Exploring Egypt: A 9-Day Budget Friendly Itinerary

Last Updated on 25/03/2025 by Michaela

Last existing ancient wonder of the world? Of course, the Pyramids of Giza have probably been on everyone’s bucket list since childhood. Egypt also welcomes travelers from all around the world with its enchanting Red Sea beaches and rich underwater life, making it one of the most popular diving and snorkelling locations.

But it’s not just the pyramids and the sea that you’ll be visiting in this Egypt itinerary. You’ll fully immerse yourself in Egyptian history, visit the bustling markets, sample the local cuisine or see the Valley of the Kings from the sky.

On top of that, I’m here to prove that experiencing Egypt doesn’t have to be expensive. In this article, I’ll take you through our adventure, reserving all the cost details for the grand finale of this itinerary. Let’s dive right in!

Is 9 days enough time in Egypt?

Egypt is a large country with plenty activities to offer. However, 9 days is enough to explore the key highlights, embark on exciting adventures, and still leave room for relaxation.

Our goal was not limited to chasing adventure and landmarks; we also needed a little beach escape. Keep reading until the end of this article for a few tips on how to adapt this itinerary to fit your needs.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

It’s important to note that I can only speak from my own experiences, and for the most part, Egypt felt safe. The moments when I didn’t feel entirely secure primarily revolved around one thing: traffic. Traffic in Egypt is absolutely wild and chaotic and summoning the courage to cross the street can be an adventure in itself.

I consciously opted to travel to Egypt with a male friend due to the common concerns surrounding female travellers in the region. This decision a feeling of comfort, and, I must admit, we found ourselves frequently facing questions about our relationship status.

If you choose to wander around more independently, like us, be prepared for plenty of interactions with locals. Arm yourself with a dose of assertiveness for a lot of bargaining and discussions.

Hurghada

Hurghada, a resort town on the Red Sea coast, offers incredible underwater adventures and a relaxing beach getaway.

Day 0 – Travel day

In order to make our Egyptian adventure cost-effective, we flew with a connection in Istanbul (Prague – Istanbul – Hurghada). After a long day of traveling, our plane landed in Hurghada at midnight and that meant only one goal – getting to bed as soon as possible.

As I had already been in touch with couple of people through couchsurfing before I set foot in Egypt, we had a friendly car waiting for us in front of the airport. Our new friend Luka dropped us right in front of our hotel that was only about 20 minute drive from the airport.

Before heading to Egypt, I did some research, and it seemed like everyone recommended staying near Sheraton Road. So, we went with Lilly Apartments for our accommodation, and I have to say, it was a great choice. We opted for the full board package, which was served in another nearby hotel, and the food was absolutely fantastic. The rooms were simple but more than met our needs.

Day 1 – All the necessities with a glimpse of Hurghada

On our first day, our primary mission was to get a SIM card, exchange currency, and indulge in our first dip. Following a piece of advice we received, we decided to skip buying a SIM card at the airport and went straight to a Vodafone store. We chose Vodafone simply because it has the strongest network coverage in Egypt.

💡 Make sure to buy bottled water (or bring a water filter) unless your accommodation provides it, as the tap water isn’t safe to drink. Buying water might also become your first opportunity to haggle. How do I know this? Well, let's just say our initial attempt at negotiating a price was far from successful, but it served as a lesson we didn't forget. I recommend to make some research to get an idea of the prices of specific goods. With that said, here’s a brief list of various items to begin with.

Finally, after sorting out all the essentials, we excitedly made our way to the beach. Our hotel offered a nearby beach, accessible to us at no extra cost. We spent a couple of hours in the sun, motivating ourselves to brave the still chilly April waters for a swim.

In the evening we couldn’t resist the urge to explore a local Czech restaurant, the Praha Cafe. It was a decent place decorated with all things Czech. It felt like a slice of home, but I have to admit, the beer, unfortunately, didn’t quite match up to the high standards we Czechs are used to!

Day 2 – Mixing up some cultural exploration with beach vibes

On our second day, we had a pretty packed schedule. We started our day with a visit to the stunning Al Mina Mosque, although we unfortunately couldn’t enter as it was quite busy due to Ramadan. Instead, we made our way to Marina, where the holiday atmosphere was truly in the air.

Following that, we took a short 20-minute Uber ride to Sand City Hurghada. This place felt like a sneak peek of the wonders Egypt still had in store for us. They had these amazing sand sculptures of famous Egyptian landmarks like the pyramids, tombs, and temples, and the entrance fee was 300 EGP for one person. We wrapped up our day with some chill time at the beach, soaking up the sun, and a lovely sunset stroll.

Day 3 – Underwater Wonders of the Red Sea

Today was a special morning as looked forward to my very first diving adventure! Remember our couchsurfing friend, Luka? Well, he happens to be a diving instructor, and he agreed to introduce me to a whole new side of Egypt.

Together with other instructors and clients, we embarked on a boat trip straight into the heart of the Red Sea. The first dive was absolutely incredible. Yes, we found Nemo too! After our underwater exploration, we returned to the boat to find a delicious lunch waiting for us.

Although I encountered a small issue with my goggles during my second dive and had some water in, it was still an amazing experience. It taught me a lot about diving and communication under water. I can confidently say I would choose to go diving with Luka again when in Hurghada!

This experience left me both physically exhausted and speechless, yet it also filled me with excitement as my Egyptian adventure had already exceeded all my expectations. Be sure to set aside (at least) a day for a diving or snorkeling experience – it’s an experience you won’t regret.

Luxor

Luxor, a city on the banks of the Nile River, is a hub for tourism. It’s well known for its archaeological wonders and its cultural and historical significance.

Should You stay in West or East Bank?

On the East Bank, the lively city center buzzes with a range of hotels, shops, and restaurants. East Bank is conveniently walkable. Luxor Temple, Karnak, and the Luxor Museum are easily accessible, making the East Bank an ideal choice for those seeking a vibrant atmosphere.

Numerous accommodation choices line the Nile River on both banks, providing the perfect backdrop for a delightful dinner on your balcony while watching boats pass by.

Our choice, however, was a bit off the beaten path on the West Bank, a stone’s throw away from the Valley of the Kings. Here, you’ll find ancient wonders like the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the Hatshepsut Temple. Opting for the West Bank offers a quieter, more rural experience.

Yet, there’s a catch. The attractions on the West Bank are spread out, so having a driver is essential. Our accommodation, while an oasis with an incredible rooftop view of the Valley of the Kings, lacked nearby amenities. A minor inconvenience, but our one-night stay with breakfast turned into a pleasant surprise as they offered a delicious local dinner (for additional costs) upon our arrival.

Day 4 – We are heading inland

We had an early morning catching up our bus to Luxor, 4-hour journey for 210 EGP for one. Unlike Hurghada or Cairo, Uber isn’t a thing here, so getting around Luxor isn’t as straightforward. Public taxis are widely available, but I can’t share my experience because we had a prearranged driver for our entire stay.

Our plan for the day was to explore the East Bank. Upon our arrival, our driver and guide were already waiting for us. We hopped into the car and headed straight to Luxor Temple. This place just oozes ancient vibes, with its huge statues and columns offering a glimpse into the religious and political scenes of ancient Thebes.

After exploring the temple, we treated ourselves to a traditional buffet lunch by the Nile River before continuing our journey to the next site. Karnak is like stepping into a massive open-air museum. It’s got everything – temples, big pillars and this really cool Great Hypostyle Hall. Imagine a gigantic room with rows and rows of columns, each one adorned with carvings and hieroglyphs. It’s like stepping into a forest of stone pillars, and it was hands down my favourite site in Luxor.

After all the sightseeing, our driver dropped us off at the remote guesthouse mentioned earlier. There, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the rooftop terrace, engaged in conversations with fellow travelers, and called it a night, knowing we had another long and exciting day ahead!

💡 For those looking for more budget-friendly options or who prefer not to pay for a guide and driver (even though I must say our tour was still very affordable), Luxor offers numerous one-day or longer tours, some even departing from Hurghada.

Day 5 – Valley of the Kings from a Bird’s-Eye View

And when I say long, I mean long! The alarm went off at 3:30 am, and by 4 am, a car was ready to take us for another exciting adventure. We drove around to pick up fellow travelers before heading to the site where dozens of balloons were preparing for a sunrise ride.

I admit I was slightly nervous—it was my first time on a balloon ride. Yet, the takeoff was surprisingly smooth the worries quickly went away. Floating amongst so many differently coloured balloons above the Valley of the Kings was genuinely magical—an experience I absolutely recommend to anyone visiting Luxor.

As you might have guessed, today’s plan was to explore the West Bank. After the sunrise ride, we headed back to our guesthouse for breakfast and a nap before continuing our exploration.

• 1st stop – Medinet Habu Temple Ramses III’s significant mortuary temple is, unlike the temples we saw on the East Banks, still very colourful.
• 2nd stop – Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut This temple is an extraordinary monument uniquely carved into a cliff face delves into the legacy of Egypt’s most renowned female pharaoh.
• 3rd stop – Valley of the Kings We were discovering the mysteries of pharaohs one tomb at a time, each telling a compelling story of ancient Egyptian royalty. They started to build a tomb once the pharaoh became a king therefore those who lived and ruled the longest have the longest, most decorated tombs while others have only very simple and small ones.
• 4th stop – Colossi of Memnon These two colossal guardians carved from single stone blocks, stand tall and proud as silent witnesses to the rich history of the surrounding temple complex.

Feeling knackered as it was the hottest day of our entire Egyptian trip, hitting around 40 degrees Celsius, we aimed for a traditional dinner and a brief rest before catching our evening flight to Cairo.

Navigating through countless security checks at the airport, we finally made it! Though our flight had a slight delay, we eventually boarded the one-hour journey. By 10 pm, we landed in Egypt’s capital, found our uber that drove us for another hour to our favorite accommodation of the entire trip.

Surprisingly affordable at about 25 EUR a night for both of us, this place was great – cozy room, comfy beds, breakfast included and on top of that a view of the pyramids from the rooftop. The only hiccup? Finding it was a bit of a hustle, given the name changes and lack of clarity from the outside, but once inside, it pleasantly surprised us.

Cairo

Cairo, Egypt’s capital, ranks seventh among the world’s largest cities, with the population of over 22 million in its metropolitan area as of 2023.

Day 6 – The last existing of the Ancient World Wonders

Today, we kept it simple with one main plan: the Pyramids Plateau. Despite warnings about Giza’s safety, we opted for a 20-minute walk to the pyramids and again felt safe, though the traffic was another story – much like crossing roads in India or Southeast Asia. Remember – keep walking, don’t speed up, don’t slow down.

Approaching the Giza plateau, a security guard stopped us, marking my least favourite moment of the trip. He insisted we choose between camel or horse cart rides, challenging our decision to walk despite my information based on prior research. The persistency and him saying: “See my badge? I work here, I’m not trying to scam you.” made me momentarily doubt my decision to walk. Remember, staying assertive is key.

Finally we reached one of the entrances. Despite the relentless offers for camel or horse rides, if you prefer walking and the heat isn’t too intense, it’s entirely doable. Covering about 1.6 x 1.9 km, the Giza plateau allowed us to explore the pyramids, capturing countless photos that look hardly half as impressive as the real life experience.

💡 I highly recommend paying the extra 440 EGP to explore the inside of the Great Pyramid. It’s unlike the beautifully carved tombs in Luxor, this is a completely different experience. Yet if you don’t mind heat and humidity - it’s truly worth it - especially for someone seeking adventure, much like myself.

We saw Sphinx and then agreed to skip other plans, opting to wander around the plateau till the closing time. Took a stroll to a panoramatic viewpoint, where you can see all six pyramids.

Wrapping up our day, we relaxed on the hotel terrace, watching the pyramids illuminated with various colours.

💡 If you're not up for dedicating an entire day to the Giza Pyramids, consider taking an Uber to Saqqara and the Sphinx of Memphis. It's about a 50-minute drive from the plateau and offers a glimpse of a different pyramid style—known as step pyramids.

Day 7 – Old Cairo

We arrived to Cairo right on time for Eid al-Fitr. Eid being a significant holiday marking the end of Ramadan, drew crowds from smaller towns and villages to the bustling capital.

We began our day with a taxi ride to Cairo Tower for a panoramic view of the city. Walking across Qasr El Nil Bridge, we quickly realized that in remote areas, meeting tourists was a rarity. Surprisingly, this didn’t make us feel unsafe; instead, it made us feel like celebrities. Everywhere we went, locals wanted to greet us, wave, offer high fives, or even take photos. It escalated during our visit to Al Azhar Park, where families celebrated, and we seemed to be the sole tourists.

Our Egyptian itinerary included a visit to the Citadel of Cairo, featuring the magnificent Muhammad Ali Mosque. Later, meeting a new Couchsurfing friend, Mohammed, he offered to guide us to other Cairo landmarks. We explored the Hanging Church, named for its location atop a Babylon fortress gateway, and we found ourselves in the evening prayers at the stunning Amr ibn Al-A’as Mosque, a breathtaking experience, especially as night fell and the lights worked their magic.

We arrived to Khan-al-Khalili bazaar for souvenirs. Strolling the bustling streets, filled with Eid-celebrating teenagers, the energy was contagious. Having a local companion proved invaluable during the bargaining sessions, helping us secure fantastic deals.

During a chat, I expressed my love for Kunafeh from a Dubai visit, and he made it his mission to find this dessert. Our evening ended with Kunafeh and tea, a delicious conclusion to a day full of exploration.

Day 8 – Back on the road

Today marked our departure from Cairo, made hassle-free thanks to a friend I’d met in Amsterdam through Couchsurfing a couple of months back. I know it’s often hard to believe how nice people can be but that is one of the reasons I created this blog.

In Alexandria, we stayed not alone but with my close friend Ahmed, whom I’d met during my 2018 Erasmus experience in Latvia, and his brother. Thanks to Ramadan, he was also in Egypt during our visit. The four of us secured a seaside apartment.

After settling into our new home, we took a taxi to explore the city. If I thought Cairo’s traffic was wild, Alexandria took it to another level. Our taxi, like many others, was an old Lada car sharing the roads with donkey carts and various vehicles.

Inspired by a meal Ahmed had cooked for me in Latvia, my mission for the day was clear—I wished to taste that dish again. Koshari, a popular Egyptian dish, is a mix of lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas, topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. It’s absolutely delicious and definitely worth trying!

Our stroll led us to the Library of Alexandria, unfortunately closed for the day, and an ancient Roman theatre. We reached the Citadel of Qaitbay, the former site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Day 9 – Last dip before our departure

On our final day in Egypt, we seized our last opportunity for a dip, this time in the Mediterranean Sea at a nearby public beach. Out of respect for local customs, being the only tourists, I opted to bathe fully clothed. Despite the curious, occasionally unpleasant looks we received, it was a great conclusion to our holiday.

Before saying our farewells and heading to the airport, our Egyptian friends treated us to a delicious local fish, creating a perfect ending to our trip.

Detailed Expenses of Our Egypt Itinerary

All costs for one person were approximately 850 EUR.

Tipping in Egypt

In Egypt, “baksheesh” refers to tipping. It’s a common practice and it’s a big part of the culture and a way of showing appreciation for a service. Having small cash on hand for tipping guides, drivers, and various services is recommended.

Although tipping isn’t obligatory, it’s expected for many everyday gestures like providing directions, assisting with luggage, or small acts of help. Offering a modest tip is often appreciated and considered polite.

There are some tips that you might avoid. For instance, security guides at monuments who offer to take your picture or grant access to restricted areas may expect baksheesh in return.

Additional Tips

For those wanting to adjust their Egypt itinerary or blessed with more time, here are few places to consider:

• Aswan, nestled along the Nile, offering up some iconic sights like the Philae Temple and the High Dam. Additionally, why not hop on a 4-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (or the other way around)? It’s a leisurely ride along the Nile, uncovering hidden treasures and stunning views.
• Venture further south to Abu Simbel, where colossal temples carved right into cliffs stand as a testament to ancient craftiness.
• There’s more! Ever spent a night in an oasis? Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert is a hidden gem with its stunning landscapes and the ancient Oracle Temple of Amun. Totally worth exploring if you’re up for an offbeat path.