How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Actually Cost?

"How much does Egypt cost" gets you wildly different answers depending on who's asking. Here's what things actually cost on the ground, based on real bookings. Day trips and excursions: a private half-day tour (a city tour, a short desert trip, a snorkeling boat) typically runs $40–90 per person, depending on group size and transport distance. A full-day private tour — Giza pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, or a desert safari with lunch — usually lands between $70–160 per person. Private tours cost more per person than group tours but you set your own pace and pickup time. Multi-day trips: a 2-day Cairo-from-Sharm or Cairo-from-Hurghada package (flights, hotel, guide included) generally runs $250–350 per person. These are popular precisely because they pack a lot into a short window without needing a separate flight booking. Nile cruises: a 3–4 night Luxor–Aswan cruise with full board and guided excursions typically starts around $500–700 per person for a standard cabin, more for upper-deck cabins or longer 7-night itineraries. What's usually NOT included anywhere: flights into Egypt itself, visa fees ($25–60 depending on nationality), tips for guides and drivers (budget $5–10/day per traveler), and alcohol or specialty drinks. The honest range for a full week combining a Cairo stop and a Red Sea or Nile leg: budget travelers land around $600–900 total (excluding international flights), mid-range travelers $1,200–1,800, and travelers who want private transport and upper-tier cruise cabins throughout should budget $2,000+.