Egypt

You likely will go to Cairo and Giza because of none other than the Great Pyramids. Note: Cairo and Giza are both extremely dirty and hectic – the traffic is insane! Since there are so many hecklers, we recommend hiring a private guide (trust us, you don’t want to be on those massive tour buses) to view some of the sites. 

In one day, you can visit the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx Complex, and the Saqqara Pyramid Complex (which are actually older than the great pyramids!). If you have one day, this is our absolute top itinerary. If you have more time, you can head to the Egyptian History Museum (tons of great artifacts if you are into that), the Islamic Quarter (make sure your clothing covers your knees and you have a scarf for your head if you plan on entering mosques), Coptic Cairo (the Christian side of Cairo), and Al Suez (a busy market shopping street. You can also hire a private guide to drive around to these sites instead of walking. You can take tuktuks and taxis around Cairo – just make sure you have cash and small bills…you can also negotiate before getting in the vehicle.

There are also many tours and guides offering camel rides – especially in the pyramids complex. We opted for a private sunset tour through Viator and thought it was much nicer! If you do go in the pyramid complex don’t pay more than $10!

Places to Stay

Marriot Mena: This property is absolutely splurge-worthy, and actually the only property in the Pyramid Complex. The breakfast views and pool are insane, and the food here is safe to eat. But note, depending on if it’s busy season or not, you could pay anywhere fro $300-$1,000 a night – and extra for your meals. 

Hotel Eileen: If staying in Old Cairo rather than Giza, this hotel is so charming and with a great location (and a fantastic cost!). We actually stayed one night here to explore Old Cairo, and one night at Mena to be closer to the pyramids – it was a great balance.

Places to Eat

Be very careful to not eat anything fresh in Cairo (unless from a trusted hotel, like Marriot) that could have been rinsed with sink water. You will get sick! Opt for cooked foods. We did enjoy a more authentic experience at Koshary El Tahrir and Oldish Cafe in Cairo. We also heard good things about Pier 88 and Le Pacha which are on old boats on the Nile, but more tourist spots. 

General notes on Egypt

We’re not big “hire guides” or “tour” people – but it’s necessary in Egypt. It’s a great way to see the sites while learning, and help prevent people from coming up to you to sell you items as much. We used private guides on Viator, but if you’d like specific recommendations reach out to us on Instagram or ask Elizabeth!

As far as flights are concerned, be prepared to change plans, be put with a different airline, and even not be assigned to the seat you bought. Make sure you always check your seat on your ticket when checking in, and know that most flights are late – almost all of ours left an hour late…so don’t have quick connection times, and don’t plan anything too soon within your arrival!

If you are a student, bring your student ID or have a picture. You can usually get tickets half price! 

And finally, Egypt can unfortunately be very scammy. Always negotiate when buying goods or getting taxis, and always have cash on you – including USD! It’s much stronger there and the locals will accept it.