Egypt

Most trips start in Cairo, where the first challenge is usually not the sightseeing but the rhythm of the city itself: traffic, heat, and a steady flow of people moving between mosques, markets, and monuments. A lot of travellers use Cairo as a base for 2–3 days before heading south to Luxor or east to the Red Sea, and that works well if you want a balanced first impression of the country. According to travel guides, Uber is available in Cairo, which can make short hops easier than haggling with taxis after a long flight. If you do take a taxi, agree the fare before the ride starts.

Egypt is very walkable in historic areas, but the sun is intense, especially in summer, so pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and covered shoes. Modest clothing is the norm in cities and especially around religious sites; light layers that cover shoulders and knees are a smart choice. If you’re organising multiple stops, trip planning in the Hello app can help keep flights, hotel check-ins, and day trips in one place, while Hello eSIM lets you stay connected from the moment you land—useful for ordering a ride, checking maps, or messaging your hotel without roaming charges.

In Egypt, the most useful travel habit is to keep things simple: carry small cash denominations, know your route, and confirm prices before you commit. Many day-to-day purchases are still cash-based, and travel writers consistently note that Egyptian pounds are preferred, even though cards are accepted at some upscale hotels and restaurants. It’s practical to withdraw only what you need from ATMs and keep the rest secure. For larger budget items, it helps to track spending in local currency so you can see how quickly entrance fees, taxis, snacks, and tips add up.

Tipping, often called baksheesh, is part of everyday travel in Egypt and may be expected for small services such as toilet attendants, porters, and site staff. Keeping a pocket of small notes makes life much easier. A useful rule is to plan a little extra for incidental costs rather than treating tipping as an afterthought. If you’re travelling with friends or family, Hello’s expense splitting feature can save a lot of awkward calculations after dinner, especially in places where one person pays for taxis, another for tickets, and someone else picks up tea or falafel along the way.

Egyptian food is comforting, affordable, and easy to love once you know what to order. Start with koshari, the national bowl of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato sauce; it’s filling, cheap, and ideal after a long day of sightseeing. For breakfast, try ful medames with bread, lemon, and cumin, or ta'ameya, the Egyptian version of falafel made with fava beans rather than chickpeas. In Cairo and Alexandria, look for grilled meats, stuffed vegetables, and fresh juices—mango, sugarcane, and hibiscus are especially refreshing in the heat.

Street food can be excellent, but choose busy stalls where food is cooked to order and turnover is high. Bottled water is the safest option, as tap water is generally not considered potable for visitors. If you’re exploring with others, it’s easy to turn meals into a budget-friendly part of the trip: share a table, order a few dishes for the group, and split the bill in Hello afterward. That’s particularly handy in places like Khan el-Khalili or along the Nile corniche, where you may stop for tea, snacks, and late-night desserts without wanting to keep track of every small expense by hand.

Egypt’s headline sights are famous for a reason, but the country becomes much richer once you look beyond the obvious. In Cairo, combine the Pyramids of Giza with Islamic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum area, and a wandering afternoon through Khan el-Khalili. Further south, Luxor is where Egypt’s ancient story feels most complete: the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Temple of Hatshepsut can easily fill a full day or more. Many visitors continue to Aswan, where the pace softens and the Nile scenery becomes a major part of the experience.

If you want a different side of the country, add time on the Red Sea in Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh for diving, snorkelling, and beach downtime. Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan remain popular because they connect several major sites without constant packing and unpacking. The smartest approach is to plan your route around the season: the cooler months are better for inland sightseeing, while spring and autumn are more comfortable for the coast. Use Hello trip planning to keep temple tickets, cruise dates, and hotel details organised in one itinerary, especially if your Egypt trip combines cities, river travel, and beach time.