29 days in Egypt Itinerary

More than 20 million people call Cairo their home and, as soon as you set foot in the sprawling metropolis, it's evident they make it crowded and chaotic, but also exuberant and charming.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cairo: Saqqara (Sakkara) Pyramids (in Saqqara) and Giza (Great Sphinx & Pyramids of Giza). There's much more to do: examine the collection at The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mosque of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, look for gifts at Fair Trade Egypt, and see Off-Road Tours.

For other places to visit and other tourist information, you can read our Cairo vacation planner.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Cairo is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Riyadh to Cairo is minus 1 hour. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Riyadh in May; daily highs in Cairo reach 38°C and lows reach 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Hurghada.

Originally a small fishing town on the Red Sea coast, Hurghada developed into Egypt's premier beach destination thanks to its year-round sunny weather and world-class dive sites.

Spend the 10th (Wed) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, head off the coast to Giftun Islands, boost your wellbeing at Planet Spa at Baron Palace Resort Sahl Hasheesh, and see Kite Family El Gouna.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, use the Hurghada trip builder website.

Traveling by flight from Cairo to Hurghada takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Hurghada when traveling from Cairo in May, with lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Luxor.

A monumental number of archaeological relics from ancient Egypt remain evident in Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom.

Spend the 17th (Wed) floating through the air with a balloon tour. And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Temple of Karnak, stroll the grounds of Valley of the Kings, explore the ancient world of Medinet Habu, and pause for some photo ops at Colossi of Memnon.

For other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Luxor holiday planner.

Drive from Hurghada to Luxor in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Hurghada in May: highs in Luxor hover around 45°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Aswan.

Plan an Aswan holiday and treat yourself to ancient wonders of the past along the Nile River.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sat): pause for some serene contemplation at Archangel Michael’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Philae Temple, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Agilkia Island. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head off the coast to Elephantine Island and then don't miss a visit to Aswan Sculpture Park.

Klarna Trips's itinerary builder makes planning a Aswan trip simple and quick.

Traveling by car from Luxor to Aswan takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In May in Aswan, expect temperatures between 47°C during the day and 29°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) to allow time to fly to Abu Simbel.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): contemplate the long history of Abu Simbel Temple Complex.

To find maps, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Abu Simbel route maker tool.

Getting from Aswan to Abu Simbel by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive. In May, daytime highs in Abu Simbel are 46°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can travel to Alexandria.

Known for its turbulent and eventful past, the port city of Alexandria retains a historic charm and atmosphere, boasting thousands of years of Egypt's cultural heritage.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): pause for some photo ops at Pompey's Pillar, admire the striking features of St. Catherine's Cathedral, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take an in-depth tour of Alexandria National Museum and then take in nature's colorful creations at Montazah Gardens.

Klarna Trips's itinerary builder makes planning a Alexandria trip simple and quick.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Abu Simbel to Alexandria in 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. When traveling from Abu Simbel in May, plan for much colder days in Alexandria, with highs around 32°C, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 21°C. On the 25th (Thu), you're off to El Alamein.

On the 25th (Thu), stroll the grounds of El Alamein War Cemetery. On your second day here, brush up on your military savvy at El Alamein World War II Military Museum and then steep yourself in history at Deutsche Kriegsgraeberstatte.

For where to stay, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the El Alamein trip planner.

Traveling by car from Alexandria to El Alamein takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In May, daytime highs in El Alamein are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Siwa.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Sat): examine the collection at The Traditional Siwa House and then steep yourself in history at Shali Fortress.

For reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Siwa route planning app.

Traveling by car from El Alamein to Siwa takes 6.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) so you can travel to Sharm El Sheikh.

An enviable location on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula and year-round warm weather boost tourism in Sharm El Sheikh and make it one of Egypt's premier travel destinations.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sharm El Sheikh: Dahab (Scuba & Snorkeling & Blue Hole). Spend the 1st (Thu) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Na'ama Bay, look for gifts at Secret Of Egypt, soothe aching muscles at Omkara Yoga School, and get outside with The Kite Bubble.

For traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Sharm El Sheikh trip maker.

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Siwa to Sharm El Sheikh in 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. May in Sharm El Sheikh sees daily highs of 40°C and lows of 29°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.