Should You Book Egypt Day Tours in Advance or When You Arrive?
Book the big ones in advance, and leave the small ones flexible. That is the short answer. Anything with limited capacity, an early start, a flight or a fixed date should be arranged before you travel. Short, simple outings, like a felucca ride or a museum visit, can usually be added once you are in Egypt.
Here is how to decide, tour by tour.
Book these before you travel
- Anything with a domestic flight, such as a Luxor day trip from Cairo or Cairo from Hurghada. Flight prices rise as the date gets closer.
- Abu Simbel, especially around 22 February and 22 October, when the sun reaches the inner sanctuary and the site is very busy. See our Abu Simbel tour by road from Aswan.
- The Luxor balloon in peak season, when the best mornings fill up. See the Luxor balloon flight.
- Overnight trips like the White Desert or Siwa, which need vehicles, camps or lodges arranged. See our land tours.
- Shore excursions from a cruise ship, which have to be timed around all-aboard.
- Anything during Christmas, New Year or Easter, when Egypt is at its busiest.
These can wait until you arrive
- A felucca ride in Aswan, Luxor or Cairo.
- The Luxor Museum or the Mummification Museum.
- An evening walk in Khan el Khalili or the Old Market in Sharm.
Even so, booking ahead with one company means a fixed price and one point of contact if anything changes.
Why not just book on the street?
You can, and plenty of people do. But it is where most of the problems start: prices that change at the end, vehicles that are not what was promised, guides who are not licensed, or a “tour” that is mostly shopping stops. Our guide to common tourist scams in Egypt covers the usual tricks.
Pre-booking solves most of that. You agree the price, the inclusions and the pickup time in writing before you go. On a camel ride at Giza, for example, a fixed price on the quote means there is nothing to negotiate on the sand. See our Giza camel ride.
What if I am on a Nile cruise?
Check your cruise programme first. Most cruises already include Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the High Dam. Booking those again privately is only worth it if you want more time or a private guide.
The extras worth arranging are the ones the cruise does not include: Abu Simbel from Aswan, the balloon in Luxor, the quieter West Bank sites, Abydos and Dendera, or an evening at the Karnak light show. Many ships sell optional excursions on board too. Compare what is included before you decide.
How far ahead should I book?
- Peak season (roughly October to April) and holidays: two to four weeks ahead for flights and Abu Simbel, more for Christmas and Easter.
- Quieter months: a week or two is usually fine.
- Simple local outings: a day or two ahead, or on arrival.
For the cruise itself, read how far in advance to book a Nile cruise.
What should a good booking include?
- A written price, with what it does and does not include.
- Whether entrance tickets are included or paid on the day.
- The pickup time and place.
- The cancellation and weather terms, especially for balloons and boats.
Every tour on our site is private and quoted on request, so you get all of that in writing before you pay. Browse our Egypt day tours and send us your dates.
