The Egypt Guides

Egypt in 5 Days: Complete Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

· 8 min read Itinerary
Hot air balloons drifting over the green Nile Valley fields near Luxor, Egypt

Contents

  1. Budget Overview
  2. Day 1: Giza Plateau and Coptic Cairo
  3. Morning - Giza Pyramids
  4. Afternoon - Coptic Cairo
  5. Day 2: Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo
  6. Morning - Grand Egyptian Museum
  7. Afternoon - Islamic Cairo
  8. Evening - Board the Sleeper Train
  9. Day 3: Arrive Luxor - East Bank Temples
  10. Morning - Arrival and East Bank
  11. Day 4: West Bank - Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut
  12. Morning - Valley of the Kings
  13. Late Morning - Hatshepsut and Colossi
  14. Afternoon - Medinet Habu
  15. Day 5: Hot Air Balloon and Departure
  16. Early Morning - Hot Air Balloon (Optional)
  17. Mid-Morning - Luxor Museum
  18. Departure
  19. Practical Notes
  20. Book Your Trip

Five days is enough time to experience Egypt’s two greatest cities without feeling rushed. Two days in Cairo covers the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the medieval streets of Islamic Cairo. The third evening, you board the overnight sleeper train south - arriving in Luxor at dawn with two full days to explore what historians call the world’s largest open-air museum. This is the natural gap between a long weekend and a full week in Egypt.

Budget Overview

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Accommodation per nightUSD 15–30 (hostel/budget hotel)USD 60–120 (3–4 star)USD 150–400 (5 star)
Daily mealsUSD 10–20USD 30–60USD 80–150
Sleeper trainUSD 100 per person (shared cabin)USD 100–120 (private cabin)USD 120 (first class)
Entrance fees (Giza + GEM + Luxor sites)approx. USD 80 totalapprox. USD 100 totalapprox. USD 130 (with Tut supplement)
Total estimated per personUSD 350–500USD 600–900USD 1,200–2,000

All prices are approximate as of 2026 and fluctuate with exchange rates.

Day 1: Giza Plateau and Coptic Cairo

Morning - Giza Pyramids

Arrive at the Giza Plateau when it opens at 8:00 AM - the light is better and crowds are thinner for the first two hours. General admission costs approximately EGP 540 (USD 11 as of 2026). Entry to the Great Pyramid interior costs an additional EGP 1,000 (USD 20) and is capped at 300 visitors daily - buy this ticket at the gate immediately.

Walk the circuit from the Great Pyramid of Khufu to the Pyramid of Khafre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. The panoramic viewpoint on the desert plateau’s far edge gives you the famous three-pyramid alignment. The Great Sphinx and Valley Temple sit below the plateau and are included in general admission.

Lunch: Andrea El Mariouteya, 10 minutes from the plateau, serves grilled kofta and mezze in a garden setting. Expect approximately EGP 400–600 (USD 8–12) per person.

Afternoon - Coptic Cairo

Take an Uber to Coptic Cairo (approximately EGP 80–100 / USD 2 from Giza). The Hanging Church, Church of Abu Serga and Ben Ezra Synagogue are free to enter. The Coptic Museum (EGP 200 / USD 4, open 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) houses the world’s finest collection of Coptic art and takes about 90 minutes.

Dinner: Zooba in Zamalek for modern Egyptian street food - ful medames, taameya and koshary elevated into a sit-down experience. Approximately EGP 250–400 (USD 5–8) per person.

Where to stay - Day 1 night:

  • Budget: Cairo City Centre Hostel, Downtown - from approximately EGP 400 (USD 8) per night in a dorm
  • Mid-range: Hotel Longchamps, Zamalek - approximately EGP 2,500–3,500 (USD 50–70) per night
  • Luxury: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Garden City - from approximately USD 220 per night

Day 2: Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo

Morning - Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is a 30-minute drive from central Cairo (EGP 100–150 by Uber). It opens at 9:00 AM. General admission is approximately EGP 1,000 (USD 20); a supplementary Tutankhamun gallery ticket costs approximately EGP 500 (USD 10) extra. Allow 3–4 hours minimum - the museum is enormous and the Tutankhamun collection alone warrants 90 minutes.

Afternoon - Islamic Cairo

Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Café in Khan el-Khalili (mains EGP 300–500 / USD 6–10) then spend the afternoon walking Al-Muizz Street - one of the oldest streets in the world and still largely medieval in character. The Qalawun Complex (EGP 100 / USD 2), Sultan Hassan Mosque (EGP 200 / USD 4) and Al-Azhar Mosque (free) are all within easy walking distance.

Dinner: Abou Tarek on Champollion Street for koshari - Cairo’s staple lentil, pasta and crispy onion dish. A large bowl costs approximately EGP 60–80 (USD 1–2) and the place is always packed.

Evening - Board the Sleeper Train

Arrive at Ramses Station by 7:30 PM for the 8:30–9:00 PM departure. Tickets for the overnight sleeper to Luxor cost approximately USD 100–120 per person for a private two-berth cabin including dinner and breakfast service. Book through Watania Sleeper (wataniasleeper.com) or a local travel agent. The journey takes 9–10 hours. See our sleeper train guide for full booking instructions and what to expect on board.

Day 3: Arrive Luxor - East Bank Temples

Morning - Arrival and East Bank

The sleeper train pulls into Luxor Station around 7:00–8:00 AM. Check into your hotel and freshen up before heading to Karnak Temple (opens 6:00 AM, admission approximately EGP 450 / USD 9). Allow 2–2.5 hours for the full complex including the Hypostyle Hall, the Sacred Lake and the Avenue of Sphinxes.

After Karnak, walk 3 km south along the Nile Corniche to Luxor Temple (opens 6:00 AM, approximately EGP 350 / USD 7). It is at its most dramatic in the late afternoon and at night when illuminated, so visit once now for orientation and again after sunset if energy allows.

Lunch: Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant on the Corniche - river views, grilled meats and mezze for approximately EGP 300–500 (USD 6–10) per person.

Dinner: Sofra Restaurant near Luxor Temple - one of the best-regarded local restaurants in Luxor, traditional Egyptian dishes, approximately EGP 400–700 (USD 8–14) per person.

Where to stay - Nights 3 and 4:

  • Budget: Bob Marley House, Luxor - a consistently well-reviewed budget guesthouse from approximately EGP 500 (USD 10) per night
  • Mid-range: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor - 4-star property on the Corniche, approximately USD 80–130 per night
  • Luxury: Sofitel Winter Palace - the grande dame of Luxor, where Howard Carter stayed during the Tutankhamun discovery period, from approximately USD 250 per night

Day 4: West Bank - Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut

Morning - Valley of the Kings

Cross the Nile by ferry (approximately EGP 10 / USD 0.20 each way) or hire a felucca for EGP 50–80. A standard West Bank ticket covers three tombs in the Valley of the Kings (approximately EGP 400 / USD 8 as of 2026). Tomb of Ramses VI and Tomb of Merenptah are consistently praised for their paintings and reliefs. Entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb requires an additional approximately EGP 600 (USD 12) supplement.

Hire a local guide from the West Bank dock (approximately EGP 1,500–2,500 / USD 30–50 for a half-day) - the context they provide inside the tombs is impossible to replicate from a guidebook.

Late Morning - Hatshepsut and Colossi

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (approximately EGP 400 / USD 8, opens 6:00 AM) is 3 km south of the Valley of the Kings - accessible by taxi or donkey track. The three-tiered colonnade is one of ancient Egypt’s most photogenic structures. On the return, stop at the Colossi of Memnon (free), the two 18-metre seated pharaoh statues that have stood in open fields for 3,400 years.

Lunch: Al-Moudira restaurant near the West Bank ferry - a restored 19th-century building with a garden courtyard, approximately EGP 500–800 (USD 10–16) per person.

Afternoon - Medinet Habu

Medinet Habu (approximately EGP 300 / USD 6) is the mortuary temple of Ramses III and arguably the best-preserved temple on the West Bank. Its painted reliefs remain in extraordinary colour and it sees far fewer crowds than the Valley of the Kings. Allow 90 minutes.

Dinner: Return to Luxor for dinner at Koshary El Tahrir - a local institution with enormous portions, approximately EGP 50–100 (USD 1–2) per person.

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon and Departure

Early Morning - Hot Air Balloon (Optional)

Luxor’s hot air balloon flights launch before sunrise from the West Bank and float over the Valley of the Kings at dawn. This is one of Egypt’s great experiences. Reputable operators including Magic Horizon and Hod Hod Soliman charge approximately USD 70–100 per person. Book the evening before through your hotel.

Mid-Morning - Luxor Museum

Luxor Museum (approximately EGP 200 / USD 4, opens 9:00 AM) is smaller than the GEM but the curation is exceptional. Two mummified pharaohs, the royal statue cache from Karnak and artefacts from Tutankhamun’s life - not just his tomb - are displayed with excellent labelling in a modern building on the Corniche. Allow 90 minutes.

Departure

Flights from Luxor International Airport to Cairo take approximately 1 hour. Budget travellers can return on the daytime train (approximately USD 10–15 for second class, about 10 hours) or another sleeper. See our Luxor city guide for more detail on the West Bank sites if you want to extend your stay.

Practical Notes

Getting between sites: Uber and Careem operate in Luxor. A private driver for a full West Bank day costs approximately EGP 600–1,000 (USD 12–20) and is worth it for the flexibility.

Connectivity and insurance: An eSIM for Egypt from Airalo means you have data from the moment you land in Cairo - no SIM card hunt needed. Travel insurance for Egypt is worth having on any trip that includes the overnight sleeper train and multiple sites.

Money: Egyptian pounds (EGP) are required for most entrance fees. ATMs are available at Luxor Station and on the Corniche. Always carry small bills - exact change is expected at ticket booths.

Best time to visit: October to April. Summer temperatures in Luxor regularly exceed 45°C and make outdoor sightseeing very difficult. For guided tours of the Pyramids on Day 1–2, browse Cairo tours, and for Luxor West Bank guided days, browse Luxor tours.

Travelling soon? Check our Egypt last-minute tours for confirmed availability and instant booking.

Book Your Trip

Book ahead

Book the key experiences

Turn this itinerary into reality. Secure your spots: popular tours sell out 2–3 days ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5 days enough for Egypt?
Five days covers Cairo's greatest highlights and two full days in Luxor - the world's largest open-air museum. You will not have time for Aswan, the Red Sea or the Western Desert, but you will see Egypt's most iconic sites without rushing.
What is the best way to get from Cairo to Luxor in 5 days?
The overnight sleeper train is the most practical and atmospheric option for a 5-day itinerary. It departs Cairo around 8–9 PM and arrives in Luxor around 7–8 AM, saving you a night of accommodation and maximising sightseeing time. Flying is faster but adds airport time and costs more.
How much does a 5-day Egypt trip cost?
A mid-range 5-day trip costs approximately USD 600–900 per person including the sleeper train, comfortable hotels, entrance fees and meals. Budget travellers can manage on USD 350–500 by using hostels and eating at local restaurants. Luxury travellers should budget USD 1,200–2,000 per person.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport for approximately USD 25, or an e-visa online before travelling. Check the latest requirements at the Egyptian e-visa portal before booking.