Egypt Travel Checklist for Families & Multi-Generational Trips

Planning a trip to Egypt with your kids or grandkids?

This Egypt checklist pulls together everything we learned from traveling with our grandkids (teens), from logistics and packing to what actually makes the experience work day-to-day.

Having visited several times, I’ve learned a lot of dos and don’ts. Egypt is one of the most rewarding destinations we’ve explored, but it does require a little more planning than your average vacation.

If you’re still mapping out your trip, start with our 10 Day Egypt Itinerary. Then use this checklist, designed to help you turn that plan into a smooth, stress-free trip.

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Before You Leave Home

Passports & Visas

• Check all passports have at least six months’ remaining validity.
• Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival.  We asked our tour company to help us with this, and recommend you do the same.  
• There is an e-visa Egyptian Government site but it is quite frankly not dependable at the time of writing, so don’t get frustrated trying to do use it.
• Bring printed copies of passports (helpful for hotels/tours)

Legal Document To Travel With Grandkids

• A notarized document signed by the legal parents/guardians that approves you taking your grandkids out of the country is recommended.

(We were never asked to show this, but my research suggested it was important to have just in case).

Travel Insurance (Essential)

Travel insurance isn’t optional on a trip like this—especially with a multi-generational group. Check out our Travel Insurance Coverage, which worked out around $8 for each grandkid which included evacuation flight costs.

We always include:

• Medical coverage
• Trip delays/cancellations
• Coverage for multiple travelers

👉 We use Visitors Coverage Travel Insurance and have found them very competitive with options for all travellers.

Mobile Phone Tips for Egypt (First-Time Travellers)

• We have global mobile service in our T-mobile plan which is a godsend when travelling as much as we do.
• Check your grandkids (or fellow travellers) have the appropriate service set up before you leave home to avoid roaming and other high charges.

Also set up ‘Find My Phone’ in case they mislay it somewhere along the way!

Money & Currency

• Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is the local currency
• USD is widely accepted for tours, tipping, and in some shops.
• ATMs – hotels often have them, or will direct you to a bank. Tour guides also will help you find one as needed.

Safety and Security in Egypt

It natural to worry about how safe and secure your destination might be. There is a high level of visible tourism police officers at main tourist sites, and your tour company can arrange for private security to accompany you in places such as Giza or Old Cairo.

Also, register with the US STEP Travel Program (or the equivalent for your country). This is useful for any official information updates or if there is an incident, they will provide advice for visitors.

In our experience here, we felt very safe and well look after. The security into all hotels, main temples and Giza Pyramids is excellent, and after a few times, the kids got used to going through the security systems.

Packing Checklist

Egypt is mild to hot depending on when you travel.  It is a little cooler when you’re sailing on the Nile, but don’t under-estimate the strength of the sun year round.

Here’s our Egypt travel checklist tips for packing with kids and for more smart packing tips read our hand luggage article.

Clothing

• Lightweight, breathable clothes
• Modest outfits for temples (shoulders/knees covered)
• Shorts, resort type clothing is fine at hotels and on the boat
• Light jacket for early mornings/at night 

(You can get laundry done on the boat which is the best option if you need it.)

Footwear

• Comfortable walking shoes (essential)
• Sandals for downtime
• Flip Flops when on the River Cruise

Essentials

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (bring spares as someone will lose something!)
• Reusable water bottle
• Power adapters

For Kids & Teens

• Snacks for long sightseeing days (you can buy these easily in country and Tiger Crisps/Chips were a hit with our grandkids)
• Portable chargers
• Small backpack
• Ear Buds (they love their music)
• Digital camera (a $30 one is good enough!) 

Jet lag is likely if you’ve had a long journey across multiple time zones to get to Egypt. Having snacks and a fruit juice or soda to keep energy levels going worked well when one of us dipped. For more tips on how to minimize the effects of jet lag, read what we’ve found works best.

Planning Your Itinerary

Flights 

International: We flew from Chicago (via London Heathrow) with British Airways, but if you can get a non-stop flight to Cairo at a decent price, that will make your journey shorter.

EgyptAir flies non-stop flight from New York to Cairo – it’s a 12-hour flight.  For more routes to Cairo from your nearest airport, check with Expedia for deals and prices.

Egypt family travel tips: We used Golden Tours Egypt (recommended by a friend who lives in Cairo) to make all our in-country arrangements.   The logistics of this trip are a little complicated so this isn’t the easiest trip to plan independently.

👉 Here’s a quick way to check best flight deals currently to Egypt from your nearest airport.

Hotels

Look for:

• Central locations in Giza City and downtown Cairo to reduce travel time.
• Pools and Sun Lounging area (a huge win with kids) – most close at 6pm (sunset) so finish your day around 4pm to enjoy a little swim beforehand.
• Family-friendly room setups – with adjoining rooms, or doors.
• If you are booking hotels independently, lock in free cancellations and keep checking to see if better deals are offered.

Make sure everyone understands the mini-bar costs before they dive in (we caught it just in time to avoid a big bill!)

We stayed at:

Marriott Mena House Hotel, literally next to the Grand Pyramid, but it is pricey in peak season months. Book a garden room vs. a pyramid view for better value because you really won’t be in your room much at all!

Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa is a good alternative and just a little further down the same street.

Budget friendly Great Pyramid Inn is a boutique style option, without the frills of the bigger hotels, but equally impressive views of the main Pyramids!

👉 For other Cairo hotels, we recommend Booking.Com or Expedia sites.

Guides & Tours

This is one area where we strongly recommend not trying to book everything independently. The stress of finding meeting points, trying to find a taxi back afterwards is simply not worth it.

A good guide:

• Meets you off the plane and helps you get through immigration without any delays.
• Takes stress off you to make decisions on the fly each day.
• Brings history to life.
• Keeps kids engaged with local treats and activities.
• Adjusts pacing throughout the day.
• Knows great places to eat where locals go (vs tourist traps)

Admission Prices and Discounts:

• It is easier to bundle all tours and experiences and pay for them as part of our overall tour operator costs.
• Be aware that there are up to 50% discounts for students and children, so bring their school/college IDs to make sure you can get this.

👉 If you want some independence, find other activities and experiences using Viator and GetYourGuide, our recommended booking agents.

Nile Cruise

For us, the Nile cruise was one of the highlights of the entire trip. This was booked for us by Golden Tours Egypt; they gave us 3 options and this felt the most family friendly one.

It provides:

• Built-in structure to your itinerary
• A more relaxed pace between sightseeing days
• Easy logistics (transport, meals, excursions handled)

👉 For full details, read our dedicated Nile Cruise review.

Site-Specific Tips (From Experience)

Giza Pyramids

• Go early (before 10am)
• Camel rides are best done here
• Consider a golf cart to save time and conserve everyone’s energy

Grand Egyptian Museum

• Don’t try to see everything – it’s simply not possible in one visit.
• Focus on 2–3 sections, and make Tutankhamun Hall a must!
• If your tour operator offers a guide, say yes. They’ll come with you and bring exhibits to life.
• Break up your visit with lunch/snacks within the complex.

Luxor & Aswan Temples

• Expect “temple fatigue” at some point – slow down your pace, or miss one.
• Build in breaks (this is key with teens who might want a lie-in or nap midday)
• A local guide makes all the difference so it’s not you and them if something isn’t going well.

Cairo Exploration

• It’s busy, vibrant, and can feel intense at first sight, but don’t miss the ancient parts of Egypt’s capital.
• Best explored with a guide. Although you can wander on your own, you’ll likely get lost.
• Mix sightseeing with slower moments (have lunch at a local cafe, check out the shops in the colourful souks)

Traveling as a Multi-Generational Group: What Actually Worked for Us

This was something we didn’t fully think through before the trip—but it ended up being one of the biggest factors in how smoothly everything ran.

Set Clear (But Flexible) Ground Rules

Before we left, we agreed on one simple rule:

Everyone joins the key excursions.

This avoided last-minute debates about important experiences.

But we balanced that with flexibility.

If someone was tired and wanted to skip dinner or take downtime, that was completely fine.

That mix of structure and flexibility worked really well.

We also bought our grandkids suitcases for Christmas before our trip, sized right for a 10-day trip. We then went through our Egypt packing list to help them (& their parents) be smart about what they brought.

Manage Expectations Around Spending

We gave each of the grandkids a set budget for:

• Souvenirs
• Gifts to bring home

And we were clear—it wasn’t unlimited. This made a big difference.

Instead of constantly asking, they became thoughtful about what they wanted—and bargaining became part of the fun.

Build in Ways to Keep Everyone Engaged

One of the simplest things we did became a highlight.

We created a shared photo album during the trip.

Everyone added their own photos each day, and we’d look back at them together.

It kept everyone involved—and it was fun seeing the trip through their eyes.

Make the Trip Last Beyond the Experience

Because of that shared album, I now have everything I need to create a photo book for each of them.

It’s a small thing—but it turns the trip into something lasting.

Logistics & Practical Tips

Transport

• Pre-arranged airport transfers are easiest
• Traffic in Cairo can be heavy—plan accordingly

Food

• Plenty of kid-friendly options
• Hotels and cruises offer variety
• Try local dishes—but mix it with familiar foods

Safety & Comfort

• Stay hydrated
• Plan around the heat
• Take breaks (more than you think you need)

Quick Egypt Checklist

Documents
✔ Passport
✔ Visa
✔ Travel insurance

✔Authorisation Letter (if you are grandparents vs parent/guardian)

Money
✔ Cash (USD + EGP)
✔ Small notes

Packing
✔ Lightweight clothes
✔ Comfortable shoes
✔ Sun protection

Planning
✔ Flights booked
✔ Hotels reserved
✔ Guide/tour arranged

Ready to Plan?

If you’re starting to shape up your Egypt trip, these are the key things we recommend booking early:

• ✈️ Flights
• 🏨 Hotels
• 🛡️ Travel insurance

For more detailed Egypt travel planning:

• Read our full 10 Day Egypt Itinerary
• Check out our Nile Cruise review

Final Thoughts

Traveling to Egypt with your grandkids (or older kids) is not only doable—it’s incredibly rewarding.  If you’d like more tips on travelling as a multi-generation group, read our tips for getting along on holiday.

With the right planning, a good guide, and a bit of flexibility, it becomes one of those trips everyone will talk about for years.