It feels like Egypt is transforming overnight. After decades—centuries even—of steady rhythm, everything now seems to be shifting at once. If you’re planning a trip to Egypt in the near future, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the changes and avoid common mistakes that could sour your adventure.
Start with the Essentials
If you want to take a Nile Cruise, make that your first booking. Cruises—especially good ones—sell out quickly during high seasons like Christmas and New Year. For those dates, think a year in advance, not a few weeks.
Once your cruise is secured, plan the rest of your trip around it.
Next, book your hotels early, particularly if you’re aiming for the best accommodations or something more personal and unique. Egypt is back in high demand.
Book your tours in advance as well. This is not a country where you can always count on finding a guide or driver at the last minute—especially not good ones. Public transport doesn’t reach every site, and taxis won’t always get you where you want to go, or back again, especially on the West Bank in Luxor! Remember, when you really need a taxi, you are at a disadvantage, regardless of how many times you have been to Luxor, Cairo or wherever.
Internal flights also book out fast. Over the past two years, I’ve had guests cancel tours in Cairo and Luxor simply because they couldn’t get flights—and even the night trains were full.
The Sightseeing Trap – Mistakes in Itinerary Planning
Tourists often want to see everything in a single trip, but this usually leads to frustration, confusion, and a string of superficial memories. Here are the most common pitfalls:
1. Overpacking the Itinerary
Trying to cram too much into too few days will leave you burnt out. Especially in Cairo, where the traffic alone can eat up hours. Slow down. Choose quality over quantity.
2. Underestimating Travel Times
In Cairo, a short distance on the map can take an hour or more in traffic. Plan with realism, not wishful thinking.
3. Failing to Research the Right Way
Too many people skim TripAdvisor or read the first few Google results. But without context, the sites blend into each other, and within two days, you’re “templed out.” Instead, do light research focused on the places you are drawn to. Follow curiosity, not checklists.
4. Ignoring Personal Interests
Not everyone cares about kings, gods, or hieroglyphs. Some love architecture, others ancient spirituality or political history. Tailor your journey to what moves you—not what guidebooks say you should see.
5. Skipping Downtime
Exhaustion can ruin a trip just as much as a missed flight. I’ve seen travelers convinced they had food poisoning when really it was dehydration, heatstroke, and sheer fatigue. Schedule quiet afternoons. Rest is part of the magic.
6. Skipping Local Guides
A good guide is not a luxury here—it’s a safeguard. Many monuments require separate tickets, scattered across town. Some sites, like the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, are virtually unreachable by taxi, well that is not quite correct—they are reachable but check out what happened to me not so long ago. And the Giza Plateau? You’ll be charged triple trying to get back to town if you’re stranded (again from personal experience). A knowledgeable guide solves all this.
7. Overlooking Cultural Differences
Egypt’s culture is rich and different from what many visitors are used to. Dress codes, greetings, even how you say no—all can be misunderstood. And don’t ever beckon to someone with a wiggle of your index finger – that is insulting and not how to signal “come here” in Egypt nor sit in front of someone so he sees the sole of your shoes. A local guide can also help you navigate these types of cultural faux-pas gracefully.
8. Falling for the “Hidden Egypt” Line
Someone offers to show you a secret place? It’s not secret, and you’re likely being led into a sales pitch or scam. That said, there are amazing lesser-visited sites (I refer to them as “hidden gems” or “off the beaten path” in some of my writings)—they are just not the ones random strangers lead you to. Do your research, or better still, trust a guide who knows the real gems.
Egypt Is No Longer a Budget Destination
Ignore the outdated idea that Egypt is cheap. It’s not. Prices for locals and tourists alike have skyrocketed—food, transport, utilities, permits, and everything in between. Subsidies are disappearing, and new fees are being introduced regularly.
Trying to do Egypt on the cheap will likely lead to stress, missed opportunities, and disappointment. You just can’t see the hidden costs coming. Having started out as a tourist myself, I promise—you’re better off budgeting realistically from the start.
Advice From Experience
Spend less time researching all the sites in Egypt. Spend more time researching the places that genuinely interest you.
Start with the sites on my website. Read my stories—see what lights a spark in you. Then go deeper. Learn about the people who lived, ruled, or worshipped in those places.
A temple, no matter how grand, is just stone without the stories. And most guides either can’t or won’t be bothered to tell you the stories that bring them to life—they stick to what they were taught. Finding the human side of history isn’t always easy on your own.
Take the Gayer Anderson House in Cairo or Abdeen Palace as examples. Google them—click the images. Now imagine walking through those marvellous places with no context. You’ll enjoy it, sure. But read my stories about them, and then look at those images again. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s life, not just some museums.
A Note on Travelling With Children
Children deserve the same kind of preparation as adults—maybe more. Tell them stories before they come. Show them pictures. Let them become curious about Egypt before they arrive.
I’ve seen too many little ones bored stiff, eyes glued to tablets and mobile phones, while being dragged through temples. With just a bit of preparation, they could be having the time of their lives.
One Final Thought
Egypt is not always easy, but it’s endlessly rewarding. With the right planning, the right pace, and the right support, it can be one of the most unforgettable journeys of your life.
If you’d like help planning your trip—or want a safe, beautiful place to call home while you’re here—book your stay at Mara House Luxor. I’d love to welcome you.
To avoid the most common Egypt travel mistakes, start here with my straightforward planning guide
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Mara House Luxor