Planning a Family Trip to Egypt: A Complete Guide
Egypt is a big call for a family holiday, and it’s a rewarding one. Between the Pyramids, a Nile cruise, and a proper museum full of things kids actually want to look at, it’s one of the few destinations where the history lessons write themselves.
This guide covers what Australian families need to sort before booking, from visas to timing to which parts of the country are worth your time.
Is Egypt Safe for Family Travel?
The short answer is yes, provided you stick to the main tourist areas. Smartraveller currently advises exercising a high degree of caution in Egypt overall, with higher risk levels flagged for North Sinai and the area near the Libyan border.
Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh sit outside those higher risk zones and see millions of visitors a year without incident. Tourist police are stationed at all major sites, and security screening is standard at museums, hotels, and archaeological sites.
Register your trip with Smartraveller before you fly. It only takes a couple of minutes and means you’ll get alerts if anything changes while you’re away.
When to Visit Egypt With Kids
October to April is the sweet spot. Daytime temperatures sit in the comfortable 20s to low 30s, which makes a huge difference when you’re walking around the Pyramids or standing in queues with young children.
Summer, from June through August, gets brutally hot, often above 40 degrees in Cairo and Luxor. It’s manageable for a Red Sea beach holiday but tough going for full days of sightseeing.
If you’re travelling during Ramadan, note that some restaurants and shops keep different hours during daylight fasting hours, though tourist areas and hotels operate close to normal.
Do Australians Need a Visa for Egypt?
Yes. Australian passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt, and there are two easy options:
- eVisa, applied for online before you travel, usually processed within a week
- Visa on arrival, purchased at the airport on landing, paid in cash (USD or EUR)
Your passport needs at least six months’ validity from your arrival date. If you’re travelling with kids, each child needs their own visa, so factor that into your application.
Most families find the eVisa the less stressful option, since it’s sorted before you even get to the airport.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
The Pyramids sit just outside Cairo and are still the single biggest drawcard in the country. Book a guide who can bring the history to life for younger visitors rather than just walking past monuments.
The Grand Egyptian Museum opened in late 2025 and is now in its first full year of operation. It houses the complete Tutankhamun collection, over 5,000 artefacts, in climate-controlled galleries just a couple of kilometres from the Pyramids. It’s far more manageable for kids than the older, more crowded Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
A Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan
A multi-day cruise is one of the easiest ways to see Egypt’s ancient temples without long overland transfers every day. Kids tend to enjoy the boat itself as much as the stops, and the route between Luxor and Aswan covers the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Abu Simbel.
Red Sea Resorts
Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh both offer resort-style stays with calm, shallow water that’s easy for snorkelling with children. These make a good add-on at the end of a trip, giving families a few beach days to unwind after the sightseeing-heavy stretch.
Health and Packing Tips
Tap water isn’t safe to drink, including the ice in some hotels, so stick to bottled water for the whole family. Freshly cooked food at hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and in busy restaurants is generally fine.
Check that routine vaccinations are up to date before you go, including polio, since Egypt has recorded circulating poliovirus. Your GP or a travel health clinic can confirm exactly what your family needs based on ages and existing vaccination history.
Pack light layers, closed shoes for walking around ruins, sun hats, and a strong sunscreen. Evenings can be cooler than the day, particularly on the Nile in winter months.
Sample Family Itinerary
- Days 1 to 3: Cairo and Giza, including the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- Days 4 to 7: Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- Days 8 to 10: Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for beach time before flying home
This structure keeps travel days to a minimum and balances history-heavy days with downtime, which matters when you’ve got kids in tow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Egypt safe for families to visit right now?
A: Yes, for the main tourist areas including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts. Smartraveller advises caution overall and flags specific no-go zones near North Sinai and the Libyan border.
Q: What is the best time of year to visit Egypt with kids?
A: October to April, when temperatures are far more comfortable for sightseeing.
Q: Do children need their own visa for Egypt?
A: Yes, every traveller including children needs an individual visa, either an eVisa or one arranged on arrival.
Q: How many days do you need for a family trip to Egypt?
A: Around 10 days works well: a few days in Cairo, a Nile cruise, and a beach stay on the Red Sea.
Q: Is the tap water safe to drink in Egypt?
A: No. Stick to bottled water throughout the trip, including for brushing teeth.
