Egypt

[tiredandtorn]

Hi,

Just looking for some advice about traveling around Egypt. DH and I are planning to take our kids on a backpacking style (in nice hotels!) trip tracing around Egypt. Including a Nile cruise, overnight train, a few days in Cairo and then crash out a beach resort at the end. They'll be 8 & 10 when we plan to go? Anyone done something similar or are we mad? I sound add that both DH and I are experienced backpackers and the idea itself doesn't phase us at all, just worries they're too young, won't cope or appreciate it yet. Are we mad? Thanks 😊

It's been a long time since I did it but the night train to Cairo was brutal.
hopefully someone will pop up and say different but ime nope.
it's as far from interrailing as you can get!

Dh is Egyptian and I lived there for several years. I wouldn’t take my dcs on trains or public transport there. Foreigners tend to get pestered. I also wouldn’t drag them around Cairo - it’s a hot bustling city. My dd is a teenager and my dh still hasn’t taken her to the pyramids properly because she looks very English and he worries about her being pestered.

I don't really think it's a place to take young kids. It's an interesting experience but a poor country and the hygiene and cleanliness is a not the same as European countries. You have to be very wary of getting bad stomach bugs & eat according. The water is not drinkable so bottled water a must as is health insurance and jabs. Read up on travel review sites, trip advisor etc.

I can't comment on Egypt, but my lot have been on several back packing holidays and loved them. First time they were all under 5, so pretty oblivious to the backpacking aspect. Last 2 times the youngest was 7/8 years old.
3 years on and the collective request for this summer was a backpacking adventure.
I'm definitely more organised then pre-kids. Accomodation more planned out, but still public transport. With sleeper trains I'd just be wary about access to kids when you are asleep. Private locked berth?

We’ve had excellent experiences with internal flights with Egyptair. Travelled between Cairo, Marsa and Luxor.
happy for you to DM me if you want more info.

That's for the advice all.

Yes pls @NorthFaceofthelaundrypile that would be great.

We just went in April, my kids are older than yours but we had a good time.
We flew into Cairo, flew to Aswan, then took train to Luxor, car to Hurghada.
We did not have any issues, lots of security but overall nothing to worry about.

Thank you

We had a tailor-made package in March, arranged by a specialist operator.

I asked about rail travel between some of our locations, & were told that they never put their clients on trains because it wasn't safe - air travel or private cars only.

We had a tailor made local specialist company as well, pm me if you want details

Went when I was 12,14&15. Loved it! Felt safer there than in London! Yes you get pestered a lot by shop keepers etc, but it's harmless and they're just trying to make a living. Some of the nicest, most generous people I've ever met.

Hi, did you take your trip? We are planning on a similar trip this Easter and wondered if I could pick your brains. Ideally would like to spend some time at the beach snorkelling in dahab or a quiet area around Hurghada, visit pyramids at Giza & do a short 1 or 2 night Nile trip & Luxor. Thinking some internal flights would be best bet to get between. Any advice of best places to visit with adventure loving 9, 11 & 13 year olds much appreciated.

Hi,

We decided to wait until April 24 when our youngest will be 9 and more able to cope with the type of trip we'd like to do. Instead we are going to Athens, then some Greek island hopping, can't wait!

@Jsc81
I recommend "Discover Egypt" for a tailor-made holiday.

@tortise did you to Athens and Greek islands in April? Have you done your Egypt trip? Looking at similar destinations for my family - kids 8 & 11. Thanks