★★★★★ 60+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor 🏛️ Licensed operator · Reg #256841
💬 WhatsApp: +20 109 234 5458
Home / Best Egypt Tours / Best Egypt Tours from Ireland
Private Egypt tours for Irish travellers · Since 2012

Best Egypt tours from Ireland

One smooth stop from Dublin, only two hours ahead of Irish time — and 14 years designing private Egypt itineraries for Irish travellers. Your Egypt trip, done properly.

2012
Guiding Britons since
~5hrs
~7–8 hrs from Dublin
+2hrs
Time difference only
60+
Verified reviews
EUR pricing on request ️ ~7–8 hrs from Dublin — one smooth stop EU passport — Egypt e-Visa in minutes Ireland-specific visa guide included ️ Only 2 hours ahead of Ireland — minimal jet lag
Guiding Irish travellers since 2012

Private Egypt tours from Ireland

For Irish travellers, Egypt holds a special fascination — shaped by Britain’s deep historical entanglement with the country, from Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb to the archaeologists who excavated the Valley of the Kings. If you grew up on Tutankhamun documentaries and museum trips, our licensed local guides give you the real thing to build on immediately.

And Egypt is closer than most Britons think: the flight from London is about five hours — shorter than New York — with only 1–2 hours of time difference. You arrive without jet lag, ready to explore from day one.

Unlike large overseas group operators, every tour we run is 100% private with a Ministry-licensed local guide dedicated to your group. Ireland and the UK are among our largest markets, with 60+ verified reviews on Google and TripAdvisor behind our tours — and EUR quotes available on request for every package.

Maro Saeed — Tour Consultant & Travel Advisor
“Irish travellers arrive with a connection few nationalities share — the Rosetta Stone, Tutankhamun, Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. They come knowing the story. Abu Simbel in person still stops them in their tracks.”
Maro Saeed · Tour Consultant & Travel Advisor · with us since 2013
Side-by-side

Compare our most-booked UK packages

The packages Irish travellers book most — with approximate EUR equivalents. All packages are priced and charged in USD.

PackageDaysUSDEUR (approx.)HotelsNile cruiseAbu SimbelBest for
Cairo & 3-Night Cruise by Train8 days$1,200/pp~€1,1054-StarBudget first-timers
Affordable Egypt Tour6 days$1,300/pp~€1,1954-StarShort-leave travellers
Budget Nile Cruise7 days$1,500/pp~€1,3804-StarCouples & families
Best of Egypt ⭐ Most Popular8 days$1,700/pp~€1,5654–5-StarMost Irish travellers
Cairo, Nile & Alexandria9 days$1,750/pp~€1,6104-StarHistory enthusiasts
Cairo, Nile & Red Sea9 days$1,750/pp~€1,6104-StarBeach + history
Cairo, Alex & Abu Simbel10 days$2,050/pp~€1,8855-Star✓ LuxuryPremium travellers
12-Day Egypt + Hurghada12 days$2,000/pp~€1,8405-StarTwo-week Irish holiday

EUR figures are approximate at current exchange rates. Want the 10-day luxury option compared, or an exact EUR quote? Message us.

Planning from Ireland

How to plan your Egypt trip from Ireland

Flights, visa guidance, the best seasons around Irish school holidays, and practical tips.

Flights from Ireland to Cairo

Departure cityFlight timeRoutingAirlines
Dublin (DUB)~7–8 hrs1 stop via London, Istanbul or AmsterdamAer Lingus + EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, KLM
Cork (ORK)~8–9 hrs1 stop via London or AmsterdamAer Lingus + partners, KLM
Shannon (SNN)~8–9 hrs1 stop via London or a European hubAer Lingus + partners
Belfast (BFS)~7–8 hrs1 stop via LondonBritish Airways + EgyptAir

Return one-stop fares from Dublin typically run €400–€800. Book mid-term-break and Christmas departures 4+ months ahead. Cairo is only 1–2 hours ahead of Ireland — jet lag is negligible in either direction.

Visa & travel guidance for Irish citizens

💻 Egypt e-Visa (Recommended)

Apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg before departure. Cost: USD $25 (~€23). Processing: 3–5 business days. Valid 90 days from entry. Irish passport holders fully eligible.

🛬 Visa on Arrival

Available at Cairo Airport for Irish citizens. Cost: USD $25 cash — bring US dollars for the visa desk. Single-entry tourist visa valid 30 days. Bring USD as backup.

🇮🇪 DFA Travel Advice

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs publishes Egypt travel advice at dfa.ie. The classic tourist circuit — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Nile Valley — is where all our itineraries operate; check the latest advice before travel.

✅ Our Visa Support

Every confirmed Irish guest receives a step-by-step Irish visa guide, DFA advice summary, and hotel confirmation letter for their application after booking.

Best time to visit — around Irish school holidays

🟢 Oct Mid-Term · Best Season

22–30°C. Perfect for families. The October mid-term break is our most popular Irish window — comfortable temperatures and manageable crowds. Book 3+ months ahead.

🔴 Christmas & New Year · Peak Season

15–22°C. Ideal weather. Christmas school holidays are our busiest Irish departure window — book 4–6 months ahead.

🟢 Easter · Excellent

20–28°C. Outstanding weather, popular for families. Good availability if booked 3–4 months ahead.

🟡 Feb Mid-Term · Shoulder Season

16–22°C. Fewer crowds, better pricing. Good choice for flexible Irish travellers avoiding peak rates.

🟡 May · Late Spring

28–34°C. Warming quickly. Open-air sites manageable with early starts; museums and indoor sites ideal.

⚫ Jun–Aug · Not Recommended

38–45°C. Extremely hot at desert sites. Summer holidays unfortunately coincide with Egypt's harshest conditions.

Practical tips for Irish travellers

💵 Currency & EUR

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Our packages are priced in USD with full EUR quotes available. USD is widely accepted at tourist sites and 4–5-star hotels; EUR is often accepted too, but small USD bills are the most practical for tips.

📱 SIM Card & Connectivity

An Egyptian SIM card (Vodafone or Orange) at Cairo Airport costs around €7–14 with 10GB data — far cheaper than Irish international roaming from Vodafone, Three, or eir.

👔 Dress Code

Cover shoulders and knees when visiting mosques, temples, and religious sites. Loose cotton or linen is ideal in the heat. Beach wear is fine at Hurghada or on the Nile cruise deck.

⏰ Time Zone & Jet Lag

Cairo is UTC+2. Ireland is UTC+0 (GMT) in winter and UTC+1 (IST) in summer. Cairo is only 2 hours ahead in winter, 1 hour ahead in summer. Jet lag is negligible in either direction.

Must-see sites

Egypt’s greatest wonders — included in every tour

What awaits — and what our licensed local guides reveal that no guidebook or BBC documentary quite captures.

Great Pyramids of Giza
Cairo · All packages

Great Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx

The last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Built 4,500 years ago, the Giza complex captivated Victorian explorers and modern travellers equally. Our licensed local guides explain what museum cases abroad can only hint at — the engineering, the ritual, and the still-debated construction mystery.

Grand Egyptian Museum
Giza · All packages

Grand Egyptian Museum — Tutankhamun's Treasures

The world's largest archaeological museum, at the foot of the Pyramids, houses the complete Tutankhamun collection — over 5,000 objects including the solid gold funeral mask. Howard Carter's discovery finally displayed as it deserves. Plan at least 5 hours; one day is better.

Valley of the Kings Luxor
Luxor · 6-day packages+

Valley of the Kings — Luxor's Royal Tombs

Carved into the desert cliffs west of Luxor, the Valley holds the tombs of 60+ New Kingdom pharaohs — including Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. The painted murals inside remain vivid after 3,000 years. Our guides read the hieroglyphics in real time.

Karnak Temple
Luxor · 6-day packages+

Karnak Temple — The World's Largest Religious Site

2.5 square kilometres. 30 pharaohs. 2,000 years of continuous construction. The Great Hypostyle Hall — 134 sandstone columns, some 24 metres tall — is one of humanity's most extraordinary architectural achievements. Irish travellers consistently call it more impressive than they expected.

Nile River Cruise
Nile · 6-day packages+

Nile River Cruise — Sailing Agatha Christie's Egypt

The Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the Egypt that Agatha Christie wrote about — temple banks slipping past the boat windows, desert silence broken only by the call to prayer from riverside villages. Evenings on deck are deeply peaceful and utterly unforgettable.

Abu Simbel Ramesses II
Aswan · 8-day packages+

Abu Simbel — Ramesses II's Greatest Monument

Carved from Nubian sandstone cliffs and physically relocated in the 1960s to save it from Lake Nasser — one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Twice a year, sunlight penetrates the inner sanctuary to illuminate the pharaoh's face. 3,200 years on, it still works.

Itinerary inspiration

Popular itineraries for Irish travellers

Three of our most-requested frameworks — each a starting point we customise to your exact dates and interests.

5 Days · Long Weekend

Essential Cairo

  • Day 1 Arrive Cairo, hotel check-in, rest
  • Day 2 Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Solar Boat
  • Day 3 Grand Egyptian Museum (full day)
  • Day 4 Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, Citadel
  • Day 5 Memphis & Saqqara, depart
Build this trip →
8 Days · Most Popular

Best of Egypt

  • Days 1–2 Cairo — Pyramids, GEM, Old Cairo
  • Day 3 Fly Aswan, Philae Temple, High Dam
  • Days 3–6 4-night Nile cruise (Aswan→Luxor)
  • Day 6 Abu Simbel day excursion
  • Day 7 Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple
  • Day 8 Fly Cairo, depart
Build this trip →
12 Days · Complete

Egypt & Red Sea

  • Days 1–3 Cairo — full historical circuit
  • Day 4 Alexandria day trip (Bibliotheca, Catacombs)
  • Days 5–9 Nile cruise Aswan→Luxor + Abu Simbel
  • Days 10–11 Luxor — Valley of Kings, Karnak
  • Days 12–14 Hurghada Red Sea resort
Build this trip →
Why Egypt Tours by Locals

Why Irish travellers choose us

🎓

Local Guides, Not Tour Leaders

Our guides hold degrees in Egyptology — not tour guide licences. The depth of commentary is immediately apparent, especially for Irish travellers who grew up on Tutankhamun documentaries and school projects.

✏️

Built From Scratch

Every itinerary starts from a blank page, designed around your Irish departure dates, school holiday windows, and your group's specific interests.

💰

Transparent EUR Pricing

USD prices with EUR equivalents provided upfront. No exchange rate surprises. No hidden fees. We've welcomed Irish and UK travellers for 14 years and understand what honest EUR transparency means.

📅

Any Departure Date

Private tours depart on any date. We schedule around Irish school holidays — October mid-term, Christmas, Easter, summer — and your personal calendar.

⏱️

24-Hour Itinerary Turnaround

Tell us your requirements and we send a complete custom Egypt itinerary with full EUR pricing within 24 hours.

💬

WhatsApp Direct Access

From the day you book, direct WhatsApp access to your Cairo-based trip coordinator. No call centres. No hold music.

60+
★★★★★

Verified reviews across Google & TripAdvisor — for tours operated by Egypt Planners.

Google TripAdvisor
Traveler stories

What our guests say about traveling local

Genuine reviews from real travelers on our multi-day tours and Nile cruises. Egypt Tours by Locals is operated by Egypt Planners — specialists in complete Egypt travel packages, not just day trips.

★★★★★

“Our guide didn’t just show us the Pyramids — she made us feel what it meant to build them. The private morning at the Grand Egyptian Museum with no crowds was extraordinary. A truly local experience, not a tourist conveyor belt.”

SL
Sarah & James L.
London, UK · 8-Day Best of Egypt
★★★★★

“Our consultant knew every guard, every way around the crowds, and told us stories not in any guidebook. We’ve done tours in 30 countries. This was the most engaged we’ve ever been.”

JT
James & Rebecca T.
New York, USA · 6-Day Affordable Tour
★★★★★

“They designed our entire 12-day itinerary personally, then guided us through every day. As history enthusiasts we had very specific requests — they exceeded every one. Their knowledge of Nubian culture in Aswan was extraordinary.”

LH
Linda & Mark H.
Toronto, Canada · 12-Day Complete Tour
How it works

How to book your Egypt tour from Ireland

1

Choose Your Package

Browse our packages above or contact us for a custom itinerary recommendation based on your available leave, school holiday window, and budget.

2

Receive a Detailed Quote

We send a full itemised quote in USD with EUR equivalent within 24 hours — covering all inclusions, hotel options, and domestic flight details.

3

Confirm with a Deposit

A 30% deposit secures your dates. We accept all major Irish credit and debit cards and bank transfers. Balance due 30 days before travel.

4

Apply for Your Egypt e-Visa

We send an Ireland-specific step-by-step visa guide. The Egypt e-Visa takes 10 minutes to apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg, costs USD $25 (~€23), and is approved in 3–5 days.

5

Arrive in Cairo — We Handle the Rest

Your licensed local guide and private transfer meet you at Cairo Airport. From this moment, every detail of your Egypt journey is fully managed.

FAQs

Egypt tours from Ireland — questions & answers

How do I get to Egypt from Ireland?
There are no year-round nonstop flights from Ireland to Cairo — but the one-stop routings are smooth. From Dublin, connect via London Heathrow (Aer Lingus/British Airways + EgyptAir), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Amsterdam (KLM) for total journeys of approximately 7–8 hours. From Cork and Shannon, connect via London or Amsterdam.
How much do Egypt tours from Ireland cost in EUR?
Our land packages range from approximately €1,105 to €1,890 per person at current exchange rates (USD $1,200–$2,050). Return one-stop flights from Dublin to Cairo add approximately €400–€800 per person. For our most popular 8-day package, total all-in costs from Ireland are typically €2,400–€3,900 per person. EUR quotes provided on request within 24 hours.
Do Irish citizens need a visa to visit Egypt?
Yes. Irish passport holders require an Egypt tourist visa. Apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg — USD $25 (~€23), approved in 3–5 business days. Also available on arrival at Cairo Airport for USD $25 cash — bring US dollars for the visa desk.
What does Irish travel advice say about Egypt?
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs publishes travel advice for Egypt at dfa.ie. The classic tourist circuit — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Nile Valley — is where every one of our itineraries operates, and on a private tour you are met, driven and guided at every step. Check dfa.ie for the latest advice before you travel.
What is the best time for Irish travellers to visit Egypt?
October through April is ideal — temperatures of 15–28°C. Irish school holidays (October mid-term, Christmas, Easter) are our most popular Irish departure windows. The late-October mid-term break (22–30°C in Egypt) is particularly popular for families. Book Christmas and Easter departures 4–6 months ahead.
Is there jet lag travelling from Ireland to Egypt?
No — Cairo is only 2 hours ahead of Ireland (GMT+2 vs GMT+0 in winter). You arrive alert and adjusted with no significant jet lag. Most Irish travellers are ready to sightsee from the first morning.
Do I need a power adapter for Egypt from Ireland?
Yes. Egypt uses Type C and Type F sockets at 220V — incompatible with Irish Type G plugs. The voltage (220–240V) is compatible with all Irish appliances, so a standard Type G-to-C/F travel adapter is all you need.
Can I combine Egypt with Jordan or Greece from Ireland?
Yes. Egypt–Jordan is our most popular combination for Irish travellers, adding Petra and Wadi Rum to a Cairo and Nile itinerary — fly directly from Cairo to Amman. Egypt–Greece is also popular. We design custom multi-country itineraries with EUR pricing on request.

Ready to plan your Egypt trip from Ireland?

Tell us your dates, group and interests — a complete personalised Egypt tour with a full EUR quote within 24 hours. No obligation, completely free.

Operated by Egypt Planners · Reg #256841 · 30% deposit to secure · 24/7 Cairo support

★★★★★ 60+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor
💬 +20 109 234 5458

Operated by Egypt Planners · Licensed operator · Reg #256841

Plan my trip WhatsApp
Chat with us
Operated by Egypt Planners — licensed tour operator (Ministry of Commerce Reg. #256841)