Take the Family holiday rating 
| Capital City | Cairo |
|---|---|
| Flying Time | 5.25 hours  |
| Carbon Footprint | 3.06 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT +2 |
| Local Currency | Egyptian Pound |
Egypt is a wonderful destination for families whether you’re looking for an educational trip full of history or a relaxing trip full of tomfoolery. Or indeed a cheeky combo of the two. Red Sea resorts like Sharm el Sheikh at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula have long been family holiday favourites, especially in the winter, for their beautiful beaches, reasonable flight times and affordable luxury accommodation. Plus no jet lag.
If you do travel in the summer months think very carefully about taking young children, who will find the heat even more difficult to bear.
The best time to travel to Egypt is between October and May. Outside of these months the beaches get very hot and the weather can be a little too warm for some of the activities the adventure trips offer.
take the plane
British Airways and Egypt Air operate direct, non-stop flights. Get there in around five hours and note that Cairo time is two hours ahead of London. There are plenty of other options too, including direct charters to a number of destinations in Egypt, as well as numerous indirect and possibly less expensive options. Search for flight deals with Expedia Flights.
take a felucca
Once in Egypt you'll either transfer to your resort or continue your adventure by train, felucca (boat), horse-drawn carraige, bus or a domestic flight.
Egypt's resorts offer four and five star luxury at prices you'd otherwise pay for three star acommodation. Most of the major chains are represented and a stay at the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton is an affordable option (compared to what you'd pay to stay at one of their luxury properties elsewhere). More four and five star family options include, 5 star complex moments from coral reef the Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort, hotel village with private sands the Crowne Plaza Sharm el Sheikh, all suite luxury The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, secluded lagoon and watersports Dhab Beach Resort and 5 star watersports specialist Abu Soma Beach Resort.
If you're taking an 'adventure trip' accommodation is generally in good standard 3 star hotels with swimming pools. You can also choose to spend a night on a train and a night camping on the deck of a boat. Our favourite trips include, Feluccas and Pharaohs, Pyramids & Mummies Infant Adventures, (from partners The Adventure Company), and Magical Egypt from the Imaginative Traveller.
The Sands of Time
Egypt is steeped in seven millennia of history. The Pyramids, the Sphinx, The Temple At Karnak, The Valleys of the Kings and Queens – the list is as endless and mystical as the Nile. Plus it’s a sure fire winner if you want to get the kids out of school. What head teacher can stop the educational national curriculum trip of a lifetime (with a few days well earned R&R at the Red Sea afterwards!)
The Sands of Fun
Ah, Sharm el Sheikh – it hasn’t really rained there for years and can be unbearably boiling if you’ve got young kids. But in the cooler months it’s basically a great spot for a beach holiday. Guaranteed sun in a four to five hour flight. Plus some truly luxurious hotels and resorts at the very top of the range and some world class diving at the bottom of the sea.
Whether you want to hit the beach, cruise down the Nile, see Tutankhamun’s buried treasure in Cairo, (following its return from The O2 Center in Greenwich), ride a camel round the Pyramids or go on one of our thrilling Adventure holidays and take a trip on a felluca, Egypt offers it all.
In resorts like Sharm el Sheikh you'll be able to offer the family almost any kind of cuisine. Shish kebab, greens and tomato salad make a regular appearance on menus, as do locally caught fish at resorts. Generally, eating out is inexpensive, if you eat like an Egyptian, but if you want imported brands of goods like cereals, coffee, or anything else imported, you should expect it to be a bit pricey.
On an escorted family adventure holiday meals are taken in a mix of places, from inside your hotels, to local restaurants to eating a meal in a traditional Nubian home with a local family.
Winter deals to Egypt will cost anywhere from £300 to over a grand per adult, depending on when you go and where you stay. A ten day adventure holiday, including flights will cost from £779 per adult.
Egypt's currency is guineehs, (commonly referred to as the Egyptian Pound or LE, and currently equivalent to $1US). Dollars are the most commonly acceptable alternative currency, and with our favourable exchange rate your dollars will go a whole lot further. Egypt survives on baksheesh, (a tip or bribe), to bolster low earnings. It is expected that you will tip anytime someone performs a service, no matter how small, (0.5-1.0 LE is a reasonable amount.)
Egypt
by Joann Fletcher
Buy from Amazon.co.uk - Save 30%
A great introduction to an amazing country. Useful both before and during your visit.
by Dan Richardson
Buy from Amazon.co.uk - Save 30%
"The Rough Guide to Egypt" is your indispensable guide to the oldest tourist destination on earth.
by Jill Rubalcaba
Fictional adventures of Semut, an egyptian boy, providing a great insight into ancient Egypt. For ages 8 - 12yrs.
by Philip Steele
Treasures, Pharoahs, Pyramids and more for curious kids aged 4-8 yrs
A beautiful beach front hotel with 2500-metre pool complex More
* from £2390 per family of 4 for 7 nights, including breakfast, flights and transfers.
Modern hotel with good all-round facilities and extensive grounds with attractive flora. More
*
A stunning hotel set amongst the natural beauty of the Sinai mountains and the brilliant blue waters of the Red Sea. More
* from £1896 per family of 4 for 7 nights, all inclusive, including flights and transfers.
Popular and impressive modern hotel, set on the beach and surrounded by unspoilt natural beauty More
* per family of 4 for 7 nights, including half board, flights and transfers.
An exclusive resort offering a wonderful balance of luxury and activity, with free children's clubs More
* from £2818 per family of 4 for 7 nights, including breakfast, flights and transfers. Regional departures available.
An oasis in Sharm El Sheikh, this hotel offers watersports, free children's clubs and excellent restaurants More
* from £3104 per family of 4 for 7 nights, on an all inclusive basis, including flights and transfers. Regional departures available.
3 swimming pools and a private beach and a choice of activities More
* per person for 7 nights.
With a private beach, lots of pools and a selection of spa treatments More
* per person for 7 nights.
A relaxing hotel with 2 pools, swim up bar and a private beach More
* per person for 7 nights.
A cozy secluded family friendly retreat amidst beautifully landscaped gardens. More
* based on 7 nights 2 adults and 2 children sharing two pool or garden view rooms and including breakfast, transfers and return flights from London.
Take the Family
Luxurious villas, clustered village-like above the Red Sea More
* based on 7 nights with 2 adults and 2 children sharing a Family Suite and including breakfast, transfers and return flights to London.
Luxurious 5* Hotel complex, moments from the Red Sea’s coral reefs. More
* from £2084 per family of 4 for 7 nights, including breakfast, flights and transfers
4 star luxury at the delightful Dahab, combined with 5 star conditions for windsurfing and other sports More
* from £653 per person for 7 nights, includes breakfast, dinner, lunch, flights and private transfers.
5 Star specialist water sports resort with excellent childcare and location. More
* from £645 per person for 7 nights, includes breakfast, dinner, lunch, flights and private transfers.
Cairo-ro-ro your felucca gently down the Nile More
* per adult per trip including flights, transport, some meals.
12 days (11 nights) around Cairo. Min age 6 years. More
* per person plus local payment of US Dollars $300 excludes international flights
Special Infant Adventures in Egypt for families with children aged 1 year and over More
* based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling in July or August, including flights, accommodation and some meals
Imaginative Traveller
8 day family adventure of Pyramids, the Sphinx, Cairo, riding donkeys to Valley of the Kings and more More
* from £415 per person, includes airport transfer, all breakfast and some meals, not including flights
