Egypt with a Baby

A round trip through Egypt is probably not the most obvious choice for a family vacation with a baby. But we were always adventurous travelers and wanted to keep that up as a family.

Traveling to Egypt with a baby requires some preparation, especially when you want to see the iconic pyramids in Cairo, visit ancient temples along the Nile and relax at the Red Sea in one vacation.

We had an incredible time visiting Egypt with a baby (who was nine months at the time) and are so pleased we get to share our experience and advice with you.

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Getting from the Airport to your Accommodation in Cairo

For our trip to Egypt, we landed at Cairo International Airport exhausted from our flight. Luckily, we did not need to get in line for arrival visas. If you come from an eligible country (United States, many European countries etc.) we recommend applying for an e-Visa in advance.

The local currency is the Egyptian pound, and it is a good idea to always have some cash with you. We withdrew money at an ATM machine but there are also money exchange kiosks at the airport.

Upon exiting the gate, many drivers approached us. While their offers might sound a bit cheaper, it is safer to ignore them and go to the official desk for renting a taxi. It is located just outside the baggage claim area.

They registered our name and where we were headed and gave us a receipt with the agreed amount, name of the driver and their license plate. Their prices are standard prices, so no negotiation is necessary.

We had to pay the driver in cash once we reached our apartment. Egypt has a tipping culture, so be prepared to give a tip of around 10%.

Where to Stay in Egypt with a Baby

Where to Stay in Cairo with a Baby

We rented a central apartment in Maadi. Maadi is a great neighborhood to stay in on your family trip to Cairo. It is relatively quiet and green, and a lot of expats choose to live there.

It is easy to find family friendly restaurants and cafes close-by. Maadi is next to the Corniche promenade, so some accommodations offer a view on the Nile. It is good to know that most apartments have an AC but not many provide heaters.

If you prefer staying close to the Pyramids, we recommend booking a family-friendly hotel with half-board. The area around the Pyramids is quite poor and we did not enjoy its atmosphere as much.

Where to Stay in Aswan with a Baby

During our time in Aswan, we stayed in the Nuba Dool Guest House on Elephant island. It is run by a lovely family that was very helpful in organizing transportation and day trips. Plus, they prepared a delicious Nubian breakfast each morning and even played with our daughter while we ate.

One of our most cherished memories from our Egypt family vacation is sitting on their rooftop at night, enjoying the fantastic views on Aswan’s mainland. We chose a small guesthouse for the authentic experience of Nubian culture.

If you prefer a more luxurious accommodation, there is a Movenpick resort on Elephant island or the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan on the mainland.

We highly recommend staying on Elephant island when visiting Aswan. It is relatively small, and you can reach everything by foot in less than 20 minutes. In fact, there are no cars on the island.

We never had to wait more than a few minutes for the small ferry that connects it to the mainland.

Where to Stay in Luxor with a Baby

When looking into hotels in Luxor, you will quickly notice that even five-star hotels are very affordable. We stayed in the luxurious Steigenberger Resort Achti on the east bank of the Nile.

Its on-site restaurants offer high chairs and they also provided us with a baby bed free of charge. The hotel can organize trips to the main attractions for you.

Where to Stay in Hurghada with a Baby

Most tourists come to Hurghada to relax on the beach and swim or dive in the Red Sea. Chances are, you will not leave the hotel premises until check-out. This makes it more important to find a suitable hotel.

We stayed in the Mercure Hurghada Hotel as well as the Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna. We were satisfied with both as they have private beaches and are family friendly, offering baby high chairs and baby cribs.

Staying in international chain hotel resorts made us feel safe about the food quality.

Personally, we preferred staying in El Gouna, which is about half an hour outside of Hurghada. It is one of the greenest cities in Egypt and we loved the turquoise blue lagoons.

Getting Around in Egypt with a Baby

Traffic in Egypt can be loud and chaotic. Unless you learned driving there, it is not advisable to rent a car for your trip to Egypt.

The good news: Uber and taxis are quite cheap and available everywhere. The bad news: it is unfortunately common for cars to not have functioning seat belts in the back. I was shocked to see young kids sitting on the lap of their driving parent or playing in the back with open windows.

For me, it was a no-go to risk my daughter’s safety and I always insisted on putting her in her properly secured travel car seat. Sometimes this meant ordering one Uber after another until finally one of them had functioning seat belts.

Whenever possible, we organized transfers through our hotels and insisted they make sure the car will have seat belts. We don’t recommend public transportation for tourists.

A popular way to travel between Aswan and Luxor is by cruise ship. If you choose this, make sure to book a reputable high-class cruise to have clean food on board and an overall good experience. We chose to stay in hotels and travel by car to have more flexibility.

Get more info on taking a cruise between Aswan and Luxor.

Is Egypt safe for babies?

The short answer is: Yes, as long as you follow the general safety advice:

Do not travel to dangerous areas such as North Sinai Peninsula or the Libyan border.

Avoid crowds and demonstrations.

Stay alert in touristic or religious places and exercise increased caution around public holidays.

Carry identification at all times and keep photocopies on your phone or in your hotel bag.

Check if your country has a crisis prevention program or list to register in before traveling.

Be aware of touting or scamming attempts.

Do not drink tap water or use it for brushing your teeth etc.

Avoid traveling in cars without seat belts

We felt safe in Egypt with a baby at all times. When applying some common sense, it is highly unlikely to encounter any trouble.

People are usually happy to see families and babies. They are welcoming, make funny faces for your little ones and smile at you. Travelling with a baby is a great way to connect with locals.

Tips for Traveling to Egypt with a Baby

Does a baby carrier or stroller work best in Egypt?

Egypt’s sidewalks are not stroller friendly, so having a good baby carrier for travel is essential. Based on our experience, we could only use our stroller in malls, the airport and inside hotel resorts.

Do I need a baby car seat in Egypt?

By law, no. You will witness some locals transporting their baby on their lap. However, your baby is safest in a travel car seat and you should plan to bring one. Insist on installing it properly in each car.

Are restaurants baby friendly in Egypt?

Egypt is a family friendly country to visit and we never entered a restaurant that was not happy to welcome our baby. Most higher-class restaurants offer high chairs but you could always pack your own portable high chair.

Where to change your baby on the go in Egypt?

We often did not find changing tables nearby and can recommend bringing a portable changing mat.

Is baby food easily accessible in Egypt?

In Cairo, it’s easy to manage baby food in Egypt since you can easily find baby food in stores like Carrefour, in pharmacies or you can order it to your doorstep through apps. When visiting Egypt with a toddler it is possible to ask for small portions in restaurants and let them try out the Egyptian cuisine.

Where to buy diapers, formula, baby food, etc. in Egypt?

It is best to stock up on baby essentials in Cairo, but it is also possible to find them in other cities. We once bought a jar of baby food and diapers from a pharmacy in Luxor and the pharmacist even spoke English.

When is the best time to visit Egypt as a family?

Especially with young children, it will be way too hot to visit Egypt in summer. Our round trip can be done from mid-autumn to spring. If you want your children to swim in the Red Sea, it is best to avoid the coldest winter months. Also avoid the month of Ramadan as it might be harder to find food outside of your hotel during the day.

2-Week Egypt Itinerary

For our 2 week Egypt itinerary, we stayed four nights in Cairo, three nights in Aswan, three nights in Luxor and two nights in Hurghada.

4 Days in Cairo with a Baby

Cairo is a megacity with more than ten million inhabitants. You will not get bored even if you stay in this city for weeks, but it is possible to see the main attractions in just three days.

Day 1: Cairo Citadel and Islamic Cairo

Our first stop was the Citadel of Saladin. The impressive fortress is located on top of the Muqattam hill and offers amazing views over Cairo. As part of the Citadel, we visited the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Military Museum and the Police museum.

We continued our day exploring the nearby Islamic Cairo. It’s a historic area filled with Islamic architecture. We bought a general ticket to gain access to most buildings on Muizz street. You also find the famous bazar Khan el-Khalili here.

This is the best place to stock up on souvenirs for your loved ones at home. You need a good baby carrier to navigate this area as a family.

Day 2: Coptic Cairo, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo Festival City Mall

We started the day by walking through coptic cairo, which is home to many historically important churches. We went inside the Hanging Church and the adjacent Coptic Museum. Unfortunately, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al As (the first mosque ever built in all of Africa) and the Ben Ezra Synagogue (the oldest synagogue in Egypt) were closed for renovation at the time of our visit.

We continued to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. It newly opened in 2021 and displays 22 royal mummies as well as ancient artifacts. The museum is stroller friendly and has diaper changing facilities, so you can plan to bring your travel stroller.

Our last stop for the day was the Cairo Festival City Mall. It is the biggest mall in Egypt and offers international shops, numerous restaurants and entertainment options. It has a mommy’s room with comfortable chairs for feeding your baby and diaper changing tables.

We had an early dinner in the Lebanese restaurant Enab Beirut and ate dessert in the dipndip chocoate cafe. Both offered us high chairs and we had a great time.

Day 3: Admiring the Great Pyramids of Giza

The most comfortable way to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza is to make a breakfast or lunch reservation at the 9 Pyramids Lounge. An alternative is to enter the Pyramids Complex from the main entrance gate or book a private tour.

While it is possible to enter some of the pyramids, we were advised against it as it is narrow, dark and hot inside and not worth the money.

Day 4: Flight from Cairo to Aswan

Packed with a bunch of pictures and memories, we were ready to escape the hustle and bustle of Cairo. We took a short mid-day flight and pre-arranged a private airport pick-up in Aswan through our guesthouse.

3 Days in Aswan with a Baby

Aswan is an ancient city on the Nile, in which you can find impressive archeological sites. It is one of the hottest cities in the world and therefore a great place to enjoy the sun and calm vibes during the winter.

Day 5: Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, Old Souk

The first stop of our private tour of Aswan was the unfinished obelisk. It is considered the largest obelisk from ancient times, but it was never finished because cracks appeared in the granite. We walked through the site in less than ten minutes and were frankly a bit disappointed.

Our next stop – the Aswan High Dam – controls Nile floods by storing excess water in the man-made Lake Nasser and releasing it over the years when needed. We felt it was like looking at the sea next to this enormous reservoir.

We continued to Aswan’s main attraction: the Philae Temple. As it is located on an island, we had to take a motorboat to reach it. It was built in honor of the goddess Isis and we admired the scenes from Egyptian mythology carved into its walls.

We ended our day strolling along the Souk – a colorful bazar street full of oriental fragrances and goods.

Day 6: Tombs of the Nobles, Aswan Botanical Garden, Nubian Village

Our guesthouse organized a half-day boat tour on the Nile for us. If you just want to relax on the Nile, it is a good idea to take a traditional felucca sailing boat. We chose a motorboat to be able to make some stops along the way.

We first got off the boat at the high cliffs opposite of Aswan. From a local village, sandy stairs lead up to the Tombs of the Nobles. Some locals offered us a camel ride to ease the ascent, but we preferred walking.

We continued all the way to the Dome of the Wind, located at the peak of the hill. We enjoyed the stunning views before returning to our boat.

The Aswan Botanical Garden is located on its own island and hosts exotic plants and birds from all over the world. Our daughter only learned to walk after our family holidays to Egypt. Otherwise, this would have been a great place for her to take a few steps in a green environment.

Our last stop was at a Nubian village. We walked around its colorful buildings and were surprised to learn that many locals keep crocodiles in their homes. Since the pandemic, less tourists find their way to Nubia and local merchants were desperate to sell us their goods.

Day 7: Visiting Kom Ombo and Edfu Temple

We booked a private transfer to Luxor through our guesthouse and reached the Temple of Kom Ombo after one hour. This double temple is dedicated to King Tuthmosis III and Queen Hatshepsut. When a local guide saw us holding a baby, he pointed towards a birth scene carved on the ancient stones.

The Temple of Edfu is located halfway between Aswan and Luxor. Dedicated to Horus, it was built from 237 to 57 BC and is now considered the best-preserved Egyptian temple. The inscriptions on its walls give insight into the religious beliefs and mythology of the Hellenistic period.

2 Days in Luxor with a Baby

Day 8: Avenue of the Rams, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple

We were not feeling well that day, so we mostly relaxed in the hotel. Our friends we were traveling with went to the Avenue of the Rams, Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple.

Day 9: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu

The Valley of the Kings is an impressive burial site for pharaohs and nobles. We entered some of the tombs whose walls are covered in colorful drawings and hieroglyphs. We also visited the close-by Temple of Hatshepsut and maneuvered our way through Medinet Habu with our stroller.

Book a private tour in the Valley of the Kings

Day 10: Taking a Bus from Luxor to Hurgahda

We booked seats on a Go Bus Egypt (Deluxe Plus) which took us to Hurghada in about five hours. We had an overall good experience as the bus is comfortably equipped and the road is was in decent shape.

One Day in Hurghada with a Baby

Day 11: Relaxing at the Red Sea

We spent the whole day in Hurghada playing in the sand and dipping our toes into the Red Sea. It was a relaxing way to end our vacation.

Where to Eat in Egypt with a Baby

When eating in Egypt it is best to follow the advice: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it.

Virtually all restaurants or supermarkets deliver to your doorstep in Egypt. We highly recommend the app breadfast to get groceries, baked goods and baby food delivered within the hour. Talabat is a great app to order food from restaurants.

Our favorite baby friendly place to eat in Cairo is the Osana Family Wellness center. They have a beautiful play area for babies and toddlers in their garden and offer kid portions for half price, free baby food when ordering an adult meal, high chairs and kid-sized chairs and tables.

In Aswan, we enjoyed eating on the rooftop of the Bob Marley Guest House on Elephant island. It does not offer high chairs, but the amazing views on the Nile and tranquil vibes make up for that.

What to Bring for Egypt with a Baby

Like many places, you can find most of what you need for traveling with a baby in Egypt. Before heading off on your family trip to Egypt, be sure to consult my list of baby travel essentials.

Final Travel Tips on Egypt with a Baby

We had an incredible time in Egypt with our baby. Here are a few final travel tips to make sure you get the most out of travelling to Egypt with a baby!

• Tipping is expected.
• Respect the culture (cover yourselves when visiting mosques etc.).
• Learn some Arabic phrases such as La (no) and Shukran (thank you) – words that you will often use hand in hand.
• Get medical travel insurance and make sure you have all the recommended vaccines.
• Keep all members of your family well hydrated and protected from the sun.

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