How Many Days in Egypt Do You Need ? Itineraries for 5, 7 & 10 Days

If you’re asking how many days in Egypt you need, the best answer depends on your pace and priorities. Most first-time travelers do best with 7 to 10 days, because it covers Cairo plus Upper Egypt without feeling like a race, 5 days can still work for highlights, but you’ll have fewer flexible moments and fewer add-ons.

This guide breaks down how many days in Egypt makes sense for three realistic trip lengths—5, 7, and 10 days—with clear itineraries and easy ways to choose the right option.

Below are realistic 5-, 7-, and 10-day plans built around the most common routes: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, a Nile cruise, the Red Sea, and Alexandria.

Quick Answer: How Many Days in Egypt Do You Really Need?

• 5 days: Best for highlights (Cairo + Luxor or Cairo + Red Sea)

• 7 days: Best balance (Cairo + Luxor + Aswan, often with a short Nile cruise)

• 10 days: Best overall pace (Cairo + cruise + Red Sea, or Cairo + Luxor + Aswan + Alexandria)

If you’re still unsure how many days in Egypt is “enough,” use the comparison below.

Compare 5 vs 7 vs 10 Days in Egypt

5-Day Egypt Itinerary Options

A 5-day plan is ideal if your main goal is to check off the essentials while still keeping the schedule doable. For many travelers deciding how many days in Egypt they can spare, this is the “high-impact, low-flexibility” option.

A 5-day Egypt itinerary works best if you want the essentials without cramming in too many cities. You’ll focus on Cairo plus Luxor (most popular) or switch Luxor for the Red Sea.

Option A: 5 Days — Cairo + Luxor (Most Popular)

Day 1 — Arrive in Cairo
Settle in, walk your hotel area, and enjoy dinner along the Nile.

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara
Spend the morning on the Giza Plateau, then go to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

Day 3 — Egyptian Museum (or GEM) + Old Cairo
Choose the Egyptian Museum or the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Later, explore Coptic Cairo and browse Khan El Khalili.

Day 4 — Fly to Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temple
Luxor is often described as the world’s largest open-air museum, Karnak Temple alone can take hours.

Day 5 — Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple
Finish with Luxor’s West Bank highlights, then return to Cairo or fly home.

Best for: short trips, business travelers, and anyone who wants the headline sights.

Option B: 5 Days — Cairo + Red Sea (Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh)

This option is best if your version of how many days in Egypt includes rest days too.

Days 1–3 — Cairo

• Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

• Museum (Egyptian Museum or GEM)

• Old Cairo + Khan El Khalili

Days 4–5 — Red Sea
Relax at a resort, snorkel/dive, or take a boat trip, then return to Cairo.

Best for: travelers who want a split of history + downtime.

7-Day Egypt Itinerary Options

For many people, 7 days is the sweet spot when deciding how many days in Egypt to book. You can cover Cairo properly and still experience Upper Egypt without feeling constantly rushed.

Option A: 7 Days — Cairo + 3-Night Nile Cruise

Day 1 — Cairo
Arrive and rest.

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara
A full day of ancient monuments.

Day 3 — Museum (Egyptian Museum or GEM) + Islamic Cairo
Visit the museum, then explore places like the Citadel or return to Khan El Khalili.

Day 4 — Fly to Luxor + Start Cruise
If time allows, visit Luxor Temple in the evening.

Day 5 — Luxor West Bank
See the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, then sail onward.

Day 6 — Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
A classic Nile cruise day with two major temple stops.

Day 7 — Aswan: Philae Temple + High Dam
Wrap up in Aswan, then fly back to Cairo.

This is one of the easiest answers to how many days in Egypt if you want the “classic route” with less logistical stress.

Option B: 7 Days — Cairo, Luxor & Aswan (No Cruise)

Choose this if you want Upper Egypt but prefer staying on land.

Days 1–3 — Cairo
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo neighborhoods.

Days 4–5 — Luxor

• East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple

• West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple

• Optional: hot-air balloon

Days 6–7 — Aswan

• Philae Temple

• Nubian Village

• Aswan market

• Optional: day trip to Abu Simbel

If you want the most complete answer to how many days in Egypt is ideal, 10 days usually delivers the best mix of major sights + breathing room. You can add a cruise, enjoy markets and food, and still include downtime at the Red Sea—or add Alexandria.

10-Day Egypt Itinerary Options

If you’re debating how many days in Egypt is “ideal,” 10 days usually wins. You can see the main ancient sites, enjoy markets and food, and still build in rest—either at the Red Sea or with an extra city like Alexandria.

Option A: 10 Days — Cairo + Nile Cruise + Red Sea

Day 1 — Arrive in Cairo
Relax and reset.

Day 2 — Giza + Sphinx + Saqqara
A full immersion day in ancient Egypt’s most iconic sites.

Day 3 — Museum (Egyptian Museum or GEM) + Old Cairo
Combine museum time with Coptic and Islamic history.

Day 4 — Fly to Luxor + Start Cruise
Evening Luxor Temple visit if timing works.

Day 5 — Luxor West Bank
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Day 6 — Edfu & Kom Ombo
Cruise onward with two standout temples.

Day 7 — Aswan
Philae Temple and time for a Nubian Village visit.

Day 8 — Optional: Abu Simbel
A powerful add-on if you want one more “wow” site.

Day 9 — Red Sea (Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh)
Snorkel, dive, or do nothing at all—this is your recovery day.

Day 10 — Red Sea + Return to Cairo
Fly back for your international departure.

Option B: 10 Days — Cultural Route (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria)

This is the history-first version, with a Mediterranean finish.

Days 1–3 — Cairo
Pyramids, museums, old neighborhoods.

Days 4–6 — Luxor
East Bank, West Bank, optional balloon ride.

Days 7–8 — Aswan
Philae, Nile islands, optional Abu Simbel.

Days 9–10 — Alexandria
Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Montaza Palace.

Which Itinerary Is Best for You?

If you’re deciding how many days in Egypt to plan, use this:

• Only the main highlights

• A Cairo-focused introduction

• Either a quick Luxor add-on or a short Red Sea break

Choose 7 days if you want:

• Cairo plus a deeper temple experience

• A short Nile cruise (or a land-based Upper Egypt plan)

• Strong cultural depth without constant rushing

Choose 10 days if you want:

• The most complete experience

• Cairo + Luxor + Aswan with room for a cruise

• Extra time for beaches (Red Sea) or an additional city (Alexandria)

Practical Notes That Make Planning Easier

• Five days is tight. It’s great for essentials, but you’ll have little room for slow mornings or extra stops.

• Seven days is the most balanced first trip. You can cover the “big three” areas (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan).

• Ten days gives you breathing room. This is the easiest way to combine temples, markets, and relaxation.

Ten days gives you breathing room. If you want the easiest answer to how many days in Egypt for a fuller experience, 10 days makes it simple to combine temples, markets, and relaxation—plus add-ons like a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel, or Red Sea downtime.

1) How many days in Egypt do I need for a first trip?

For most first-time visitors, 7 to 10 days in Egypt is enough to see Cairo’s top sites and add Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan) at a comfortable pace. Five days can work, but it limits flexibility and extra experiences.

2) Is 5 days in Egypt enough to see the pyramids and Luxor?

Yes—5 days can cover the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, a major museum, and key Luxor sites like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. It’s a highlights trip, so expect a faster pace and fewer optional stops.

3) What’s the best 7 day Egypt itinerary for history lovers?

A strong 7 day Egypt itinerary is Cairo plus a 3-night Nile cruise: pyramids and Saqqara, a museum day, then Luxor’s West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan (Philae Temple). It’s comprehensive without feeling overloaded.

4) Should I do a Nile cruise if I only have one week?

If your goal is to see Luxor and Aswan in one week, a short Nile cruise can make the route feel smoother and more scenic, since it connects major temples like Edfu and Kom Ombo between the two cities.

5) What’s the best 10 day Egypt trip if I also want beaches?

A great 10 day Egypt trip combines Cairo + a Nile cruise + the Red Sea. After pyramids, museums, Luxor, and Aswan (optionally Abu Simbel), you finish with Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for snorkeling, diving, and recovery time.

6) Cairo or Alexandria—what’s better if I can only add one city?

If you can add only one, Cairo is the essential base for pyramids, museums, and historic neighborhoods. Alexandria is best as an extra for a cultural change of pace, featuring places like Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

7) Can I visit Aswan without doing a cruise?

Yes. You can visit Aswan without a cruise by traveling directly and focusing on highlights like Philae Temple, the High Dam, local markets, and a Nubian Village. Many travelers also add an optional day trip to Abu Simbel.

8) How do I decide how many days in Egypt is right for my travel style?

Choose 5 days for a quick introduction, 7 days for the best balance of Cairo and Upper Egypt, and 10 days for the most comfortable pace with add-ons like a cruise, the Red Sea, or Alexandria—without sacrificing downtime.