The map at a glance
We do not reproduce any publisher or tourist office map: airports are listed below and every destination links to its own page.
| Zone | Towns and sights | Suggested base | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sea | Hurghada, El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, Marsa Alam | Hurghada | all year; October to May for moderate heat |
| Nile valley | Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Aswan, Abu Simbel | Luxor | October to April |
| Cairo and Giza | Pyramids, Sphinx, museums, Old Cairo | Cairo | October to April |
| Sinai | Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab | Sharm el-Sheikh | all year |
Distances and travel times from Hurghada
| Destination | Distance | Time | Best way |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Gouna | about 25 km | 25 to 30 min | taxi or transfer |
| Safaga | about 55 km | 1 h | see where to stay in Safaga |
| Marsa Alam | about 285 km | about 3 h | private transfer or taxi |
| Luxor | 290 to 320 km | 4 to 6 h | day excursion, see Luxor from Hurghada |
| Aswan | about 500 km | about 7 h by car | 3-day cruise or private car |
| Cairo | about 450 km | 6 to 7 h 30 by bus; about 1 h by plane | plane, see Cairo by plane |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | across the Red Sea | 30 to 65 min flight; ferry unconfirmed | plane |
The Red Sea from Hurghada
Hurghada concentrates the hotels, boat trips (Giftun Islands) and diving. El Gouna is quieter and pricier; Marsa Alam, further south, is for turtles and dolphins. To choose, read Hurghada or Marsa Alam and Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Nile valley and Cairo
Luxor is a long day: choose between Luxor or Cairo as a day trip. Beyond, Aswan and Abu Simbel need a night on site or a 2 to 3-day Nile cruise. See also the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel from Hurghada.
Airports
Hurghada (HRG) is the Red Sea airport; other useful gateways are Marsa Alam (RMF), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), Cairo (CAI), Luxor (LXR) and Aswan (ASW). To reach the centre from Hurghada airport, see Hurghada airport and the centre.
Sample itineraries
- 1 week: Hurghada with a day in Luxor; see Hurghada in 3 days.
- 10 days: Hurghada, a Nile cruise to Aswan, then Cairo.
- 2 weeks: add Marsa Alam or Sharm el-Sheikh for diving.
Entry rules and season
The visa is described in the visa for Egypt and current news in Egypt: disruptions. The Nile valley is very hot from June to August: aim for October to April; see the best time to visit Hurghada.
Going further
Sockets: plugs and voltage in Egypt. To stay connected: eSIM in Egypt.
