Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and a Nile cruise past Luxor's temples, under four hours from Dubai.
In this guide
When to go
October to April is the season, with highs of 20 to 28°C in Cairo and 23 to 30°C in Luxor and Aswan. December to February is the busiest and coolest period, and desert nights can be chilly. From May to September, Upper Egypt passes 40°C, so we start touring at dawn and rest through midday. The Red Sea coast stays good for swimming most of the year.
Egypt is two hours behind Dubai in winter and one hour behind in summer, when it moves its clocks forward. During Ramadan, sites stay open with shorter hours, and evenings in Cairo are especially lively.
Where to stay and how to plan the route
Our Cairo and Nile cruise holiday spends three nights in Cairo and four on a cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with a short domestic flight each way. In Cairo, stay near Giza for pyramid views, or beside the Nile in Zamalek or Garden City for the city centre.
From Aswan, add an early trip to Abu Simbel, or finish with a few beach days in Hurghada or El Gouna. Omar Siddiqui plans many of our group and family Egypt trips, and every itinerary includes qualified Egyptologist guides rather than drivers who simply point.
Things to do
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, ideally at opening time
- The Grand Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun's treasures
- Islamic Cairo, Al Azhar Mosque and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- Karnak and Luxor temples, the latter lit up after dark
- The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank
- Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor
- Felucca sail around Aswan's islands and a Nubian village
- Abu Simbel's colossal rock temples
Food, money and practical tips
Halal food is standard. Try koshari, ful medames and molokhia. Tipping, or baksheesh, is part of daily life: small notes for toilets, porters and drivers, and more for guides and cruise staff. Carry Egyptian pounds in small denominations; cards work in hotels and larger shops. Dress modestly, especially in mosques and rural areas, and women should bring a scarf. Photography fees apply at some sites and drones are not allowed. Drink bottled water and peel fruit. A local SIM is easy to buy at the airport.
Rules change; we confirm the current requirements before you apply.
Egypt holidays from Dubai
Visa services for Egypt
Egypt: questions we are asked
Do UAE residents need a visa for Egypt?
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
How many days do we need in Egypt?
Is Egypt good for families?
Is a Nile cruise comfortable in summer?
Can we add a beach stay on the Red Sea?
Travellers back from Egypt
The sights were incredible, but our Nile cruise was changed to a sister ship three days before departure and our cabin ended up on a lower deck than booked. Part of the difference was refunded after we complained. Valley of the Kings and Karnak were unforgettable regardless.
Pakistani passport holder living in Abu Dhabi. Imran explained which options suited my residence status, collected the documents in one visit and had the approval back before my flight. The office even called the night before to remind me to print it.
South African group of friends, six of us. Balloon over the West Bank of Luxor, the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo from the cruise, and koshari in Cairo on our last day. The visa formalities were handled for all of us.
