Explore Egypt: Self-Launched Cairo to Alexandria Adventure
15 days · Egypt
Intrepid Travel charges £1,400
No-markup version: ~£668 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day self-launched take on Intrepid's "Explore Egypt" — the same loop from Cairo to Aswan, Luxor, the Red Sea and Alexandria, but booked independently. You'll sleep on a Nile felucca, stay with a Nubian family, ride the overnight sleeper train, and see the Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings — all via local transport, hostels and guesthouses, and self-bookable tours. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller rates in GBP and exclude international flights, insurance and visa fees where noted.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cairo & get your bearings
Cairo
Fly into Cairo International and take the airport bus or Uber/Careem to a hostel in Downtown Cairo (around £12–18/night for a dorm or simple private room). Spend the afternoon acclimatising: wander the Khan al-Khalili area or the Coptic Quarter (Hanging Church, Church of St Sergius), and pick up a local SIM from Vodafone/Orange at the airport or downtown (around £6 for data). Grab koshari for dinner — Egypt's cheap, filling national dish — for £2–3. Book your Giza day tour tonight via GetYourGuide or directly with a licensed guide.
🚌Airport bus ~£1.50 or Careem/Uber ~£6–8
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Downtown Cairo (~£15)
- →Coptic Quarter walk
- →Khan al-Khalili orientation wander
- →Local SIM card & koshari dinner
Pyramids, Sphinx & the Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo / Giza
Take a Careem to Giza early (before 8am) to beat the crowds and heat. Entry to the Giza plateau is around £10; going inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu costs extra (~£12) and is optional. Add a camel or horse ride around the plateau if you fancy it — negotiate firmly (~£8–12). In the afternoon visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — book timed tickets online in advance (~£20). Return to Downtown for dinner.
🚌Careem/Uber to Giza & GEM ~£8 total, or join a small-group day tour ~£35–45 including transport
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Downtown Cairo (~£15)
- →Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
- →Grand Egyptian Museum (book online)
- →Optional: inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu
Overnight sleeper train to Aswan
Cairo → Aswan
A relaxed morning — maybe the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat (~£6) or the Mosque of Mohammed Ali in the Citadel (~£5). Book your sleeper train seat in advance via the Egyptian National Railways website or at Ramses Station (Watania sleeper, ~£45–60 one way for a single berth; cheaper if sharing a twin cabin). Depart Cairo around 8pm, sleep on board and wake up in Aswan.
🚌Watania overnight sleeper train Cairo–Aswan ~£50
🛏Overnight sleeper train (single or shared twin cabin)
- →National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (optional)
- →Citadel & Mosque of Mohammed Ali (optional)
- →Board overnight sleeper train
Aswan: Philae Temple, Nubian village & Nile
Aswan
Arrive in Aswan mid-morning and check into a budget hotel or guesthouse near the Corniche (~£12–18). Take a local ferry or boat to Philae Temple (Temple of Isis) — entry ~£7 plus boat ~£4. In the afternoon stroll the Nubian Bazaar for spices and crafts, and stop for mint tea on the waterfront promenade. Optional: the Unfinished Obelisk (~£4) and Aswan High Dam (~£4). Arrange tomorrow's Abu Simbel trip tonight through your guesthouse.
🚌Local minibus/taxi from station ~£3; boats to Philae ~£4
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse, Aswan (~£15)
- →Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)
- →Nubian Bazaar
- →Waterfront mint tea stop
- →Optional: Unfinished Obelisk & High Dam
Abu Simbel at sunrise, then board the felucca
Aswan / Nile felucca
Join a shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel departing around 4am (~£25–35 including entry, booked via your guesthouse or GetYourGuide) — the early light on the temples is worth the alarm. Back in Aswan by early afternoon, then board a traditional felucca for a sailing trip downriver. Most captains include lunch and dinner on board; agree the price and inclusions upfront (~£30–40 per person for an overnight trip including meals). Sail, swim, and watch the sunset over the dunes.
🚌Shared minibus to Abu Simbel ~£20; felucca sailing included in trip price
🛏Overnight on a Nile felucca (mattress on deck — bring a sleeping bag/liner in winter)
- →Abu Simbel temples (shared minibus)
- →Felucca sailing on the Nile
- →Sunset on deck
Felucca to a Nubian homestay
Nile felucca / Nubian homestay
Wake on the felucca for breakfast cooked by the crew, then continue sailing with stops to walk through farmland and riverside villages — a great way to see everyday rural Nile life. In the afternoon disembark near a Nubian village for a homestay night (~£15–22 including dinner and breakfast). Help cook, play football with local kids, and learn a little Nubian language and culture. Book homestays through Aswan guesthouses or AskAladdin/local operators — or arrange directly with your felucca captain.
🚌Felucca (included) and short walk/transfer to village
🛏Nubian family homestay (~£18 with meals)
- →Countryside & farmland walk
- →Nubian homestay experience
- →Cooking and village life
To Luxor & Karnak Temple
Luxor
Travel from Aswan to Luxor by train — the 2nd/3rd-class local train is around £4–6 (buy at the station) or a private minibus transfer ~£8. Book two nights in a budget hotel near the Luxor Temple (~£15/night). In the late afternoon visit Karnak Temple (~£9) with a small-group guided tour or audio guide (GetYourGuide ~£15) — the hypostyle hall and Avenue of Sphinxes at golden hour are stunning. Evening: teahouse on the corniche.
🚌Aswan–Luxor train ~£5 (or shared minibus £8)
🛏Budget hotel, Luxor (~£15)
- →Karnak Temple (small-group or audio guide)
- →Avenue of Sphinxes
- →Teahouse evening
Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut's Temple
Luxor (West Bank)
Cross the Nile by local ferry (~£0.50) and hire a bike (~£3/day) or shared taxi to the West Bank sites. Valley of the Kings entry covers three royal tombs (~£13); Tutankhamun's tomb is extra (~£12). Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (~£6) and the Colossi of Memnon (free). Optional: a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the West Bank (~£60–75, book via GetYourGuide) — a real highlight if budget allows. Back on the East Bank, browse the bazaar and treat yourself to a proper dinner.
🚌Local ferry ~£0.50, bike hire ~£3, shared taxi ~£4
🛏Budget hotel, Luxor (~£15)
- →Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
- →Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- →Colossi of Memnon
- →Optional: sunrise hot-air balloon
Bus to the Red Sea at Hurghada
Hurghada
Take the morning Go Bus or Upper Egypt bus from Luxor to Hurghada (~4–5 hours, ~£7–10; book online in advance). Settle into a budget hotel or hostel a short walk from the beach (~£15–20). Spend the late afternoon doing a self-led orientation walk around the marina and old town, and pick a cheap seafood or ta'ameya dinner. Arrange tomorrow's snorkelling trip through your hotel or a local dive shop.
🚌Go Bus Luxor–Hurghada ~£9
🛏Budget hotel/hostel, Hurghada (~£18)
- →Hurghada Marina walk
- →Old town & beach stroll
Red Sea snorkelling day
Hurghada
Full-day boat trip to the Red Sea Marine Park — typically three snorkelling stops with gear, lunch and soft drinks included (~£25–35 booked direct with a local dive shop, or ~£32 via GetYourGuide/Klook). Expect vivid coral and reef fish; some trips include a dolphin-spotting stop. Alternatively just relax on the public beach (~£3–5 sunbed) if you'd prefer a slow day. Evening at a beach bar or the marina.
🚌Boat trip transport included in the tour price
🛏Budget hotel/hostel, Hurghada (~£18)
- →Red Sea Marine Park snorkelling (3 stops, lunch included)
- →Optional beach day
Bus back to Cairo & Khan al-Khalili by night
Hurghada → Cairo
Take the morning Go Bus back to Cairo (~6 hours, ~£10–12) or, if you'd rather save a day, an evening flight (~£40–60). Check back into a Downtown Cairo hostel (~£15). In the evening explore Khan al-Khalili bazaar — the gold market, Perfume Street and the spice and cloth markets — and have dinner at the legendary El Fishawy café. Self-led wandering works perfectly here; a local guide adds context for ~£15 if you want it.
🚌Go Bus Hurghada–Cairo ~£11
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Downtown Cairo (~£15)
- →Khan al-Khalili bazaar
- →Gold market & Perfume Street
- →El Fishawy café dinner
Train to Alexandria
Cairo → Alexandria
Take a morning train from Cairo Ramses or Misr station to Alexandria (~2.5 hours, 2nd class ~£4; book online or at the station). Check into a budget hotel near the Corniche (~£15–20). Spend the afternoon on a self-led walk along the Corniche and around the old harbour, then have fresh seafood at a harbour restaurant — pick your fish from the ice and pay by weight (~£8–10).
🚌Cairo–Alexandria train ~£4
🛏Budget hotel, Alexandria (~£18)
- →Corniche walk
- →Old harbour wander
- →Fresh seafood dinner
Alexandria's libraries, catacombs and citadel
Alexandria
A full day exploring Alexandria independently. Start at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (~£3, with a good guided tour option), then the Citadel of Qaitbay (~£3) on the site of the ancient lighthouse, and the El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque (free, dress modestly). Optional: the El Alamein War Museum (a longer trip west — ~£8 entry plus ~£10 transport). Eat lunch at a local street-food spot for a few pounds, and finish the day with a kebab/kofta dinner or shisha at a seafront café.
🚌Local trams and taxis ~£4
🛏Budget hotel, Alexandria (~£18)
- →Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- →Citadel of Qaitbay
- →El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque
- →Optional: El Alamein War Museum
Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs & return to Cairo
Alexandria → Cairo
Visit the Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs in the morning (~£4) — a fascinating Roman-era blend of Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. Then take the train back to Cairo (~£4). Check back into a Downtown hostel, have a final group-style dinner of kebab and kofta, and perhaps a shisha at a rooftop café. Do any last-minute souvenir shopping at the bazaar.
🚌Alexandria–Cairo train ~£4
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Downtown Cairo (~£15)
- →Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs
- →Final dinner & shisha
- →Souvenir shopping
Depart Cairo
Cairo
Breakfast at the hostel, then transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. If you have a late flight, squeeze in one last visit to a museum or a final koshari lunch. Tip: buy an Egyptian SIM with data at the airport on day one and download offline maps — Uber and Careem both work well in Cairo and Alexandria.
🚌Airport bus ~£1.50 or Careem/Uber ~£6–8
🛏—
- →Transfer to Cairo airport
Self-launched vs. Intrepid Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Intrepid Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£668 | £1,400 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £732 per person (52%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Intrepid Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£668
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 Explore Egypt: Self-Launched Cairo to Alexandria Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £668 per person for 15 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 Intrepid Travel?+
Yes — Intrepid Travel charges around £1,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £668 — a saving of roughly £732 (52%) per person.
How long is the Egypt trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 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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