I'm going to be in Egypt in December for 10 days but unfortunately none of the tours are available for the dates my partner and I are going to be there. We've heard mostly horror stories of travelling Egypt - misleading transport information, difficulty obtaining tickets for things etc. Has anyone travelled on their own and got some thoughts/suggestions?
we'd love to hear from you.
Re: Making your own way around Egypt
Hi Cushla
I backpacked Egypt with a few mates and I would recommend that you wait for a tour that suits your dates. You will see the highlights of the country instead of being ripped off and hassled. Egypt is a fantastic place and I know that now but at the time I just wanted to get out. Go for a small group tour like Imaginative Traveller as you get to see the country and experience it, but are not sheltered from the culture.
Good luck!
Re: Making your own way around Egypt
yeah and you dont work for it? give us a break!
Re: Making your own way around Egypt
Depending on what you want to see, I kind of have to agree with waiting for a tour. A tour is a much more efficient way of seeing Egypt. I arrived 5 days early before my Nile Valley and Red Sea tour (which was great!) and met lots of backpackers who had been doing Egypt on their own. If you've got loads of time (which you don't)and patience (which you'll lose!), indepedent travel may be a viable option but...
Egypt isn't quite set up for travellers like other countries are. While there are some busses, etc, you will often have to take a run-down, un-airconditioned taxi (hate to say it, but it's true)to get around. If there are 3 or 4 of you it wouldn't be so bad, but for 1 or 2 people, it's not really cost-effective.
Also, things like the overnight sleepers to Luxor and Aswan are often occupied by tour groups as are the flights to Abu Simbel. Plus you get sick of constantly bargaining for things like horses, camels, donkeys, and felucca rides.
I'm not saying it can't be done, but travelling with a small is much more efficient and pleasant. I suppose it all depends on what you want to see. If you want to spend a couple of days in Cairo and then head to Dahab or Hurghada, fine, but if you want to see Egypt's treasures, go with a tour.
Re: Making your own way around Egypt
Hi Cushla, I've just expounded on this in another thread, but wanted to ditto the info you see here.
Questions for "sure"..... Do you feel that Egypt is a very easy place for a stranger to travel around in, see the sites, shop and enjoy unescorted? Do you have a different experience than the others you read here? If so, I am sure some of the readers would love to hear some good, positive, "you can do anything alone and love it" feedback.