Egypt North-to-South Budget Backpacking Guide Route: Cairo → Alexandria → Marsa Matruh → Siwa → Cairo → Luxor → Aswan → Cairo → Dahab
This route strings together Mediterranean beaches, a remote desert oasis, epic Nile Valley temples and the chilled-out Red Sea coast. Everything is designed for shoestring travellers – local transport, hostels, street food and do-it-yourself adventures. Allow 3–4 weeks, daily budget around 25–35 USD.
--- 1. Cairo (3–4 nights) Arrival – Visa on arrival 25 USD (cash, exact change best). Buy a Vodafone/Orange SIM at the airport. Sleep – Downtown backpacker hub: Wake Up! Cairo Hostel, Dahab Hostel (rooftop), dorm beds from 5–8 USD. Do – Pyramids of Giza (go early, 540 EGP entry), Grand Egyptian Museum (check what’s open), Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Azhar Park sunset. Eat – Koshari at Abou Tarek (35 EGP), ful & taameya (falafel) from street carts. Move – Metro (5 EGP) and Uber are cheap. Avoid meterless taxis. Book ahead – Overnight train to Luxor (seated or sleeper) at Ramses Station.
--- 2. Cairo → Alexandria (2 nights) Train – From Ramses Station, 2.5–3 hrs, 2nd class ~80 EGP. Go Bus also works. Sleep – Triomphe Hostel or Ithaka Hostel. Do – Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Citadel of Qaitbay, Corniche walk, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. Tip – Seafood on the Corniche, then ride the rattly tram (5 EGP).
--- 3. Alexandria → Marsa Matruh (1–2 nights) Train/Bus – Train 4–5 hrs, about 120 EGP. West Delta bus alternative. Sleep – Simple beach hotels like Beau Site Hotel. Do – Ageeba Beach, Cleopatra’s Beach, Rommel’s Cave. Turquoise water, very few tourists. Note – Local holiday spot, less English spoken, carry snacks.
--- 4. Marsa Matruh → Siwa Oasis (2–3 nights) Bus – West Delta direct bus, 4–5 hours desert road, ~100 EGP. Have passport copies for checkpoints. Sleep – Siwa Oasis Hostel, or palm-thatched camps. Sleep in a mud-brick room or desert camp under the stars. Do – Shali Fortress, Cleopatra’s Spring, salt lakes, a 4×4 desert safari into the Great Sand Sea (share with others, 300–400 EGP pp). Sunrise at Fatnas Island, Siwan tea. Return to Cairo – Overnight West Delta bus (~10–12 hrs, ~200 EGP). Leaves around 8pm, arrives early morning.
--- 5. Cairo → Luxor (2–3 nights) Overnight train – Seated train 9–10 hrs, 200–300 EGP (bring blanket & snacks). Sleeper 80 USD if you splurge. Book at station a day ahead. Sleep – Bob Marley Hostel (backpacker favourite), Nefertiti Hotel rooftop. West Bank – Valley of the Kings (pick 3 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon. Rent a bicycle ~50 EGP/day. East Bank – Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, sunset from a rooftop on Al-Sahaby Lane. Splurge – Hot-air balloon at sunrise (50–60 USD, book locally).
--- 6. Luxor → Aswan (2–3 nights) Train – Daytime train 3–4 hrs, 100–150 EGP, Nile views. Sleep – Keylany Hotel or Nuba Nile Hostel. Do – Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian Village, felucca sunset sail (haggle to 150–200 EGP for a couple of hours). Abu Simbel – Shared minibus convoy departs 4am, ~400–500 EGP including entry. Book the day before. Eat – Nubian dishes, fresh mango juice, street-side ful.
--- 7. Aswan → Cairo (recovery night) Overnight seated train – 200–300 EGP, saves a night’s accommodation. Arrive Cairo early, rest, repack. --- 8. Cairo → Dahab (3–4 nights) Go Bus – From Torgoman/Almaza, overnight 9–10 hrs, 300–400 EGP. Sinai scenery on the way. Sleep – Penguin Village, Dahab Coachhouse, dorms from 5 USD. Sleep metres from the water. Do – Blue Hole (snorkel/dive, free entry), Lighthouse Reef, camel to Ras Abu Galum. Hike Mount Sinai for sunrise (overnight trip to St. Catherine, 2–3 hrs drive). Dive – PADI Open Water from ~250 USD, one of the world’s cheapest places to learn. Eat – Fresh fish at the market, Bedouin tea, cheap falafel.
Return – Overnight bus back to Cairo to fly out, or taxi to Sharm el-Sheikh airport (1 hr).
--- Budget Survival Kit · Eat local – Koshari, ful, taameya, shawarma. Avoid tourist-menu restaurants. ·
Drink – Bottled water (5 EGP) or a filter bottle. · Haggle – Everything is negotiable. Start at 30–40% of asking price. ·
Dress – Shoulders & knees covered, especially in Siwa and mosques. Light scarf for women. ·
Stay safe – Egypt is backpacker-friendly, but watch for scams and pushy touts.
Use Uber in Cairo. · Money – Egyptian Pound (EGP). ATMs common, carry small notes. · SIM – 20GB data ~200 EGP. Wi-Fi often sluggish. ·
Best time – October to April. Pack: light clothes, sturdy sandals, swimwear, headlamp, power bank, toilet paper, anti-diarrhoea meds, sunscreen, scarf.
Useful Arabic · Shukran – Thank you · La, shukran – No, thank you · Bekam? – How much? · Yalla! – Let’s go!
