Egypt has a way of making you feel small in the best possible sense. Standing at the foot of the Great Pyramid, watching the sun blaze over the Nile at dawn, wandering through 3,000-year-old temples with hieroglyphs still sharp on the walls, you realize this is a place where history is not behind glass. It is all around you. For Canadians drawn to that kind of travel, the first practical question is usually the same: how much will it actually cost?
Explore Approach Tours’ all-inclusive Ancient Egypt and Nile cruise adventure and see exactly what’s covered in one transparent price.
The answer depends on how you travel. A two-week trip to Egypt can range from roughly $3,500 CAD on a tight budget to $15,000 or more for a luxury experience with private guides and five-star Nile cruises. This guide breaks down every major expense so you can plan with real numbers, not guesswork.
Flights from Canada to Egypt: What to Expect
There are no direct flights from Canada to Cairo. Most routes connect through a European or Middle Eastern hub, with Istanbul, Frankfurt, Paris and Doha among the most common layover cities. EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways all serve the Toronto-to-Cairo corridor regularly, and similar connections are available from Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.
Round-trip economy fares from Toronto to Cairo typically fall between $1,100 and $1,800 CAD during shoulder season (March to May and September to November). Peak season flights over December and January can climb to $2,200 or higher. Montreal tends to be slightly cheaper due to Air France connections through Paris, while Vancouver travellers should expect to pay an additional $200 to $400 because of the longer routing. Booking three to four months ahead and flying midweek tends to produce the best prices.
Business class round-trips run between $4,000 and $7,000 CAD depending on the airline and timing. If you prefer to skip the layover logistics entirely, all-inclusive tour packages from Canada often bundle flights with EgyptAir at a group rate, which can save you the headache of separate bookings.
Accommodation Costs Across Egypt
Egypt offers remarkable value for accommodation compared to European destinations. Here is what Canadian travellers can expect per night in 2025-2026:
| Category | Nightly Rate (CAD) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $40 – $80 | Clean guesthouses, basic hotels near major sites |
| Mid-range | $100 – $200 | 4-star hotels, Nile-view rooms, breakfast included |
| Luxury | $250 – $600+ | 5-star resorts, historic hotels like the Old Cataract in Aswan |
Cairo and Luxor have the widest range of options. In Cairo, the Marriott Mena House with its pyramid views runs about $350 to $500 CAD per night, while comfortable four-star hotels in Zamalek or Downtown Cairo start around $120. Aswan and Luxor offer similar tiers at slightly lower prices.
For a 14-day trip, budget travellers might spend $700 to $1,100 on accommodation, while mid-range travellers should expect $1,500 to $2,800.
How Much Does a Nile Cruise Cost?
A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is one of Egypt’s signature experiences, and the cost varies widely based on the vessel. The classic route takes three to four nights and drifts past sugar cane fields, sandstone temples and farming villages that have barely changed in centuries. Five and seven-night sailings cover more ground, often adding stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Esna along the way.
| Cruise Type | Duration | Price Range (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-4 nights | $400 – $800 |
| Premium | 4-5 nights | $900 – $1,800 |
| Luxury (Oberoi, Sanctuary) | 4-7 nights | $2,500 – $5,000+ |
| Dahabiya (traditional sailboat) | 4-5 nights | $1,200 – $3,000 |
Most cruise prices include meals on board and guided shore excursions at major temples. Drinks, tips for crew and optional dawn excursions to sites like the Valley of the Kings are usually extra. If you prefer to have every detail handled for you, a guided tour that traces life along the Nile bundles the cruise, meals, guides and temple entrance fees into one price.
Considering an all-inclusive Egypt tour? Approach Tours’ 18-day Ancient Egypt and Nile adventure covers flights, all 54 meals, a Nile cruise, an Egyptologist guide and every excursion for $11,595 CAD per person.
Visa, Insurance and Entry Costs for Canadians
Canadian passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt. The simplest option is the e-visa, which you can apply for online before departure. Here are the current fees:
- Single-entry e-visa: $25 USD (approximately $47 CAD)
- Multiple-entry e-visa: $60 USD (approximately $113 CAD)
- Visa on arrival at Cairo airport: $25 USD, paid in cash (USD, EUR or GBP accepted)
The e-visa process takes about five business days, so apply at least two weeks before your flight. You will need six months’ validity on your passport from your date of entry.
Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. A solid policy covering medical, evacuation and trip cancellation for a two to three-week trip to Egypt costs most Canadians between $80 and $250 CAD depending on age, coverage level and pre-existing conditions. Medical evacuation from remote areas like Abu Simbel can cost tens of thousands of dollars without coverage, so this is not a line item to skip.
Approach Tours includes $5 million in emergency medical insurance through Manulife with every booking, which is one less expense to budget separately.
Food and Dining Costs in Egypt
Egyptian food is one of the great bargains of travel. The cuisine draws from thousands of years of tradition, with dishes like koshari (lentils, rice, pasta and tangy tomato sauce), ful medames (slow-stewed fava beans), ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans rather than chickpeas) and freshly grilled kofta that costs less than a cup of coffee back home.
| Meal Type | Typical Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Street food meal (koshari, falafel, shawarma) | $2 – $5 |
| Casual restaurant lunch | $8 – $15 |
| Mid-range dinner with drinks | $20 – $40 |
| Upscale restaurant dinner | $50 – $100 |
| Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.50 – $1 |
| Fresh juice from a street vendor | $1 – $2 |
Budget travellers eating mostly local food can get by on $20 to $30 CAD per day. Mid-range travellers mixing local eateries with hotel restaurants should budget $40 to $60 per day. Over a two-week trip, that works out to roughly $280 to $840 CAD for food.
One practical tip: stick to bottled or filtered water everywhere. Tap water in Egypt is not safe for visitors. Most hotels provide complimentary bottles, and buying in bulk from local shops keeps costs low.
Excursion and Entrance Fee Prices
Egypt charges entrance fees at most archaeological sites, and costs have risen in recent years. Here are the current prices for the most popular sites:
| Site | Adult Ticket (CAD approx.) |
|---|---|
| Pyramids of Giza (general entry) | $24 |
| Great Pyramid interior | $75 |
| Egyptian Museum, Cairo | $15 |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (new) | $28 |
| Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) | $19 |
| Tutankhamun’s tomb (additional) | $56 |
| Karnak Temple, Luxor | $28 |
| Abu Simbel | $30 |
| Philae Temple, Aswan | $19 |
A thorough two-week itinerary hitting the highlights will run about $250 to $400 CAD in entrance fees alone. Private guided tours at individual sites cost an additional $50 to $150 CAD per half-day. If you want an Egyptologist guide for your entire trip (someone who studied the ancient civilization academically, not a general tour leader), expect to pay $150 to $300 per day.
These fees add up quickly, which is one reason comparing all-inclusive versus DIY travel costs is worth doing before you book. All-inclusive packages typically bundle every entrance fee and guide into the sticker price.
Getting Around Egypt: Transportation Costs
Domestic transport in Egypt is affordable but can be chaotic to arrange independently. Here is what the main options cost:
- Domestic flights (Cairo to Luxor or Aswan): $120 – $250 CAD one way on EgyptAir or Nile Air
- First-class train (Cairo to Luxor): $30 – $50 CAD for the 9-hour ride
- Private car with driver (full day): $60 – $120 CAD
- Uber/Careem in Cairo: $3 – $10 CAD per ride
- Abu Simbel day trip by minivan from Aswan: $40 – $80 CAD
Cairo traffic is legendary. Uber and Careem (a local ride-hailing app) are the safest and most stress-free way to move around the city. A 30-minute ride across Cairo rarely costs more than $5 to $8 CAD. Between cities, domestic flights save enormous time compared to trains, especially for the Cairo-to-Aswan stretch.
If navigating Egyptian transport sounds daunting, you are not alone. Many Canadian travellers, particularly first-time visitors over 55, prefer a guided tour where every transfer, flight and coach ride is arranged in advance.
Tipping Culture: What Canadians Should Budget
Tipping (called baksheesh) is a fundamental part of Egyptian culture and economy. It is expected in far more situations than Canadians are used to at home. Budget roughly $10 to $20 CAD per day for tips across all interactions:
- Restaurant servers: 10% to 15% of the bill (on top of any service charge)
- Hotel housekeeping: 20 to 50 EGP per day (roughly $1.50 to $4 CAD)
- Tour guides: 100 to 300 EGP per day ($8 to $23 CAD)
- Drivers: 50 to 150 EGP per day ($4 to $12 CAD)
- Nile cruise crew: 200 to 400 EGP total ($15 to $30 CAD), collected in a shared pool at the end
- Bathroom attendants, bag carriers, photo helpers: 10 to 20 EGP ($1 to $2 CAD)
Over two weeks, tipping adds roughly $150 to $300 CAD to your total budget. It can feel surprising if you are not prepared for it, but it is genuinely part of how many Egyptians earn their living. Carry small bills in Egyptian pounds and tip with a smile. With Approach Tours, tips for all service providers are included in the tour price, so you never have to think about it.
Full Egypt Trip Budget: The Complete Picture
Here is what a two-week Egypt trip from Canada typically costs per person, broken down by travel style:
| Expense | Budget (CAD) | Mid-Range (CAD) | Luxury (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (round-trip) | $1,100 – $1,400 | $1,400 – $1,800 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | $700 – $1,100 | $1,500 – $2,800 | $3,500 – $8,400 |
| Nile cruise (3-4 nights) | $400 – $600 | $900 – $1,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Food and drinks | $280 – $420 | $560 – $840 | $1,000 – $1,400 |
| Entrance fees and guides | $250 – $350 | $400 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 |
| Domestic transport | $150 – $250 | $300 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 |
| Visa | $47 | $47 | $47 |
| Travel insurance | $80 – $150 | $100 – $200 | $150 – $250 |
| Tipping | $150 – $200 | $200 – $300 | $300 – $500 |
| Souvenirs and miscellaneous | $100 – $200 | $200 – $400 | $400 – $800 |
| Total per person | $3,300 – $4,700 | $5,600 – $9,100 | $13,100 – $25,600 |
That mid-range estimate of $5,600 to $9,100 represents the sweet spot for most Canadian travellers who want comfort without extravagance. It covers good hotels, a solid Nile cruise, guided excursions and plenty of memorable meals.
For comparison, Approach Tours’ 18-day all-inclusive Egypt tour at $11,595 CAD includes flights from Canada with EgyptAir, 4-star hotels throughout, a Nile cruise, all 54 meals, an Egyptologist guide, every entrance fee, tips, door-to-door car service and $5 million in medical insurance. When you add up mid-range DIY costs plus the stress of booking everything separately, the all-inclusive price often comes out comparable, with far less planning involved.
When Is the Cheapest Time to Visit Egypt?
Timing your trip can save hundreds of dollars. Egypt’s tourist seasons break down like this:
- Peak season (October to February): The most comfortable weather, but hotels and Nile cruises charge premium rates. Flights from Canada are also at their highest around Christmas and New Year.
- Shoulder season (March to April, September): Warm but manageable temperatures, lower prices across the board and thinner crowds at major sites. This is often the best balance of cost and comfort.
- Low season (May to August): Intense heat (40C+ in Upper Egypt) makes outdoor sightseeing tough. Prices drop significantly, sometimes 30% to 50% below peak rates. Cairo and the coast remain bearable, but Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel are scorching.
Shoulder season gives you the best return on your dollar. You will still see the same monuments and enjoy the same Nile sunsets, just with fewer crowds and lower prices.
How Does an All-Inclusive Tour Compare to DIY?
Planning a trip to Egypt independently is absolutely possible, and adventurous travellers who speak some Arabic and enjoy negotiating will love the freedom. But Egypt has a learning curve. Between the tipping expectations, the haggling culture in markets and taxi stands, domestic flight rebooking and the sheer logistics of coordinating guides at each archaeological site, independent travel here demands more effort than most European destinations.
An all-inclusive tour eliminates the guesswork. Everything from your airport pickup in Canada to your last dinner on the Nile is handled, which means no surprises and no hidden costs. For travellers who want to focus on the experience rather than the logistics, it is a strong value proposition.
Approach Tours takes this further than most operators. Their “radically all-inclusive” model covers every expense including flights, door-to-door car service within 100 km of your departure gateway, all meals, all excursions, tips and medical insurance. There is no middleman commission because they sell directly to travellers, so every dollar goes toward the experience itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egypt an expensive destination for Canadians?
Egypt is one of the most affordable international destinations for Canadians. The Canadian dollar stretches far against the Egyptian pound, with street food meals costing $2 to $5 CAD and comfortable hotel rooms available from $100 per night. The biggest single expense is typically the flight, which runs $1,100 to $1,800 CAD round-trip in economy.
How much spending money should I bring to Egypt for two weeks?
Plan for $50 to $100 CAD per day in spending money if your accommodation and major excursions are already booked. This covers meals, local transport, entrance fees, tips and souvenirs. If you are on an all-inclusive tour where meals and excursions are covered, $20 to $40 per day for personal purchases and extra tips is usually enough.
Do I need a visa to visit Egypt from Canada?
Yes. Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. The easiest option is an e-visa ($25 USD for single entry), which you can apply for online before departure. Visa on arrival is also available at Cairo airport for the same fee, paid in cash.
What currency should I bring to Egypt?
Bring US dollars or euros in cash for your visa fee and initial expenses. Once in Egypt, withdraw Egyptian pounds (EGP) from ATMs, which are widely available in cities and airports. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants but not at local shops, markets or for tips. Carry small EGP bills for daily tipping.
Is an all-inclusive Egypt tour worth the price?
For most Canadian travellers, yes. When you total the cost of flights, hotels, a Nile cruise, guides, entrance fees, meals, tips and insurance, a mid-range DIY trip runs $5,600 to $9,100 CAD. Approach Tours’ all-inclusive Egypt tour covers all of that plus door-to-door car service for $11,595 CAD over 18 days. The convenience of having every detail handled, along with an Egyptologist guide and guaranteed small groups of 30 or fewer travellers, makes it strong value for the price.
What is the best time of year for Canadians to visit Egypt?
Shoulder season (March to April and September) offers the best combination of comfortable weather, reasonable prices and manageable crowds. Peak season (October to February) has the best weather but higher costs. Avoid June through August unless you handle extreme heat well.
Explore More Destination Cost Guides
Planning your next trip? Compare Egypt with other popular destinations for Canadian travellers:
- How much does a trip to Morocco cost from Canada?
- How much does a trip to Portugal cost from Canada?
- How much does a trip to Ireland cost from Canada?
Ready to start planning? Book your Egypt tour with Approach Tours and discover the land of pharaohs without the stress of planning every detail yourself.
