7 Days in Egypt vs 12 Days: Which Egypt Itinerary Fits You?
How many days do you need in Egypt? A 7-day itinerary covers Cairo, the Pyramids and a short Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, which suits a first trip on limited leave. 12 days adds Abu Simbel, more time in Luxor and a few days on the Red Sea.
In this article
- How many days do you need in Egypt?
- What can you see in Egypt in 7 days?
- What does a 12-day Egypt itinerary add?
- Is 7 days enough for Egypt?
- Who should choose 7 days, and who should choose 12?
- How do you use school holidays and annual leave for each trip?
- Can you add Jordan to a 12-day trip?
- What should you check before you book?
How many days do you need in Egypt?
Most first-time visitors from the UK need 7 to 12 days. A week is enough to see the essentials of Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, while 12 days lets you add a beach stay or the temples of Abu Simbel without rushing.
The flight from London to Cairo takes about five hours, and Egypt is only a couple of hours ahead of the UK, so you lose very little time to travel or jet lag. That's why a one-week trip works much better from Britain than from further afield. The real question is how much you want to see beyond the classic highlights.
Three or four days is enough for Cairo and the Pyramids, but not for the Nile. You could add a quick flight to Luxor for one long day of temples, but you'd miss Aswan and the cruise. For a first visit, it works best as a short city break.
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What can you see in Egypt in 7 days?
In 7 days, you can see the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, a 3- or 4-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings. It's a full week, but this Egypt itinerary, 7 days long, covers the sights most people dream about.
|
Day |
Where |
Highlights |
|
1 |
Cairo |
Arrive, transfer to your hotel |
|
2 |
Cairo |
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum |
|
3 |
Aswan |
Fly to Aswan, Philae Temple, board your Nile cruise |
|
4 |
Nile cruise |
Optional Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo Temple |
|
5 |
Luxor |
Edfu Temple, sail to Luxor, Karnak and Luxor Temple |
|
6 |
Luxor to Cairo |
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, fly to Cairo |
|
7 |
Cairo |
Fly home |
This is the route of our Cairo & Luxor Holiday Cruise, a 7-day trip that uses two domestic flights so you don't lose days on the road.
Memphis Tours Expert Tip
On a 7-day trip, book Abu Simbel as an early-morning flight from Aswan rather than the road trip. You'll be back on the ship by lunchtime instead of spending most of the day on a coach.
Yes, as an optional excursion from Aswan on day 4. The temples are about three hours south of Aswan by road, so the trip starts before dawn. A short flight is quicker, but costs more and depends on the schedule.
What does a 12-day Egypt itinerary add?
A 12-day itinerary adds three things: time to explore Cairo properly, a slower pace in Aswan and Luxor, and three or four days on the Red Sea at the end. You'll see more, but you'll also have time to rest.
|
Days |
Where |
What you add |
|
1–3 |
Cairo |
Pyramids and GEM, plus Saqqara, Dahshur and Islamic Cairo |
|
4–5 |
Aswan |
A night in Aswan, Abu Simbel, a felucca ride, a Nubian village |
|
6–8 |
Nile cruise |
Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor's East and West Banks |
|
9–11 |
Hurghada |
Beach time, snorkelling, a boat trip to Giftun Island |
|
12 |
Cairo |
Fly home |
Our Hurghada Beach Holiday & Nile Cruise Adventure follows this 12-day plan, with three nights in Cairo, a cruise from Aswan to Luxor and three nights by the sea.
Yes. Instead of the Red Sea, you could spend an extra night in Luxor, take a day trip to Alexandria or add a short Lake Nasser cruise to Abu Simbel. Tell us what you'd like to see, and we'll adjust the plan.
Is 7 days enough for Egypt?
Yes, 7 days is enough for a first look at Egypt's highlights, as long as you're happy with early starts and domestic flights. You'll see the Pyramids, the Nile and Luxor's great temples, but there's little free time.
What you'll miss on a week-long trip is the extra layer: Saqqara and Dahshur, a full day at the Grand Egyptian Museum, or a lazy afternoon by the pool. Some travellers love the pace; others come home needing a holiday. If you're unsure, ask yourself whether you'd rather see more or rest more.
Memphis Tours Expert Tip
- If you only have a week, fly into Cairo on a Friday night and home on the following Friday. You'll use just five days of annual leave and still get a full seven days on the ground.
- Spend your first evening in Cairo at a hotel with a view of the Pyramids. After a five-hour flight, it's an easy way to start the trip without any travel across the city.
Most 7-day trips fly from Cairo to Aswan, sail north to Luxor and fly back to Cairo. That way, you take the shorter 3-night cruise and finish with the Valley of the Kings. On a longer trip, you can reverse the route and take a 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
Who should choose 7 days, and who should choose 12?
Choose 7 days if you're short on annual leave, love history more than beaches, or are planning a first taste of Egypt before a longer trip. Choose 12 days if you want culture and a proper rest, are travelling with children, or don't enjoy early alarms.
|
Traveller |
Best length |
Why |
|
First-timers on limited leave |
7 days |
Sees the essentials in one week |
|
Couples and honeymooners |
12 days |
Adds a relaxing beach stay |
|
Families with children |
12 days |
Slower pace, beach time between temples |
|
Retired and slower travellers |
12 days |
More rest, fewer 5 a.m. starts |
|
History lovers |
7 or 12 days |
7 for highlights, 12 for Saqqara and Abu Simbel |
How do you use school holidays and annual leave for each trip?
A 7-day trip fits neatly into October half-term or February half-term, and a 12-day trip works well over Easter or the Christmas holidays. Both seasons have Egypt's best weather, from October to April.
For a 12-day holiday, starting on a Saturday and returning on the Wednesday of the following week uses about eight days of annual leave. Over Christmas, bank holidays can bring that down even further. Book early for half-terms and Easter, as the best cruise ships fill months ahead.
Can you add Jordan to a 12-day trip?
Yes. With 12 days, you can swap the beach for Petra and the Dead Sea: about eight days in Egypt and four in Jordan. It's a busier trip, but it's the best way to see both countries in under two weeks.
Our Best of Egypt and Jordan tour combines Cairo, a Nile cruise, Petra and Wadi Rum. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, as Petra can be cold in midwinter.
What should you check before you book?
Whichever length you choose, check these points before you book, and your itinerary will run smoothly.
- Passport valid for at least six months after your return date
- Egypt e-visa bought online, or cash ready for the visa on arrival
- Domestic flights included between Cairo, Aswan and Luxor
- Abu Simbel included or booked as an optional extra
- Travel insurance that covers all your activities, including snorkelling
- An arrival-day buffer if your flight lands late in the evening
For more planning help, read our guide to the best time to cruise the Nile and our list of things to avoid in Egypt.
Plan your Egypt holiday with a specialist
Memphis Tours has organised Egypt holidays since 1955. Explore our Egypt holidays or tailor-make your trip to fit your dates and annual leave.
Five days is enough for Cairo and Luxor, but not for a Nile cruise. You could see the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. For a first trip that includes Aswan and the cruise, plan at least seven days.
Yes. Ten days gives you Cairo, a 4-night Nile cruise and either Abu Simbel or a short beach stay. It's a good choice if you want a slower pace than a 7-day trip but can't take two full weeks off.
Both directions visit the same temples. Aswan to Luxor cruises usually take three nights, and Luxor to Aswan cruises four. Choose the direction that fits your flights and the rest of your itinerary.
On a 7-day trip, yes. Flying from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor back to Cairo takes about an hour each way and saves a full day compared with travelling by train. On longer trips, the overnight sleeper train is a fun alternative.
Yes, but choose a slower plan with fewer early starts and a pool on board your Nile cruise ship. Many families prefer 10 to 12 days so they can add a few beach days in Hurghada between temple visits.
