya party, Nubian show)
### What is NOT included
- Entry fees to temples and tombs ($10–25 each)
- Tips for guide and boat staff ($30–50 for the cruise)
- Drinks (water, soda, alcohol)
- Optional excursions (hot air balloon ride in Luxor: $80–120)
---
## Entry Fees for Major Sites (2026)
### Giza and Cairo area
| Site | Entry fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramids of Giza (complex) | $14 | General entry to the plateau |
| Great Pyramid (inside) | $22 | Additional ticket, limited daily quota |
| Sphinx (close-up area) | Included | Visible from plateau |
| Egyptian Museum (Cairo) | $8 | Tutankhamun collection |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) | $20–30 | New museum near the pyramids (check opening status) |
| Citadel of Saladin | $8 | Islamic Cairo |
| Khan el-Khalili bazaar | Free | Shopping |
### Luxor area
| Site | Entry fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Karnak Temple | $12 | Massive temple complex |
| Luxor Temple | $11 | Downtown, open at night |
| Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) | $12 | General entry includes 3 tombs |
| Tutankhamun's Tomb (extra) | $22 | Additional ticket |
| Hatshepsut Temple | $8 | Dramatic cliffside temple |
| Valley of the Queens | $8 | |
### Aswan area
| Site | Entry fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Philae Temple | $12 | Island temple, includes boat transfer |
| Abu Simbel (optional day trip) | $16 | Temples of Ramses II, $16 entry + $80–120 transport |
> **Total entry fees for a standard 7-day Egypt trip:** Approximately $80–150 per person, depending on how many sites yo
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