Egypt is one of the more challenging countries to travel, but the reward is absolutely worth it as long as you come prepared. I see too many negative reviews online from travelers’ experiences when visiting Egypt. Egypt is not for the weak-hearted nor the ill-prepared. However, a little bit of preparation goes a long way in creating an enjoyable trip through Egypt. Egypt is not a difficult country once you understand the culture and how business works- it only becomes difficult when you expect it to function like your home country.

1.) What you are doing right now, prepare yourself by researching.

There are plenty of YouTube videos, Reddit testimonials, and travel blogs highlighting scams and the challenges of traveling through Egypt. Familiarizing yourself with other travelers’ negative experiences and common scams in Egypt will help you pick up on potential scams. You will need to be prepared to have your guard up more you’re used to in your home country, but joining our tour to Egypt will help minimize many of the common frustrations associated with traveling Egypt.

2.) Temper your expectations for Giza

Giza is where the Great Pyramids are outside of Cairo, and it is usually the first stop on the Egypt itinerary. Giza is ROUGH, it’s dirty, and it’s the most scammy place in Egypt. Since it’s most travelers first stop they usually are overwhelmed, jet-lagged, and not ready for the most scammy place in Egypt. The more touristy the place is the more scammy its going to be, this is true everywhere in the world. If you do not have a guide, it’s hard to enjoy your time at the pyramids because you will be accosted constantly. But obviously, you’ve got to see the Great Pyramids, so get a good guide in advance, and just say no to anyone approaching you.

Still absolutely worth visiting the pyramids

3.) Join a reputable tour or hire guides and drivers for each leg of your trip.

I acknowledge my bias as I am running a tour to Egypt, but I cannot stress enough how much more you will enjoy your time in Egypt if you join a tour or at least hire guides and drivers for different legs of your trip. If you run the numbers, it will likely come up cheaper to join a tour than trying to independently travel. If you are independently traveling, there is going to be more sales pressure and less patience from a lot of the locals towards you because they are so dependent on tourism and they expect you to be paying a local guide. It’s just the way the travel industry is structured in Egypt, there are way too many people trying to make money off the tourism industry because they do not have many opportunities elsewhere and it can create a hypercompetitive and unpleasant environment for independent travelers. Even if you are the most seasoned traveler, I highly recommend joining a tour or hiring guides/drivers.

4.) Avoid traveling too cheaply

In Egypt you get what you pay for. You can travel very cheaply but it will be rough conditions. You can also travel very luxuriously and it will be over the top. There are options for all budgets and I recommend avoiding traveling on too strict of a budget because you are going to be uncomfortable. If you are also on a strict budget, you are probably not paying for any guides and you will be hassled so much more. I like to stay in well-rated 3 or 4* locally owned hotels to ensure I have a comfortable respite after the intensity of traveling in Egypt. Having a quality hotel to come back to will be much needed and hotels aren’t very expensive relative to Western standards. Make sure you read the Google reviews carefully when selecting hotels, and avoid any hotels with any reviews about scams from hotel staff. You also want to avoid eating too cheaply, Egyptian food is my favorite African cuisine and you can eat in good restaurants for very affordably. I recommend avoiding street food, unless you’re with a guide, because travelers’ diarrhea is very common in Egypt. Do not pay for the cheapest tour or guide and expect your guide to speak fluent English. If you go too cheap your “guide” will likely just be taking you to his friends’ shops and pressuring you for extra tips.

Cairo can be intense to navigate without a guide

5.) Learn about Ancient Egyptian history before coming

You will see so many temples and have so many facts, dates, and details provided to you from a knowledgeable guide. A common complaint about Egypt is temple-fatigue and information overload. A good guide will keep the information high level enough and not get over-detailed. If you try and learn in advance it will avoid information overload and you will be more involved and engaged in the sites. Cleopatra lived closer to iPhone than the Great Pyramids, the timeline of Egypt’s history is insane.

Would be nice to have context into the Pharaoh when you are touring Luxor temple

6.) Understand the tipping culture

Tipping is a normal and frequent part of daily life in Egypt. You may be asked for small tips ( often called baksheesh) in many situations, and it helps to view this as a cultural norm rather than a personal inconvenience. Traveling with a group can reduce some unnecessary tip requests, although many tour operators are not always clear about tipping expectations and guests often feel pressure at the end of the trip(not Far Out Travels 😊). In Egypt, if someone provides a service, assistance, directions, or even a small favor such as holding a door, they will generally expect a small tip in return. If someone asks for a tip but was of no service then you just need to ignore them. It is strongly advised to have a small stockpile of smaller denominations of Egyptian Pounds. For small quick services 10-20 Egyptian pounds about 20 -40 USD cents is acceptable. Being prepared for this in advance can make the experience much more relaxed and enjoyable. NOTHING is free and if almost anyone approaches you they are targeting you for financial gain- you have to be a little jaded when traveling Egypt.

7.) Understand the haggling culture

Shopping in Egypt is often a negotiation, and salespeople can be much more persistent than most Western travelers are accustomed to. One of the best ways to avoid uncomfortable interactions is to limit casual window shopping and only engage when you have genuine interest in making a purchase. If a price or experience does not feel right, don't be afraid to politely decline and walk away with a smile—this is a normal part of the bargaining process and you will likely be able to find the same item again. Occasionally, a firmer "no thank you" may be necessary if a salesperson is particularly persistent. Staying confident, friendly, and willing to walk away will usually lead to the best shopping experience.

8.) Be confident

Egypt can feel overwhelming at first. Between the busy streets, persistent vendors, frequent tipping requests, and constant attempts to sell goods or services, many first-time visitors experience a bit of culture shock. The key is to remain confident, relaxed, and good-humored. Most of the "hustle" is simply part of daily life and commerce in Egypt—it is rarely personal and is best viewed as a game rather than a confrontation. If you are walking around looking lost and unsure of yourself you are more likely to draw unwanted attention from potential scammers. When shopping, remember that bargaining is expected, but there is no need to negotiate every last dollar. While it's important not to overpay dramatically, a few extra dollars often mean far more to a local vendor than it does to most visitors. Aim for a fair price, enjoy the interaction, and don't let small amounts of money detract from the overall experience. A confident, friendly attitude will go a long way toward making your trip more enjoyable.

9.) End your trip at a resort on the Red Sea to decompress

Egypt is an incredible destination, but it can also be intense. After days of sightseeing, navigating busy cities, visiting ancient temples, and experiencing the constant energy of the country, many travelers appreciate a few days to slow down and recharge before heading home. If your schedule allows, consider ending your trip at an all-inclusive resort on the Red Sea. Egypt has also has beautiful beaches, warm weather, excellent snorkeling and diving, and a much more relaxed atmosphere than Cairo or the Nile Valley. Many travelers find that a few days by the Red Sea is the perfect way to decompress, reflect on everything they have seen, and return home feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.

10.) Don’t try to see it all

Egypt is one of those destinations where it's impossible to see everything in a single trip. With countless temples, tombs, museums, mosques, and historical sites spread across the country, it's tempting to pack every day with sightseeing. However, many travelers quickly discover that "temple fatigue" is real—especially when exploring in the Egyptian heat. After several days, even the most spectacular temples can begin to blend together, and rushing from site to site often reduces your ability to appreciate what you're seeing. Rather than trying to check every attraction off a list, focus on the highlights, take breaks when needed, and allow yourself time to simply absorb the experience. A slower pace often leads to a more memorable trip than an overly ambitious itinerary.

Far Out’s differentiator on the Egypt tour is a private Dahabiya Nile river cruise

Now that I’ve set your expectations and you are prepared for traveling Egypt, go enjoy the positives because the positives completely outweigh all the negatives I’ve mentioned. While this post may provide a negative tone towards traveling in Egypt, I am merely making people aware so they aren’t disappointed and can fully enjoy their time in Egypt. Egypt is absolutely worth visiting and one of the coolest places in the world.

How to Prepare for a Trip to Egypt

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