Is Egypt Expensive? A Complete Guide To Costs For Travelers

Egypt is surprisingly affordable for travelers, with costs markedly lower than many destinations due to favorable exchange rates. You can enjoy Egypt on $20-30 daily as a budget traveler, $40-70 for mid-range comfort, or $100+ for luxury experiences. Basic accommodations start at $5-10, street food at $1-2, and public transportation at less than $1. Our complete breakdown will help you plan the perfect Egyptian adventure within your budget.

Key Points

• Egypt is highly affordable with budget travelers spending just $20-30 daily on accommodations, food, transport, and activities.
• Accommodations range from $5-10 hostels to luxury resorts at $620 per night, with mid-range options from $50-150.
• Local meals cost $1-6 per person, while high-end dining runs $31-62 per meal.
• Transportation is inexpensive with public buses from $0.25, taxis from $0.70, and metro trips around $0.50.
• Popular attractions like the Giza Pyramids cost $11-14 to enter, with additional fees for special access.

Understanding the Cost of Travel in Egypt

When planning a trip to Egypt, understanding the overall cost structure helps you create a realistic budget for your adventure. Thanks to the current exchange rate (1 USD ≈ 51 EGP), Egypt remains remarkably affordable for most international travelers.

Egypt offers exceptional value with the favorable exchange rate making your travel budget stretch further than expected.

You’ll find your money stretches far with budget travelers comfortably exploring on $20-30 daily, mid-range travelers spending $40-70, and luxury experiences starting around $100 per day. These estimates include accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities.

The beauty of Egypt’s travel scene is its flexibility – you can splurge on a luxury Nile cruise while saving on inexpensive street food, or skip pricier guided tours at some sites while investing in educational experiences at others. This flexible approach helps offset the cost of visiting major attractions, with entrance fees to sites like the Great Pyramid costing around 900 EGP per person. Seychelles is also an affordable destination, with a wide range of budget-friendly options available for travelers.

Currency fluctuations have recently made Egypt even more budget-friendly for foreign visitors.

Accommodation Options and Pricing Across Egypt

Accommodation represents one of your biggest expenses while traveling in Egypt, but you’ll find options to match every possible budget. Budget travelers can secure dorm beds for as little as $5-10 per night, with popular hostels like Rafiki in Dahab offering both social atmosphere and basic amenities.

Private rooms in basic hotels range from $15-20 nightly, while mid-range hotels cost between $50-150 depending on location. In Cairo, expect to pay 500-1000 EGP ($31-62) for decent mid-range accommodations.

Aswan offers similar quality for just 300-500 EGP ($19-31). Luxury options abound in major cities and coastal areas, with prices reaching up to 10,000 EGP ($620) in Cairo. For the best value, consider all-inclusive options at beachfront properties like Pickalbatros Citadel Resort starting from $48 per night. The Seychelles honeymoon offers an unparalleled romantic getaway experience.

Booking early and avoiding peak seasons (Christmas, Easter) will help you secure better rates.

Food and Dining Expenses: From Street Food to Fine Dining

Egyptian cuisine offers incredible value for travelers on any budget, with options ranging from ultra-affordable street food to high-end dining experiences. You’ll find street food and fast food meals for just 20-30 EGP, with local favorites like koshari and falafel satisfying hunger without emptying your wallet.

For sit-down meals, casual local restaurants charge 50-100 EGP per person, while mid-range dining costs 150-300 EGP. A McDonald’s combo runs about 250 EGP, considerably higher than local options. For a special meal out, expect to pay around 200 EGP for a mid-range restaurant meal for two people.

Splurging on high-end dining? Budget 500-1000 EGP per meal. Alexandria and Hurghada offer different dining experiences, with Alexandria’s urban setting providing a wide range of culinary options.

Remember to factor in the customary 10% tip and consider bottled water (100 EGP/liter) for safety. Save money by eating where locals do and exploring the vibrant street food scene.

Transportation Costs: Getting Around Egypt on Any Budget

Transportation in Egypt offers a mix of affordability and variety that’s just as budget-friendly as its food scene. You’ll find public buses starting at just EGP 10 (standard) or EGP 20 (air-conditioned), while minibuses run slightly higher at EGP 16-19. Recent transportation changes have implemented a 10% fare hike across Greater Cairo for most routes. Taxis in Egypt are a popular and affordable way to get around, with fares starting at EGP 11.5 for the first kilometer and adding EGP 2.25 for each additional kilometer—perfect for shorter trips.

Egypt’s public transportation network delivers incredible value, from dirt-cheap buses to efficient metros that won’t drain your travel budget.

For city exploration, Cairo’s metro is incredibly economical at about $0.5 per trip. For longer journeys, trains offer comfort starting at $5-10 depending on class, while overnight buses connect distant locations like Cairo to Siwa for around EGP 275 ($11).

Monthly transport passes ($10-15) provide excellent value for extended stays, bringing average transportation costs to about $30 per person monthly.

Entrance Fees and Tour Expenses at Major Attractions

Visiting Egypt’s iconic monuments comes with entrance fees that have seen notable increases in recent years, with another round of price hikes implemented in November 2024. The Giza Pyramids now cost 540-700 EGP, with access inside the Great Pyramid adding another 900 EGP to your expenses.

Most major sites in Cairo and Luxor now charge 450-550 EGP per entry. For an exhaustive exploration of Saqqara’s ancient complex, you’ll need a 900 EGP compound ticket. Unexpected tourist mistakes can often lead to higher costs, so it’s important to be prepared.

Budget-conscious travelers can opt for basic day tours starting at $30 USD (excluding entrance fees), while extensive packages including guides and entries run $40-70 USD.

Remember to factor these substantial entrance costs into your travel budget, as they can quickly add up when visiting multiple sites. Consider exploring less touristy areas like Dahab or Alexandria to balance your spending on major attractions with more affordable experiences.

Daily Budget Breakdown for Different Travel Styles

When planning your Egyptian adventure, understanding daily costs across different travel styles helps you create a realistic budget.

Budget travelers can explore Egypt for $30-50 daily, staying in hostels ($10-20/night) and enjoying street food ($2-5/meal) while using affordable public transport ($0.25-0.50/ride). Consider using an International Student Card for significant discounts at museums and attractions. Costs in Mauritius can also be relatively affordable, with budget travelers typically spending $30-50 per day.

Egypt offers incredible value for budget travelers, with daily costs of just $30-50 covering hostels, street food, and dirt-cheap public transportation.

Mid-range travelers should allocate $50-100 daily for comfortable hotels ($50-150/night), quality restaurant meals ($15-30), and occasional taxis for convenience.

Luxury experiences start at $150-250 daily, covering high-end accommodations ($150-500+/night), fine dining ($50-100+/meal), and premium services like private drivers.

Egypt’s affordability is one of its strengths—you’ll find options at every price point, with the ability to mix budget and splurge experiences based on what matters most to you.

Money-Saving Tips for an Affordable Egyptian Adventure

Traveling through Egypt doesn’t have to drain your wallet if you employ several proven money-saving strategies. Visit during shoulder seasons (March-May or September-November) when prices drop markedly. Use the Cairo Metro and microbuses instead of taxis to slash transportation costs.

Stay in hostels (from $5/night) or guesthouses rather than luxury hotels. You’ll find authentic experiences and save hundreds on accommodation. Eat where locals do—street food like koshari and falafel costs just a few dollars and offers genuine flavors. Always pay in Egyptian Pounds rather than foreign currency to avoid unfavorable exchange rates and potential scams.

Avoid venomous snakes and other dangerous animals while exploring Egypt’s natural wonders. Always haggle at markets like Khan El Khalili—it’s expected. Withdraw cash from ATMs using no-fee debit cards and exchange money only at reputable banks. Avoid tourist restaurants and shop at local markets for fresh, inexpensive ingredients.

The Sum Up

Egypt proves affordable for most travelers, with budget options starting at just $35 per day. You’ll find tremendous value when you consider that a full tour of the magnificent Giza Pyramids costs less than dinner back home. Plan wisely, negotiate confidently, and you’ll stretch your money further than expected in this historically opulent destination.