Egypt operates on a dual pricing structure where foreign tourists pay significantly more than Egyptian nationals for most attractions, transportation, and many services. The Egyptian pound (EGP) has experienced multiple devaluations since 2016, with the exchange rate moving from approximately 8 EGP per USD in early 2016 to around 30-31 EGP per USD by late 2023 and early 2024. This volatility means that prices quoted in Egyptian pounds can appear to drop dramatically in dollar terms while local prices rise. Budget travelers should understand that published prices in guidebooks or online forums can become outdated within months.
Entry to the Great Pyramid of Giza plateau costs 540 EGP for foreigners as of 2024, with an additional 400 EGP required to enter inside the Great Pyramid itself. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square charges 450 EGP for general admission, with an extra 300 EGP for the Royal Mummy Room. Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor costs 480 EGP, while Luxor Temple itself is 360 EGP. Valley of the Kings entry is 500 EGP covering three tombs, with premium tombs like Tutankhamun's requiring an additional 350 EGP. Abu Simbel charges 360 EGP for foreign visitors. These prices reflect the foreigner rate established after the 2022-2023 pricing adjustments. Student discounts of approximately 50 percent apply with valid International Student Identity Cards at most sites, though enforcement of the expiration date and age limits has become stricter at major attractions.
Domestic flights between Cairo and Aswan or Luxor on EgyptAir range from 2,800 to 5,500 EGP one-way depending on booking timing, with prices typically lower when purchased 30-60 days in advance. Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh flights run 2,200 to 4,800 EGP. Budget airlines operating these routes are limited, leaving EgyptAir with significant pricing power on tourist corridors. First-class overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, operated by Egyptian National Railways on the Watania Sleeper service, cost approximately 150-200 USD per person in a two-berth cabin when booked through official channels, with dinner and breakfast included. Second-class air-conditioned seating on daytime trains costs 120-180 EGP for the same Cairo-Luxor route, though these trains are often delayed by 1-3 hours. The difference in price reflects not just comfort but reliability and security considerations for foreign travelers.
Nile cruise ships sailing between Luxor and Aswan over three or four nights range from 400 to 1,800 USD per person depending on ship quality and cabin category. Five-star vessels with small passenger counts charge 1,200 to 1,800 USD per person for the three-night southbound journey, including all meals, guided excursions to Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and other stops. Mid-range four-star ships price at 600 to 900 USD per person for identical itineraries with larger group sizes and less individualized service. Budget three-star cruises advertise rates as low as 400 to 550 USD but typically involve significantly larger passenger counts, older vessels, and buffet meals of lesser quality. These prices reflect 2024 rates during high season from October through April. Summer months from May through September see discounts of 30 to 50 percent but coincide with extreme heat that pushes daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt above 40 degrees Celsius.
Budget accommodation in Cairo starts at 200-350 EGP per night for hostel dormitory beds in areas like Downtown Cairo near Tahrir Square or in Zamalek. Private rooms in the same budget hostels cost 500-800 EGP per night. Mid-range hotels in Cairo offering air conditioning, private bathrooms, and breakfast charge 1,200 to 2,500 EGP per night for double occupancy. International chain hotels like Marriott, Hilton, or Kempinski properties in Cairo or along the Nile price at 4,000 to 12,000 EGP per night depending on location and season. In Luxor and Aswan, budget hotels and guesthouses range from 400 to 900 EGP per night, while mid-range properties charge 1,000 to 2,200 EGP. Red Sea resort destinations like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh operate on an all-inclusive model where three to five-star properties charge 1,800 to 8,000 EGP per person per night including meals, drinks, and beach access.
Restaurant meals in Egypt vary dramatically by location and establishment type. Street food staples like koshari cost 20-40 EGP per serving at local restaurants frequented by Egyptians. Ful medames and ta'ameya sandwiches from street vendors run 10-25 EGP. Sit-down meals at mid-range restaurants in tourist areas of Cairo, Luxor, or Alexandria cost 200-450 EGP per person for a main dish, side, and non-alcoholic beverage. Higher-end restaurants in Cairo's Zamalek district or at five-star hotels charge 600-1,500 EGP per person for similar meals. Pizza or pasta at chain restaurants costs 150-280 EGP per dish. Alcohol, where available, adds significantly to bills due to high taxation and limited availability—Egyptian Stella beer costs 60-100 EGP per bottle at licensed restaurants, while imported spirits in hotel bars run 200-450 EGP per cocktail.
Bottled water is essential for foreign visitors and costs 8-15 EGP for a 1.5-liter bottle at small shops, with tourist areas charging 20-30 EGP for the same bottle. SIM cards with data packages from Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, or Etisalat offer 40-80 GB monthly data plans for 200-350 EGP, though activation requires passport registration at official stores. Public transportation in Cairo via the Metro costs 6-15 EGP per ride depending on distance, making it the most economical option for navigating the city. Uber and other ride-hailing services operate in Cairo and Alexandria with typical cross-city fares of 80-200 EGP, subject to surge pricing during peak hours. Traditional taxis lack meters in most cities, requiring negotiation before departure—a 20-minute ride in Cairo should cost 80-150 EGP when negotiated effectively, though drivers frequently quote 200-400 EGP to foreign tourists.
Private guides at major archaeological sites charge 400-800 EGP for half-day services at locations like the Pyramids of Giza or Karnak, with full-day rates at 800-1,500 EGP. Egyptologist guides with advanced degrees and specialized knowledge command 1,200-2,500 EGP per day. Group tours organized through international operators that include domestic flights, hotels, guides, and entrance fees typically price at 1,800 to 3,500 USD per person for 8-10 day itineraries covering Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. These packages bundle services at rates often competitive with independent travel when accounting for time spent negotiating and navigating logistical challenges. Solo travelers attempting to replicate the same itinerary independently should budget 2,200 to 3,000 USD total for mid-range accommodation, entrance fees, domestic flights, and guided services.
Scuba diving in the Red Sea at Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab costs 400-650 EGP for a single boat dive including equipment rental, with two-dive day trips ranging from 800 to 1,200 EGP. Open Water certification courses run 6,500 to 9,500 EGP over three to four days. Live-aboard diving safaris exploring sites around Ras Muhammad National Park or the Brothers Islands cost 650 to 1,400 USD per person for seven nights, with prices varying based on vessel quality and route. Shore diving in Dahab is less expensive, with single dives costing 250-400 EGP and the famous Blue Hole site accessible via shore entry requiring only equipment rental at 200-300 EGP per day.
Tipping represents a significant and unavoidable expense in Egypt where the practice known as baksheesh functions partially as wage supplementation for service workers. Restroom attendants expect 5-10 EGP, hotel porters 20-50 EGP per bag, restaurant servers 10-15 percent of the bill, and tour guides 100-200 EGP per person per day for satisfactory service. Site guards who unlock specific tombs or allow photography in restricted areas expect 20-50 EGP. Drivers on multi-day tours receive 50-100 EGP per day from each passenger. Refusing to tip results in poor service on subsequent interactions, while generous tipping early in a trip does not guarantee improved treatment and may mark the tipper as naive.
Currency exchange should occur at official bank branches or hotel exchange desks rather than street vendors, despite street rates sometimes appearing more favorable. Major banks include Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt, and Commercial International Bank, all offering exchange services to foreigners presenting passports. ATMs from these banks accept international cards and dispense Egyptian pounds, typically charging 50-100 EGP per transaction from the Egyptian bank side, in addition to fees charged by the card-issuing bank. Daily withdrawal limits of 5,000-10,000 EGP are common. Credit cards see limited acceptance outside major hotels and upscale restaurants, with cash remaining essential for most transactions including entrance fees at archaeological sites.
Souvenir prices require aggressive negotiation in locations like Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo. Initial asking prices for papyrus paintings, alabaster carvings, or cotton textiles are typically 300-500 percent above prices vendors will ultimately accept. A papyrus scroll initially quoted at 800 EGP should settle at 150-250 EGP after negotiation. Machine-made items imported from China and sold as Egyptian-made handicrafts are common, particularly in high-traffic tourist shops. Actual handmade items from Egyptian artisans cost more but remain difficult for non-experts to authenticate. Government-run cooperatives like those in Luxor offer fixed-price handicrafts with quality guarantees but charge 50-100 percent above successfully-negotiated bazaar prices.
Medical care for minor issues is inexpensive by Western standards, with consultations at private clinics in Cairo or Alexandria costing 300-600 EGP. Prescription medications manufactured in Egypt under license cost a fraction of Western prices—common antibiotics run 50-150 EGP for a full course. International-standard hospitals in Cairo such as As-Salam International Hospital or Anglo-American Hospital charge significantly more, with emergency room visits starting at 2,000 EGP and specialized consultations at 800-1,500 EGP. Travelers should verify their insurance covers Egyptian medical facilities and understand whether the policy requires upfront payment with later reimbursement or offers direct billing arrangements.
Budget backpackers traveling independently using hostel dormitories, public transportation, street food, and self-guided site visits can operate on 600-900 EGP per day excluding major entrance fees. Adding the high-cost archaeological sites pushes the daily average to 1,200-1,600 EGP when visiting one or two major attractions daily. Mid-range travelers using three-star hotels, ride-hailing services, mid-range restaurants, and hiring guides for major sites should budget 3,000-5,000 EGP per day. Luxury travelers utilizing five-star hotels, private guides, drivers, and upscale dining will spend 10,000-25,000 EGP or more per day. These ranges assume travelers possess moderate negotiating skills and awareness of standard local pricing.
Seasonal price variation affects accommodation and tours more than entrance fees, which remain fixed by government decree. High season from October through April sees hotel prices increase 40-80 percent compared to summer months. Christmas, New Year, and Easter periods within high season command premium pricing with further increases of 25-50 percent and advance booking requirements. The period from late December through early January sees the highest prices and largest crowds at major sites. Budget travelers gain significant advantages visiting during May through September despite heat that makes midday site visits uncomfortable. Afternoon temperatures in Luxor and Aswan during these months regularly exceed 42 degrees Celsius.
Package deals from international tour operators sometimes offer better value than independent travel for short itineraries, particularly when factoring in the time cost of arranging reliable transportation and guides. A week-long package including international flights from European cities, hotels, transfers, guides, and entrance fees ranges from 1,200 to 2,800 USD per person depending on accommodation standard and group size. Independent travelers spending equivalent time in Egypt with mid-range choices typically spend 1,400 to 2,200 USD excluding international flights. The package advantage narrows for travelers staying longer than ten days or those comfortable with budget accommodation and public transportation.