Low Cost Holidays Egypt
Low cost holidays to Egypt prove you don’t need a big budget to stand beneath the Pyramids of Giza, sail the Nile or snorkel the Red Sea. Egypt is one of the best-value bucket-list destinations on earth — your money simply stretches further here than almost anywhere in Europe. At Vacations in Egypt we build affordable, fully-organised trips that bundle hotels, guides, entrance fees and transfers into one transparent price, so you spend less time worrying about costs and more time exploring 5,000 years of history. Below you’ll find our cheapest Egypt tour packages, an honest cost breakdown, the cheapest months to travel, and the insider tips we use to keep prices down.
How much does a holiday to Egypt really cost?
The most useful thing we can tell you isn’t a sales pitch — it’s real numbers. Egypt rewards budget travelers because accommodation, food, internal flights and entrance fees are a fraction of European prices. Here is a realistic, on-the-ground daily budget guide (excluding international flights). Treat these as planning estimates; prices shift with the season and the Egyptian pound exchange rate, so confirm before you book.
| Travel style | Per person / day | What that buys you |
|---|---|---|
| Shoestring | $25–$40 | Hostels & budget hotels, street food & local cafés, trains and the metro, self-guided sightseeing. |
| Smart budget most popular | $50–$90 | Clean 3–4★ hotels, a mix of guided tours and free time, the odd taxi, sit-down restaurants. |
| Comfort | $100–$160 | 4–5★ hotels, private guide & driver, a Nile cruise cabin, domestic flights instead of trains. |
To put that in context, a typical 7-day low cost holiday in Egypt covering Cairo, Giza and a short Nile cruise — booked as a package with hotels, transfers, guiding and most meals included — usually lands somewhere between [$650 and $1,100 per person], plus your international airfare. Booking the components separately almost always costs more, because operators secure group rates on hotels and cruises that individuals can’t access.
Sample week-long budget (per person, land only)
| Cost | Smart-budget estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotels (6 nights, 3–4★) | $210–$390 |
| Food & drink | $70–$140 |
| Guided tours & entrance fees | $150–$300 |
| Internal transport (train/transfers) | $60–$120 |
| Tips & extras | $40–$80 |
| Approx. land total | $530–$1,030 |
International flights are the big variable: budget for roughly $350–$700 return from Europe and $700–$1,200 from North America, depending on season and how early you book.
Our cheap Egypt tour packages
Every package below is fully guided and includes accommodation, transfers, entrance fees and a licensed Egyptologist — no hidden costs. Prices are “from” per person and vary by season, hotel grade and group size.
Duration
Availability
The best budget destinations in Egypt
Where you go shapes what you pay. These are the regions that deliver the most for the least on a cheap holiday to Egypt.
Cairo & Giza
The essential starting point and one of the cheapest big cities you’ll ever visit. Home to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, plus the medieval lanes and bazaars of Islamic and Coptic Cairo. Budget hotels, a working metro and famously cheap street food make it easy on the wallet.
Luxor & Aswan
Upper Egypt is the open-air museum: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Philae and Abu Simbel. The cheapest way to see both cities is a Nile cruise, which rolls your hotel, meals, transport and several sights into one nightly rate — often better value than booking each separately.
Hurghada & Sharm El Sheikh
For sun, sand and snorkelling on a budget, the Red Sea resorts are unbeatable. All-inclusive hotels here are some of the best-value beach stays in the world — meals, drinks and pool time wrapped into one price, with world-class diving on your doorstep.
Alexandria
An easy, affordable day trip or overnight from Cairo, the Mediterranean city offers Greco-Roman ruins, the Catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel and the striking modern Library — a change of pace that costs very little to add on.
What’s included in a low cost all-inclusive holiday to Egypt?
“All-inclusive” means different things, so here’s exactly what our cheap Egypt packages cover — and what to budget separately.
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Hotel & cruise accommodation | International flights |
| Daily breakfast (often half-board) | Egypt entry visa (~$25) |
| Licensed Egyptologist guide | Optional excursions |
| All entrance fees on the itinerary | Tips / gratuities |
| Air-conditioned transport & transfers | Personal spending & drinks |
The difference between bed-and-breakfast, half board, full board and true all-inclusive is simply how many meals and drinks are covered. We’ll always tell you which applies before you pay — no surprises.
When is the cheapest time to visit Egypt?
Timing your trip is the easiest way to cut the cost without cutting the experience.
| Season | Months | Price & weather |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | May–September | Lowest prices and thinnest crowds, but hot — ideal for Red Sea beaches and air-conditioned cruises; pace yourself in Luxor/Aswan. |
| Sweet spot | March–April & Oct–Nov | Pleasant weather, moderate prices — the best balance of cost and comfort. |
| Peak | December–February | Perfect cool weather but the priciest and busiest; January often dips after the Christmas/New Year rush. |
Two more levers: travel mid-week rather than weekends, and book your international flights 2–3 months ahead for the best fares.
9 ways to do Egypt on a budget
- Book a package, not pieces. Bundled hotels, cruises and guiding beat à-la-carte tourist prices almost every time.
- Take the overnight sleeper train. Cairo to Luxor/Aswan by train saves a domestic flight and a hotel night.
- Join a small-group tour. Sharing a guide and transport slashes the per-person cost versus a private trip.
- Travel in shoulder or low season. Same monuments, noticeably smaller bill.
- Eat where locals eat. Koshari, ful and ta’ameya are delicious and cost a couple of dollars.
- Carry small cash for tips & bazaars. Cards work in hotels, but cash gets better market prices.
- Use the Cairo metro. One of the cheapest big-city transit systems anywhere.
- Stay near the Pyramids in Giza. Often better value than downtown, with free hotel shuttles.
- Buy bottled water and skip the heat tax. Sightsee early, rest at midday, and you’ll spend less on taxis and cold drinks.
How many days do you need?
You can taste Egypt in a long weekend, but most travelers find 7 to 10 days is the sweet spot — enough to combine Cairo, a Nile cruise and either Upper Egypt or the Red Sea without feeling rushed or overspending on a longer trip. If your budget is tight, a focused 5-day Cairo-and-cruise loop delivers the headline sights at the lowest total cost.
Why book your low cost Egypt holiday with us
We’re an Egypt-based operator, which means no middlemen and no inflated markups — just direct, fair prices and local expertise.
- Transparent pricing. One clear price with what’s included spelled out — no hidden fees.
- Licensed local guides. Qualified Egyptologists who bring the history to life.
- Flexible & tailor-made. Tell us your budget and we’ll shape the trip around it.
- On-the-ground support. A real local team, reachable throughout your trip.
- Secure booking. Pay safely online with a small deposit to reserve.
Frequently asked questions
Is Egypt cheap or expensive to visit?
Egypt is one of the most affordable bucket-list destinations in the world. Hotels, food, local transport and entrance fees cost far less than in Europe or North America. A smart-budget traveler can comfortably explore on roughly $50–$90 a day on the ground, while luxury options exist for those who want them.
How much does a week in Egypt cost?
As a guided package with hotels, transfers, guiding and most meals included, a 7-day low cost holiday in Egypt typically starts from around [$650–$1,100] per person, plus international flights. Independent budget travelers can do a week on the ground for roughly $530–$1,030 depending on style.
What is the cheapest month to travel to Egypt?
The cheapest months are generally May to September (low season) and January, just after the Christmas and New Year peak. Prices for hotels and flights drop, though summer is hot — making it ideal for the Red Sea and air-conditioned Nile cruises.
What does an all-inclusive holiday to Egypt include?
Our packages include accommodation, a licensed guide, all itinerary entrance fees, air-conditioned transport and transfers, and breakfast (often half board). International flights, the entry visa, tips and optional excursions are usually extra — we always confirm exactly what’s covered before you pay.
Is it cheaper to book a package or travel independently?
For most travelers a package works out cheaper. Operators secure group rates on hotels and Nile cruises that individuals can’t get, and bundling guiding, transport and entrance fees avoids paying inflated walk-up tourist prices on arrival.
How many days do I need for a budget trip to Egypt?
Five days covers Cairo and a short Nile cruise at the lowest total cost. Seven to ten days is the sweet spot for combining Cairo, a cruise and either Upper Egypt or the Red Sea without overspending.
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
Yes. The main tourist areas — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts — are well secured and visited by millions of travelers every year. As anywhere, take normal precautions and follow local guidance. Check your government’s current travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa, and how much is it?
Most visitors need a tourist visa, available as an e-Visa online before travel or on arrival at major airports (around $25); some nationalities are visa-exempt. Always check the latest requirements for your passport before booking.
What’s the cheapest way to get between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan?
The overnight sleeper train is the budget favourite — it saves both a domestic flight and a hotel night. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is also excellent value, as it combines accommodation, meals, transport and sightseeing in one nightly rate.
Can you tailor a low cost holiday to my budget?
Absolutely. Send us your dates, group size and target budget, and we’ll build a tailor-made itinerary around it — choosing hotel grades, transport and activities to hit your price without losing the highlights.
