Interesting Facts About Ancient Egypt Pyramids

10-Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Luxor & Hurghada

Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Route
Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Hurghada
Style
Private Tours · B&B Hotels · Sleeper Train
Schedule
Daily Departures

Overview

This 10-day Egypt budget tour keeps the sightseeing private while reducing the cost of travelling between cities. Explore Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor with an Egyptologist guide, then finish with two relaxing nights beside the Red Sea in Hurghada.

Instead of domestic flights and a Nile cruise, the package uses comfortable B&B hotels, an overnight sleeper train with dinner and breakfast, a daytime train and scheduled intercity coaches. You still visit the Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak before enjoying free time on the Red Sea.

It is designed for travellers who care more about seeing Egypt than luxury accommodation or premium transport. Sightseeing remains private and entrance fees are included. Optional activities stay separate so you can manage your overall spending.

Highlights

The Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
The Citadel, Coptic Cairo and Khan El Khalili
Philae Temple, the High Dam and the temples of Abu Simbel
The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Karnak
Two nights beside the Red Sea in Hurghada

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
A Nile Empire representative will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, holding a sign with your name. You will be transferred by private air-conditioned vehicle to your B&B hotel and assisted with check-in. The remainder of the day is free to rest after your journey. Overnight in Cairo.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Explore the Giza Plateau with your private Egyptologist guide, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum to discover its vast collection of ancient Egyptian treasures and the complete Tutankhamun galleries. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
3Day 3: The Citadel, Coptic Cairo and Overnight Train to Aswan
Begin at the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, overlooking Cairo from Mokattam Hill. Continue to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, then explore the historic lanes and shops of Khan El Khalili Bazaar. In the evening, transfer to Giza Railway Station for your overnight sleeper train to Aswan. Dinner is served onboard before your cabin is prepared for the night. Overnight aboard the sleeper train.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner
4Day 4: Aswan Sightseeing
Enjoy breakfast aboard the sleeper train before arriving in Aswan, where your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later, take a motorboat across the Nile to Philae Temple, the island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis. Continue to the High Dam, which transformed the management of the Nile and created Lake Nasser. Overnight in Aswan.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
5Day 5: Abu Simbel and Train to Luxor
Depart early for the approximately three-hour drive to Abu Simbel. Explore the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, which were relocated during an international rescue project led by UNESCO. Return to Aswan and transfer to the railway station for your seated train journey to Luxor. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast (in a box)
6Day 6: Luxor West and East Banks
Spend a full day exploring both sides of ancient Thebes with your Egyptologist guide. On the West Bank, visit the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Cross to the East Bank to explore the vast Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple beside the Nile. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride
7Day 7: Travel to Hurghada
After breakfast, transfer to the bus station for your scheduled coach journey from Luxor to Hurghada. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing beside the Red Sea or enjoying the hotel facilities. Overnight in Hurghada.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Bedouin Desert Safari
8Day 8: Free Day in Hurghada
Enjoy a free day beside the Red Sea. Relax at the hotel, explore Hurghada independently or add a boat trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkelling among its coral reefs and marine life. Overnight in Hurghada.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Orange Bay Snorkelling Trip
9Day 9: Return to Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the bus station for your scheduled coach journey back to Cairo. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free to rest or explore independently. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise
10Day 10: Departure from Cairo
After breakfast, enjoy free time depending on your flight schedule. Your driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Cairo International Airport, where we will say goodbye and wish you a safe journey home.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast

Why Choose the Budget Package?

FeatureBudget Tour (This Package)Luxury Tour
AccommodationClean & Comfortable B&B Hotels5-Star Hotels & Nile Cruise
Long Distance TravelOvernight Train & Tourist Bus (Authentic)Domestic Flights
ValueMax Sightseeing for Min CostMax Comfort & Convenience

What’s Included

Included

  • Arrival and departure transfers at Cairo International Airport
  • Three nights in comfortable Cairo B&B hotels
  • One night in a comfortable Aswan B&B hotel
  • Two nights in a comfortable Luxor B&B hotel
  • Two nights in a comfortable Hurghada B&B hotel
  • One overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan on a half-board basis
  • Daytime seated train ticket from Aswan to Luxor
  • Scheduled coach tickets from Luxor to Hurghada and Hurghada to Cairo
  • Private sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Private air-conditioned transfers between airports, stations, hotels and sightseeing locations
  • Certified English-speaking Egyptologist guide during sightseeing tours
  • Private sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to all sightseeing locations
  • One bottle of water per person during each sightseeing day
  • All taxes & service charge.

Not Included

  • International Airfare.
  • Entry visa to Egypt.
  • Any optional tours.
  • Tipping.
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “budget” mean in this travel package?
Our Egypt Budget Travel Packages are designed to be affordable without sacrificing quality or safety. “Budget” means we use cost-effective solutions like clean and comfortable B&B hotels, overnight sleeping trains, and modern air-conditioned buses for inter-city travel. This allows you to see all the major sights at a fraction of the cost of a luxury tour.
2. Are the hotels and transportation safe and clean?
Absolutely. Safety and cleanliness are our top priorities. We partner with reputable B&B hotels that are well-regarded for their service and hygiene. The sleeping trains and tourist buses are modern, air-conditioned, and adhere to all safety standards, ensuring a comfortable and secure journey throughout your cheap Egypt trip.
3. Are entrance fees included in the Egypt Budget Travel Packages?
Yes. Entrance fees to the sightseeing locations in the itinerary are included in the package price. Optional tours are not included.
4. Is this tour suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, this is a private tour that can be booked for a solo traveler. However, please note that the pricing for our Egypt Budget Travel Packages is based on a minimum of two people traveling together. If you are traveling alone, you can still book this private tour for an exclusive experience, but the total cost will be adjusted to reflect a single traveler rate. For a precise quote, please contact us, and we can provide a customized price for your solo journey.
5. What is the main difference between this budget package and a luxury one?
The main differences are in accommodation and transportation. Our Egypt Budget Travel Packages use comfortable B&B hotels, overnight trains, and buses. Our luxury packages feature 5-star hotels, a multi-night Nile Cruise ship, and domestic flights. Both packages include the same expert Egyptologist guides and visit the same iconic sites, ensuring a fantastic experience regardless of your budget.
6. How much should I budget for tipping?
Tipping is a customary part of Egyptian culture. While it is not included, we recommend budgeting around $ 5-10 USD per person, per day. Check our detailed blog about how much to tip in Egypt.
7. Can I customize this budget tour?
While this specific itinerary is designed to be as affordable as possible, we do offer some flexibility. You can add optional tours like the Hot Air Balloon in Luxor or a snorkeling trip in Hurghada. For fully customized travel, please see our Tailor-Made Egypt Tour page, and our team can design a trip that fits your exact needs and budget.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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