Best Way to Travel to Egypt to see the sites

Coolaboy

Hi Folks. Im a nifty 55 now and want to visit Egypt. I will travel by myself and hope to see all the sites. Will go for 7-8 days. I have been searching around for info but not much about travelling from Ireland. All help appreciated. Jim.

By plane is the usual manner

Nigel Fairservice

Last year I think Egypt Air announced seasonal flights between Dublin and Cairo. Not sure if they will be running this year.

VG31

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120457045#Comment_120457045

They operate all year, it's not seasonal.

Charles Babbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120457374#Comment_120457374

Which is good, as Egypt can be brutally hot in the summer.

beeker1

You can get a special on Haiti too , extreme tourism is the new Judith chalmers experience ! The Jews built the pyramids, too bad they can't build a relationship with the Palestinians ! Harry Angel , there's just enough religion in the world to make men hate each other !

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120463611#Comment_120463611

Except the current situation in Egypt has nothing to do with either Israel or Gaza.

beeker1

My point was it was Jewish slave Labour that built the pyramids !

Oscar Madison

You wont see all the sites in that period of time but I wouldn't be travelling on my own in Egypt as it's not the safest or most welcoming of countries that I have ever visited.

Charles Babbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120463634#Comment_120463634

You ave been watching too many movies. It is doubtful to what extent slaves were used and the pyramids were built before there were any Jews.

getoutadodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120464880#Comment_120464880

It pisses the Egyptians off no end that Hollywood has been so successful in propagating that particular lie.

As to the OP I would recommend doing the three day boat trip from Aswan to Luxor. Egypt is a very chaotic stressful place. The boat option insulates u from the madness and its a nice leisurely trip on the river stopping periodically to go walkabout at various sites. Its great to get back on the boat and escape the touts. Having a cool beer on the bow a safe distance from the touts and beggars is pretty snazzy.

Tenzor07

Look up a tour company and organise some guided tours, it's certainly possible to organise your own accomodation and tours but best to do that before you leave... there's a lot to see so you can save time by booking everything before you go...

Exiled1

Check out the Travel Department.... always good trips and good value.

dartboardio

Hi Jim, I have been to Egypt several times and lived there for more than one year.

If you want to start your trip off in Cairo, EgyptAir now operate direct from Dublin to Cairo, I believe it's not the cheapest option however, though EgyptAir are a great budget airline.

You can get good deals from Dublin-Hurghada via Germany then make your way to Luxor, Aswan, Cairo, basically doing it the other way around if you wish. I don't think you need a tour company personally. I'd rather do it all myself, as there is good deals to be had and some great hotels /affordable options in all Cairo, Luxor,Aswan etc.

I would suggest flying into Cairo, spend 2/3 days there (Pyramids, Khan El Khalili, Mosques, Grand Museum, Relaxation, Dinner by the Nile, Live Music, Nice Restaurants, Bars, Shopping - it's an amazing chaotic overwhelming yet beautiful city. Keep an open mind :D when I first arrived, the culture shock was huge but after a while I absolutely fell in love with Cairo, and still visit regularly for extended stays. If you need any restaurant or bar suggestions give me a shout ;) definitely hit up Pub 28 in Zamalek for a good ol 8% Meister Max beer :V

Hotel recommendations Cairo: Some amazing hotels in Cairo all the usual chains Marriott,Hilton, Fairmont, etc. Marriott Gardens Zamalek is my favourite, or the Fairmont, both have great restaurants, and nice atmosphere in the gardens/main areas of hotel, or for a budget option you can choose Indiana Hotel in Dokki, 15 euros per night including a small breakfast, very basic, clean,safe small hotel type place.

Luxor: Such a beautiful, amazing place. HIGHLY recommend spending a day or two there then jumping on a Nile cruise down to Aswan ( you can get a great deal if you ask locally when you arrive, think I paid 200 euro for 4 nights all inclusive food and soft drinks and accom on board the Nile cruise, I asked the owner in the Three Kings Pub in Luxor across the road from Steigenberger hotel)

Aswan: Again,AMAZING and full of wonderful history and beautiful scenery, the most tranquil and simple place on earth, make sure to pop over to the Movenpick on a felucca at sunset for a coffee overlooking the city. Go to the Nubian villages, Grab a train back to Luxor, not for the faint hearted, the train was quite shakey but when in Egypt :) lol...

Depends what else you want to see, if you want to go to Desert trips or to the White desert, Siwa Oasis, North Coast, Red sea, snorkelling , dahab,. there is so much to do.

The EGP has fallen significantly in the last 1 year, which obviously means everything is super cheap for us using euro at the moment, 60 euros is approx 2000 EGP, which can get you A LOT... in Egypt. For context, 2 course meal for 2 with wine in a 5 * hotel will be approx 1000 EGP (30 euros)

Have a great time and don't hesitate to contact me if you need any more suggestions, recommendations, or a phone number for a guy who can get you a great deal on the hot air balloons over the temples in luxor :)

dartboardio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120463641#Comment_120463641

Lol alot has changed in Egypt since the revolution, it is an extremely welcoming country with millions of tourists visiting each month nowadays, has everything you can think of, world class shopping, bars, nightlife, tourist attractions, hotels, I have never met anyone more welcoming than Egyptian people infact. They are similar to Irish.

Spanish Eyes

I'm not one for escorted trips at all, but I did it for Egypt with Travel Department. I realised after that trip that I would never have seen as much as I did hassle and stress free if I had tried to do it myself.

It was exhausting but terrific. October and it was melting hot. Cairo via Schipol, pyramids, the museum, the sphinx etc. Cairo is a mad mad place, one wrong turn and you'll never get out of it. Heaving with people and I didn't like it much but had to be done to see the pyramids etc.

Then an overnight train to Aswan and temples, temples, temples. The overnight train was complete with mega session of my fellow travellers and it was a blast. Don't know what Mohammed our carriage supervisor thought of us swigging our duty free all night, but hey.

Then a Nile cruise back up to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Mega. Then over to Hurghada for a two days R+R. Didn't like Hurghada, but anyway. And back to Cairo by coach and home.

Security was taken very seriously as there had been attacks at various sites, we were accompanied by armed convoy going through the desert from Luxor to Hurghada. Was quite eerie as there had been ambushes on tourist buses in the area recently.

Overall, very glad I did it, but wouldn't go again, but there is no need to now. Doing it solo/independently is not for the faint hearted, but good luck to you if you do.

Mike3549

We just came back from Egypt. Flew with Egyptair. But it was a family sun holiday in Hurghada. Had guided tours in Luxor and Cairo. I would also recommend a boat trip from Aswan to Luxor.

But i have to say i really liked Egyptian people, maybe its because of Ramadan idk, but i think they are really nice and kind. The problem is the Egyptian government and the fact that they're very poor and look at all tourists as cash cows.

Their driving style is unique, don't think about car hire.

You should apply for e-visa at least 7 before arrival and print it. If you're too late to apply or simply forget, like we did, you can always get visa on arrival at their bank kiosks at the airport. Have the exact amount in USD $25, i heard they take eur and gbp as well, but No card or Egyptian pounds.

For excursions and transfers check Viator/TripAdvisor. We booked all tours through them

Coolaboy

Wow folks. Thanks so much for the info. All tips are much appreciated. Hope to travel in next two months so will keep you updated.

Coolaboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120470584#Comment_120470584

Thank you so much. This sounds the business!! Will look into this. Many thanks, Jim.