Egypt is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world—but booking tours here can be confusing, overwhelming, and, at times, frustrating. A tour description that looks clear may hide a world of costly surprises.
After more than 20 years living in Egypt, I’ve seen nearly every tourist pitfall—and I’d like to help you avoid them.
What Are You Really Getting?
Let’s start with the Giza Plateau in Cairo. A tour might be described simply as:
- Transport
- Guide
- Entry to the Giza Plateau
Sounds good? Maybe. But what exactly does it include?
Here’s what’s actually on the Giza Plateau:
- The Great Pyramid (Khufu)
- Pyramid of Khafre
- Pyramid of Menkaure
- The Sphinx
- The Valley Temple
- Panorama point (for photos)
Most standard tours do not include entry to the Great Pyramid or the Solar Boat Museum. These are often “optional extras” you pay for on the day. If you’re not told in advance, you may end up missing the most awe-inspiring parts of your visit.
And honestly—if you’ve come all this way, why wouldn’t you want to go inside the Great Pyramid?
TIP: Always ask for a full breakdown of what’s included—entry tickets, guide type, transportation, meals, tips, internal travel, and anything that might be extra. The small print matters.
The Shopping Stops
It happens everywhere—not just Egypt. You’re enjoying your tour, and suddenly you’re inside a “papyrus museum” or an “alabaster factory.”
Sometimes it’s interesting, and sometimes it’s just a pressure sales stop. Some people, especially children would be interested in the demonstration of how papyrus is made – this is done in all the papyrus museums. They call them museums because normally they have a copy of almost every papyrus you could imagine! On the West Bank some people would find it interesting to see the craftsmen showing how they work with the alabaster stone and how they carve the images on limestone tablets.
Many of my guests in recent years have genuinely enjoyed shopping for quality items—beautiful lamps, hand-carved alabaster, real perfume essences, gold jewelry, or handmade silk rugs but normally these guests ask for recommendations of where to buy. However there are tour operators and guides who just cut the tours short, without permission to take their clients to the shopping venues.
To avoid hassle about a shopping stop it’s always a good idea to make that clear at the time of booking your tour. Shopping diversions during tours is not part of Mara House tours.
There Are No “Free” Tours
Beware of tours advertised as “free.” Often, these are run by unlicensed individuals who rely entirely on tips or commissions from shops. Quality and safety vary widely.
And please—don’t follow strangers who approach you with “secret” tours. That might sound adventurous, but it’s risky and often results in being lost, scammed, or worse.
7 More Things to Check Before You Book a Tour
- Food: Are meals included? If not, how much will they cost? What about drinks?
- Type of Guide: Is your guide a licensed Egyptologist or just a transfer assistant? There’s a world of difference. Always ask.
- Internal Flights: Are they included in your tour price? If not, what’s the cost?
- Overnight Trains: Will you be in a reclining seat or a sleeper cabin? Can you upgrade? And be warned—delays of 2–3 hours are common.
- Transfers & Timing: What transfers are included? Will you get rest time before jumping into a full day of sightseeing, or are you going straight from a 6am flight into 8 hours of walking under the sun?
- Tipping: This is often not included—but it’s always expected. Factor it in for drivers and guides.
- “Authentic” Experiences: Tours promising “off the beaten path” magic often turn out rushed or touristy. Ask who’s running it and read independent reviews. Be aware it is much cheaper for a tour company to take you for a ride to a country village or have tea with a local family than it is to take you to visit a monument. I have seen tours advertised as including opportunities to meet the locals etc. but on looking closer at these tours, there is more “meeting the locals” than there are visits to the monuments. So, if your objective is to mostly be guided through the monuments then read carefully how much time you will spend with the “locals”.
Final Advice
I came to Egypt myself as a tourist the first few times and I do understand how difficult it is to see the pitfalls before walking right into them, when you have no idea what to even be on the look out for, and it is also extremely difficult to walk out of the tourist trap without hassle. I really do understand and that is why I write these articles for you.
To avoid disappointment:
- Ask direct, specific questions before you book your tours.
- Get every detail in writing.
- Research the tour company or guide.
- Be cautious of vague language. This is difficult to catch if you, like me, are used to scanning content quickly.
Tourist traps in Egypt, To avoid falling into them, when booking tours in Egypt, it’s essential to do your research, read reviews, ask for recommendations from fellow travelers, and be prepared to negotiate prices when appropriate. Booking through reputable tour operators with a track record of quality service can also help ensure a more enjoyable and authentic experience while exploring Egypt.
Touring Egypt should be joyful, rich, and eye-opening—not confusing or stressful. With a little preparation, it truly can be.
For a complete understanding of how tours work in Egypt, and how to plan your trip wisely, start at the homepage.
Warm regards,
Mara
Mara House Luxor