💱 Favorable Exchange Rate

With £1 = approximately 38-40 Egyptian pounds, your money stretches incredibly far. A hearty local meal costs £2-3, while comfortable accommodation ranges from £8-15 per night.

🚌 Affordable Transport

Local buses cost £0.15-0.30 per journey, trains between cities cost £3-8, and domestic flights can be found for £25-40 when booked strategically.

🏛️ Accessible Monuments

Most major archaeological sites charge £3-8 entry fees, and many offer student discounts. Photography tickets are optional extras, not requirements.

🏨 Cairo (£8-12/night)

Pro Tip: Book downtown locations for easy metro access to Giza. Avoid staying near the airport—transport costs negate savings.

🏺 Aswan (£10-14/night)

Pro Tip: Many Aswan accommodations include free breakfast and Nile views at budget prices—excellent value.

🏛️ Luxor (£12-16/night)

Pro Tip: East Bank locations offer walking distance to main temples, saving daily transport costs.

🚇 Cairo Metro System

• Three lines connecting major areas
• Clean, air-conditioned carriages
• Dedicated women-only cars available
• Perfect for reaching Giza pyramids
• Operates 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM daily

🚌 Long-Distance Buses

• Go Bus: Premium comfort, AC, WiFi
• Upper Egypt Bus: Budget-friendly option
• West Delta: Reliable intercity service
• Book tickets one day ahead
• Brings snacks for longer journeys

🚂 Egyptian Railways

• Regular trains: £3-8 for day journeys
• Sleeper trains: £45 (saves hotel night)
• First class: £8-15 (excellent value)
• Book online or at stations
• Scenic Nile Valley routes

🥙 Must-Try Street Foods

• Ful Medames (£0.75): Traditional breakfast beans with bread
• Koshary (£1.50): Egypt's national dish—rice, lentils, pasta
• Falafel (£0.50): Known locally as ta'meya
• Shawarma (£1.25): Grilled meat wraps
• Molokheya (£2): Traditional green soup

🏪 Where Locals Eat

• Baladi restaurants: Simple local eateries
• University areas: Cheap, student-friendly spots
• Market food stalls: Fresh and authentic
• Working-class neighborhoods: Best value meals
• Food carts: Quick and affordable snacks

⚠️ Smart Ordering Tips

• Learn basic Arabic food words
• Point to what others are eating
• Ask for "baladi" (local) prices
• Avoid tourist-area restaurants
• Always check prices before ordering

🏺 Full-Day Luxor West Bank Tour

What's Included:

• Transportation to/from West Bank
• Entry to Valley of Kings (3 tombs)
• Temple of Hatshepsut visit
• Colossi of Memnon stop
• Professional Egyptologist guide

🌅 Abu Simbel Shared Day Trip

What's Included:

• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• Entry tickets to both temples
• Professional guide
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup/drop-off in Aswan

⛵ Sunset Felucca Sailing

What's Included:

• Traditional felucca boat
• Experienced Nubian captain
• Sunset timing
• Life jackets provided
• Small group (max 6 people)

🕌 Islamic Cairo Walking Tour

What's Included:

• Expert local guide
• Visit to historic mosques
• Khan el-Khalili bazaar tour
• Traditional coffee house stop
• Photography opportunities

Always carry sufficient Egyptian pounds. Many vendors offer 10-15% discounts for cash payments, and cards aren't accepted everywhere. ATMs are widely available in cities but scarce in rural areas.

Start at 25% of the initial price for souvenirs and taxis. Be polite but firm, walk away if needed—they'll often call you back with better offers. Fixed prices exist for transport and restaurants.

Restaurants near major attractions charge 200-300% more. Walk 5-10 minutes away to find local establishments with identical food at fraction of the price. Use Google Translate for menus.

International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides 50% discounts at major archaeological sites. Even if you're not a student, the card pays for itself after visiting 2-3 major attractions.

Most cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free WiFi. Download offline maps, translation apps, and transport apps before traveling to reduce data usage and dependency on connectivity.

Photography tickets at museums and tombs cost £5-15 extra and are optional. Phone photos are usually allowed for free—save money unless you're a serious photographer.

Buy an Orange or Vodafone SIM card for £5-8 with 5GB data. Much cheaper than international roaming and essential for navigation, translations, and booking accommodations on the go.

Visit major sites early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM) for better lighting, fewer crowds, and sometimes discounted photography. Avoid midday heat and peak tourist hours.

Buy large water bottles (1.5L for £0.30) instead of small ones. Refill at accommodations when possible. Avoid ice in drinks and stick to bottled or properly filtered water.

Small tips (£0.25-0.50) are expected for minor services like bathroom attendants or helpful directions. Restaurant tips should be 10-12% if service charge isn't included.

Keep £30-50 in emergency cash separate from your daily money. Store in different locations (room safe, money belt, separate wallet) for unexpected situations or opportunities.

Master "Shukran" (thank you), "Bikam da?" (how much?), and "La, shukran" (no, thank you). Locals appreciate the effort and often offer better prices or more helpful service.

❌ Mistake #1: Not Having Small Bills

The Problem: Breaking large bills (£20+ equivalent) is difficult, and vendors often claim no change to pressure you into paying more.

The Solution: Always keep small denominations (5, 10, 20 EGP notes). Break large bills at banks or major hotels.

❌ Mistake #2: Booking Accommodation Day-of

The Problem: Same-day bookings can be 40-60% more expensive, especially during peak seasons or in tourist areas.

The Solution: Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best rates. Use cancellation policies for flexibility.

❌ Mistake #3: Falling for "Tourist Police" Scams

The Problem: Fake officials targeting tourists with made-up fines or "mandatory" services that cost £20-50.

The Solution: Real tourist police wear official uniforms and badges. Ask to see ID and request to go to the nearest police station if uncertain.

❌ Mistake #4: Taking Taxis Without Agreeing Price

The Problem: Taxi meters are often "broken," leading to inflated fares that can be 3-5x the fair price.

The Solution: Always negotiate and agree on fare before entering. Use Uber/Careem where available for transparent pricing.

❌ Mistake #5: Drinking Tap Water

The Problem: Stomach issues from tap water can ruin days of your trip and force expensive medical visits.

The Solution: Stick to bottled water, avoid ice, and brush teeth with bottled water. Cost is minimal compared to potential medical bills.

❌ Mistake #6: Buying Tours at Hotels

The Problem: Hotel-booked tours include 30-50% commission markup, significantly inflating costs.

The Solution: Book directly with tour operators or through recommended local travel agencies for better prices.

❌ Mistake #7: Not Checking Train Classes

The Problem: Booking lowest class without research can result in uncomfortable 8+ hour journeys with no air conditioning.

The Solution: Invest £3-5 extra for first-class on long journeys—worth it for comfort and air conditioning.

🎉 Your Egypt Adventure Awaits

The pyramids, ancient tombs, and Nile sunsets you've dreamed about are now within reach. You have the roadmap, the budget breakdown, and the insider tips. All that remains is booking that flight and beginning your incredible Egyptian adventure.