A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Visiting Egypt
Egypt is a destination that stands out from the rest of the world. It has ancient monuments. The landscapes are diverse. The culture is unique. Nile River, the Red Sea, and the Pyramids- all these make Egypt attractive to travelers, especially Europeans.
Keep reading for the travel itinerary, Egypt online visa guide, and useful tips if you are a European planning to visit Egypt solo. Egypt offers a number of sightseeing and adventure opportunities for solo travelers. Travelers also enjoy immersion into ancient history and rich culture. Europeans love Egypt, so much so that they account for the highest number of tourists to the country. The number of visitors was around 7.3 million in 2022.
Egypt is also very safe and affordable. This is also a major reason making the destination attractive to solo travelers. Let’s start with the safety for solo travelers in Egypt.
Is Egypt Safe For Solo Travelers?
Egypt is typically considered to be safe for lone adventurers. There is generally no safety concern if you visit or stay in places flocking with tourists. However, there is never harm in maintaining precautions.
Avoid areas that are known for demonstrations and protests. Even though these areas are not risky, it is better to remain aware of everything and know when peaceful demonstrations might heat up into violent encounters.
Stay alert in crowded areas. Avoid spaces with no crowd and poorly lit areas at night.
Understand the ways and abouts of local customs and adhere to them to make you travel experience more delightful. Respecting local values and dressing modestly is also important to avoid possible instances of harassment.
Stay safe by booking services with reputable providers. This is particularly important for transportation services. Lastly, avoid visiting areas near the Sinai Peninsula and the Libyan border.
Best Time For Solo Travel To Egypt
Let’s see when it is the right time for you to undertake solo travel to Egypt.
Winter- Pleasant Weather But Peak Season
Egypt is a hot country. So it is very obvious that tourists prefer visiting during the winter. As a European, you too must be more habituated to a cooler climate.
Tourists mainly flock to Egypt in the span of the cooler months are from October to February, the coldest of all months. Expect the temperature to be between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
Summer- Hot Weather But Fewer Crowds
You can expect the summer heat in a hot country to be unbearable. The temperature can cross 30 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, summer can also be ideal for you, depending on your heat tolerance and crowd preference.
If tolerating climate extremes is not a factor for you, there is no better alternative than summer. You will find it ideal if you dislike crowds in tourist spots. And tourist services will also be less expensive during the off-season.
Festive Seasons
You may plan to visit Egypt to catch up on Ramadan and Eid celebrations (March to April). You may also visit during Coptic Christmas (January) and Coptic Easter (April). Or visit during Moulid Al-Nabi to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
You also have the Spring festival (April). Yearly flooding of the Nile River is also celebrated (August). People also look forward to the Sphinx festival (June) and the Sun festival (February and October).
Top Destinations For Solo Travelers
Check out the top destinations to visit as a solo traveler after you get your Egypt online visa.
Cairo (Day 1 & 2)
Explore Cairo in the first two days.
Pyramids Of Giza (Day 1): The three ancient pyramids are must-visit places if you are in Egypt. You should start with these famous structures. You will find these pyramids on the Giza Plateau. It is around 50 kilometres away from Cairo airport, and you can ride there on a bus or a taxi.
The Great Sphinx? It is also located on that 160 square kilometres plateau. You can book camel rides to explore the upland. Walking is also a viable option, though.
Egyptian Museum (Day 2): Middle East’s oldest archeological museum is located only 5 kilometres away from the Giza Plateau. The museum only stays open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Dedicate Day 1 to exploring the pyramids, and visit the museum on the next day.
The museum has more than 170,000 artefacts, with some of the most Pharaonic antiquities. Discover more at Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Khan el-Khalili Souvenir Shopping & Street Food (Day 2 Continued): It is a famous market. You can shop for traditional crafts and pharaonic artefacts. Herbs, spices, and stones can also be purchased from the market.
The market is located just around 4 kilometres away from the museum. It also stays open till late at night. So you can visit the market after the museum closes.
And if enjoying street food is on your bucket list, the market is where you go! From international cuisines to local specialities, the shops there have it all and more. You will also find authentic Egyptian dishes in food stalls.
Luxor (Day 4 & 5)
You should travel to Luxor once you are done exploring Cairo. You take a domestic flight or train. Expect spending around 12 hours on Day 3 on this intercity travel.
Valley Of The Kings (Day 4): Your trip remains incomplete without visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site, which has the historically-famous tomb of Tutankhamun. You will find 59 more tombs in the valley.
Karnak Temple Complex (Day 5): Visit the largest temple complex in Egypt. It is located only around 12 kilometres away from the valley. You will find pylons and chapels. You will find many other types of temples in the complex.
Hatshepsut’s Temple (Day 5 Continued): Travel around 10 kilometres to find Hatshepsut's temple. You will find the structure a marvel of engineering. The temple was built for a female pharaoh. The place reveals significant insights about her reign.
Aswan (Day 6-12)
Travel from Luxor to Aswan as part of a cruise experience. This is an unforgettable experience, albeit slightly steeper in price. If possible, buy a spot on this cruise; it is an unmissable part of an Egypt tour for solo travelers. The cruise will take around 5 days, so make sure you have visited other must-visit sites beforehand.
Nile River Cruise (Day 6-10): You should book the 5-day Nile River cruise experience. While there are options here, your best bet will be on the one that begins from Luxor and ends in Aswan. You will enjoy the sail and meals. You will also get to stop at many key locations.
Nubian Villages (Days 11 & 12): Visit the colourful settlement that runs along the Nile River. Get a taste of how hospitable and friendly the villagers are, and take a tour around the vibrant and culturally-rich houses of the place.
You may choose to spend multiple days there by booking with holiday homes.
Hurghada (Day 14)
You can take a bus to travel from Nubian villages to Hurghada. It will take you nearly 7 hours. So you may also consider a domestic flight.
Red Sea beaches (Day 14): Have a relaxing day at the beautiful beaches in the city. You can also enjoy boat rides there. Swimming and snorkeling are also popular on beaches such as Sahl Hasheesh.
Red Sea diving (Day 15): You will also find water sports activities at the beaches in Hurghada. Soma Bay is particularly famous for these. There are dive sites. You can also join scuba diving sessions.
Siwa Oasis (Day 17-19)
Fly from Hurghada to Siwa Oasis. It will take you around 2 hours. Road travel can take 5 to 9 hours.
Desert Safari Experience (Day 17): You can enjoy a desert safari. You can also engage in sandboarding. Or you can simply explore the unique desert landscapes in the oasis.
Hot Spring Bathing (Day 18): Amp up your trip with the oasis’ hot springs and indulge in a relaxing bathing experience. Swimming in the natural springs is a popular activity there.
Stargazing (Day 19): Light pollution is non-existent in the oasis. So it is a preferred spot for stargazing. You will find clear desert skies. New moon phases during the cold months are the best time for stargazing and outings at night.
Egypt Visa Eligibility
You will need a tourist visa to enter Egypt from Europe. A passport with a 6 months validity is needed for Egypt visa eligibility.
Tourist visa type: Paper sticker
Where to get it from? Egyptian consulate/ embassy in your country
Validity up to: 1 month
Stay duration per visit: 30 days for both single and multiple entries
Documents needed:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photo
- Flight ticket copy
- Hotel reservation copy
- Bank statement copy
Tourist visa type: Electronic/ e-visa
Where to get it from? Reputable e-visa portal
Validity up to: 3 months
Stay duration per visit: 30 days for both single and multiple entries
Documents needed:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photo
- Flight ticket copy
- Hotel reservation copy
- Bank statement copy
Tourist visa type: On-arrival
Where to get it from? International airport in Egypt (Immigration counter)
Validity up to: 1 month
Stay duration per visit: 30 days for both single and multiple entries
Documents needed:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photo
- Flight ticket copy
- Hotel reservation copy
- Bank statement copy
Final Thoughts & Tips
Egypt is a great place for European solo travelers to visit. It is safe, unique, and affordable. The Egypt visa eligibility criteria are also simple for Europeans. Dress modestly. Opt only for reputable service providers.
Get a SIM in Egypt and keep offline maps installed. Use Uber to travel around. Or try local ride-hailing services. Taste local food. Shop from open markets. Carry a water bottle and a power bank. And, get your Egypt visa online for convenience.
Securing a visa is important before planning an international trip. The Egypt e-visa initiative introduced by the Egyptian government simplified the process of getting a valid visa to enter Egypt. Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including Czech citizens, Brazilian citizens, Canadian citizens, Polish citizens and Greek citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.