Is Egypt Expensive? Travel Costs & Budget Tips
Is Egypt expensive to visit? Egypt can be an affordable destination, especially if you stay in budget accommodation, eat at local restaurants, and use public transportation.
However, the cost of your trip depends on where you go, where you stay, and how many sights and activities you include.
In this guide, I break down the cost of accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing in Egypt, with estimated budgets for a one-week trip and practical tips to help you save money.
Prices are approximate and can vary by location, season, exchange rate, and travel style. Last checked: September 2026
Is Egypt Expensive? (Overview)
Egypt can be affordable, but “expensive” means different things to different people. What feels cheap to one traveler can feel costly to another. Your travel style makes the biggest difference.
Budget travelers can keep costs down by staying in hostels or affordable hotels, eating local food, and using public transportation. Mid-range travelers will spend more on accommodation, restaurants, and activities.
Luxury hotels, private transfers, guided tours, and all-inclusive resorts can make a trip considerably more expensive.
The biggest cost is often the international flight. The price depends on where you are flying from and when. Around Christmas and New Year, flights and accommodation can be more expensive, but this varies by destination and dates.
Here is a quick overview of what to expect:
| International flight | From $700 depending on your departure country and travel dates |
| Accommodation (Cairo, per night) | Hostel from $14 per person; 3-star hotel $40-$130 per double room; 5-star hotel $270-$2.5k per double room |
| Local Transportation | Uber in Cairo: about $1 for a short trip, about $8 from downtown to the Giza Pyramids. Public transport is often under $1 |
| Food (Cairo) | Falafel sandwich 10-30 EGP; koshari 30-80 EGP; mid-range restaurant meal 200-400 EGP |
| Tours and sightseeing | Giza Plateau ticket 700 EGP; guided tour to Giza from around $50; Luxor Temple 500 EGP |
These are examples, not fixed prices. I explain each one in detail below.
If you spend one week in an all-inclusive hotel on the Red Sea and don’t do other activities, the trip can be relatively affordable. If you want to visit several cities, see temples, and take tours, it can cost much more.
Is Egypt expensive for tourists?
Egypt offers very different travel experiences. You can relax on the beaches of the Red Sea, go diving, or see the ancient sights.
You can also eat in affordable local restaurants and use public transportation, or choose luxury hotels, private tours, and resort holidays.
Egypt can feel affordable for visitors who earn in stronger currencies. At the same time, rising prices make everyday expenses hard for many residents who earn in Egyptian pounds. I think it is good to keep this in mind when you travel.
Many sights, like temples and museums, have different ticket prices for Egyptians and foreigners. The foreigner price is higher, but for most visitors it is still reasonable.
Tourist destinations like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh can be more expensive than Cairo, particularly in resort areas, restaurants, and tourist-oriented shops. This is a general tendency, not a rule for every place.
Also, as in many tourist destinations, it helps to agree on prices before you take a taxi or buy something.
How Much Would A One-Week Trip To Egypt Cost?
It is hard to give one number because it depends on so many things. Here are indicative planning ranges for one week. They are estimates, not guaranteed prices or verified averages.
| Travel style | Approximate daily budget | Approximate 7-day budget |
| Budget | $35-$60 | $245-$420 |
| Mid-range | $90-$170 | $630-$1,190 |
| Luxury | $250-$600+ | $1,750-$4,200+ |
What is included: accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. What is not included: international flights. Budgets are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Not everyone will spend within these ranges. Extra domestic flights, private transfers, and guided tours can push your total higher.
Where you go matters too. A week in one city will cost differently from a week that includes Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea, because travel between cities adds up.
Let’s look at each cost in detail.
ACCOMMODATION: How much does it cost to stay in Egypt?
Prices depend on the hotel, dates, and room type. Note that hostel prices are per person, while hotel prices are per double room.
| Type of Accommodation | Price/night | Best Option |
| Hostel | From $14/person | ➡️Madina Hostel |
| 3* hotel | $40-$130/double room | ➡️Tahrir Plaza Suites |
| 5* hotel | $270-$2.5k/double room | ➡️The St. Regis Cairo |
Luxor
Luxor has a similar range of options, from basic private rooms to 5-star hotels. Prices depend on the hotel, dates, and room type.
- Basic private room for two people: from $20 per night
- 5-star hotel, double room: around $200 per night
In Hurghada, you can find nice 5-star all-inclusive hotels for $1k-$3k for a double room (2 adults) per week.
TRANSPORTATION: How much does it cost to get around Egypt?
Getting around within cities
Public transportation is the cheapest way to get around, but it is not always the most convenient. In Cairo, the traffic is heavy and busy, so a bus can take a long time. The metro can be very crowded.
That is why I recommend Uber or Careem in Cairo. They are convenient, and the fare is shown in the app. For Example:
- A short trip in central Cairo: around $1
- From downtown Cairo to the Giza Pyramids: around $8
These are approximate examples, not guaranteed fares. The price depends on the route, traffic, and demand. Public transportation can be cheaper, while ride-hailing is often easier, especially with luggage or in the heat.
Transportation between cities
These are approximate starting prices or estimates:
| Transport | Route | Approximate price |
| Return flight | Cairo to Luxor | From $200 |
| Return flight | Cairo to Hurghada | From $100 |
| Sleeping train | Cairo to Luxor, one way | $100-$170 |
| Private transfer | Cairo to Luxor | Around $300 |
| Private transfer | Cairo to Hurghada | Around $200 |
➡️Book your private transfer HERE.
FOOD: How much is a meal in Egypt?
Food in Egypt can be very affordable, especially if you eat at neighborhood restaurants where locals eat or buy street food. Tourist-oriented restaurants, hotel dining, and upscale restaurants can cost much more.
These are approximate prices in Cairo:
| Food | Approximate price |
| Falafel/taameya sandwich | 10-30 EGP |
| Koshari, one bowl | 30-80 EGP |
| Local, inexpensive meal | 60-200 EGP |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 200-400 EGP |
Prices vary by restaurant, location, and portion size.
Koshari is the national dish of Egypt, and it is one of the best budget meals. Restaurants recommended by locals are Koshari Abu Tarek, Al Tahrir Koshari, and Tom and Basal.
If you eat at a more upscale restaurant or an international fast-food chain, a meal can cost considerably more than at a local eatery. As a rough estimate, expect around $5-$25 per meal.
Alcohol is less widely available than in many Western countries and can be more expensive, especially in hotels and tourist areas.
TOURS: How much is a trip to the Pyramids?
Are you looking for a couple of tours while in Egypt? Here are two popular ones:
➡️From Cairo to the Pyramids of Giza
➡️From Hurghada to Luxor, the Valley of the Kings
A guided tour is convenient because transportation and a guide are included, and sometimes also hotel pickup. What is included depends on the tour, so always check the details before you book.
I highly recommend using guided tours in Egypt.
Cost of sights and tours
Entrance prices for foreign adult visitors:
| Attraction | Approximate entrance price |
| Giza Plateau | 700 EGP |
| Entry inside the Great Pyramid of Giza | 1,500 EGP, in addition to the plateau ticket |
| Luxor Temple | 500 EGP |
The Great Pyramid ticket is an additional ticket. It does not replace the Giza Plateau entrance ticket, so you need both if you want to go inside.
Guided tour prices are approximate:
- Guided tour to the Giza Plateau: from around $50
- Shared tour in Luxor with a few temples: from $30
- Private tour in Luxor: from $70
The price depends on the itinerary, group size, provider, and what is included.
OVERALL: How much spending money do you need for a week in Egypt?
Use the ranges from above as your starting point. The main things that change your total are accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing.
| Travel style | Approximate 7-day budget (without international flights) |
| Budget | $245-$420 |
| Mid-range | $630-$1,190 |
| Luxury | $1,750-$4,200+ |
Budget traveler example. Let’s say you stay in hostels or the cheapest hotels, eat in local restaurants, and visit Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Then you go to Luxor for a few temples, all by yourself without a tour.
The week can still be budget-friendly, but I would not expect it to cost $200. Travel between Cairo and Luxor already costs from $200 for a return flight, or $100-$170 one way by sleeping train. Entrance tickets add up too.
Mid-range traveler. You stay in mid-range hotels, eat in a mix of local and nicer restaurants, and take a few tours.
Luxury traveler. You stay in luxury hotels, eat in nicer restaurants, use private transfers, and book private tours. Extra domestic flights and guides can move you toward the top of the range.
International flights are not included in any of these. Additional domestic flights, private transfers, and guided tours can increase the total.
Tipping Etiquette In Egypt
Tipping, often called baksheesh, is common in Egypt, particularly in tourism and hospitality. Baksheesh simply means a small tip or a gift of money for a service.
These are approximate examples, not official or universal rates:
| Situation | Approximate tip |
| Restaurant or café bill | 10-15%, when appropriate (check if a service charge is already included) |
| Street food | Small change |
| Taxi or Uber | Around 50 EGP |
| Tour guide, shared full-day tour | Around 100 EGP per person |
| Tour guide, private full-day tour | Around 500 EGP |
| Cleaners | A small tip left in the room each day, or one tip on the last day if you stay a week or longer |
| Porters | A small tip each time they carry your luggage |
| Someone who helps you with something | A small tip, when appropriate |
The right amount depends on the service, how long it took, and whether a service charge is already included.
Tips For Egypt On A Budget
If you want to visit Egypt on a budget, these tips can help.
1. Eat like a local
Local restaurants and street food can be more affordable than tourist-oriented restaurants. Not all local food is cheap, but a simple meal like koshari or a falafel sandwich can save you a good amount over a week.
2. Use public transportation
Public transportation can save you money, especially in cities where it is practical. In Cairo, Uber or Careem may be more convenient for some journeys, so you can use a mix.
3. Stay in the budget accommodation
Accommodation is one of the biggest factors in the total cost of your trip. You can save money by choosing accommodation that fits your budget and your itinerary.
For example, a hostel or a simple hotel close to the sights can be enough if you spend most of the day out.
4. Ask locals for recommendations
Local people can give you good advice on where to eat, how to get around, and what to visit. Just ask at your hotel, at restaurants, or on a tour.
5. Travel during the off-season
Prices can be lower outside peak travel periods. They vary by destination and season. Holidays and popular travel periods can be more expensive for flights and accommodation.
6. Haggle the price
Bargaining is appropriate in some markets and for some services that have no fixed price, such as souvenirs or taxis. It is not appropriate everywhere, so do not try to haggle in restaurants with menu prices or at attractions with official tickets.
Visiting Egypt: FAQs
Is $100 a lot in Egypt?
It depends on where you are, how you travel, and what you buy. For a tourist, $100 can cover a few local meals and rides in Cairo, but it will go quickly if you book hotels, tours, or private transfers.
Tourist spending power is different from a local resident’s income, so I would not compare the two.
Is Egypt cheaper than Turkey?
Yes, Egypt is generally cheaper than Turkey. Meals, hotels, and local transportation usually cost less in Egypt, mostly because of the weaker Egyptian pound.
For tourists, the gap can get smaller. Many visitors to Egypt spend more on guided tours, private transfers, and tips, which add up over a week. If you travel independently and keep it simple, Egypt is usually the cheaper choice.
How safe is Egypt for tourists?
Egypt is generally safe for tourists in the main destinations like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts. Millions of visitors travel there every year.
As anywhere else, use common sense, avoid empty streets at night, and do your research. For women, I recommend dressing modestly.
The exception is North Sinai, which tourists should avoid. Border areas near Libya are also restricted. The situation can change, so always check your government’s travel advisory before you go.
You might also want to check out:
