Blog · 1 November 2026
Egypt from India: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea, how many days, and what a trip costs
Egypt is the trip for anyone who grew up reading about pharaohs. The Pyramids sit at the edge of Cairo, the great temples and royal tombs line the Nile at Luxor and Aswan, and the Red Sea coast adds clear water and coral reefs. Distances are long, so the way you link the cities matters more than anything else, and the time of year decides how comfortable the sightseeing is.
How many days do you need?
Plan on seven to ten days. Start with three nights in Cairo for the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Then take a short domestic flight south to Luxor for two nights, and go on by road to Aswan, about three and a half hours away, for two more. Abu Simbel is a long day trip from Aswan. If you have a few extra days, add three nights on the Red Sea at Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, both a flight from Cairo, or a day or two in Alexandria, three hours by road from Cairo. With only five or six days, keep to Cairo and Luxor.
What a trip costs
For a couple flying from Delhi and staying in a midrange hotel, a 7-day Egypt trip in December comes to about ₹2,93,200, or ₹1,46,600 per person. That covers return flights to Cairo, domestic flights and road transfers between cities, the hotel, food, the attractions we pick for you, the visa, travel insurance and a 10% buffer. Flights from India are usually the biggest single cost, and hotels outside Cairo are good value.
You can change the dates, travellers, hotel, cities and attractions on our Egypt trip cost page and see every line update.
Things worth paying for
- Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx: about ₹2,200 per adult. Go when the gates open, before the heat and the tour buses.
- Grand Egyptian Museum: about ₹2,640, for Tutankhamun's treasures and the huge statues, close to the Pyramids.
- Saqqara and Memphis tour: about ₹3,960, to see the Step Pyramid, older than the ones at Giza and far less crowded.
- Valley of the Kings in Luxor: about ₹2,640, for the painted royal tombs cut into the hills.
- Karnak Temple: about ₹2,200. Its forest of giant columns is the highlight of Luxor for most people.
- Luxor Temple at night: about ₹1,760, when it's lit up and much cooler.
- Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor: about ₹7,920, an early start but a view of the temples and the river you won't forget.
- Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan: about ₹10,560, for the two great rock-cut temples near the Sudan border.
- Philae Temple: about ₹2,200, reached by a short boat ride on the lake near Aswan.
- Felucca ride and Nubian village: about ₹2,640, a slow sail on the Nile and a visit to a colourful village.
- Red Sea snorkelling boat trip from Hurghada: about ₹3,520, if you add a beach stay.
Free and cheap things to do
Spend an evening in Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with its lanes of lamps, spices and small cafés, and bargain before you buy anything. In Luxor, walk the corniche along the Nile at sunset. In Aswan, the souk is relaxed and good for spices and dates. On the coast, the public beaches at Hurghada and Naama Bay in Sharm cost little or nothing, and in Alexandria the Montaza Palace gardens and a seafood dinner near Stanley Bridge make an easy day.
When to go
December to February is the best and busiest time: cool, sunny days that are perfect for walking around temples, so book hotels and the balloon ride early. March, April, October and November are good shoulder months, warmer but still comfortable for sightseeing. May to September is very hot in Luxor and Aswan, so if you go then, see the sights at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Rain is rare at any time of year.
Visa for Indians
Indian passport holders need a visa for Egypt. The simplest way is the official e-visa, which you apply for online before you fly; give it at least a week. Some travellers can also get a visa on arrival at Cairo airport, but the rules for Indians change, so don't rely on it unless you've confirmed you qualify. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive. The visa fee is already included in the trip cost above.
Tips that save money
- Book the Cairo to Luxor flight early, or take the overnight train, instead of paying for a last-minute ticket.
- Group your sights by city, so you don't pay for a car twice: Giza and the museum together, Karnak and Luxor Temple on one day, Philae and the felucca on another.
- Carry small notes in Egyptian pounds for tips, toilets and taxis; tipping is expected almost everywhere.
- Agree on a taxi or felucca price before you get in, or use a ride-hailing app in Cairo.
- Drink bottled water and carry a hat and sunscreen even in winter; the sun at the temples is strong.
Want the numbers for your own dates and group? Plan your Egypt trip and send it to us for live flight and hotel prices.