Egypt

By: Leslie Stroud
Aug 20, 2024
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29 Tips For Visiting Egypt From A Big Family

From the sunrise magic of a hot air balloon over Luxor to the inner chambers of the Great Pyramids, Egypt beckons families to come and relish in its rich history and fun activities. This cradle of civilization will awe and amaze you, but it is best to come prepared with some ideas of what to expect.

Egypt is an incredible destination for families, but trying to squeeze in every landmark in one trip can lead to some serious cultural overload! Instead, pick two or three spots that give you a mix of experiences without wearing everyone out.

I say this after we did the opposite.. We flew to Egypt at the last minute and crammed absolutely as much as possible in 5 short days! It was a lot. We all came back exhausted, but we still loved the trip. On our last day, we woke at 3:30 am for a hot air balloon ride and had a 1 am flight that night. It was miserable, and the kids collapsed with fatigue mid-day. We had to switch up plans for a nap at a hotel.

Whatever you choose, remember that less can be more—especially when traveling with kids! Make each experience count, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products or activities I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

***Pro tip:*** *Getting the kids involved with history before the trip makes them even more excited to see things in real life!*

Before Your Family Arrives In Egypt

1. Verify if you need a visa before you arrive in Egypt or if you can get one upon arrival. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and EU countries can get a visa upon arrival.

For a visa upon arrival, once you get to the customs area, follow the signs to one of the bank counters to buy your visa. Let’s be honest; this is just a money-making scheme. However, it’s important to bring cash (we brought euros), around $25 USD per person.
You’ll get a visa sticker, which you then take to the customs officer. They will insert it into your passport, stamp it, and send you on your way.
If you do not want to do the visa upon arrival or cannot, you can use various sites such as Visa2Egpyt to get your visa before you arrive.

*This was the visa on demand we received in Egypt*.

2. While you need a lot of cash in Egypt, I don’t recommend bringing a lot of cash to exchange. Bring some money to use directly, including small coins and bills of small denominations.

3. I find the best conversion rates to be from ATMs in the country. However, you’ll need A LOT of cash in Egypt, so it’s not a bad idea to have some extra cash from home just in case. We paid our tour group a deposit on Paypal but had to pay the remainder in cash upon arrival at our hotel.

4. You’ll tip in Egypt everywhere you go! Make sure you have funds available in your checking account. We recommend the Charles Schwab Investor Checking, which will reimburse your foreign transaction fees. With daily withdrawal in Egypt, this makes a big difference.

5. Be sure to buy travel insurance. We recommend SafetyWing; they cover 175+ countries, you can easily buy it online, and they have plans starting at $82/month.

Planning Your Trip To Egypt

*Our trip to Egypt was planned to be kid-friendly, and they had so much fun!* *We all loved the mummies in the National Museum.*

6. Know that many flights arrive and leave Cairo in the middle of the night, especially when coming from Europe. This presents unique challenges when traveling with kids. When you need to tackle a flight like this, we use these tips:

We try to nap before the flight.
We let the kids play on their tablets for the first leg of the journey or the first half of the flight, but then we make them sleep. They can’t start off the trip well if they are absolutely exhausted. If needed, we use melatonin to ease their bodies into sleep.
Plan the first day to start a bit later. We didn’t get started until 10 am on our first day. With Ramadan, we needed to be done by 4 pm. We turned in early that night!

*This is the view of Cairo from our hotel room on the Nile*.

7. Packing for Egypt involves lightweight fabrics, good walking shoes, sunscreen, hats, and swimsuits. You’ll want modest clothing for visits to religious locations, or you’ll be asked to rent a cover-up. You can find the rest of our packing list here.

8. While we never felt unsafe, Egypt can be politically unstable. Keep an eye on the news before your trip.

9. The best time of year to visit Egypt is November- February, but we liked our visit in early April. The temperatures were high during the day but not unbearable.

10. Try to prepare the kids for the rich history they will learn about in Egypt. While they may have learned about it in school, prepare them for the specific sites you might see, such as the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Abu Simbel, and more.

11. Planning activities that kids will like is critical when planning a family trip. Spice up your itinerary with an interactive museum, time to swim at the hotel pool, or something else your kids will enjoy. It’s easy to fill all your time in Egypt with temples and monuments, but that’s not usually at the top of the list for kids.

12. If you can swing it, I’d recommend carry-on luggage only. Not only is this easier for flights within Egypt, but it’s also nice moving around in your van, Uber, or other transportation means. However, if you are checking bags, I’d recommend flying Egyptian Air. They offer many flights within Egypt and allow bags up to 23kg (about 50 lbs).

13. Egypt’s weather is nearly always sunny and hot. However, the haze can be an issue. Visiting outdoor venues, such as the pyramids, can be better in the afternoon. We visited the Egyptian Museum, and then the pyramids, and I loved that order. Not only was the haze better, but we could also see the mummies and what they built. It really brought it all to life.

Note that in winter months, there can be the occasional rain in Cairo and Alexandria.

14. Pack some stomach medication in case you get upset by the food or water. Do not drink the tap water. Even brushing your teeth with it can upset little tummies.

What To Know When You Are In Egypt With Kids

*Knowing a bit about tourist spots makes your experience so much better!*

15. Vendors can be aggressive in Egypt. The best course of action is to ignore them, but you can also say “La,” which means no in Arabic.

Vendors are not above using the kids to get some money from you. They may “gift” something to the kids and then turn to you for payment. Teach the kids not to accept these items.

16. Egypt receives very little rain, and it is sunny every day. Many tourist locations have little to no shade. Keep the kids (and yourself) well-hydrated. You’ll be sweating a lot.

17. Driving in Egypt can be a bit nerve-wracking. Cairo has few street signs and no street lights. The chaos somehow works, but children and animals are crossing the road along with hundreds of cars and motorbikes.

Driving from Aswan to Abu Simbel for four hours at breakneck speed was also a test of my nerves. We passed trucks full of camels, tractors, and more.

18. Shopping in Egypt can be fun, but be aware that you may be guided or taken on a “factory tour” or something similar. While the products may be fun, there will be a big markup. Negotiate! Everything in Egypt is negotiable. If you act on the fence or disinterested, you’ll likely get a discount.

We went to an Egyptian Cotton shop, and everything was overpriced. The saleswoman was super aggressive as well, but I was not going to be pressured. I held firm to my price, and while I paid a bit more than I wanted, I didn’t feel totally ripped off.
If you are buying gold in Egypt, which can be a great deal, know the current price of gold. You can google the 18-carat gold price per gram for the day. Make sure the piece you are interested in is being weighed in front of you, and double-check the conversion rate.
Take note that your guide also earns part of the markup you are paying.

19. Tips are expected everywhere and for everything. Have plenty of small bills available (10-20 EGP is fine for most things). Note they are also happy to accept euros or dollars. You may even be asked to exchange larger foreign bills for smaller ones or smaller coins. as we were several times.

20. Bathrooms are manageable and usually have “western” toilets . Still, you may encounter a squatty potty if you need a bathroom outside the normal tourist circuits.

It’s a good idea to have your own toilet paper on hand in case they don’t provide it. Note that you do not flush toilet paper in Egypt. Put it into the waste bin instead.
All public bathrooms require a fee to use. This can be as low as 2 EGP, but they often quoted us 10-20 EGP each. If it’s very important to you, you can bargain this down 🙂 However, I’m usually grateful for bathroom attendants as they keep the bathroom clean.
When in a restaurant or shop, always use the free bathroom opportunity and encourage the kids to do the same.

21. Money drives everything in Egypt. While on the surface, they have rules and regulations, most attendants are willing to bend or disregard the rules for a tip. This can be helpful and disappointing at the same time. While sections of the ruins or temple you are visiting may be off-limits for photography or viewing, if the guard feels like it you may be able to go right in for a tip!

We even had attendants at the airport security start to “help” us with our bags and then ask for a tip.

22. Airport security is interesting. As you enter the airport, you’ll go through security, scan your bags, show your passports, and possibly show your tickets.

You’ll enter another security again, possibly multiple throughout the airport and again at your gate. At some points, unopened water bottles are acceptable, and at others, they are not.
- In Luxor, I was also asked to write our names and passport numbers in a log book, but it was incredibly casual. When I said I had seven people, the guard told me to simply enter three. Ummm… OK.
- I was going through a security checkpoint with a very obvious sign that no large liquids were allowed. I had no less than four water bottles in my bag but sent them into the machine anyway. The guards then asked me if I had water. My water was sticking out of my bag, very obviously, but I answered a tentative no… and they sent me on my way!

23. Getting a SIM card in Egypt is easy and allows for data on the go. You simply need an unlocked phone and some cash. They may also ask for your passport. You can use your guide to buy or refill one, or you can grab one at the airport. For a week, we used around 20 gig, but we are heavy data users.

24. If you are visiting Luxor and/or Cairo and not using a tour guide, consider the Cairo and Luxor Passes. They can save a lot of money off of the big attractions.

They need to be purchased in the country and cannot be purchased more than a day before they are active.
In Cairo, you can purchase the pass at the Mena House entrance to Giza and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
In Luxor, you can purchase the pass from the Karnak Temple Ticket Office and the Valley of the Kings Ticket Office.
If you have a Cairo pass within the last 6 days, you can get 50% off your Luxor pass.
Bring cash for these. They will accept dollars and euros, but the bills need to be in good condition.
Bring a passport-sized photo and photocopy of your passport.
In theory, these passes include all museums and archeological sites that are currently open for up to five days. However, what is available and included is subject to change.
Prices change often but plan on around $130-250 pp for adults and half that for children and students.

Tips To Stay Safe In Egypt With Kids

*While this papyrus factory tour was a bit scammy, we loved learning how to make papyrus! Feel free to enjoy without buying.*

25. When driving around Egypt, it’s common to stop at security checkpoints. This is for your protection, and your driver or guide should handle the interaction. Also, many roads and bridges are closed overnight for safety reasons.

Until recently, tourists could not go to Abu Simbel outside of a police-guarded convoy for private vehicles and buses. Now, private vehicles can go alone, but the road still does not open until 4 a.m.. There are also several security stops.

26. If you book with a tour guide, you may be provided with extra security detail for the day. We had this while visiting Cairo. We did not interact with him at all, but I didn’t mind him being with us either.

27. Always stay alert to the latest political news in Egypt, both before and during your trip. Things change rapidly.

28. It is safe to visit all of Egypt’s common tourist sites. In fact, you’ll see lots of police in these areas. However, the Sinai Peninsula and the western Sahara Desert near the border with Libya are not considered safe.

29. Nearly all hotels and tourist attractions have security with metal detectors. The effectiveness of this is debatable, but expect to remove your bags, hats, and backpacks and put them back on several times throughout the day.

Best Places To Stay

Giza

Marriott Mena House: This is a gorgeous, luxury hotel, and it is the only one located within the Giza Pyramid Complex itself. While much more expensive than other accommodation options in Giza, the Marriott name offers peace of mind in knowing what kind of experience you’ll have. It’s also within walking distance of the pyramids!
Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel: Near the Giza pyramids, Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel offers cozy stays and personalized service amid Egypt’s ancient wonders.

Aswan – Near Abu Simbel

Aswan – Cataract Hotel: With its stunning views of the river and impeccable service, it’s a favorite among travelers seeking a touch of elegance during their stay in Aswan.
Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort: Situated on the shores of Lake Nasser, Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort offers breathtaking views of the tranquil waters and the surrounding desert landscape.

Luxor

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa: Stunning views, world-class amenities, and unparalleled service in the heart of Luxor.
Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor: This hotel offers exceptional hospitality, exquisite dining, and a perfect base for exploring Luxor.

Hiring A Tour Guide

*Nile Empire* *was our guide for this trip. They did a great job planning for our big family!*

I’ve been upfront in my other Egypt posts about hiring a tour guide for our Egypt trip. We tend to tackle travel alone. However, some locations work best with a guide, and I would recommend one for your trip to Egypt. Egypt’s tourism community is strong and functions well, but it has lots to navigate. Some of the reasons I found a tour guide to be worth it include:

Less negotiating. I know 100% that our tour guide negotiated better prices for our activities than we ever could. They may take the profit margin for themselves, but it’s a relief not to have to negotiate everything. You’ll already have to bargain on all your purchases and tips.

A tour guide knows best how the country works, what the best itinerary is, how long travel times usually take based on time of year, etc. They can save countless hours of research.

A tour guide can customize your visit based on your preferences. Want more temples? Less temples? More kid-friendly activities? Just share your preferences, and they will plan what works best for you.

Due to Egypt’s rich history, having an Egyptologist with you can be priceless! You’ll get exponentially more out of your trip as you understand the background, the characters in history, and the local culture, not to mention reading the hieroglyphics!

Having a private tour is key for us, as we have five kids in tow. We can easily adapt our plans based on what the kids are feeling and needing, and having a dedicated van (with A/C!) is priceless.
- Once the kids were so overtired and overheated, we left them all sleeping with our 16-year-old reading and the driver while we visited a temple. We’d been with our guide and driver several days at this point and knew the kids would do much better to catch a quick nap and cool down versus seeing yet another temple with us.

I hope you enjoy your next daily trip to Egypt! For more tips and places to visit, see my other Egypt posts.

Leslie,