HAPPYEgypt in 10 Days: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and the Red Sea (plus 7- and 14-Day Versions)
Updated October 2026 · The HAPPYDAYS team
Ten days is enough to see Egypt’s highlights without rushing: the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Nile and the temples of Aswan and Luxor, and a few days of rest on the Red Sea at the end. This itinerary is tried and tested, with logical connections, and you can stretch or shorten it to fit your time.
The plan in brief:
- Days 1–3: Cairo and Giza.
- Days 4–5: Aswan and Abu Simbel.
- Days 6–7: Luxor.
- Days 8–10: Hurghada and the Red Sea, flying home from Hurghada Airport.
Best time: October to April. In summer, Upper Egypt is extremely hot.
Day by day
| Day | Where | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cairo | Arrive and rest, an evening walk by the Nile |
| 2 | Giza | The Pyramids and the Sphinx in the morning, the Grand Egyptian Museum in the afternoon |
| 3 | Cairo | Old Cairo in the morning, Al-Muizz Street and Khan el-Khalili in the evening |
| 4 | Aswan | Morning flight, Philae Temple, a felucca at sunset |
| 5 | Aswan | A very early trip to Abu Simbel, a Nubian village in the afternoon |
| 6 | Luxor | Train to Luxor, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple at night |
| 7 | Luxor | Hot-air balloon at sunrise, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, the Colossi of Memnon |
| 8 | Hurghada | Drive to Hurghada, rest by the sea |
| 9 | Hurghada | Island and snorkelling trip |
| 10 | Hurghada | Rest, fly home from Hurghada Airport |
Days 1–3: Cairo and Giza
Give a full day to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum: the plateau early in the morning before the heat, the museum in the afternoon in the air conditioning. Day three is for Old Cairo (the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As), with Al-Muizz Street and Khan el-Khalili in the evening.
Where to stay: if the Pyramids are your priority, stay in Hadayek El Ahram. If you want to walk the city, choose Zamalek or Downtown.
Days 4–5: Aswan and Abu Simbel
The flight from Cairo to Aswan takes about an hour and a half, which saves a lot of time compared with the sleeper train (over 12 hours). In Aswan: Philae Temple on its island, a felucca on the Nile at sunset and a colourful Nubian village.
Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan, 3–4 hours by road each way, with trips leaving before dawn. There are also short flights to Abu Simbel, but they are limited.
Days 6–7: Luxor
The train from Aswan to Luxor takes about 3 hours. Luxor is the world’s greatest open-air museum: on the East Bank, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, which is at its best lit up at night; on the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. If your budget allows, a sunrise balloon flight is unforgettable.
Days 8–10: Hurghada and the Red Sea
The drive from Luxor to Hurghada takes about 4 hours. After days of temples, the sea is the perfect rest: an island and snorkelling trip, the beach and seafood restaurants. Hurghada has many international flights, so you can fly home directly without going back to Cairo.
Where to stay: Sakkala or the Tourist Promenade to be close to everything, or a serviced apartment if you travel as a family.
If you only have 7 days
- Days 1–2: Cairo: the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Old Cairo or Khan el-Khalili.
- Days 3–4: fly to Luxor for the East and West Banks.
- Days 5–7: Hurghada, and fly home from there.
You give up Aswan and Abu Simbel, but the trip is calmer.
If you have 14 days
- Add a day in Cairo for the Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Islamic Cairo.
- Take the Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor instead of the train.
- Add a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo, or a night in the White Desert.
- Keep 4–5 days on the Red Sea: Hurghada, El Gouna, or Marsa Alam for diving.
Getting between cities
| From → to | How | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo → Aswan | Domestic flight | About 1 h 30 |
| Cairo → Aswan | Sleeper train | Over 12 h |
| Cairo → Luxor | Domestic flight | About 1 h 15 |
| Cairo → Luxor | Sleeper train | About 10 h |
| Aswan → Luxor | Train | About 3 h |
| Aswan → Abu Simbel | Car | 3–4 h |
| Luxor → Hurghada | Car or bus | About 4 h |
Times are approximate. Schedules and fares change, so check with the airline or the railway before booking.
Apartment or hotel at each stop?
In Cairo and Hurghada, if you stay 3 nights or more or travel as a family, a serviced apartment gives you more space, a kitchen and comfort. In Aswan and Luxor, for short stays, a hotel or a cruise boat is simpler.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Egypt?
Enough for the essentials: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and a few days by the sea. For a Nile cruise, Alexandria or the desert, 14 days is more relaxed.
Should I fly or take the sleeper train?
Flying saves a lot of time. The sleeper train is a nice experience if you are not in a hurry, and it saves a hotel night.
Nile cruise or train between Aswan and Luxor?
The cruise (about 3 nights) adds the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu and the Nile experience. The train (about 3 hours) is faster and cheaper.
What is the best month for this trip?
October to April. December and January are busier and a bit pricier; March and April are lovely but Upper Egypt starts to heat up.
Can I fly home from Hurghada instead of Cairo?
Yes. Hurghada has many international flights, so you can end your trip by the sea without returning to Cairo.