Is Egypt expensive? Our budget Egypt travel guide

Egypt is not an expensive country to travel to—it’s very budget friendly. It’s an incredible destination, from the hustle and bustle of Cairo to the mighty Nile, the marine life of the Red Sea, and the treasures and monuments left by ancient civilisations.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a wonderful travel experience here. In this Egypt travel guide, we share tips and insights into how to travel around Egypt on a budget.

Cost of flights to Egypt

There are various departure airports in the UK as well as destinations in Egypt. Prices can start fairly low, especially if you can be flexible about your departure date. Flights to Egpyt from the UK typically take five to six hours.

Destinations of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada are well served by low-cost airlines and charter flights as part of package holidays. As a result, they can be a good source of bargains.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Egypt?

The cheapest time to fly to Egypt is usually in January and November. Prices are generally lower between the months of October and April.

The cost of transport in Egypt

People often ask, is it expensive to visit Egypt? The answer is no, there are a number of budget-friendly ways to get around, depending on where you’re headed. If you’re looking to explore Egypt, Cairo is often the best place to start, as it offers excellent transport links to the rest of the country.

Train travel in Egypt

Egyptian Railways offer comfortable trains on routes between Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Luxor, Aswan, and Suez. Most tourists choose air-conditioned trains, some of which are sleeper services. Non-air-conditioned trains are much cheaper but can be crowded and slow.

Travelling by bus

Most major routes have good bus services with comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Tickets can be bought at bus stations in most towns. Services run frequently throughout the day, and some routes include overnight buses too.

Taxis in Egypt

Serviced taxis are a cost-effective transport option in Egypt. These are seven-seater vehicles or small buses that operate on specific routes from a central terminal. As soon as the vehicle is full of passengers, it will depart.

Traditional taxis are also available, though these come at a higher price. You can also hire a car and a driver to take you to a specific destination. It’s a good idea to negotiate prices, as they are often inflated for tourists.

Travelling by boat

For an alternative mode of transport, why not consider travelling by boat? Cruising the Nile is a longstanding tradition in Egypt, and you can often book cabins locally.

The quality of the trip can vary, and some luxury cruises are very expensive. If you have the opportunity to view the boat before paying, it’s often advisable. Otherwise, checking reviews or getting a recommendation from a reputable source is a good idea.

Renting a car

Renting a car is another great way to explore the country. However, driving in Egypt can be more demanding than in the UK.

There are plenty of service stations for fuel in towns and cities, but they are much more sparse in rural areas, so make sure you fill up when you can. Petrol prices are very cheap—a litre can cost as little as 30 pence.

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Egypt?

The minimum age for driving in Egypt is 25, and you will need an international driving licence.

The cost of accommodation in Egypt

There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from in Egypt, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to luxurious homes.

Hotels

Booking ahead will give you the best choice of hotels and the most control over the cost. Like anywhere, hotels vary widely in cost in line with their star rating, level of luxury and level of demand.

Around the Red Sea, many hotels are four and five star and often all-inclusive, but you may still find a bargain in low season.

Airbnbs

There are Airbnbs available all over Egypt, from rooms in a private house in Cairo to holiday villas in holiday resorts. You can find options to suit all budgets.

The cost of food and drink in Egypt

Egyptian food is influenced by many countries. You will find Turkish, Lebanese, Syrian, Greek and French cuisines. You will find more Mediterranean influences in the north and food that is rich in spices in the south.

Bear in mind that Egypt is a Muslim country, so buying and drinking alcohol is only permitted in certain places.

Where to eat in Egypt on a budget

So, is Egypt expensive for food? Fortunately, not! The exchange rate with Egypt makes food and drink very cheap by UK standards.

Making your own meals using ingredients from markets and stalls is the cheapest way to eat in Egypt. However, eating out can also be an affordable option.

While restaurants are a great option, cafes and street stalls offer simpler, cheaper meals than restaurants, particularly those targeted at tourists.

Staple foods in Egypt are bread, often pitta style, fuul (fava beans) and tamiya (falafel). These are typically served as street food for a cheap price.

The cost of alcohol in Egypt

In tourist resorts alcohol is readily available at hotels and bars. It is not expensive by British standards, due to the exchange rate, but pricey compared with soft drinks. In more remote areas, it can be much more difficult to buy alcohol.

Egyptians enjoy tea as their national drink, and coffee is usually similar to Turkish coffee—very strong. You will often find delicious juices on offer, too.

Best attractions in Egypt on a budget

If you are heading to Cairo and Luxor, you can’t miss the Pyramids or Valley of the Kings.

You can visit all the museums and archaeological sites with a Cairo Pass. The Luxor Pass gives you access to all archaeological sites on both the east bank and west bank of Luxor, but the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari are not included.

Get our Prepaid Currency Card and make spending on your trip easy

Ready to start planning your Egyptian adventure? At the moment, it's difficult to buy Egyptian pounds in the UK, due to a currency shortage, but you can make it simpler using the Travelex Money Card, powered by Mastercard®.

Unlike your debit card, our prepaid currency card is not linked to your bank account, minimising your risk of losing all your funds in case of loss or theft. You can make secure contactless payments directly at the point of sale in Egypt with our card (if you have a balance in your wallet) and withdraw Egyptian pounds from ATMs.

Please note that a 2% fee applies to GBP loads, and a 5.75% fee is incurred when using the card in Egypt where the local currency isn't offered on our Travelex Money Card. This fee also extends to cash withdrawals for Egyptian pounds and other currencies that are not offered on our card. While Travelex doesn’t impose charges for ATM withdrawals, it's important to note that fees from other ATM providers may apply.

For more information about travelling to Egypt, see our Egypt travel guide or find out more about the Egyptian pound.