How much does a trip to Cairo & Luxor cost from South Africa?
About R23 890 for 7 days, solo
Or R19 690 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R1 990 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistThe pyramids, the Nile and 5,000 years of history, closer to Johannesburg than Europe and cheaper on the ground.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R20 290 | R21 520 | R22 090 |
| 7 days | R23 890 | R24 892 | R25 210 |
| 14 days | R36 490 | R36 694 | R36 130 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R9 000 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R7 000 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R3 500 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R3 900 |
| Visa and entry fees | R490 |
| Total | R23 890 |
Visa for South Africans
Visa on arrival Not in advance. South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Egypt, or apply online first.
Buy on arrival in US dollars cash, or apply for the e-Visa online first.
Reconfirm before you book. This rule relies on secondary sources or changed recently. Check the official source.
When to go
| Best time | Oct–Apr |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | May–Sep (very hot) |
| Currency | Egyptian pound (E£) |
Book 2–3 months out; the shorter flight keeps fares down.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 8 hours direct from Johannesburg to Cairo (EgyptAir). |
|---|---|
| Health | No malaria in the tourist areas; drink bottled water. |
| Money | Cash in Egyptian pounds for most things; small tips (baksheesh) are expected, so keep small notes. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Day 3 Islamic Cairo and Al-Azhar Park
- Day 4 Grand Egyptian Museum
- Day 5 Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church
- Day 6 Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- Saqqara and Memphis
- Fly to Luxor for Karnak Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Hot-air balloon at sunrise
- Nile felucca at sunset
Where locals go
- Islamic Cairo and Al-Azhar Park
- Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church
- Abydos and Dendera temples
- Aswan's Nubian villages
- Siwa Oasis salt lakes
- Camping in the White Desert
- Snorkelling Dahab's reefs
- Fayoum's Wadi El Rayan waterfalls
Hidden gems near Cairo & Luxor
Siwa Oasis
A remote desert oasis near Libya: salt pools you float in, mud-brick ruins and date palms.
About R3 000 extra to get there
Dahab
A laid-back Red Sea town with world-class reef snorkelling straight off the shore.
About R2 200 extra to get there
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Cairo & Luxor cost from South Africa?
About R23 890 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R19 690 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Egypt?
Not in advance. South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Egypt, or apply online first. Buy on arrival in US dollars cash, or apply for the e-Visa online first.
When is the best time to visit Cairo & Luxor?
The best time is Oct–Apr. The cheapest time is usually May–Sep (very hot).
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 8 hours direct from Johannesburg to Cairo (EgyptAir).
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.