Has anyone ever traveled to Egypt?

Question

It has always been a dream of mine and I have decided it is time to do it. I need to do some research first so I can start saving and planning. I have never been out of the United States before so am I little unsure how to go about this. I would like to know good places to stay and reputable businesses for tours. I want to stay in Cairo or Luxor and see The Pyramids of Giza, Karnak, Temple of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Cairo Museum, Saqqara, Temple of Deir el Bahari, etc. I just do not know how to begin to plan and save, help! I am not rich so this will take some budgeting and planning.

Mintyfresh- if you click on my avatar you will go to my public profile and you will see "Contact Toby61565" you should be able to email me if you click on that. I would love to talk to you about your country!

Answer 1

I was there three years ago. You will need a visa, you can either buy it in advance or buy it once you get there in the airport. Go during the colder months, that's perfect if you want to see Luxor. Otherwise, if you go during the summer, you'll be facing temperatures around 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit. November to February is a good time.

I'm not rich either, and lived like a queen. Egypt is one of the most affordable vacations! All I took was $1,000 spending cash, and that was plenty. As for where to stay, I know where to stay, and that's the Europa in Geza, it's on El Haram St (aka Pyramids Rd). If anyone here works at the Europa, I mean no offense. I just wasn't satisfied with it.

Yes, take a Nile cruise from Cairo to Luxor/Aswan. As for Cairo, keep this in mind. It's a very dirty city, extremely overpopulated, very loud, I mean 24/7. People honk for any reason... when they're angry at another driver, or even just to say hello. If you're used to peace and quiet, just take this in stride, or it may annoy you. Cairo has different districts in it, some more affluent than others. In the less affluent areas, you will see animals still being used for transportation, so you can guess what you'll find on the ground. I'm giving you the nitty gritty here. There's more to Cairo than just noise, pollution (the air pollution there is literally worse than in Los Angeles), crowds. There are many museums, not just the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. There is the Museum of Agriculture, the Coptic Museum, the Islamic Museum, and others I can't remember right now. There's also Pharaonic Village which is AWESOME!!!!! It's a living museum, meaning that every piece of plant life in it is just as it was in ancient times. Even the view of the city is blocked off, everything you see in the Pharaonic Villlage is like ancient times. You wlll see people reinacting many aspects of life as the ancients did. There's a boat ride tour of it, and also some restaurants and a gift shop. Visit the Pharaonic Village, you will enjoy it. I can't wait to return!

Now, the nitty gritty of Cairo is one thing, but there are beautiful things too. Khan El Khalili, a huge bazaar, is so fascinating! It's a bunch of winding walkways filled with shop after shop of beautiful Oriental ware. Do shop with an Egyptian friend though, 'cause once the merchants know you are a tourist, up goes the price tenfold. This happens everywhere, not just in Egypt.

The people are SO SO KIND! They are very warm, friendly, and helpful. They are happy to show you their country. Tourism is a key industry in Egypt, so the tourists are treated very well. As for safety, the crime rate is much lower than in the States. You can walk down a main drag in the middle of the night and never worry. I did that, no worries.

One trip will not be enough to see all of what Egypt has to offer, so maybe you can return at a later time. I know I will!

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

First of all you have to realise Egypt is a big country and you won't see everything on one visit.
The best way is to book a one week Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. You will stop every day at the places of interest which are all on the banks of the Nile. That will take care of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, Karnak,Temples of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philaeand the granite quarries.
If you can afford it add on a cruise southwards on Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel during which you will see some more temples before you arrive at the breathtaking view from the lake of the two temples at Abu Simbel. You can ,if money and time are short , go from Aswan by road or air but this is definitely second best and you only get a very short time at Abu Simbel after running the gauntlet of the souvenir sellers who are not allowed on the site itself.
Then a lot of companies add on an optional few days in Cairo which will enable you to see the Sphinx,Pyramids, Museum and Saqqara.
This itinerary will take between two and three weeks and even then you will only see a fraction of the sights.
As an American in Egypt be aware that your government has made you unpopular with a lot of people so don't walk around with the stars and stripes hanging off you.
Be prepared for baksheesh which is the practise of many Egyptians to expect monetary award for doing even the most minor service for you or for simply breathing the same air as you.
This is normal practise but be firm and only reward where you get genuine assistance.
The safest way to travel is in an organised group where you will get the services of a government licensed guide who will be able to advise you.
Try to avoid the summer months although it is cheaper then, the best time to go is between September and April with the exception of the period around Christmas and New Year.
Good luck, it will exceed your expectations.

Answer 3

If you have never been out of the states before, i would advise you to go with a good travel company that pre-arranges your tours. It can be very difficult by yourself in Egypt. You can be harrassed and over charged for most things on your first visit unless you know what to do.
If you fly to cairo and want to use a travel company that is reputable try interegypt.com, trafco or flash. I have travelled with interegypt and they are very good. Kuoni is a good company that has branches in U.S.A.
I would recommend one week nile cruise from luxor to aswan and back. Visiting the Pyramids and the Cairo museum on a three night stay in Cairo. One weeks stay in Luxor visiting all the sites there. A cheap hotel in Luxor is St. Joseph (£17 double room approx) 3* with roof top pool and a nile view. All taxi drivers know it. Dont forget to visit Aswan in the south, where the people are very friendly and you can visit the 2nd largest souk in Egypt, visit kitchener island, the nubian museum, unfinished obilisk, philae, aswan dam and high dam. The Old Cataract Hotel is a beautiful hotel on the banks of the nile and is worth having a drink there while watching the sunset. You can also visit Edfu - £25 return taxi, Com Ombo - £15 return taxi and Abu Simbel - taxi ride priced at £35 return - all from Aswan. If you need a good and honest taxi driver in Aswan, I can recommend my brother in law, tel: [phone]. His name is Waleed. If you need an airconditioned car call Rafeek 002 012 3495988 but the prices will be a bit higher.

Answer 4

I've been to Cairo, I thought it was a fantastic city. Egyptians are really nice people and they make a lot of money off of tourism so it should be pretty easy to find a reputable tour group. It's also a lot safer than you might think, yes there have been terror attacks there, but mubarak comes down so hard on the terrorists they don't happen too often.

I was there visiting my parents who were wokring though so I can't be of much help with hotels and tours. But I can tell you things are pretty cheap there. As for airfare, I went with consolidators. They're very strict (really there is no way to change or cancel your tickets and get money back), but if you're positive you're going they can offer you the best pricing. Check your sunday paper for consolidators, then check the BBB to make sure they're legit.

My favorites were the pyramids (there's a village nearby with friendly, but very entreprenurial people) and the Khan al Khallili (a huge bazaar). You do have to watch what you eat and drink unfortunately, so do your homework to find the specifics. I hope you can go, I think you'll love it.

Answer 5

I GUESS I CAN HELP U with a lot of info which u may need, cause is kind of my job here, so if u care to talk more about it just contact me.by the way the one who told u make a cruise from Cairo to Luxor , that was in past now there r no cruise going through that way, cruise between Luxor and aswan and i not recomminded it.
there r cruise under the highdam at nasser lake i not recomminded it at first time you will visit egypt. to know more just contact me. good luck

Answer 6

Take a cruise on the Nile River from Cairo to Luxor.

Answer 7

1- First, apply for visa, you can contact the Embassy.

2- Look for the air ticket , friend of mine in USA used KLM before.
3- Below is some links, for hotels, and travel agencies for tours.

4- Remember :
you don't have to pay tips to everyone, only if you would to some people who did extra ordinary service.

Tourist Police is there for any help, don't hesitate to contact .
People is friendly, and would like to help, but also you should take care, as any other place in the world you may find some greedy people.

US$ = LE 5.70 ( L E, means Egyptian Pound).

Good luck.

Answer 8

I've never been there.. but I would love to go there..
I wana c the mummies... and especially the Valley of the Kings..
And Of Course.. The Pyramids of Giza

Answer 9

lol.. i live there!
i'm a high school student, so i don't think i can help you out much with where to stay.. but if you have any questions about the culture i've got no problem with that. (is there any way you could give me your email or i could give mine to you privately?)

anyway, you might try http://touregypt.com , that's all i can really think of right now. :S

Answer 10

Yes, a lot of people have travelled to Egypt.
I must be honest. If your budgeting in order to get there, it may not happen.