Hello, Taking the boat from VENICE to Alexandria is easier than going through Tunisia and Libya. We’re putting together a group to split costs for a trip in 2011 or early 2012. Inshallah. I’m looking for people who’ve recently crossed the Libyan Desert—sand sea, oases, etc.—with their 4x4s. Any info is welcome, thanks in advance. Things like: Entry formalities for the 4x4. Agencies and guides for the desert. Military requirements. Fuel, etc. Thanks again. Saharan greetings.

Hi there, I’m traveling solo to Egypt. Could you give me a rough idea of the budget for: meals hotels taxis including tips visits... Just an estimate, of course. For 15 days, what would the price range be, considering there’s an overnight train and a Nile cruise? I’d like to compare with a travel agency. Is it more worthwhile to go through an agency despite the downsides of group travel? Otherwise, if a travel buddy is interested in this country, why not? Thanks a lot!

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a really unpleasant experience from our last trip booked with Promoséjours and organized by FTI.

We booked an 8-day/7-night stay in Egypt, from June 8 to 15. The flight initially scheduled was changed a week before departure to take off at 10 PM from Paris CDG. In the end, it took off with a 1-hour delay and included an unmentioned stopover in Marsa Alam. We landed in Hurghada at 4 AM and arrived at the hotel at 6 AM. So, we spent our first night on the plane.

For the return trip, surprise—the flight was moved up. We left the hotel at 10:30 PM on Friday the 14th to take off at 2 AM and land at 7 AM at Paris CDG. So, we spent our last night on the plane too.

After sending a complaint letter to Promoséjours / FTI, they replied that the first and last days can be dedicated to transport (which I already knew) and that no matter how many nights you book, you’re not guaranteed to spend them in the hotel—it could just as well be on the plane.

I’m really questioning this.

Isn’t there a law that protects customers in cases like this? Because when I do the math, the first and part of the second day were spent on transport, same for the second-to-last and last day. And I paid for 7 nights for a stay that only lasted 5.

Anyway, I just want to say thanks to them—thanks to their two sleepless nights in transit, I’m coming back even more exhausted from a trip that was supposed to be restful!

I also want to warn anyone booking through this agency about visas for Egypt. At booking, they told me the visa was included in the price, then they sent me an email saying I’d have to pay for it on-site at 25 €. Once there, we were directed to a special line for FTI customers, and guess what? They charged us 30 €!

Basically, they’re great at making sure you *enjoy* your vacation—mostly by enjoying your wallet!

If anyone has dealt with this kind of situation and won their case, I’m all ears.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are planning to visit Egypt in September for a week.

We’d most likely start in Hurghada first, and then explore other nearby places to see some legendary spots.

My first question—and probably the most important—is whether it’s safe to travel there in 2025 or if we should be concerned about security?

My second question: if we do go to Hurghada, could you recommend some standout spots not too far away with breathtaking views to make our romantic trip unforgettable?

Thanks in advance for all your tips! 😉

Too often, people only spend a day or two in Cairo. I stayed for five days and wasn’t bored at all. I’m sharing my trip on my personal blog, hoping it might inspire you!

https://travels-of-a-life.com/explorer-le-caire-cinq-jours/

Hello, For flight schedules and prices from Bordeaux, and ease of reaching Alexandria by bus/train afterward, I’m considering spending 4 days around Hurghada (direct flight from Bdx).

I don’t think I’ll go for courses to get my Level 1, since I don’t plan to dive often in the future—unless you think it’s better than doing 2 discovery dives in this area (I only have one baptism under my belt, in Koh Tao 15 years ago—amazing! But I’m not targeting trips for diving; I need to go to Alexandria, so this is a chance to get back into diving and snorkeling).

I’m looking for a spot to do some snorkeling, 1 or 2 baptisms, and explore the surroundings. I’ll arrive in early March on the evening of Day 0. I’ll have 3.5 days after that (I’m planning to leave on Day 4 around 4 PM by bus/train).

Is Hurghada completely to be avoided in favor of another area in the Red Sea, or can I still have a nice 3.5 days there? I know places like Dahab are more pleasant, but the convenience and timing of Hurghada appeal to me... I usually prefer more authentic travel spots and places, but I’m willing to compromise on that if it’s still worth it for the diving. Or should I only stay 2.5 days and head to Alexandria a day earlier? (I’ve already seen Cairo and Luxor a bit.)

Open to your advice ;) Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I’d love to know if anyone’s familiar with this travel agency and whether you’ve used them before. The agency is called MIATERRA, it’s based in Longueuil, but they seem to only have a website. Thanks in advance!

Hi, it seems like you have to leave a deposit when you board the Nile cruise boat, and that it’s possible to pay in cash (in EGP). Could you confirm the amount per person in EGP? Thanks.

Hi everyone! I’m heading to Egypt this coming February for the third time, and I’d love to sail up the Nile from Aswan for 2 days and 2 nights on a felucca. Traveling with a backpack, I’m not looking for luxury and prefer stops in the cultures and villages along the Nile rather than temples (already visited). For example, I’d like to stop at Daraw for the Tuesday livestock market. What are your similar experiences, and how far can we sail upstream in 2 days? Also, what kind of prices can we expect, given we’ll be 2 adults and 2 teens? Finally, is it better to book in advance or on the spot in Aswan without spending too much time there? Thanks in advance

Hi! I’m planning a trip to Egypt in July with my 14-year-old daughter. We’ll spend a week in Cairo visiting different sites, and then we’d like to take a cruise for several days (4 to 6 days) from Luxor to Aswan. Should I take the train or a flight from Cairo to Luxor? Thanks for your advice!

Best, F

Hi everyone, In October 2026, my wife and I are going on a cruise on the Nile. My question is: do they accept euros for personal expenses? Thanks everyone!

Hi there,

This trip to Egypt isn’t happening anytime soon, but I like to plan a few steps ahead! 😉

I’ve already been to Egypt several times (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, the classic cruise, the Lake Nasser cruise, Abu Simbel, Taba) both solo and on organized tours, but my partner hasn’t.

So, I’m thinking of mixing the classic with something a bit more original.

My idea is to visit Cairo and its surroundings, then make my way to Luxor in stages. The trip would end in Luxor.

Renting a car doesn’t seem like a viable option. That leaves boats, public transport, a car with a driver, or even a private tour for the stretch between Cairo and Luxor.

My questions:

How can I cover the Cairo-Luxor stretch if I go through the White Desert? Is a car with a driver possible? What’s the daily cost of hiring a car with a driver (including the driver’s accommodation and expenses)? How many days should I plan for this route (Saqqara, Fayoum Oasis, Black Desert, White Desert, Ad-Dakhla, El Kharga)?

Are there any cruise boats that do the Cairo-Luxor route (or vice versa)? Dahabiyas? Or at least the Assiut-Luxor stretch?

Thanks! 🙂

Hi,

We’d like to travel from Aswan to Luxor by private car, with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu—but without a guide. I contacted an agency that’s offering the trip for 140 € for 3 people. I don’t really have a sense of pricing yet, but it seems a bit steep since the two cities aren’t *that* far apart. I get that the driver might have to return empty. Also, the agency wants us to leave early due to checkpoints where drivers have to report by a certain time. They’re also asking for copies of our passports in advance (government rules?).

Is this always the case, or is it possible to travel without these constraints? Thanks, Aquab10

Hi there,

We’re heading to Egypt from April 19 to 28 and would love to do a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, but on a small boat—like a felucca or dahabiya—to avoid the big touristy cruises. Ideally, we’d like a 2- to 3-night cruise between April 20 and 25, since we arrive in Cairo on the 20th and need to be back there by the 25th for an event.

Our budget is around 500 € per person, and we’ve already contacted Terre d’Égypte, but they’re fully booked for those dates. Does anyone have recommendations for reliable agencies or companies that offer this kind of cruise? And if, unfortunately, we can’t find something that fits, do you have any recommendations for French-speaking guides on the ground who could take us on tours between Aswan and Luxor from land?

Thanks so much for your help! !

Hello,

I backpacked in Egypt back in 1998 (as I have in all my other destinations). We’re planning to go again in early 2026. The country has surely changed, and I have a few questions for those who’ve been there recently: - Is it possible to travel completely independently from Cairo to Abu Simbel (Aswan), both legally and safely? - If some stretches are better with guidance or a guide, could you let me know where, please? - In 1998, the only way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan was by plane. What’s the situation now? - I read a tip about arriving the day before in Abu Simbel, staying overnight to be there at opening time and enjoy the site before the organized tours arrive. Do you have any links for hotels near Abu Simbel, please?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice! 🙂

I’m stuck in the airport on a layover, so here’s what I wish I’d known before I left! :)

When I arrived, I got scammed right away at the VODAFONE stand in the airport. They sold me a 20 GB SIM card for 10 €—cash only because their terminal wasn’t working—and it stopped working the next day… After that, I got an Orange SIM in town for 10 €, and it worked perfectly.

I’d booked my airport transfer online with B… for 7 €, but it’s even cheaper on the spot with Indrive—I paid 4 € for the return trip. Indrive helps you avoid getting ripped off, because scamming is basically the national sport here…

Naama Bay, along with Old Sharm, is the heart of the nightlife: a few bars with music and shisha, and tons of shops selling knockoffs. The beach is nice, but there aren’t any corals.

Watch out: the beaches are all paid, costing around 2 to 3 € each time, and you’ll be packed in like sardines on sun loungers that are all squished together! Only hotels have private beaches, often with a shuttle running once or twice a day. Good to know if you’re thinking of renting an apartment…

Another issue with apartments is the food—there’s not much variety in the small supermarkets.

There’s apparently a free beach in Hadaba, but I couldn’t find it. I did find Shark Bay, which is amazing… but it’s a bit far.

At first, I rented an apartment, but I ended up switching to all-inclusive stays at different hotels for the same price…

AVOID booking with STAYFORLONG!!! I booked an all-inclusive stay through them, and when I arrived, the hotel told me it was only half-board! I couldn’t get in touch with them at all… That site is a total scam.

In early February, it’s chilly at night but hot in the sun during the day. The pool water is pretty cold, but the sea is fine for swimming.

The corals are incredible! Take advantage of them!!!

That said, once you’re out of the water, there’s not much else to do…

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to bike around the Mediterranean. I’m supposed to go through North Africa, but it seems a bit complicated. Visas and travel in Algeria and Egypt only work if you book a hotel (no nights spent outside?). Libya is generally very unclear, and it seems you can only travel there with a local guide (which doesn’t exist for bike trips). If necessary, I’d skip Libya, but neither a bus ride nor a boat detour seems possible to enter Egypt.

Does anyone have tips on how to get around these issues and secure a visa?

Thanks for any advice!

With the admission price for the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, is an audio guide included, or can we get one as an extra? (I can’t find the info anywhere.) Thanks

Hi,

I’ll be in Cairo in early November and I’m looking to join a group for a day trip to Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis. I’m staying in Giza.

Any agencies you’d recommend?

Thanks in advance,

Philippe

Hi there,

We’ll be a group of 6 friends visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo during the first week of April. We’re looking for a French-speaking guide for the tour. Can anyone help us out? Best regards,

Pierre

hi, looking to form a group of two to three people to go to Egypt—a trip covering Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, visiting the Abu Simbel temple and enjoying a nice Nile cruise. Who's in?

Hi there, I’m looking for some contacts for French-speaking guides and drivers for a short trip to Egypt. Thanks!