Solo Travel in Egypt: A Guide for Black Travelers

Egypt is a rewarding place to travel alone. You can stand in front of the Pyramids at your own pace, linger in the Grand Egyptian Museum as long as you like and spend an evening on the Nile without compromising with anyone. A little planning makes a solo trip smoother and far more enjoyable.

Private tour or small group?

Many solo travelers choose a private guide for the main sites and keep evenings free. Others prefer joining a small group for company. Both work well; our Egypt tours for solo travelers can be run privately or adapted to your pace.

Feeling comfortable

Like any big destination, Egypt has busy areas where vendors and touts can be persistent. A guide or driver who knows the sites makes the biggest difference: you get context at every monument and someone who handles tickets, transport and negotiation for you. For a full overview read Is Egypt Safe for Black Travelers?

What to wear

Egypt is a conservative country. Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is comfortable in the heat and respectful at mosques and churches, where women may be asked to cover their hair. Our packing checklist covers every season.

Getting around

• Use pre-arranged transfers from the airport; see our airport transfers.
• Domestic flights and the overnight sleeper train link Cairo with Luxor and Aswan.
• A Nile cruise is an easy way to travel solo: meals, guiding and transport are all arranged, and you meet other travelers on board. Start with our Nile cruise guide.

Money and tipping

Carry small Egyptian pound notes for tips and small purchases. Our tipping guide explains who to tip and how much.

Connecting with the story

Traveling alone gives you time to go deeper. Read Kemet: Why Egypt Is an African Story before you go, and consider adding Aswan and Nubia to your route with our Aswan travel guide.

A simple solo itinerary

1. Two or three days in Cairo: Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili.
2. Fly or take the sleeper train to Aswan.
3. A 3 or 4-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor.
4. A final day in Luxor for the West Bank and, if you like, a sunrise balloon ride.

Planning a solo trip? Tell us your dates and interests and we will suggest a route that fits you.