If you want to travel for less, choosing the most affordable countries is by far the simplest and most effortless tip! Sadly, so many people don’t even know how cheap it can be! I’m continuing this series of posts and I’m changing continents to talk to you about Egypt. It’s another of the most affordable places, but most importantly, it’s a country I really liked visiting!
Here are nice and cheap accommodation options in 6 Egyptian destinations to show you just how affordable a trip to an amazing spot can be!
(We’ve also done this for Colombia, a country that can be cheaper overall for shorter trips, thanks to affordable deals for flights at $400 from some Canadian cities! And we’ve also done it for 3 even cheaper countries in Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia!)
Basics of traveling to Egypt for less
Surely you’ve heard about Egypt, the birthplace of one of mankind’s most memorable civilizations. It’s a country with so much to offer.
I really enjoyed my 3-week trip there in November 2019 with my girlfriend at that time. It was super affordable, of course, but above all super enjoyable.
Egypt is situated in the north-east of the African continent, on the Mediterranean Sea. To preempt those who are too afraid of everything, no, the current situation in Israel and Palestine really in no way affects the destinations in Egypt that are visited by travelers.
In addition to its well-known attractions, Egypt is also a renowned diving destination. I’ll do a separate post on that, as I did for my affordable safari in South Africa ($687 for 6 days).
As mentioned, Egypt is also one of the most affordable countries in the world. It’s obviously a little more expensive than Southeast Asian countries in general, but still very, very affordable.
Basics of cheap accommodation in Egypt
For each of the 6 destinations in Egypt, we tried to find you 3 examples of cheap accommodation.
An example for those who:
- Travel solo
- Travel with a companion
- Travel for free with Marriott Bonvoy points
We limit ourselves to nice accommodations that are highly rated.
So if you want it to be cheaper, there are obviously cheaper ones than our examples. The exception: there aren’t any cheaper Marriott hotels, as the world’s largest hotel chain has no options in the low-end segment.
And if you prefer luxury, of course, luxury is also much cheaper in Egypt than in the places where everyone always travels to! For example, The St. Regis Hotel (one of the most luxurious brands in the world) costs $575 per night in Cairo versus $1500 per night in Rome. The amount of points required is lower too obviously, and if you like luxury, you should really never pay with anything other than points!
So here are the examples of nice and affordable accommodations in 6 Egyptian destinations.
Cairo
Situated on the banks of the Nile, Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the country’s largest city. It is one of the world’s largest, with a population of 22 million (almost 4 times Toronto). It is renowned for its Islamic-influenced architecture, abundance of mosques, chaotic traffic, traditional souks, and, of course, the famous Giza Plateau.
Cairo is a dream destination for thousands of travelers who wish to discover the pyramids and the majestic Sphinx. The Pyramid of Cheops is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The Marriott hotel is a bit more expensive, but it has a view of the Pyramids. The Grand Egyptian Museum will open soon. It’s an impressive destination, despite Egypt’s unavoidable pushy salesmen!
Here are some examples of accommodation in Cairo, Egypt:
- Well-rated hostel: Meramees Hostel
- $10 per night per person
- Rated 9.1/10
- Well-rated hotel: Egyptian Night
- $23 per night per person
- $12 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.7/10
- Nice free hotel: Marriott Mena House Cairo
- 18,000 points per night (90,000 points for 5 nights)
- 9,000 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel for $10
See all hostels in Cairo.
Well-rated hotel for $23
See all hotels in Cairo.
Nice free hotel at 18,000 pts
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Alexandria
Founded by King Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was an important center of Hellenistic civilization in Egypt. It’s a breathtaking city on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea!
The city is famous for being home to the Library of Alexandria, one of the greatest libraries of antiquity. The original library no longer exists, but you can now visit the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Alexandria, Egypt:
- Well-rated hostel: Ithaka Hostel
- $12 per night per person
- Rated 8.7/10
- Well-rated hotel: New Hotel
- $22 per night
- $11 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.1/10
- Nice free hotel: Sheraton Montazah Hotel
- 8,000 points per night (40,000 points for 5 nights)
- 4,000 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel for $12
See all hostels in Alexandria.
Well-rated hotel for $22
View all hotels in Alexandria.
Nice free hotel at 8,000 pts
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Luxor
The ancient capital of Egypt, Luxor (formerly Thebes) is a veritable open-air museum and definitely a must-see during your stay. You should especially go to the other side of the Nile, it’s worth it. The attitude towards us was completely different, so much friendlier and less touristy.
For history buffs, Luxor is definitely a place that cannot be missed. There you’ll find an array of ancient ruins, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Luxor, Egypt:
- Well-rated hostel: Al Salam Camp
- $6 per night per person
- Rated 9.8/10
- Well-rated hotel: Nile Roof Hotel & Restaurant
- $16 per night
- $8 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.1/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hostel for $6
See all hostels in Luxor.
Well-rated hotel for $16
View all hotels in Luxor.
Aswan
Aswan is situated near the southern border. It is one of the oldest cities in the country. I didn’t have time to go there, but I’ve heard very good things from other travelers.
The city is renowned for its impressive historical sites and numerous attractions, including the High Dam, the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Elephantine Island.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Aswan, Egypt:
- Well-rated hostel: Go Inn Backpackers
- $8 per night per person
- Rated 9.0/10
- Well-rated hotel: Nubian Heart
- $26 per night
- $13 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.5/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hostel for $8
See all hostels in Aswan.
Well-rated hotel for $26
View all hotels in Aswan.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is a popular seaside resort on the Red Sea. Scuba diving is world-renowned here and I absolutely loved it. The water is extremely transparent! Ras Mohammed National Park is also nearby.
You can also visit the old market in Sharm El Maya, which is ideal for sampling the local cuisine. You can relax on the beautiful beaches, enjoy water activities, and take excursions into the desert, including camel rides and jeep safaris.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt:
Well-ratedhostel: Serenity Lodge- $14 per night per person
- Rated 6.9/10 (only one in town)
- Well-rated hotel: Hotel Naama Inn
- $36 per night
- $18 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.2/10
- Nice free hotel: Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa
- 8,000 points per night (40,000 points for 5 nights)
- 4,000 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel for $14
See all hostels in Sharm El Sheikh.
Well-rated hotel for $36
See all hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Nice free hotel at 8,000 pts
Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Hurghada
Hurghada is another seaside town offering lively nightlife, beautiful beaches on the Red Sea, and a variety of water sports. It’s even more of a resort-type tourist destination and a bigger city, so I chose Sharm.
That said, the diving is good in Hurghada too. For those who like snorkeling instead of diving, it might even be better. You can also visit Hurghada’s large aquarium to discover the marine life of the Red Sea, sample local seafood, and catch a cruise from the marina.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Hurghada, Egypt:
- Well-rated hostel: Marina Square Hostel
- $14 per night per person
- Rated 9.8/10
- Well-rated hotel: Lamera Hotel
- $28 per night
- $14 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.3/10
- Nice free hotel: Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
- 12,800 points per night (64,000 points for 5 nights)
- 6,400 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel for $14
See all hostels in Hurghada.
Well-rated hotel for $28
See all hotels in Hurghada.
Nice free hotel at 12,800 pts
Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
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Summary
Less expensive countries are never less interesting… they’re just less expensive. These examples of well-rated affordable accommodations show you that you can enjoy your time in Egypt without breaking the bank. Whether you’re visiting pyramids or temples, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying desert adventures, you’re sure to find plenty to do.
What would you like to know about cheap accommodations in Egypt? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Al Ahram, Egypt (photo credit: Simon Berger)
Valuation ≈ $357