You don’t need a guided tour to visit Egypt. Here’s how to visit independently.

👉 Jump to: Advantages | Top Tips | Who Should Still Book a Guided Tour

Most people I know who have gone on holiday to Egypt have done so on a guided tour or package holiday. I just assumed this was how you visited the country, and I was falsely under the impression that travelling independently wouldn’t be easy. 

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Egypt a couple of times in the past year, and there’s something magical about the country that I’m sure will draw me back again. Neither of my trips was part of a package deal or guided tour, and I was often one of the only tourists at hotels and temples not part of a large group. 

There’s nothing wrong with guided tours, and I would even recommend them for some travellers. But it would be a real shame to miss out on visiting this incredible country because the cost or structure of a guided tour doesn’t appeal to you.

I’ll share some of my experiences and top tips to help you weigh up the pros and cons of travelling to Egypt independently. And most importantly, show that it is possible to visit independently. I hope that you’ll be inspired to set foot in the land of the Pharaohs and feel ready to embrace all the delights and surprises that await you. 

Advantages of Travelling in Egypt Independently 

You can visit places off the main tourist trail

I like getting away from crowds and seeing places off the beaten track – whether that’s a hidden room in a temple or a lively side street in a market – and that is definitely easier to do when you travel independently. 

Most guided tours include the must-sees in Egypt, such as the Pyramids of Giza and Karnak Temple in Luxor. But there are over 100 pyramids in Egypt and so much more to see! From Tunis, the gorgeous pottery village in El Fayoum Region, to chaotic backstreets in Alexandria, I’m pleased I got to sample the diversity that Egypt has to offer. 

Even if you’re sticking to go-to tourist cities, you really don’t have to stray far from the main tourist trail to see incredible places and have a quieter experience. Medinet Habu in Luxor was much quieter than those on the ‘main circuit’ on the West Bank of the Nile, despite being listed on some tours and being absolutely awe-inspiring! 

You can set your own pace and build your own itinerary

Guided tour holidays often have quite a crammed itinerary, flitting from one place to another on a tight schedule. This suits some travellers and means you get to see a large number of places each day, complete with a tour guide.  

But a slower, less rushed approach also lends itself well to pottering around temple ruins and Egypt’s sights. I saw a few big tour groups trudging around temples, looking overwhelmed by the incessant talking of their tour guide, and others who whizzed around in a blink. 

I loved wandering around at my own pace and exploring curious, hidden areas that local guides and touts show you in exchange for a small tip. 

One of the perks of travelling independently is that you can build your own itinerary and set your own pace day-to-day. Kate has planned a very comprehensive 10 day Egypt itinerary that you could adapt to your own trip!

You can choose your accommodation and experience places overnight

One of my highlights in Egypt was a stay at Northern Lake Lodge on the outskirts of Tunis, nestled by Lake Qarun and the edge of the Western Desert. Whilst sitting round the fire at night, looking up at a clear sky full of stars, I was grateful that we hadn’t just visited for a day trip. 

And I had a similar feeling when watching the sunset by the Pyramids of Giza from the balcony of Seven Pyramids View Inn. 

There are many incredible places in Egypt that are often included on tours as day-trips, but make for wonderful places to stay. Travelling independently allows you to pick your own accommodation and stay in smaller places that don’t feature as options on package holidays with large companies. 

Plus, I enjoy the process of choosing accommodation for a trip!

It’s easy to find great accommodation in Egypt on Booking.com, and I didn’t have any issues with where I had booked. But you do need to travel to Egypt with an open mind. The first hotel I stayed at in Downtown Cairo was perfectly nice, but nothing like it looked in the photos! 

Although I imagine you’re more likely to get what you expect on a guided tour, I don’t think you will be immune to unexpected surprises in Egypt! Whether you go on a tour or independently, you’ll need to embrace the charm and occasional chaos of the country. 

Check out Kate’s article on where to stay in Cairo for guidance on areas and hotels in the capital. 

You can have more spontaneous and authentic interactions with locals

Meeting locals is one of the special things about travel and invariably leads to unforgettable memories. Ok, tourists are slightly bombarded with people selling their wares and services in Egypt, especially in popular destinations. But for the most part, it’s just locals trying to make a living and being opportunistic about making some money. 

I heard some tourists being disrespectful to and dismissive of locals. They had closed themselves off from all interactions with people outside of their tour and restricted themselves to a very blinkered experience. 

Yes, you should have your wits about you, and you can’t chat to everyone, but don’t ignore and dismiss the people who make Egypt what it is!

I met some lovely, kind, hospitable Egyptians whilst on my trips, from the friendly boat owner by our hotel, who invited us to sip mint tea on the Nile as the sun was setting, to the taxi driver who invited us for a local breakfast. I think independent travel encourages a more open mindset where you can embrace and enjoy these interactions. 

It’s easier than you may think to organise your own excursions

Until you’re in Egypt, it can be hard to know if, or how, it’s possible to organise trips and excursions without being on a tour. But one of the advantages of the culture of hawking is that you’ll always find people happy to help you on your trip!

Almost every taxi driver you meet in Luxor will offer to drive you on a trip around the West Bank to see the temples and attractions. Hotels in Cairo will offer you help to book excursions around the city, and accommodations in rural areas can help arrange day trips. And you can literally just use Uber to get to the Pyramids of Giza!

If using taxis to get around, you need to have a clear idea of what and where you want to visit, and be clear on the price from the outset. Local taxis seem to work off random figures plucked from the sky rather than a meter! Uber and Indrive are the commonly used local ride-hailing sites and are useful to use, not least to gauge a reasonable price for a journey.

There are loads of amazing tours and excursions in Egypt on Viator, which include transport and guides. So you can have the best of both worlds – travel independently with some guided tours and trips when you want them! I also recommend booking directly with local certified guides if you want a tour with a licensed Egyptologist.  

You can try different foods and choose where to eat  

There are lots of restaurants in Egypt that cater to tourists, and for some people, that is ideal. But it’s nice to find places to try local cuisine like Koshary and dine in small, quirky restaurants.

Some of the most disappointing meals I had were in the large hotels. I enjoyed the experience of eating in them for convenience, the views, and the ambience. But the prices were much higher than other meals out in local eateries, and the quality was often not great. 

I was glad I wasn’t tied to full-board options in hotels and had the flexibility to go out and try different food when I wanted. Instead, I was able to support local businesses and receive a warm welcome from restaurant owners. 

There is a big cost difference, and independent travel is invariably cheaper than guided tours 

Did you know that you can often directly book hotels that feature in package holidays? I didn’t until I stayed in one! 

I booked the Steigenberger Resort Achti in Luxor on Booking.com and had an amazing deal. When I arrived, I saw that the hotel was also part of package trips and guided tours, and realised that I had paid a fraction of the price. 

Granted, that may not always be the case – some package holidays with flights can turn out to be a good deal. But often the prices are inflated, and the deals include food that is far more expensive than local options. The price is higher for the convenience it offers, and for some travellers, that convenience is worth it. 

5 Top Tips for Travelling in Egypt Independently 

Do some research first

It’s a good practice to look into some key information in advance, especially if visiting a country that is probably wildly different from your own. Look up the maps and geography, transportation, and average prices, too. Knowing some cultural norms and laws is vital, especially without a tour guide.

Learn a few words in Arabic

Knowing the basics like greetings, ‘yes/no’, thank you, and some numbers is really handy and shows you’ve made an effort.

Get data on your phone

Get an e-SIM or package so you can access the internet – this will come in handy for maps, Google Translate, currency conversions, and more! Many taxi drivers don’t use satnav, so having directions to show is handy!

Dress modestly

It’s respectful to follow local customs and wear modest clothes, especially as you’ll likely attract more attention when not part of a large tour group.

Know when to say no to locals and when to ask for and accept help

Ok, there’s no easy way to learn this, but try to find a bit of a balance!

I Still Recommend Guided Tours for Some People 

Despite preferring to travel independently and sharing my reasons and reassurance that it is possible to do so in Egypt, guided tours do suit some travellers and trips. Here’s when I would recommend considering a guided tour:

• If you’re a nervous or inexperienced traveller, Egypt is quite a full-on place to dip your toe into independent travel!
• If your priority is no stress or pressure, it would be more relaxing not to have to make decisions and navigate for yourself.
• If you have limited mobility or additional care needs, as tours can try to plan ahead to cater to your needs so you can enjoy Egypt to the fullest. 
• If you’re low on time or don’t enjoy planning trips, you’ll enjoy the convenience of not needing to organise everything yourself.
• If you’re travelling alone but don’t want to solo travel in Egypt, and would like to visit the country with a group. 

If any of these things apply to you, or you’d just prefer to book a guided tour, check out all the unique Egypt tours offered on Viator and Airbnb Experiences!

📚 Read Next: Solo travel vs. group tours: here’s why I love both

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Egypt is an incredible country to visit, and I highly recommend a trip there! Contrary to what I used to think, it is perfectly possible (and for me, preferable) to travel in Egypt independently. Ultimately, it is a question of preference whether or not you want to go on a guided tour. I’d love to hear your travel stories from Egypt in the comments below!

Next up, you might be interested in reading Kate’s guide to the top things to do in Cairo for ideas to help you start planning.