My Relaxing Egyptian Adventure: A Detailed Travel Guide from Experience
Embarking on a journey to Egypt is an experience like no other, a step back in time into a world of ancient wonders and vibrant culture. This guide shares my firsthand insights, focusing on a relaxed travel style, to help you navigate this captivating land.
Pre-Trip Preparations
Visas: Simplified
Getting your visa is straightforward. For Vietnam-based travelers, the process in Hanoi is easy; just follow the instructions, and they'll contact you if any documents are missing. Alternatively, you can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt. All you need is a valid passport with a stamp from a developed country and $25. No lengthy questions, just a simple process.
Flight Bookings: Smart Choices
The flight from Hanoi to Cairo is comparable to a long European journey. Budget-friendly options often involve two layovers, like Emirates via Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, or longer direct flights exceeding 10 hours with airlines such as China Eastern or Sichuan. For a superior experience, Qatar Airlines is my top recommendation. Booking directly on their website offers flexibility. Consider a 9-hour daytime transit in Doha if you'd like to explore the city. Qatar Airlines also frequently offers attractive business class upgrades for around 15 million VND for the Hanoi-Doha leg. For domestic travel within Egypt, the Cairo to Luxor flight with Egypt Air can be booked on Trip.com for approximately 5.8 million VND. Be aware that domestic flights can experience delays; mine was delayed by three hours.
Accommodation: Comfortable Stays
In Giza, I stayed one night at Pyramids View Inn for about 1.8 million VND, offering incredible proximity to the pyramids. In Cairo, my choices included Pyramisa Suites for two nights (around 11.5 million VND) and Central Cairo Hotel for one night (approximately 1.8 million VND). In Luxor, I spent three nights at Aracan Eatabe Luxor, costing roughly 14.7 million VND, providing a great base for exploring.
Money Matters: Cash and Cards
It's wise to exchange about 500 USD before you leave Vietnam. Once in Egypt, head to the National Bank at the airport (near baggage belt number 6) for the best exchange rate: 50.8 EGP per USD. Always carry at least two credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) as a backup.
Essential Apps: Staying Connected
For seamless transportation, download Uber and Careem. You'll need an Egyptian SIM card to activate them. WhatsApp is invaluable for communicating with drivers using your Vietnamese number. I purchased an Egyptian SIM card from Vodafone at the arrival hall for 569 EGP, offering 24 GB of data and excellent coverage, outperforming Orange.
Packing Smart: Essentials for Comfort
Pack warm clothing for the cool mornings and evenings (7-9°C), and lighter, autumn-appropriate attire for the warmer midday temperatures (around 20°C). You won't need heat patches. Don't forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and moisturizer for your skin and lips. A neck pillow, mask, and flip-flops are also recommended. Due to the dust, I found myself needing to shampoo daily, so small travel-sized bottles of shampoo and body wash (around 200ml) are essential. Bring medications for headaches and a throat lozenge to combat the temperature fluctuations between morning and night. You won't need a universal adapter.
Getting Around and Luggage
Airport Transfers: Smooth Arrivals
For a stress-free arrival, especially when traveling with a group and lots of luggage, pre-book your airport transfer through Trip.com or Booking.com. Request the driver to hold a sign with your name for easy identification.
Transit Tips: Carry-On Essentials
When transiting, keep a separate backpack with your personal belongings. This way, your checked luggage will be sent directly to your final destination, allowing you to move freely.
Taxis: Navigating the Streets
Taxis can be a bit older, so pay attention to the car's color and model to find your booked ride (e.g., Silver Hyundai Elantra). Uber is readily available in Cairo, while Careem is the preferred app in Luxor.
Culinary Delights and Discoveries
While Egyptian cuisine might not be to everyone's taste, I found that exploring Asian options offered a comforting and delicious alternative during my trip.
Cairo Eats: A Taste of Asia and More
Akemi Egypt Restaurant, serving Japanese cuisine on the rooftop of Great Pyramid Inn, was a delightful experience for four people, costing around 2800 EGP (inclusive of taxes and service charges). At Pyramisa Suites, I enjoyed pizza, mushroom pasta, and a fresh fruit platter for about 2000 EGP. For a Friday brunch treat, Culina at The Ritz-Carlton offers a spread for 50 USD per person, featuring seafood and steamed greens like Chinese broccoli, bok choy, and zucchini. Le Pacha 1901 impressed with its delicious mushroom soup and a decent Caesar salad, though the salmon was better than the steak. My absolute favorite in Cairo was the Chinese Restaurant at 30 Talaat Harb – it offers incredibly tasty and affordable meals, a true gem!
Luxor Flavors: Local and International
In Luxor, Steigenberger Thai Restaurant, opening at 4 PM, is a great spot for hot chocolate and Mövenpick ice cream, costing around 400 EGP. The Aracan Eatabe Luxor hotel also serves fantastic food. Their braised fish, shrimp, and grilled chicken, each costing about 6.2 USD per dish, are highly recommended and come with no extra service fees or taxes. This was another standout dining experience for me!
Exploring Egypt's Iconic Landmarks
Cairo's Treasures: Pyramids to Mosques
The Giza Pyramids complex is vast. To efficiently explore the different points of interest and avoid long queues, I highly recommend hiring a private car. You can arrange this with vendors near the Giza Pyramid View Inn for around $20 for a 4-hour rental for up to four people. Entrance tickets are 700 EGP per person. While camel rides are available, I personally didn't find them appealing due to their height, smell, and cleanliness; however, posing for photos with a camel costs about 300 EGP.
El Khalili Market is a vibrant hub. The lamp section is incredibly photogenic – consider showing a picture to market vendors to be directed straight there, saving you time. Be prepared for crowds and a warning about vendors asking for payment if you don't purchase anything. Across the market, you'll find a beautifully decorated cafe selling affordable bubble tea for 60 EGP per cup. For fresh treats, pick up strawberries and dates for around 70-100 EGP per kilogram. To catch an Uber, you'll need to walk a bit further from the market entrance.
The Egyptian Museum has an entrance fee of 550 EGP per person. While not overwhelmingly impressive, the cafe and fish and chips stand at the exit are quite good. The Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque also cost 550 EGP to enter. This site is stunning and a popular spot for wedding photos.
The Cave Church offers free entry but requires traveling through the City of Garbage. It's best to have your driver wait for you, as getting an Uber in this area can be challenging.
A leisurely stroll through Downtown Cairo in the afternoon and evening is also highly recommended.
Luxor's Ancient Wonders: Temples and Valleys
Karnak Temple has an entrance fee of 600 EGP per person. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the area costs approximately 150 EGP per trip.
For the unforgettable hot air balloon experience, I booked my ticket directly at the hotel's tour desk. Nasco tours offer packages for around $60 for the sunrise flight, with typically 16 people per balloon and four per basket. They'll take your passport details for registration before collecting payment. Cheaper options exist with more people per balloon (up to 32) and second flight slots.
The sunrise from the hot air balloon is truly magical, though fleeting. Due to light winds, the balloon drifts gently and low. In the Valley of the Kings, tickets are 750 EGP, and Hatshepsut Temple is 440 EGP. I recommend hiring a car to explore this entire area for about $20 for 3 hours. Contact Hossam Hassan at +20 106 518 7194 via WhatsApp. Be mindful of the heat, as this area is exposed and lacks shade. There's also a 20 Piras per person electric cart fee upon entry, and walking can be very tiring.
Doha City Tour: A Glimpse of Qatar
I purchased the Doha City Tour for approximately $32 plus a $27 transit visa at the Discovery Qatar desk, located after the escalator at Gate A, opposite the giant golden bear. The staff will guide you through immigration, and you handle the entry process yourself. After clearing immigration, proceed to column 5, look right for the Discovery Qatar desk to check in for your tour. Souq Waqif is the perfect place to buy souvenirs, as prices at Doha airport are significantly higher.
Other Important Notes
Online Check-In: Skip the Lines
Always check in for your flights online 24 hours in advance. This allows you to select your seats for free and bypass the check-in counter queues.
Doha Airport Experience: A Welcome Respite
I highly recommend having a travel-specific Visa card to access lounges at Doha Airport. These offer a sanctuary after a long flight:
- Enjoy complimentary sleep pods for 3-hour intervals, perfect for resting and showering after a night flight.
- The food at Al Maha Lounge, while not gourmet, is free, a welcome alternative to the costly food court options (averaging $20 per person).
- Navigating Doha Airport: The airport is divided into two wings: South (Gates A, B) and North (Gates C, D). Both wings feature similar lounges, duty-free shops, and sleep pods, though the South wing tends to be busier. The golden bear statue marks the center of the South wing.
- Qatar Airways flights to Cairo depart from Gate B1, and flights to Hanoi from Gate C24. To travel between these wings, utilize the metro (look for the metro symbol on the second floor) to avoid extensive walking.
- Immigration at Doha can take time, especially during shift changes.
- Internet access is not an issue; the airport offers free Wi-Fi, and the tour buses are also equipped with Wi-Fi.
- Security checks at Cairo and Luxor airports are rigorous, typically involving three stages: before check-in, before entering the departure hall, and before boarding your flight.
Trip Summary
Dates: December 25th - January 2nd Travelers: 4 females Total Cost: 54 million VND per person Airfare: Hanoi - Doha - Cairo (30 million VND); Cairo - Luxor (5.8 million VND) Accommodation: 8 million VND Visas: Egypt (625,000 VND); Qatar (675,000 VND) Doha Tour: 800,000 VND SIM Card: 285,000 VND; Travel Insurance: 550,000 VND Attraction Tickets: 1.8 million VND Hot Air Balloon Tour: 1.5 million VND Airport Transfers: 500,000 VND Remaining Expenses: Food, Uber, tips.
I hope these practical tips enhance your own smooth and unforgettable trip to Egypt!
By Phất Phơ Dạo
