Solo travel in Egypt.
Egypt is a country full of character, natural beauty and mind-boggling history dating back to ancient times, therefore it is no surprise that the North African country is on many people’s bucket list!
However, not every traveller’s vision of a magical trip into Ancient Egypt materialises that way. Many encounter unexpected problems, and tricky situations which cast a shadow on their ‘dream’ trip. This can definitely be the case for solo travel in Egypt. There is no doubt that you need to have your wits about you when travelling solo through Egypt, and a level of street wisdom, as if not, it won’t be long until you learn the hard way!
This guide will answer your questions about solo travel in Egypt and offer some important tips to ensure your visit goes smoothly and allows you to get lost amongst the fascinating temples and hieroglyphic decorated tombs, which all tell a different tale from an enchanting time in history.
The most famous shot in Egypt at the Pyramids of Giza.
Is Egypt safe for solo travel?
Egypt draws intrigue from around the globe due to its rich history and unique culture, but it's also a country that can be intimidating for solo travel.
Many visitors experience solo travel to Egypt every year and most trips are trouble-free, however, it's important to be aware of the risks and take precautions to stay safe in the different cities across the country.
Here are some tips for solo travellers in Egypt:
Dress conservatively.
This means covering your shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious sites around the Coptic Cairo area.
This is an issue I did not personally encounter; however, I did witness female travellers drawing some extra attention due to their choice of clothing.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas. If you do need to walk alone at night, try to stay in well-lit areas and walk with confidence.
Be careful with your belongings.
Keep your valuables close to you at all times and don't leave them unattended.
Don't be afraid to say no.
If someone is making you uncomfortable, don't be afraid to say no firmly and walk away. This is a very important tip which I had to learn the hard way. The locals are professionals at striking up conversations with you or ‘unofficially’ showing you around. Be firm with your no straight away, or simply ignore them.
Trust your gut.
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Err on the side of caution and avoid risky situations.
Avoid drinking tap water.
Egypt is notorious for food poisoning, so sticking to bottled water is a good idea for tourists.
In addition to these general tips, there are a few specific things that solo female travellers should keep in mind:
Be prepared for unwanted attention. Egyptian men can be quite flirtatious, and it's not uncommon for solo female travellers to be harassed. Be prepared to ignore catcalls and unwanted advances.
Be careful with taxi drivers. Before getting in a taxi, agree on a price with the driver. It's also a good idea to sit in the back seat and keep your windows up.
Don't go out alone at night. If you do need to go out at night, try to travel with a group or take a taxi.
If you plan in advance and use travel tips from seasoned solo-travellers your trip should go smoothly.
There are armed security guards throughout Egypt.
What should your solo backpacking Egypt budget be?
Whatever the final figure is that you come to when pre-planning your Egypt solo backpacking budget, you can add at least 50% to it!
Unless you are willing to haggle hard for every single item, excursion and even ‘tourist’ train ticket, which you purchase, then your budget is guaranteed to take some unexpected hits.
Planning your travel budget in advance is a great way to mitigate the hidden expenses across Egypt.
Egypt was my 39th country and around my 10th as solo backpacker, therefore, I would say that the travel naivety has been knocked out of me, by some harsh lessons along the way, but Egypt is a different level when it comes to tricky encounters and haggling. Everyone just wants your money, and I mean everyone - and they won’t stop until they have it all!
In all seriousness, my trip to Egypt was exhausting, as I couldn’t even purchase a can of pop, or jump in a taxi without being ripped off as I was charged the well-known ‘tourist prices’.
Another thing is, even when you have paid for your tour, along with purchased your attraction ticket (these are both paid for separate in a lot of cases), you still have to contend with the locals who hang around and try to ‘take your picture’, or ‘show you around’. You waste so much energy trying to avoid these scams, that it somewhat ruins your experience.
Planning in advance through tips from seasoned travellers is one method which helped to minimise any problems.
So what are the costs of an Egypt trip?
For a one-week trip, including accommodation, travel, excursions, food and the odd scam, I spent around £810.
I did visit in one of the quieter months in Egypt.
Accommodation - £140.
A mixture of a hostel, budget hotel, Nubian Guest House, and a mid-range hotel. When I visited in September 2023, there were temperatures upwards of 40 degrees, so I ensured each place had air conditioning. The accommodation costing could have been reduced or increased significantly depending on the level of comfort you require.
Travel - £225.
This included the expensive sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor ($120), train fare from Luxor to Aswan (tourist inflated price), a flight from Aswan to Cairo and ferry boat costs in Aswan across to Elephantine Island numerous times a day. Taxi prices ranged depending on the driver and his morals, so it wouldn’t be accurate to add these.
Food - £300.
This included a couple of luxurious meals in top restaurants and some average places such as McDonalds and a local pizza place etc. I tried a little bit of street food, however, I was paranoid due to the many ‘food poisoning’ stories, and the overall cleanliness of the places I visited. This cost can be reduced by a more ‘daring’ solo traveller, or more extensive prior research.
Excursions - £120.
This included some famous Egyptian tours:
Such as a tour of the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara & Memphis, including a camel ride at Giza.
Entrance to the Egyptian Museum.
A tour of the West Bank & East Bank sites of Luxor, including entrance to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Medinet Habu, and the Hatshepsut Temples, along with Valley of the Kings (including King Tut’s tomb), Colossi of Memnon, and the Mummification Museum.
Some famous Aswan things to do including: A trip to the Nubian Village, and entrance fees for the Temple of Philae & Nubian Museum.
This cost can be considerably higher if you want to ride a hot air balloon in Luxor or want to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan.
Souvenirs - £25.
This is the approximate amount I spent in the bazaars in Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo on some small gifts.
It is very handy to carry small denominations of cash when in Egypt, as it makes it easier to tip (which is expected) and reduces a barrier of haggling when negotiating a price with locals. Too often I agreed a price, just for the local to claim he ‘didn’t have change’ to try and get more cash off me.
You should always expect the unexpected random expenses in Egypt.
How to get around Egypt as a solo traveller?
Trains, planes, tuk-tuks and feluccas!
The options for transport in Egypt for solo travellers are abundant, as is the chaos!
For my 8 day trip, I used the reliable train network to head down the Nile, before catching a flight back to Cairo to save time at the end of my trip.
Trains in Egypt.
The trains were safe and guarded and offered some beautiful scenery, however, the process of purchasing your rail ticket is not easy. For the sleeper train I headed to Ramses station in Cairo, the night before I was travelling, and asked train station assistants for information on how to book.
Cairo - Luxor Sleeper train cost = $120 (£98).
This was a fixed cost, as advertised online.
For my second train to Aswan, I also headed to Luxor train station the night before to buy my ticket. The train I booked was two hours late, however, with quick thinking I managed to jump on another earlier train heading south. There is basically no information announced or displayed in the train station, and most of the locals won’t help you without receiving a tip.
Luxor - Aswan train cost 600 Egyptian Pounds (£15).
I was overcharged here at the ’tourist’ ticket booth, as I was told I could only pay cash and then my ticket and receipt stated 80 Egyptian pounds (£2) on it. I did question this but was told ‘tourist’ price and fobbed off.
All the Egyptian National Railway trains have air-conditioned services, and cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Port Said and Suez, which are all popular choices for solo travel in Egypt.
Luxor to Aswan ticket which I paid 600 Egyptian Pounds for, but it states 80?
Domestic flights in Egypt.
Egypt is a very large country, which means flying is a cheap reliable option to get around. Pre-planning helps to secure some very reasonable flights. The air network in Egypt covers all the major towns and cities from Alexandria down to Abu Simbel.
Commuting in cities in Egypt.
Taxis, Uber, tuk-tuks, horse and carriage. It really is a case of how you want to travel within the cities in Egypt. Uber is definitely the cheapest and safest way of travelling around Cairo, and the fixed price for the journeys makes this a stress-free option.
Every other mode of transport will require haggling and probably an inflated tourist price unless you are with a local. There are no rules on the roads in Egypt, so it isn’t for the faint hearted. I didn’t see a single person wearing a helmet on motorbikes, furthermore, I seen 4 adults on one moped and a car full of 9 people passing by!
It really is like the wild west - so be prepared!
There are many different ways to get around in Egypt.
Camels in the Nubian Village.
Is Egypt good for solo travel?
There is one guarantee if you visit Egypt on a solo adventure - you won’t get bored!
There is chaos from the moment you touch down in Cairo, and it follows you throughout your trip down the Nile.
However, in amongst the chaos, you have some beautiful moments of serenity getting lost in the temples and tombs of a once great ancient land.
There are ups and downs with solo travel in Egypt as you would expect in a place with such a hectic vibe, day and night.
Whether Egypt is good for a solo-adventure is subjective and really depends on your willingness to socialise and meet new people/comfort levels in solitude (as with any location), but also your tolerance to hassle and attention.
Walking around the tourist locations as a solo-traveller puts a target on your head, therefore, it does attract unwanted attention from the professional scam artists, or the innocent tour sellers/market traders. I personally had a very negative experience early on in my solo trip, but things did improve later in my trip, once I had learned the best way to deal with the harassment (completely ignore them and walk away).
Walking around the tombs at the Valley of the Kings with ten random like-minded strangers who I had just met on the tour bus was one of the best travel experiences I have had. You don’t get those experiences unless you have the courage to go on these solo adventures.
It was a unique moment that you could only get in Egypt!
If you want a quieter trip in Egypt then head south to Aswan.
A painted mural on a wall in Aswan.
Tour options for solo travellers in Egypt.
Solo travel can be difficult at times, especially if you are struggling to meet fellow travellers. Egypt is not the easiest country to meet new people, so booking an organised tour is a great option.
These are the tours which I enjoyed during my solo trip to Egypt, where I met many likeminded travellers to enhance my experience and knowledge of the famous landmarks.
Cairo: Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis Private Tour with Lunch.
Enjoy a full day exploring the famous landmarks near Cairo.
You will be shown around by a tour guide with a group of fellow travellers. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the pyramids and learn some interesting facts about their ancient history, before having a local lunch.
Afterwards, the group will head to Saqqara to witness the oldest known pyramid in the world, and then a trip to Memphis (ancient capital of Egypt) to finish your day.
A key benefit of booking a private tour for the pyramids is that it protects you from the hustlers. Walking around the famous sites with a larger group and tour guide reduces the target on your head.
Secure your spot here.
Luxor: Shared Full-Day Tour to Luxor West and East Banks.
A shared tour of the West and East Bank in Luxor provides an opportunity to build rapport with other solo travellers. The whole day tour gives you many shared moments as you learn about the ancient temples and grab your Instagram shots.
Following your pickup from your hotel, you will head to the West Bank which is around a 30 minute drive to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, before visiting the Valley of the Kings.
After visiting a local restaurant for lunch, you will go to Karnak & Luxor temples, and learn about both the ancient past from both sites.
Book your place on the tour.
From Aswan: Abu Simbel Temple Day Trip with Hotel Pickup
Abu Simbel Temple is one of Egypt’s greatest wonders, therefore, a must-visit during your solo trip to Egypt. The three-hours journey each way gives you adequate time to meet fellow travellers on the tour.
This one does require an early alarm though!
Pre-book your place.
Abu Simbel is very popular option for tours from Aswan.
Another random expense for locals that become your unwanted ‘tour guide’.
Where to stay for solo travel in Egypt?
My solo backpacking Egypt trip went fairly smoothly in terms of accommodation, other than a power cut in my hostel in Cairo (planned outage), getting locked in my room in Aswan due to a dodgy lock, and the constant noise at night (everywhere), which is just a feature of Egypt I believe.
Following my personal experience, interactions with other travellers in Egypt, and thorough research, these are the places I would recommend for accommodation:
Cairo.
Tahir Square is a great central location in Cairo.
Here are some options:
Cairo Hub Hostel.
This hostel is a great option for solo travellers on a budget. You will be located close to the Nile and Egyptian Museum, along with an abundance of dining options. Secure your stay in the Cairo Hub Hostel here.
This is a comfortable option with air conditioned rooms, and private bathrooms. The central location offers many options for day and night time activities. Make sure reserve your stay at Tahrir View in advance here.
Luxor.
Bob Marley Hotel Luxor & Restaurant.
One of the six ‘Bob Marley’ themed accommodations in Luxor, this budget option is located close to the train station on the East Bank. The owner is very friendly and provides all the information you need for all the tours of West and East Bank, including the hot air balloons. I personally enjoyed my stay here so would thoroughly recommend it. Book your stay at Bob Marley Hotel Luxor & Restaurant today.
IN LUXOR Nile Apartments is situated in the perfect location in Luxor, close to shops, restaurants, and transport. You will also get unbeatable views of the Nile and mountain views. You can also dine at the restaurant on site. Reserve your nights stay at IN LUXOR Nile Apartments now.
There are some authentic Nubian guesthouses on Elephantine Island in Aswan.
Aswan.
Another ‘Bob Marley’ themed hotel in Egypt, but this time a Nubian Guest House on Elephantine Island. This is a traditional Nubian experience, in a nice quiet location away from the chaos of mainland Aswan. You have to catch a ferry across to the Guest house, but this is very cheap and runs often. This is a very popular property in Aswan, so secure your spot at Bob Marley Guest House now.
My honest concluding thoughts on my solo trip to Egypt.
I would be lying if I said that Egypt was my favourite solo adventure, as there were many downsides during my trip, however, I have gained some valuable experience from the ‘Pharaoh land’ which has changed my perspective.
My trip was tarnished by the constant harassment and scams that were present everywhere I visited, although when I met some honest locals on the Nubian Island, I realised how lucky I am and it increased my level of gratitude significantly.
The tombs, temples and pyramids would be a highlight on any trip!
My main advice for anyone considering solo travel in Egypt is to do some thorough research before you arrive, carry small amounts of Egyptian pounds, and be prepared to be ruthless when it comes to ignoring the ‘friendly’ locals. I would recommend visiting Luxor and Aswan if you head south down the Nile.
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