• Home
  • Blog
  • Travel Hacking
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Ireland
    • Middle East
      • Egypt
    • North America
      • United States
        • Arizona
  • Budget Travel Tips
  • About
  • Book a Consultation
    • Services
    • Cart
    • My Account
    • Refund Policy
  • Contact Me
  • The Fine Print
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Travel Hacking 101

Travel Hacking 101

You can afford to travel the world. I'll show you how.

  • Travel Hacking
  • Destinations
  • Blog
  • Contact Me

Top 5 Reasons Why Egypt Should Make it on Your Travel Bucket List

September 9, 2022

Reasons to visit Egypt
Photo by Taha Abbas

For centuries, Egypt has been one of the most fascinating places on Earth. Do you really need a reason to visit? If so, I’ve got five of the best reasons to visit Egypt, so make some room on your bucket list….

The Food

Egyptian food is incredibly underrated! It’s a unique cuisine that is reminiscent of nearby Greek, Turkish, Italian and Lebanese foods, but has a style and flavor all its own. You’re unlikely to find Egyptian food in most US cities, so you may be unfamiliar with it, but rest assured, if you enjoy Middle Eastern food in general, you’re likely to love the food in Egypt.

Be sure to try tammeya, Egypt’s unique take on falafel, ideally along with foul, a mashed fava bean dish, for breakfast. You can’t leave without tasting Egypt’s national dish – koshari, a mix of pasta, rice, beans, onions and tomato sauce. Koshari is pure comfort food, and maybe the most affordable way to fill up! Molokhia, a thick, garlicky soup made with a vegetable similar to spinach, is amazing for a chilly evening (and the hefty amount of garlic is super good for you!).

Egypt is truly carb heaven – the government subsidizes the cost of bread, and you can expect to have wheat flatbread – aish baladi – at nearly every meal. Eat with foul, with white cheese, with hummus…with just about everything!

The People

Egyptian people are incredibly warm, friendly, hospitable and funny. I’ve rarely felt so welcomed by locals. Although you will encounter a strong tipping culture and a lot of hard-sell vendors, keep in mind that the Egyptian people are resilient and hard-working, and have been through a great deal of hardship in the last 15 years.

Many Americans may find Egypt’s tipping culture overwhelming; it’s important to be prepared to tip for almost any service, no matter how small. It’s important to keep a clear cultural perspective, though – for most of the world, American tipping culture feels constant and difficult to understand as well! Don’t let culture shock put up a barrier between you and everyday Egyptian people.

Egyptian people are also more diverse than many Americans might imagine. Most Egyptians are Muslim, but about 10% are Coptic Christian and a small minority are Jewish; you’ll learn a lot about their different ways of life simply by chatting with them. You’ll encounter more men than women in public life, but women are very much a vital force in Egyptian life – if you are a woman, definitely make the effort to meet and talk to Egyptian women. Egyptians absolutely love kids, so if you’re traveling with small children, you’re likely to be made very welcome!

English is somewhat well spoken in tourist areas, but be sure to make an effort to speak in Arabic – even a few words will go far in indicating your respect for them. As with any country you visit, remember that you are a guest in their country and it’s your responsibility to be polite and respectful. Traveling with an Arabic-speaking guide will help to break down barriers of culture and language so that you can really get to know people – I recommend Egypt Adventures Travel (I’m not affiliated with them and I don’t make a commission if you book with them).

The History

I mean, do I need to explain this one? Egypt is one of the most important places in human history, and the pride that Egyptians take in their incredible history is apparent everywhere you go. This is one of the top reasons to visit Egypt and why people keep coming back. Immerse yourself in ancient and modern Egyptian history in this unforgettable country.

Egyptian history is nearly inescapable no matter where you go, but Luxor and Cairo are two cities you can’t miss if you want to see the most historical sights and objects in the shortest period of time. Luxor is often referred to as an “open air museum” due to the number and significance of historical sights located in this relatively small city. Here you’ll find the Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple, to name a few. Luxor was the burial site for the most important people of the New Kingdom (Ancient Egypt’s most recent era – their final pharoah, Cleopatra, lived closer to our time than the time of the Pyramids, believe it or not! Egypt’s history is almost unfathomably long.)

Cairo (or it’s neighboring town, Giza, to be precise) is the home of the Old Kingdom’s (and maybe the world’s) most famous set of monuments – the Great Pyramids. These are so important that they have their own section on this list! But Cairo is also home to the Egyptian Museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization….you won’t run out of places to marvel at this incredible civilization.

The Beaches

It might not be the first place that Americans think of when they want a beach vacation (okay it definitely isn’t) but Egypt has some amazing seaside resorts. Resorts like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are regular destinations for people in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. All-inclusive resorts on the Red Sea are both luxurious and very affordable.

Most of the beach-centric areas are located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Although at the time of writing the US State Department lists the Sinai Peninsula as a “do not travel” area, they make an exception for travel to Sharm el-Sheikh by air – meaning it’s safe to go there, but don’t plan on driving from Cairo. Once in Sharm, you can stay there or move on to a more laidback area like Dahab.

Sharm el-Sheikh itself is a purpose-built city designed for foreign tourism; some people love it, some people absolutely hate it. You’ll mainly find large all-inclusive beach resorts here, which we found fun for a couple of nights. If you like Cancun or Las Vegas, you’ll probably like Sharm!

If you’re more into the backpacker vibe, you’ll want to take a 1.5 hour bus ride to Dahab, which is a smaller, less commercial – but still highly touristed – town. In both Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh, you can expect to find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world. Your hotel or resort can hook you up with some snorkeling gear if you just want to get your feet wet, so to speak.

The Pyramids

This is what you came to see.

I’ve been to a places in my life, and seen a lot of famous monuments and sights. Some were underwhelming. Some were impressive. But the Pyramids…however amazing you think the Pyramids will be, they’re even better. Everyone should see them once. Photos simply don’t do them justice. Of all the reasons to visit Egypt, the Pyramids is the one you’ll hear the most.

Built over 4,500 years ago, the Pyramids were massive burial tombs, and monuments to the strength and wealth of the Old Kingdom pharoahs. (They also were essentially giant signs that said “TREASURE BURIED HERE,” which is why pyramid-building went out of fashion, and tombs started to be built underground or in hillsides, as you’ll see in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings.) Keep in mind, too, that there are a LOT of pyramids in the Cairo area alone – what you think of as THE Pyramids are simply the most spectacular.

The Pyramids are located in Giza, which is technically a neighboring town of Cairo, but in practice is simply a continuation of the megacity on the left bank of the Nile. We chose to stay in central Cairo, but if you’d like to wake up each morning with a view of the Pyramids, you can absolutely do that, at hotels ranging from dirt cheap to eye-wateringly expensive (hello, Marriott Mena House). Whatever you do, be sure to read up on how to avoid scams when visiting the Pyramids complex – or better yet, hire a reputable guide to take you around. They’ll keep the scammers at bay.

Interested in visiting Egypt, but want to do it for much less money? Check out my blog post How to Start Travel Hacking: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Travel the World for Almost Free!

in Destinations, Egypt, Middle East

Reader Interactions

you may also like
Hiring a Private Guide in Egypt: Do you need one, or can you travel to Egypt without a tour?
How to Spend Three Days in Dublin: The Perfect Long Weekend
The 5 Best Pubs in Dublin: Have an Authentic Irish Experience in the Capital

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • Credit Card Review: JetBlue Credit Cards – Which One is Right for You?
  • 7 Ways to Save Money on Travel
  • How to Become a Traveler
  • Hiring a Private Guide in Egypt: Do you need one, or can you travel to Egypt without a tour?
  • 6 Credit Card Hacks You Need to Know: Save Thousands on Travel!

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
bon voyage

Laura

I started Travel Hacking 101 in 2022 with the mission of helping people like me – adventurous, creative people with ambition to travel the world but lacking the financial flexibility. I believe that anyone can travel and everyone should leave their home country at least once. There’s an amazing, big world out there, and I want to help you experience it.
read more

Latest ‘Grams

travelhacking101

Here’s how much my six day solo trip to London c Here’s how much my six day solo trip to London cost. Definitely the least I’ve EVER spent to visit the UK!Many museums in London are free, but if it’s your first visit, budget for entrance to sites like the Tower of London. This is my fifth visit to London, so I skipped the expensive sites - that definitely contributed to my low out of pocket costs. I use an app called Trail Wallet to track my expenses while traveling and I really like it. EDIT: Turns out Trail Wallet is no longer available! Try TravelSpend for a similar app. ....#budgettravel #visitlondon #cheaplondon #londononabudget #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmiles #creditcardpoints #london #britain
My ultra luxe Super Bowl weekend in Phoenix - the My ultra luxe Super Bowl weekend in Phoenix - the easy way!....#budgettravel #superbowl #travelhacking #phoenix #cheaptravel #superbowl2023 #superbowllvii #visitphoenix
Beyoncé is going on tour, and Citi is the credit Beyoncé is going on tour, and Citi is the credit card partner for the event. So should you get a Citi card to increase your chances of getting Beyoncé tickets?Maybe not. Remember when Taylor Swift tickets went on sale and people were opening Capital One cards for the “exclusive” pre-sale? Well, that didn’t turn out too well. There are great reasons to open a Citi card, particularly if you are looking to book travel for the Renaissance tour. But make sure it fits into your overall points and miles strategy - because the likelihood that it will give you an advantage may be slim....#beyonce #renaissancetour #beyoncetickets #citi #citipresale #beyoncepresale #budgettravel #pointsandmiles #creditcards
🇬🇧 This wonderful solo week in London only c 🇬🇧 This wonderful solo week in London only cost me a little over $1,000 out of pocket - including flights, hotel, food, theatre and shopping. Follow to learn how I did it, including an upcoming breakdown of my costs. ....#london #visitlondon #cheaplondon #londonbudgettips #londononabudget #budgetlondon #cheaptravel #budgettravel #travelhacking #pointsandmiles #solotravel
Britain is a lovely country with wonderful people Britain is a lovely country with wonderful people - but if you’re going to visit, it’s important that you understand how Britain’s brutal history of colonialism created the country you see today. Perhaps nowhere in London better encapsulates this than the British Museum. The people of the cultures from which these objects were taken have been fighting to get them back for a long, long time. The people of Rapa Nui have even offered to send the British Museum a replica of the stone roai that Britain stole, but the museum refuses. You don’t need to completely avoid the British Museum if you visit London, but to be a responsible visitor you should listen to the voices of those who have been harmed by the theft of these objects and continued refusal of the museum to give them back. I highly recommend listening to the podcast Stuff the British Stole by @marcfennell ....#britishmuseum #stuffthebritishstole #beninbronzes #elginmarbles #elginmarblesreturntogreece #rapanui #visitlondon #londonmuseums
You better believe I stretched out on that bad boy You better believe I stretched out on that bad boy and took an unrefreshing nap. ....#airplane #flight #americanairlines #economyclass #flying #budgettravel #travel
Dreaming of a trip to Ireland? Here are 5 mistakes Dreaming of a trip to Ireland? Here are 5 mistakes that I often see Americans making when they travel to Ireland. Are you planning a trip this year? Looking to save thousands on flights and hotels? Get your free 10-page, step-by-step guide to travel hacking at the link in my bio...... #ireland #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits #familytravel #visitireland #dublin #visitdublin
There are so many ways to use your points that it There are so many ways to use your points that it can be tricky to know which way is best. Today I'm defining "travel portal" for you. Be sure to check out the second-to-last slide to find out if you should be using your points on your bank's travel page or not!Want to learn more travel hacking basics? Get your free 10-page, step-by-step guide to travel hacking at the link in my bio...... #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits #familytravel
New to travel hacking and wondering which card to New to travel hacking and wondering which card to start with? These three cards are my picks if you’re just starting out. They offer points that are easy to earn and easy to use!Be sure to check my Starter Card highlight for the link to my top pick for a beginner card - I can’t talk about it on Instagram!..... #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits #familytravel
Answering a question about the Citi Premier that I Answering a question about the Citi Premier that I’ve gotten from a couple folks…
What's an "authorized user?" Should you add one to What's an "authorized user?" Should you add one to your card? (Spoiler alert: probably not!)Got questions about adding your spouse or partner to your credit card account? Drop them in the comments below....... #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits #familytravel
Want to start travel hacking in 2023? It’s not a Want to start travel hacking in 2023? It’s not as complicated as it might seem. There are three basic steps to it. Of course, there’s more to know for each step, so be sure to follow @travelhacking101 and some of my fellow points & miles creators to learn more. If you’re ready to get started, download the free 10-page guide to travel hacking at the link in my bio. ....#budgettravel #travelhacks #travelhacking #familytravel #solotravel #seniortravel #creditcards #pointsandmiles #savemoney #cheaptravel
I’m so excited for the travel plans I have comin I’m so excited for the travel plans I have coming up in 2023. It’s going to be a great year. Share your resolutions in the comments below!....#2023 #newyear #resolutions #nye #travelmore #budgettravel #pointsandmiles #travelhacking
🎉 #ad If you're planning on using rideshare thi 🎉 #ad If you're planning on using rideshare this holiday season (and if you're going out for New Year's Eve, you should), then you are going to love this amazing stacking deal.On December 22, join me on @fluzapp for the Uber Fluz Party from 2-8 pm EST. When you purchase an Uber gift card at the party, you'll automatically get 10% back. And when everyone's spend reaches $7,500, your cashback will increase to 15%. (Max spend of $50). Use the link in my bio to download the Fluz app and RSVP - spots are limited!@fluzapp is a cashback app that's different than the ones you've probably tried before, and my favorite thing about it is how easy it is to stack rewards. With Fluz, instead of buying an item through the app, you'll buy a gift card to the store you're shopping at, and instantly get cashback on the gift card.So you can click through TopCashback or the American Airlines portal for a purchase, and once you know the total, click back over to Fluz and purchase a gift card with your points-earning credit card for that amount. Click back over the store, pay with the gift card, and boom - you've earned portal credit, points on your card, AND cashback with Fluz!Plus, Fluz offers these limited-time parties, like the Uber Party on December 22, where you can get an even bigger boost on your cash back. But spots are limited, so use the link in my bio to download @fluzapp and RSVP!.....#sponsored #uber #getcashback #goingout #holidayseason #cashbackapp #fluzapp  #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits
What's considered a "premium card?" And is it wort What's considered a "premium card?" And is it worth it to pay a high annual fee on a credit card?Today's travel hacking term definition is "premium card" - and as with so much when it comes to credit cards, the question of value is going to depend on your personal situation. Check out my suggestion for a resource on how to determine whether these cards are right for you!Not sure what card to get next? I offer weekly, free credit card consultations. Keep your eye on my stories for your chance to sign up...... #budgettravel #travelonabudget #pointsandmiles #travel #travelhacking #travelhacks #pointsandmileslife #creditcardbenefits #familytravel
👍👍👍 👍👍👍
🇬🇧 I’m finally getting started planning my 🇬🇧 I’m finally getting started planning my five night trip to London in earnest. This is a solo trip, which I haven’t done in a while! The main reason I’m going to see the National Theatre’s production of “The Lehman Trilogy.” I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to see this show, and I would not have been able to afford it without points and miles!I plan to cover my experiences traveling solo as a woman, as well as options for low- or no-cost cultural activities in the city. What else would you like to learn about travel hacking London?....#londontravel #britaintravel #visitlondon #londonbudgettips #budgettravel #londononashoestring #london2023 #pointsandmiles #creditcardpoints
Have you used the annual credits on your credits c Have you used the annual credits on your credits card?I’m talking things like the $300 travel credit on your Venture X. The $50 Saks credit on your AmEx Platinum. Traveling on points and miles can be even cheaper when you ensure you’re using all the great benefits offered by your credit cards. Now is the time to check. Don’t leave money on the table!....#budgettravel #pointsandmiles #travelhacking #endoftheyear #endoftheyearactivities #closeout2022withwins #closeout2022right
I travel the world paying almost nothing for my fl I travel the world paying almost nothing for my flights and hotels. Two weeks in Egypt? $86 for my flights and $600 for 14 nights hotel. A week in Vegas? $90 for hotels and almost all my meals covered. Two weeks in Thailand? $59 for my flights and about $500 for hotels. My secret? I use credit card sign-up bonuses to responsibly fund my travels with points and miles. I have no credit card debt, and my credit score is in the 800s. Want to learn how I do it? Follow @travelhacking101 and use the link in my bio to get a free 10-page step-by-step guide to travel hacking.....#budgettravel #travelhacking #pointsandmiles
Every travel hacking creator gets comments like th Every travel hacking creator gets comments like this…The implication is that we’re claiming that you can get something for free, when actually you have to spend tons of money for it. Here’s the truth: getting points and miles DOES involve spending money, but it should only be the money you would ALREADY SPEND on your regular expenses. Life costs money. If you’re buying groceries, gasoline, car repairs, holiday gifts, etc, why not get rewarded for those purchases?Travel hacking should never involve you spending money SPECIFICALLY to get points. And of course you will spend money at your destination. That’s a given. No one is claiming you can get a $0 trip. So yeah, these comments annoy me because they seem to imply that we’re trying to trick people into going into debt, when really we’re trying to do the exact opposite. ...#pointsandmiles #travelhacking #pointsandmileslifestyle #creditcardbenefits #budgettravel
Load More Follow on Instagram
2022 © Travel Hacking 101 Blog Meets Brand
made by soulmuse