Mara at the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt – storyteller and host of Mara House Luxor

You’re going to Egypt: Where do you start? How do you avoid mistakes? And, before you start,  Is it safe to go to Egypt 2025?

Table of Contents

  1. Why Egypt? Your Dream Trip Starts Here
  2. Plan Smart: How to Start Your Egypt Trip Without Stress
  3. Why Last-Minute Bookings Can Ruin Your Trip
  4. Choosing Your Tours: Avoid Tourist Traps & Get Real Value
  5. When’s the Best Time to Visit Egypt?
  6. Egypt Travel Costs: What You Really Need to Know
  7. Picking the Right Hotel: More Than Just a Place to Sleep
  8. What to Pack for Egypt: Smart Tips for a Comfortable Trip
  9. Touching Down in Egypt: What to Expect on Arrival
  10. Staying Safe & Well in Egypt: Essential Tips
  11. Solo Travel in Egypt: Confidence & Safety Tips
  12. Travel Deeper in Egypt: Beyond the Tourist Trail
  13. Start Your Egypt Journey with Confidence

Why Egypt? Your Dream Trip Starts Here

Maybe it began with a photo, a story, or a lifelong dream.  Egypt has a way of getting under your skin.  The thought of standing beneath the Pyramids or drifting down the Nile captures the imagination like nowhere else.  Over the last 20 years, thousands of my guests at Mara House Luxor have found that with my advice and the right guidance, Egypt becomes not just a trip, but a deeply memorable experience that flows naturally, feels safe, and sparks wonder.  Before you start you might like to see my opinion on whether Egypt is safe.

Plan Smart: How to Start Your Egypt Trip Without Stress

The biggest planning mistakes aren’t about destinations—they’re about rushing, copying others’ plans, or trusting outdated or vague advice.  Egypt’s core remains timeless, but logistics and tips evolve, and planning smartly means understanding both.

Everything I share here is grounded in personal experience.  Even the oldest blog posts still hold true—and so do the logistics travelers struggle with.

Start here:

Why Last-Minute Bookings Can Ruin Your Trip

Unlike many countries, Egypt’s travel options—flights, trains, hotels, guides—fill up early.  Trying to “wing it” leads to stress, long waits, or worse.  Reliable transport and good hotels require advance booking, especially in peak seasons.

  • Internal flights are frequently overbooked or unavailable unless booked far in advance, sometimes 6 months in advance or when they go online.  Tour operators can pre-book large blocks of seats on flights, they seldom have to let them go at the last minute.  I have had guests cancel their planned leg of the trip quite a few times because of no transport availability from Cairo.
  • Hotels the good mid-range and top end ones are always busy especially in Cairo
  • Trains can be fully booked for days.  Tourists are not allowed travel on all train types for security and safety reasons.
  • Guides, drivers and good transport companies—the reliable ones—are committed long in advance.

Don’t arrive in Egypt thinking it is easy to find a hotel, a guide etc at the last minute  Wandering the streets of Luxor or Cairo in search of whatever comes your way, makes you an easy target.  Scammers spot a vulnerable tourist from a mile away.  It’s like walking around with a sign on your forehead that says “Please scam me.”

Worse still, the stories flood Facebook travel groups—”I was tricked,” “I got overcharged,” “I didn’t feel safe”—yet few acknowledge that these things often happen because they didn’t do the research, didn’t pre-book, or assumed Egypt works like home.  It doesn’t.  Starting your trip with a trusted airport pickup and a place that feels like home—like Mara House—makes all the difference.

Choosing Your Tours: Avoid Tourist Traps & Get Real Value

Tours in Egypt can be overwhelming.  Beware of hidden shopping stops, vague inclusions, and “free” offers that come with a cost.  Know what’s included, what’s extra, and how to spot genuine value for money tours versus misleading marketing.

Not all tours are what they seem, here’s what you need to clarify before booking on any Egypt tour website

More essential reading:

Wondering how to organise Luxor and Aswan without getting overwhelmed? → Here’s my insider guide to a stress-free Luxor & Aswan trip.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Egypt?

Egypt’s climate varies dramatically.  Summers can be scorching for those from cooler climates, while winters bring chilly nights—especially in Luxor and the desert.  Your personal tolerance matters.

Planning around Egypt’s major holidays matters too.  Christmas, Easter, and unique events like the 2027 total Solar Eclipse bring surges in demand, pushing up prices and making early booking essential—sometimes 6 months to a year ahead.

Egypt Travel Costs: What You Really Need to Know

Egypt is no longer the ultra-budget destination it once was.  Rising costs for fuel, food, staff wages, and permits affect tourism pricing.  Beware of tour operators who keep old prices but add hidden costs later.

Know what to expect:

Consider longer stays to get more value and immersion—like our Long-Term Stays at Mara House

Picking the Right Hotels: More Than Just a Place to Sleep

In Egypt, your hotel shapes your experience.  It’s your refuge, info center, and safety net after busy days.  Mara House Luxor was built to be just that—a place where guests feel supported, not sold to.

Beware that “confirmed” bookings on big sites don’t always guarantee a room in Egypt.

Trust your instincts: if a deal feels off, it probably is. You’re booking an experience, not just a price.  If you’re dreaming of an experience that’s a little more personal, a little more grounded—and if you’re the kind of traveler who values people over polish and would like to plan your time in Luxor—then I invite you to consider Mara House.  Our 3-Night Package at Mara House includes the key sites, meals, transfers, and more – see what’s included.

What to Pack for Egypt: Smart Tips for a Comfortable Trip

Packing in Egypt is about respecting local culture and practical needs.  Dress modestly but comfortably.  Bring essentials like sun protection, power adapters, and SIM cards.  Avoid overpacking.

If traveling with children, extra prep is key—see:

Winter travelers, remember to layer for chilly nights.

Finally, a different kind of packing altogether: the mental kind.  If you’re the type who likes to read ahead and deepen your sense of place, I’ve put together My Favourite Books on Egypt—from ancient history to modern memoir.  They’ll give you a richer sense of context, and in some cases, change how you see the temples and tombs entirely.

Touching Down in Egypt: What to Expect on Arrival

Arrival is a sensory overload—heat, noise, unfamiliar language.  Prepare for possible delays, lost luggage, or no taxis waiting.  It’s part of the adventure, but preparation smooths the ride.

Take it slow on arrival—don’t jump into sightseeing with no rest.  that’s why taking the overnight train is not a good idea.  You will arrive exhausted and are likely to lose the next day – sleeping.  Let Egypt unfold at your pace.

Staying Safe & Well in Egypt: Essential Tips

Egypt is extraordinary but raw and unpredictable.  To keep your story positive, travel smart.  Egypt isn’t dangerous per se, but different—and that difference can trip you up.

Before rushing into deciding not to touch the salads, fruit or brush your teeth with tap water in Egypt to avoid stomach upset read my comforting post Should I Eat Fruit and Salads in Egypt?  In fact I think most people would really enjoy the experience of Eating Like and Egyptian – it’s fun!

Get insurance for Egypt.—make sure it covers cancellations, lost baggage, missed flights, and health issues.

Solo Travel in Egypt: Confidence & Safety Tips

Solo travel here can be transformative but requires preparation, especially for women.  Cairo is vibrant but not a place to wing it.

Travel Deeper in Egypt: Beyond the Tourist Trail

Many visitors seek more than pyramids and temples—they want stillness, connection, and a different rhythm.  Slow travel in Egypt offers unexpected rewards and challenges.

Start Your Egypt Journey with Confidence

Egypt isn’t always easy—but it’s unforgettable.  With thoughtful planning and support, it meets you where you are and invites you to rise.  Ready to start your journey?  Let Mara House Luxor be your home away from home.

To help you choose the best option for your trip, check out my detailed comparison of Egypt tours in 2025—see how Mara House Luxor stands apart from the rest.

Get in touch today to start planning your perfect Egypt trip.

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Mara - Mara House Luxor

Meet Mara

Hi, I’m Mara — the heart behind Mara House Luxor.
Over twenty years ago, I came to Egypt on an ordinary tour. It was enjoyable… but while it was not a deep, soul-stirring journey, I felt like I had come home. So I returned — and over time I created the kind of memorable experiences for you that I should have had first time.

What makes me different?
I don’t just want you to see Egypt — I want you to feel it, but even I am still learning. Through my blog and in person, I tell the stories behind the stones, so you can imagine the real people who once lived here, walked these temple floors, and shaped this extraordinary land. No made-up tales, no polished-over legends — just truth, heart, and a little magic.

Together with my small Egyptian team, I create honest, personal, unforgettable journeys — whether you’re here for a few days at Mara House or travelling across the country with us.

If you’d like help planning a meaningful and worry-free stay in Egypt, just drop me an email — I respond personally:
📧 maraegypt@gmail.com