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How Many Days Do You Need in Egypt?

Combining your Nile cruise with Cairo, the Pyramids and beyond.

The short answer

For a first trip that includes both the Nile and Cairo, plan on about eight to eleven days. That gives you a guided cruise between Luxor and Aswan plus enough time for the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. With two weeks you can add Alexandria or a few days by the Red Sea.

Just the cruise: 4 to 8 days

If the river is your focus, a cruise-only trip works beautifully: the 4-day Osiris Odyssey, the 5-day Horus Holiday, or the 8-day Amun Adventure. See how many nights to choose for a full comparison.

Cruise plus Cairo: 8 to 11 days

The classic Egypt holiday combines the cruise with the capital. Our 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise and 11-day Cairo and Nile cruise handle the internal flights, hotels and guiding so you simply enjoy the Pyramids, the museums and the temples without the logistics.

The grand tour: 11 to 15 days

With more time, go deeper. The 11-day Grand Tour and 14-day Cairo, Alexandria and Nile cruise add the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, while the 15-day Egypt journey finishes with a Red Sea beach stay in Hurghada.

How to decide

Match the trip to your time and pace: a long weekend on the river, a full week or more to add Cairo, or two weeks to see Egypt end to end. The best time to visit is the same for all of them. Start with the full Nile cruise guide.

From $1,199
Good to know
  • Cruise only: 4 to 8 days
  • Cruise + Cairo: 8 to 11 days
  • Grand tour: 11 to 15 days
  • Best for first visit: About 8 to 11 days
Related guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one week enough for Egypt?

One week is enough for a short Nile cruise plus a day or two in Cairo, covering the Pyramids and the highlights. For a more relaxed pace including the museums, eight to eleven days is ideal.

Should I do Cairo before or after the cruise?

Either works. Our combined Cairo and Nile cruise programmes arrange the internal flights and hotels in the right order for you, so the trip flows smoothly whichever way round it runs.

Can I add Alexandria or the Red Sea?

Yes. Our 14-day Cairo, Alexandria and Nile cruise adds Alexandria, and the 15-day journey finishes with a beach stay in Hurghada on the Red Sea.

Plan your Egypt itinerary