Egypt and Turkey— Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Top Tours
- Major UNESCO World Heritage sites: Your Egypt and Turkey tour packages will be filled with amazing heritage sites in both countries. Start your trip with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. These 4500 years old, structures still stand as a symbol of Egypt's architectural prowess and cultural heritage. Then travel to Turkey and witness the splendor of Ottoman history on a tour of Topkapi Palace. Conclude your trip at Goreme National Park's fairy-tale-like landscapes and rock-cut churches.
- Major architectural features: See the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture in Turkey, the Hagia Sophia. This structure was transformed from a mosque to a museum and showcased remarkable artistic fusion. Book a flight from Turkey to Egypt and gaze at incredible limestone statues at the Great Sphinx. Then head to Luxor Temple and take in the incredible Egyptian architecture featuring grand columns and hieroglyphics.
- Culinary specialties: With Egypt and Turkey being so close to each other, they offer an incredible blend of cultures that can be found even in their cuisine. Try Koshari (a blend of rice, lentils and sauces), a staple of Egyptian street food. When you are in Turkey, you have to try Doner kebabs and Baklava (a traditional nuts and syrup dessert).
Traveling between Egypt Vs Turkey: An Overview
The quickest way to travel from Egypt to Turkey is via flight and it takes about 2 hours.
Getting from Egypt and Turkey
If you are starting your trip in Egypt, direct flights connect the US and the UK to Cairo. From Cairo, you can fly to Luxor for a Nile cruise and continue sailing to Aswan. Then fly back to Cairo to catch a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, for the second leg of your tour. Turkey can be explored by a combination of flights, bus or train travel. Your escorted tour of Egypt and Turkey ends in Istanbul.
You can also do the Turkey leg of the trip first and fly from Istanbul to Cairo. You can also take a passenger ferry from Limassol (Cyprus) to Port Said in northeastern Egypt. The ferry service operates roughly from May to October, but it is not always reliable. You can also fly to Israel and enter Egypt by road at the Taba crossing. Alternatively, you can catch a flight from Istanbul to Jordan and take a long bus ride (nearly 24 hours) from Amman to Cairo. Ferry options from the Jordanian port city of Aqaba to Sinai are also available, but delays are frequent.
Best Time to Visit Egypt and Turkey
The best time to go on Egypt and Turkey tours depends on what you want to get from your vacation. If you don’t mind the hot weather in Egypt, you can visit both countries from June to September. However, we recommend visiting Egypt and Turkey in May or October if you wish to avoid the heat and get good deals on flights and accommodation. Check out our article on the best time to visit Turkey for complete information.
Highlights of Egypt and Turkey Trip
- Hop on a boat ride and cruise the Nile River in Egypt. You will have an opportunity to see some of the best temples in Egypt from a totally different perspective
- Book your stay at one of the 5-star resorts while touring Hurghada, Egypt, for a relaxing summer holiday. Scuba divers will love the coral reefs of the Red Sea
- Go on a day trip to Cairo in Egypt to see the attractions such as the Al-Azhar Mosque and the Sultan Hassan Mosque
- Spend a weekend in Istanbul, Turkey. This historical city is well-known for its tourist attractions, such as the Blue Mosque, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and Topkapi Palace.
- The picturesque rock valleys of Cappadocia are definitely a sight to behold. Book the popular hot balloon air ride and admire the breathtaking views of the landscape during sunrise.
- Discover mighty ruins on an Ephesus tour in Turkey. This town dates back to the 10th century BCE and was a thriving commercial center during the Roman era.
Egypt and Turkey Travel Tips
- In both Egypt and Turkey, you should be prepared to haggle at markets. Price negotiation for goods and services is quite common in both countries.
- In Egypt, travelers should dress conservatively when visiting rural locations and religious sites. For instance, women would want to cover their shoulders and knees. Men should not wear flip-flops and shorts when exploring temples.
- Do not drink tap water in Egypt. You can use tap water to brush your teeth and shower but not drinking. We recommend that you buy bottled water for drinking.
- In Turkey, you should always carry cash with you, as ATM centers are not available in small rural towns and even at markets in Istanbul.
At a Glance: Egypt Vs Turkey
| Egypt | Turkey | |
| Annual visitors | 12 million | 51 million |
| Ideal duration | Two weeks | 10 days |
| Transportation | Egypt is well connected by direct flights from major destinations of the world. | There are multiple flights connecting Turkey and the UK. As US-Turkey flights are fewer, many Americans reach Turkey via a connecting flight. |
| Top destinations | Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Alexandria | Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus |
| Top activities |
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| Affordability | USD 50 to USD 100 per day. You can save by taking the train instead of flying, hiring taxis instead of airport transfers, and staying in budget hotels. | USD 100 to USD 150 per day. Costs vary depending on the type of hotels, restaurants you choose, and if you take intercity buses instead of flights. |
FAQ for Egypt and Turkey Tours
1. What are the must-visit places in Egypt and Turkey tours?
The pyramids and towns like Cairo and Alexandria are definitely must-see sites in Egypt. In Turkey, you can tour Istanbul, go south to Bodrum or Antalya for beach time, and enjoy a hot balloon ride in Cappadocia.
