Preparing a trip to Egypt in 2026

I have been to Egypt twice, from Cairo to the desert, by way of the Nile, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea. And I tell every client the same thing: this is not a country you improvise. Distances are long, the heat dictates visiting hours, and some bookings can now only be made online. Here is what I check before every departure.

Entry formalities

A visa is compulsory for French travellers. You can get it on arrival, at the desks in international airports, paying in cash (dollars or euros): this is the option France Diplomatie, the French foreign ministry's travel advice service, considers preferable. There is also an electronic visa on the official portal of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior, to be applied for at least seven days before departure.

French nationals can travel with a passport or with their national identity card, valid for at least six months after the return date. With the identity card, bring two photos: the visa is issued on a separate card document, and I advise you to check on the spot that your surname, first name and card number are correctly written on it.

Safety, area by area

The major sites of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan can be visited normally, with the usual vigilance of a big city. However, France Diplomatie formally advises against travel to northern Sinai, the border areas with Libya and Sudan, and the road south of Abu Simbel. Driving at night outside the cities is also advised against: it is one of the reasons I schedule journeys during the day.

The Grand Egyptian Museum: booking required

The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza opened fully to the public in November 2025. Since December 2025, tickets have been sold only on the official website, with a timed entry slot. They are neither refundable nor changeable, and some slots sell out. So I book this museum at the same time as the flights.

When to go

From October to April, temperatures remain pleasant in Cairo as well as in Upper Egypt. In summer, the heat becomes very intense in Luxor and Aswan, and visits in the middle of the day are exhausting. November, December and January draw the biggest crowds, especially over the festive season. February is often a good compromise. The month-by-month detail is on my Egypt page.

One thing to plan for in 2027: Ramadan is expected to run from around early February to early March (the exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon). Sites stay open, but opening hours may be reduced and many local restaurants close during the day.

How many days and which itinerary

I recommend 8 to 12 days for a first trip. The smoothest outline: Cairo and Giza, then a domestic flight of about an hour to Luxor, and the journey south to Aswan. There is also a night train between Cairo and Luxor, but it leaves late in the evening, takes around ten hours and is often delayed.

From Aswan, Abu Simbel can be reached in about three hours by road each way, or by plane in around 45 minutes. It is a long day, best scheduled with a little margin.

Nile cruise or hotels?

The cruise links Luxor and Aswan in three or four nights, with stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. It saves you repacking your bags and gives a very gentle pace. Hotels on land leave more freedom over visiting times. Both work: I choose according to the pace you want, not according to a ready-made formula.

What to book early

• Flights, especially for the end-of-year and February holidays.
• Tickets for the Grand Egyptian Museum, for a fixed date and time.
• The cruise, if you want a particular cabin.
• The flight to Abu Simbel, whose frequency varies from day to day.

Organising your trip to Egypt

I build every trip to Egypt around what you want and a sustainable pace: major sites early in the morning, journeys during the day, free time where it matters. If you are travelling as a couple, everything is also on my honeymoon page.

Sources

• France Diplomatie, Egypt: entry and stay (in French)
• France Diplomatie, Egypt: safety (in French)
• Official Egyptian electronic visa portal
• Official Grand Egyptian Museum ticket office
• Egyptian Streets, timed-entry booking at the Grand Egyptian Museum
• Seat61, Cairo – Luxor – Aswan sleeper train
• La Presse, astronomical calculations for Ramadan 2027 (in French)