Most travelers will find that seven to eight days is perfect for a well-paced Egypt trip with stops in both Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop, or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, Esna, and Kom Ombo. Get inspired with our Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh trip ideas below.

How many days do you need in Cairo & Sharm el-Sheikh?

  • Most travelers spend 7-8 days in Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh combined
  • With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
  • The most common extensions are Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, Esna, and Kom Ombo

How Many Days to Spend in Egypt

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Recommended Itineraries for Cairo & Sharm el-Sheikh

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Kick back and relax along the Red Sea
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo, Self-Guided Exploration Cairo
Day 2 The Great Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Dinner Cruise Cairo
Day 3 Day Trip to Alexandria: Catacombs & Citadel Cairo
Day 4 Fly to Sharm El Sheikh & the Red Sea Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 5 Scuba Diving Excursion Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 6 Relax by the Red Sea Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 7 Fly to Cairo, Tour Old Cairo & Departure Cairo


Cultural sightseeing meets a beach vacation on this week-long Egyptian getaway. Starting in Cairo, you'll explore the ancient world with tours of the Great Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and Alexandria. Then switch gears and head for the coast, where you can unwind in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh—sunbathing, swimming, and scuba diving along the Sinai Peninsula. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

Tour the Giza Pyramids before heading to the coast
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo Cairo
Day 2 Tour the Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara Cairo
Day 3 Private Tour of Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar Cairo
Day 4 Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 5-6 Day Free in Sharm El Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 7 Fly to Cairo, Self-Guided Exploration Cairo
Day 8 Depart Cairo  


Equal parts cultural tour and beach getaway, this 8-day Egyptian escape takes you from the bustling streets of Cairo to the shores of the Sinai Peninsula. Get to know the capital with visits to the ancient wonders of Giza and Memphis, a tour of the medieval Salah El-din Citadel, and a stroll through the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar. After a quick flight to the coastal resort of Sharm El Sheikh, the rest of your trip is free to savor the sun-soaked beaches and clear waters of the Red Sea at your own pace. Read more

Extended Itineraries

10-Day Itinerary Including Aswan, Luxor & Edfu 

Take a scenic cruise along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo, Optional Activities Cairo
Day 2 Day Trip to the Pyramids of Giza Cairo
Day 3 Visit the Egyptian Museum & Islamic Cairo Cairo
Day 4 Transfer to Aswan, Nile River Cruise (Day 1) Aswan
Day 5 Nile River Cruise (Day 2), Visit the Temples of Edfu & Luxor Edfu
Day 6 Nile River Cruise (Day 3), Tour Luxor's West Bank Luxor
Day 7 Transfer to Sharm el-Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 8 Free Day in Sharm el-Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 9 Visit Saint Catherine's Monastery Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 10 Fly to Cairo, Depart   


This 10-day Egyptian adventure is perfect for anyone who likes to spend time on (and in) the water. It kicks off with a multi-day cruise down the legendary Nile River, with stops to tour ancient temples along the way. Finish the trip with a few days of relaxing by the Red Sea in the idyllic coastal resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, with an added visit to Saint Catherine's, the longest-operating monastery in the world. Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Aswan, Luxor, Esna & Kom Ombo

Stroll through Egypt's important ancient sites like the Luxor Temple
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo Cairo
Day 2 Discover the Great Pyramids: Giza & Memphis Cairo
Day 3 Tour the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar Cairo
Day 4 Fly to Luxor, Board Nile River Cruise Luxor
Day 5 Explore the Valley of the Kings, Cruise to Esna Esna
Day 6 Cruise to Kom Ombo via the Temple of Edfu Kom Ombo
Day 7 Cruise to Aswan, Visit the Temple of Philae & Aswan Dam Aswan
Day 8 Day Trip to the Temples of Abu Simbel Aswan
Day 9 Fly to Cairo Cairo
Day 10 Explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & Coptic Cairo Cairo
Day 11 Fly to Sharm El Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 12-13 Relax by the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 14 Fly to Cairo, Depart  


Cultural highlights, river cruising, and a beach vacation combine on this unforgettable two-week Egyptian adventure. Starting in Cairo, you'll marvel at the Great Pyramids and explore the city's world-class museums before flying south to Luxor, the capital of the ancient pharaohs. Shift gears and board a scenic cruise down the Nile River to Aswan, exploring temples and tombs along the way, then head to the coast to end your journey on the gorgeous Red Sea beaches of Sharm El Sheikh. Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Aswan & Luxor

The massive statues at Abu Simbel
Walk through the massive statues at Abu Simbel
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo Cairo
Day 2 Visit the Pyramids of Giza Cairo
Day 3 See the Antiquities of Alexandria on a Day Trip Cairo
Day 4 Tour the Egyptian Museum & Islamic Cairo Cairo
Day 5 Fly to Aswan, Sightseeing in the City  Aswan
Day 6 Visit Abu Simbel Temples Aswan
Day 7 Drive to Luxor, Tour Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples Luxor
Day 8 Discover the West & East Bank  Luxor
Day 9 See the Tombs of the Nobles in Luxor Luxor
Day 10 Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 11-12 Free Time in Sharm El Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh
Day 13 Fly to Cairo, Optional Activities Cairo
Day 14 Depart Cairo  


Pyramids, temples, tombs, Roman ruins—this two-week tour of Egypt takes you to the country's top cultural and historical highlights. You'll visit Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, touring the most important monuments along the way, from the Karnak Temple Complex to the Great Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings. Finish the trip with a few relaxing days in Sharm El Sheikh, an Egyptian resort town with white sandy beaches and clear water that's perfect for swimming and boating. Read more

Map

Map of Cairo & Sharm el-Sheikh: Best Itinerary Ideas
Map of Cairo & Sharm el-Sheikh: Best Itinerary Ideas