Should I book a tour to travel through Egypt?

Question

Hello! My husband and I are in the midst of planning a trip to Egypt in December. I am wondering if it's best to go with a tour like Gate1 Travel OR to plan the trip on our own and book tours as we visit the country.

I am hesitant to book the package tour because I've NEVER traveled that way-- we always plan everything as we go and have never traveled "package" before. But, for some reason, I feel inclined to "package" this trip to Egypt (for safety?). Has anyone had any experiences that they could share with me to help me decide? What do you think-- tour or independent?

thanks!!

Answer 1

I have traveled the world extensively and I also do not like tours. Have said that, Egypt is one place you want a tour. It's the only way you'll see the important stuff with less hassle and get information about what you see. This country really needs a tour. When I first came here, I booked a 2 week tour, now after living here 20 years I realize it was the smartest thing I did. To try to organize it yourself and get things done on time and not have to deal with all the hassles, please book a tour. Plus, you'll be safer.
Have fun, you're going to love Egypt and it's people.

Answer 2

A package tour is best for Egypt. I went a few years ago with my mom and we added a couple days extension onto the end of the package tour. What a nightmare!! The package tour was amazing but the things we tried to do on our own after, including the hotel and our return flight, were terrible. And my mother backpacked through Europe and Asia on her own for a year and a half after high school and has taken many self planned trips since then so it's not like we were just being babies about it. We went through Go Ahead vacations. They have some really great pricing and you stay in really nice places.

Answer 3

Egypt is a very nice country. It has a lot of things to do. I think you should go package. Not because of safety issues, but for the sake of getting the most out of your trip. It's probably a long way from ur home and you'r not gonna do it again anyway. So here is a list of tips and things to consider.
First, the exchange rate is :1US$ = 5.6 EP
To learn more about the buying power of the EP, you can have a large meal at McDonald's Egypt for 25 EP (a bit less than $5)... Museums cost $10 per visit...
Here's a list of places YOU SHOULDN'T MISS!

Sphinx, Giza Pyramids and Saqqara pyramid.
Egyptian museum and some places to get souvenirs(like khan el khalili),
The citadel and some islamic monuments and mospues,
Visit old cairo(Christian monuments and old churches)
A ride in the nile...
Then in Luxor(another state) There are the temples of Karnak and Ramsis
Then the valley of the kings(there tombs)
Then in Aswan(2 hours by car from Luxor):Abu Simbel Temple....
All these visits can be made in a week.
If you have extra time, you can go to Sinai to Sharm el Sheikh which is the most beautiful city by the sea, the best diving to do.
Hope this is of help

Answer 4

I was inclined to say you shouldn't change the way you have always travelled. Package tours are fine if you get to see and do everything you want to do on this trip. If not then why book that way.
Then I thought, if you are not going to feel safe ,and are considering the chance of problems, then stick with the package tour. Now I feel like asking Why are you going to visit a county when deep down you know it is unsafe and you may be frightened for the whole trip, it will spoil your time.
How about going somewhere that you know you will feel comfortable there are so many inviting places in the world this is only to save you disappointment and unwanted stress if you go see the pyramids

Answer 5

As I have traveled many places across the world. And I can say Egypt is one stop destination, which is liked by each and every traveler. It's the only way you'll see the important stuff with less hassle and get information about what you see. When I first came here, I booked a 2 week tour, saw most of ancient and modern wonder of Egypt. The travel agency which I have selected was Love Egypt Tours. They have shown me a wide range of fabulous and classical tours in Egypt, covering the most magnificent places. In which I have selected one package as per my need. Everything was awesome, mainly their our guide were highly experienced and knowledgeable one.

Answer 6

I am a regular holiday tourist to Egypt; in fact I am going back next week.
I really need to know where you want to go and what you want to see and how long you have.
But assuming you have all the time and money you need. I would recommend the following and book your trips out with local taxi drivers, book your hotels before you leave, buy a copy of a really good guide book like the lonely planet. It will help you plan what you want to see.
Always bargain with taxi drivers for the price they will normally expect it. But if you find one you get on with them stick with that person. Agree the price in Egyptian pounds; explain where you want to go and how long you expect to be. Most trips will last the morning from around 7am to 1pm and will cost around 100 to 150 EP
I would recommend starting in Cairo, book a few days in one of the Giza hotels, using a local taxi or one of the hire cars from the hotel, go to the pyramids. On another day go to the Egyptian museum and if you have more time go visit saqarra.
In Cairo you may also like to visit some of the Arabic sights such as the mosques or markets and the Coptic churches.
Travel to Luxor by plane. (About 1 hour.) Take a Nile cruise for a week to Aswan and back. This will include all trips out to all sites with an Egyptologist. The advantage of the cruise is you get to see most places with a guide and get all the information you need, you travel in a delightful way. Finally finish by spending some quieter time in Luxor or the red sea. If you want to see more then stay in luxor and visit some other sites by taxi, or if you have now had enough of ancient Egypt go to the red sea and do some scuba diving or snorkelling.

Answer 7

Arrange for a tour; remembering that all tours give you free time and/or alternative packages to follow up on any special interests. Egypt is an interesting and fascinating country, but you will enjoy it all the more if you avoid the hassles of negotiating your way through via independent travel. Make this your exception.

Answer 8

A package tour would be the best choice for visiting Egypt, not to feel safe, but it is very difficult to tour in Egypt on your own, it is not easy to use transportation and follow maps and book tours if you don't know the country very will. You will miss a lot of spots and you will feel exhausted and wasting time.

Package tours have flexible choices and also a lot of free time to do what you choose.

Don't feel discouraged by untrue fears, you will feel completely safe in Egypt and most welcome, we don't hate Americans (as you learned from Max!!) we may object to some American policies, but we like American people and we think of all tourists as our guests.

have fun in Egypt.

Answer 9

If you have never been to Egypt, the package trip will probably be better. You will still be allowed plenty of free time to venture out on your own. Plus, it is cheaper and you don't have to arrange for transportation or lodging. Be careful in Egypt. Some of them don't like Americans.

Answer 10

Go with the tour, that way it is pre-arranged & you will be taken to all the touristic places with experienced people & the knowledge of an Egyptologist when visiting museums & such like.