The ultimate solo travel guide to Egypt: Everything you need to know

Solo travel in Egypt places you at a cultural crossroads, binding all that’s inviting about Africa with the Arab world’s religions, traditions and irresistible flavours. Africa’s northeastern cornerstone is rich in ancient history, all centred around its main thoroughfare, The Nile.

Along the way you’ll find a patchwork of temples and tombs, pyramids and hieroglyphics, including Tutankhamun’s resting place in the Valley of the Kings and the arresting Pyramids of Giza. Looking for even more? There’s also the supernatural White Desert and the dazzling corals of the Red Sea, where kaleidoscopic marine life lures scuba divers and snorkelling fans. 

There are thriving cities to get lost in, too: the capital Cairo is awash with shops, cafes, street-food stalls and buzzing bazaars; in Luxor, ancient treasures take centre stage, including the Luxor Temple, the temple of Karnak and the Hatshepsut temple; and the southernmost city of Aswan is home to the astounding Temple of Abu Simbel.

Beyond the classics, there are some memorable encounters with the locals, such as a ride on a traditional felucca (wooden sailboat). Don’t want to go it alone? Try a group solo travel adventure with Flash Pack, where you’ll get to share the wow moments with like-minded people. Here’s everything you need to know about a group solo trip to Egypt.

Egypt travel facts

Situated in the northeast corner of Africa, Egypt borders Libya, Israel, and Sudan, and takes in two seas along the northern Mediterranean and Red Sea shorelines. Of the large population, 95% of Egyptians live within the single-stem, tulip-shaped Nile Delta, which blooms along the country’s northern shore. 

Within it lies Egypt’s most epic sights: the sandstone temples and tombs of Luxor, the Memphis and its Necropolis – which includes the Pyramid Fields built by the ancient Egyptians, one of seven Unesco World Heritage sites in the country. There’s also Thebes with its Necropolis, which includes the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and Wadi Al-Hitan, a paleontological site in the Sahara Desert.

Is Egypt good for solo travel?

For the solo traveler, Egypt offers an array of monuments and moments, all easily accessible for anyone adventuring alone. Sights can be lively with tourists all vying for a glimpse of the ancient relics and the capital’s bazaars are often frenetic to navigate alone. So it’s worth considering group solo travel to Egypt with Flash Pack. You’ll get to experience all the excitement but at a slower, more considered pace, steered by local guides. 

Highlights might include a private cruise along the Nile that would be difficult to arrange as a solo traveler, and after-dark tours of the atmospheric Luxor Temple and the famed Avenue of Sphinxes. You’ll also take a bike ride along the Nile, passing local villages and pausing to take in life on its banks, from cargo-laden donkeys to locals going about their day.

Best places to visit in Egypt

With over 100 pyramids, Egypt is a roll call of landmark after landmark. So, what should you do on a trip to Egypt? Flash Pack’s eight-day True Egypt adventure explores the country’s epic story, beginning in the capital Cairo, with a buzzing backstreet food tour and a visit to Khan El Khalili Bazaar. From here, it’s on to the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, built by pharaohs as tombs, followed by a camel ride across the surrounding dunes. 

There’s also a sail down the Nile and a pedal along the river’s West Bank, plus a visit to the Valley of the Kings and the Queens. For those wanting to finish on a high, there’s a chance to take a hot-air balloon ride over the 60 decorated tombs of the valley and the Temple of Hatshepsut – the perfect way to conclude your solo trip to Egypt.

Where to stay as a solo traveler in Egypt

What are the hotels like in Egypt? Against the backdrop of ancient relics, hotels stand out with a modern edge. In Cairo, riverside five-stars peer above the roofs, offering cooling pools and spectacular views of the Nile. 

In Aswan, hotels perch on hilltops overlooking the city and its Elephantine Island. In Sharm El-Sheikh, palm-lined resorts meet the beaches. On a group solo trip to Egypt with Flash Pack, luxury accommodation is arranged for you. Typically, you’ll share a room with a fellow Flashpacker, thereby swerving the single supplement. But if you do want your own private room, that’s fine, too.

How to get to Egypt

International flights to Egypt land at Cairo International Airport for the capital; Sharm-El Sheikh for the Red Sea and its resorts; and Luxor International Airport for the Valley of the Kings and the Queens. You can easily take a domestic flight with EgyptAir to connect to other destinations around the country, including Aswan and Abu Simbel.

How to get around Egypt

As well as domestic flights, Egypt also has a swift and reliable train network for solo travelers wanting to take the scenic route, covering much of the route along the Nile. Egyptian National Railways has air-conditioned services to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Port Said and Suez, which are a popular option for solo travel in Egypt. 

There’s also a sleeper service with breakfast and dinner between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, perfect for combining travel and sleep to save on a night’s accommodation. Alternatively, there are bus operators, like Upper Egypt Bus Company and Middle Delta Bus Company, that cover the main hubs, including the Nile Delta, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada on the Red Sea.

Best time to visit Egypt

In the peak of summer, temperatures in Egypt can be ferociously hot, especially in the desert areas. October to April is the best time to visit when the weather is warm but bearable. Cairo can be chillier around this time, but the resort areas around the Red Sea are positively balmy. As an Isalmic nation, some businesses close during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (the national festival that follows), dates of which vary each year, so check before planning your Egypt solo travel adventure.

Egypt travel itineraries

Egypt is well-equipped for the solo traveler but moving from sight to sight can be arduous alone. On Flash Pack’s eight-day True Egypt adventure, they come thick and fast but at a doable pace and with like-minded travelers to boot. You’ll bear witness to the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure – named after the pharaohs who built them – and the Great Sphinx of Giza. You’ll marvel at the spectacle of the two temples of Abu Simbel, built by the Egyptian king Ramses II and carefully relocated in the 1960s after the threat of flooding from the Nile. You’ll cycle the West Bank of Luxor, visit traditional villages and relax on a private river sail.

What to pack for solo travel in Egypt

Egypt’s climate teeters between excessively hot, especially in desert areas, and nicely warm, making light and airy clothes the best option. As a Muslim country, conservative dress is the most appropriate, especially when visiting mosques or temples, always covering the knees and shoulders. Visiting colossal ancient relics clocks up a lot of mileage, so comfortable shoes are a must, as is a hat to shield from the sun. A pashmina or scarf is a handy universal item for both covering up and shading from the midday heat. If you’re heading to the Red Sea, you’ll definitely need your swimming gear. A universal charger, insect repellant and great camera are also handy on a solo trip to Egypt.

Solo travel advice for Egypt

With a good rail network, domestic flights and buses, traveling through Egypt as a solo traveler is easy. Tours can be subject to touts so always book through a reputable operator. With Flash Pack, solo travelers have the ease of visits to ancient sights and transfers between them being included. You’ll also have direct access to the in-depth local knowledge and expertize of your Pack Leader, adding another layer to your experience, along with invaluable insider tips on where to eat and what to do in your free time.

Is it safe to travel solo in Egypt

Many visitors experience solo travel to Egypt every year and most trips are trouble-free. However, do check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK), the Department of State Travel Advisories (US) or your country’s local government guidelines for the latest advice before traveling. 

Once there, follow local advice and be aware of your surroundings at all times. In busy areas, ensure items like your mobile and wallet aren’t easily accessible to others. At the bustling bazaars and tourist sites, unofficial ticket sellers do operate so avoid them by booking with an official operator. Flash Pack’s trips have an experienced local group leader throughout, making travel both safe and spectacular.

Ready for your next adventure? Try group solo travel to Egypt with Flash Pack – designed exclusively for people in their 30s and 40s, seeking the independence of solo travel within the safety of a group.

A cool 98% of Flashpackers arrive solo to join our group adventures. So, you’ll be in good company – whether a first time solo traveler or a seasoned pro looking for like-minded new friends.