Amazing Egypt, Self-Launched: Cairo to Aswan by Nile Cruise (9 Days)
9 days · Egypt
Travel Talk charges £1,500
No-markup version: ~£750 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Travel Talk's 9-day Cairo–Nile cruise loop, done independently: three nights in a central Cairo budget hotel, a day trip to Alexandria by train, a 4-day/3-night Nile cruise booked direct with a local boat (or swapped for budget hotels plus a felucca if you're tighter on cash), then a sleeper train back to Cairo. You book each sight yourself (Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak/Luxor, Valley of the Kings) using GetYourGuide/Klook or a local guide at the gate, and use Egypt's excellent-value trains, buses and minivans instead of a coach. Estimated all-in cost around £700-800 per person excluding international flights, versus roughly £1,500 for the packaged version.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cairo — Khan el-Khalili and a Nile sunset
Cairo
Land at Cairo International Airport, buy a visa on arrival (US$25/£20, card or cash) and take the airport shuttle bus or Uber to Downtown Cairo (Uber is ~£5-7; airport bus ~£1). Check into a budget hotel or hostel near Talaat Harb or Zamalek. Skip the operator's $42 group dinner — instead wander Khan el-Khalili market at dusk, grab koshari for £2-3, and take a cheap public river ferry (a few piastres) across the Nile for a sunset view. Walk everywhere in Downtown; it's flat and lively.
🚌Airport shuttle/Uber to Downtown ~£6; walking + public Nile ferry
🛏Budget hotel/hostel, Downtown Cairo (~£15-20/night twin share)
- →Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- →Public Nile ferry at sunset
- →Koshari dinner in Downtown
Alexandria day trip by train
Alexandria / Cairo
Take an early morning train from Cairo Ramses or Misr Station to Alexandria — the Spanish-built 'Talgo' or express services take 2-2.5 hours and cost £4-8 one way in second class (book on the Egyptian National Railways site or buy at the station the day before). In Alexandria, walk the Corniche, see the Library of Alexandria exterior (or pay ~£2 to go inside — closed Saturdays), then take a local tram or Uber to the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (£3), Pompey's Pillar (£2) and the Citadel of Qaitbay (£2). Eat fresh seafood by the port for £6-8. Return on an evening train, arriving Cairo before midnight.
🚌Return train Cairo–Alexandria ~£10-15; local tram/Uber in Alexandria ~£4
🛏Budget hotel/hostel, Downtown Cairo (~£15-20/night)
- →Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
- →Pompey's Pillar
- →Citadel of Qaitbay
- →Library of Alexandria
- →Alexandria Corniche
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo / Giza
Get to Giza early — Uber from Downtown is ~£4-5, or take the metro to Giza then a microbus. Giza plateau entry is ~£12 (plus extra for going inside a pyramid; Khufu's is ~£25). Skip a paid guide and either download an audio guide or hire a licensed guide at the gate for £15-20 shared. Have a camel or horse ride quoted in writing beforehand if you want one (~£10-15, hard bargain). In the afternoon, take an Uber to the Grand Egyptian Museum (~£12 entry, book a timed slot online in advance as it sells out). Return to Cairo for dinner at a local fuul/ta'meya spot (£3-4).
🚌Uber/metro to Giza and GEM ~£8-10 total; walking
🛏Budget hotel/hostel, Downtown Cairo (~£15-20/night)
- →Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
- →Grand Egyptian Museum
- →Optional camel ride on the plateau
Fly to Aswan — Philae Temple and Nubian village
Aswan
Fly Cairo–Aswan with Nile Air or EgyptAir (~£50-75 one way booked 4-6 weeks out; the overnight train is ~£20-30 but eats a night) or take the sleeper train if you want to save money. In Aswan, check into a guesthouse on Elephantine Island or in the Nubian village (~£15-20). In the afternoon, take a public ferry to Agilkia Island for Philae Temple (£8 entry plus boat ~£3-4 shared) — go late for the sound-and-light-free golden-hour version. See the Unfinished Obelisk in the northern quarries (£2). Skip the $42 Nubian dinner package and eat at a family-run Nubian guesthouse instead for £6-8, or ask around for a home-cooked meal.
🚌Flight Cairo–Aswan ~£50-75; local ferry and minivan ~£5
🛏Nubian guesthouse or budget hotel, Aswan (~£15-20/night)
- →Philae Temple
- →Unfinished Obelisk
- →Nubian village walk
- →Felucca sunset sail (optional ~£8)
Board the Nile cruise at Aswan — Kom Ombo
Aswan / Kom Ombo
Board your independently booked Nile cruise — book direct with a local Aswan/Luxor operator or through a site like Nile Cruise Booking or GetYourGuide; a 4-day/3-night Aswan–Luxor sailing in a standard cabin is roughly £200-280 per person including full board, versus much more through a packaged tour. If you'd rather not cruise, stay in budget hotels in Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu and take the train/minibus between them, plus a half-day felucca — this comes in around £60-90 cheaper. Optional Abu Simbel trip: shared minivan from Aswan at 4am is ~£25-35 (vs the operator's $135) — book the day before in your guesthouse or at the bus station.
🚌Cruise sailing Aswan–Kom Ombo; optional shared minivan to Abu Simbel ~£30
🛏Nile cruise ship, standard cabin, full board (~£70-90/night equivalent)
- →Kom Ombo Temple (twin temple of Sobek and Horus)
- →Optional Abu Simbel day trip
- →Sundowner on the top deck
Sail on to Edfu and the Temple of Horus
Edfu
Cruise north to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples (~£8 entry). Most cruise ships dock at Edfu and you take a horse-drawn calèche (agree a price, ~£3-5 return) to the temple — go early before the coaches arrive. Spend the afternoon on deck watching the Nile villages slide past, with stops at Esna lock. Meals are included on board; if you're doing the land version, eat at a cheap local restaurant in Edfu (£4-6).
🚌Cruise sailing Edfu; horse-drawn calèche ~£4
🛏Nile cruise ship, standard cabin, full board
- →Temple of Horus at Edfu
- →Esna lock crossing
- →Deck time on the Nile
Arrive Luxor — Karnak and Luxor Temples
Luxor
Disembark in Luxor and check into a guesthouse on the West Bank (~£15-20) or a budget hotel on the East Bank. In the late afternoon, walk or take a microbus to Karnak Temple (£10) and then the Avenue of Sphinxes down to Luxor Temple (£8) — go as the light drops and the temples empty out. Skip the operator's 5-star Steigenberger and put the savings towards the balloon flight tomorrow. Dinner at a West Bank local restaurant for £4-6.
🚌Microbus/taxi in Luxor ~£3-5; public ferry across the Nile ~£0.30
🛏West Bank guesthouse or budget hotel, Luxor (~£15-20/night)
- →Karnak Temple Complex
- →Luxor Temple
- →Avenue of Sphinxes at sunset
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the sleeper train to Cairo
Luxor / Cairo
Optional sunrise hot air balloon over the West Bank — book via GetYourGuide or a local operator the day before for ~£70-90 (vs the operator's $140) and be ready for a 4:30am pickup. Then hire a bike or take a taxi (£8-10 half-day) to the Valley of the Kings (£12, plus extra tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut (£6) and the Colossi of Memnon (free). In the evening, take the overnight sleeper train Luxor–Cairo, ~£35-45 for a single berth booked with Watania Sleeping Trains, arriving Cairo early Day 9. (A domestic flight is ~£45-60 if you'd rather sleep in a bed.)
🚌West Bank taxi/bike ~£10; sleeper train Luxor–Cairo ~£40
🛏Overnight sleeper train, single berth (~£35-45)
- →Optional hot air balloon at sunrise
- →Valley of the Kings
- →Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- →Colossi of Memnon
Cairo — Coptic Cairo and departure
Cairo
Arrive Cairo early morning, drop your bag at a hotel or station left luggage, and have a slow breakfast of fuul and bread. If time allows, visit Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, free-£2) or Islamic Cairo's Cairo Citadel (£5) and Al-Azhar Park (£1). Head to Cairo International Airport by Uber or the airport bus (~£1-6) for your flight home. If your flight leaves late, book a cheap day room for £15-20 to shower.
🚌Uber/airport bus to Cairo International ~£6
🛏None (departure day) or day room ~£18
- →Coptic Cairo
- →Cairo Citadel and Al-Azhar Park (time permitting)
Self-launched vs. Travel Talk
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Talk | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£750 | £1,500 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £750 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Talk-style trips? Check them out here.~£750
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Amazing Egypt, Self-Launched: Cairo to Aswan by Nile Cruise (9 Days) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £750 per person for 9 days in Egypt. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Travel Talk?+
Yes — Travel Talk charges around £1,500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £750 — a saving of roughly £750 (50%) per person.
How long is the Egypt trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Egypt.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Egypt, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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