Thinking of visiting Egypt with your family yet wary of touts, scams and thieves? Here’s why choosing a package tour might be the best option for a fruitful trip to Egypt.
Singaporeans are seasoned travellers. Mention “package tours” and many of us immediately picture elderly travellers visiting mainstream destinations, early morning wake-up calls, long hours on buses, and obligatory stops at tourist traps selling overpriced local produce. For families with children, such tours feel even less appealing — parents often prefer free-and-easy itineraries centred on flexibility, child-friendly pacing, and the freedom to explore at their own rhythm.
Egypt With Kids: 12-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary & Why Choose Package Tour
Our recent family trip to Egypt challenged many of these assumptions.
To be honest, some stereotypes about package tours still hold true, and we still prefer travelling independently. But as with most things, travel decisions depend very much on objectives and context. For this trip, several considerations led us to choose a tour package.
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First, we were travelling as a large group with a wide age range — from young children to elderly parents.
Secondly, Egypt’s transport infrastructure is not as intuitive or accessible as what we are used to in many parts of Europe.
Thirdly, the language and cultural differences could easily lead to miscommunication or even safety concerns.
Finally, after years of avoiding package tours, we were genuinely curious to experience one again — this time with children in tow.
After comparing itineraries, prices, and departure dates across several agencies, we signed up with a Singapore-based tour operator. At about S$3,300 per person, the package felt like good value considering it included return flights on Qatar Airways, a domestic flight within Egypt, three nights on a five-star Nile cruise, four nights in five-star hotels, two nights at a five-star coastal resort, and almost all meals.
First Impressions of Egypt
Even before setting foot in Egypt, we carried many preconceived notions. Is it safe? Is it full of scammers? Are terrorist attacks a concern? Should we pack cup noodles just in case?
Upon arrival, new questions surfaced. Why did so many buildings look unfinished — were they damaged by conflict? Why did the city look so dusty, almost hazy? And why were the locals so friendly — were they trying to sell us something?
These questions stayed with us through the trip and were gradually answered as we experienced the country more deeply.
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The Itinerary: Cairo to Alexandria
Egypt has always been a bucket-list destination for me. Between biblical references, Hollywood portrayals, and documentaries, my imagination had long been filled with ancient mysticism, booby-trap-laden tombs, and monumental engineering feats that fuel endless conspiracy theories.
The tour started in Cairo with a visit to the Egyptian Museum. The experience felt less like a modern museum and more like a century-old storage space overflowing with artefacts. Sarcophagi were stacked along corridors, mummies appeared in unexpected corners, and the building itself felt unventilated and dated — a stark contrast to the sleek museums we are accustomed to.
From Cairo, we travelled by bus to Alexandria, an ancient port city founded by Alexander the Great after the Greek conquest of Egypt. We made photo stops at Montazah Palace Gardens, visited the Library of Alexandria, and explored the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Given our group’s demographics, the biggest benefit was being completely hands-off with logistics. While we focused on managing two energetic boys and tending to elderly parents, our luggage was seamlessly transferred between hotel rooms and tour buses.
It felt surreal not having to drag suitcases across uneven pavements or up staircases — a small but meaningful relief when travelling with both kids and seniors.
Cairo to Aswan
Before this trip, Aswan existed in my mind mainly as a textbook case study of the Aswan High Dam. But stepping off the plane, the atmosphere immediately felt different — calmer, more ancient, and more connected to the Nile.
Here, the Nile’s role as Egypt’s lifeblood became tangible. The scale and impact of the Aswan High Dam, and how it reshaped the geography of Egypt and Sudan, was fascinating. We visited Philae Temple, located on a rocky island, and the Unfinished Obelisk, where ancient construction techniques were frozen in time.
The Boays came alive here. Hieroglyphs and ruins they had previously only seen in cartoons and LEGO sets were suddenly real. Temples became playgrounds; ruins turned into obstacle courses. At the Unfinished Obelisk, Adriel remarked, “This place feels like a giant obstacle course!”
What we appreciated about the tour was the flexibility for our elderly parents — they could opt out of walking-heavy sites and rest comfortably on the tour bus, while we continued exploring without guilt or compromise.
Aswan to Luxor: Three Days on the Nile Cruise
This was the highlight of the trip.
Sailing along the Nile was a luxury in itself. Our cruise, Concerto II, felt modern and comfortable. All rooms came with full-height glass doors and balconies, allowing us to soak in the Nile’s slow-moving scenery. Facilities included a bar, massage services, a small gym, shops, and a rooftop pool.
Meals were served buffet-style, with international options and one Egyptian-themed night. The Boays loved the live pasta and egg stations, and thankfully, no one had cravings for instant noodles.
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One particularly amusing moment was watching small boats approach the cruise, with sailors throwing towels onto our balconies in hopes of making a sale. The back-and-forth towel tossing was both hilarious and oddly impressive — a glimpse into Egyptian resourcefulness and adaptability.
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Along the way, we visited Edfu, Karnak, and Luxor Temples. With some basic Egyptology knowledge — and help from ChatGPT — we found ourselves answering a barrage of questions from the Boays. Evenings ended with us watching Gods of Egypt on the cruise, and soon they were confidently identifying Ra, Anubis, and Horus on temple walls.
Optional excursions included Abu Simbel, where standing before colossal statues carved over 3,000 years ago made one feel profoundly small, and a visit to a Nubian Village, colourful and cultural, though our late-afternoon timing limited exploration due to early winter sunsets.
Luxor to Hurghada
After several early mornings — some starting as early as 4am — it was time to slow down.
We checked into Sentido Caribbean World Resort in Hurghada for two nights. This all-inclusive resort was a hit with the kids, featuring a kids’ club, large pools, an aqua park, and direct beach access. Unsurprisingly, it was popular with Eastern European travellers seeking Red Sea sunshine during winter.
Aside from a glass-bottomed boat tour, which allowed the Boays to see marine life and shipwrecks for the first time, most of our time was spent resting and recharging.
Cairo to Saqqara to Giza
The final leg included visits to Saqqara’s Step Pyramid, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and a camel ride with the pyramids as the backdrop — multiple bucket-list moments checked off in one go.
We ended with an optional visit to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, a strikingly modern space that felt worlds apart from the old Cairo museum.
Seeing the full collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures was awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, the Children’s Museum only opened after 1pm on weekdays, which disappointed the Boays — though gelato within the museum grounds softened the blow.
Reflections After Egypt
So — why was Cairo so dusty? Simply put, Egypt sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Dust is part of daily life, especially in urban areas with rapid construction and expansion.
And why were the locals so friendly? Contrary to our guarded instincts as Singaporeans, many Egyptians are genuinely proud of their history and heritage. They strike up conversations out of curiosity and warmth — and more often than not, these interactions did not end in sales pitches.
As for the “unfinished” buildings, many are intentionally left that way. In Egypt, property taxes apply only once a building is considered “complete.” Families often add floors incrementally as they expand, and external finishing is not a priority. Structurally, these buildings are generally sound — they are not war-damaged ruins.
Scammers? They exist — as they do everywhere. Frankly, I receive more scam calls in Singapore than I encountered scammers in Egypt. Being on a tour group also insulated us from unsolicited approaches and provided a strong sense of safety.
Egypt for Kids — and Final Thoughts
This trip exceeded expectations in how educationally engaging it was for the Boays. Watching them return home and set up pretend “street stalls,” reenacting scenes from Egypt, showed just how deeply the experience had sunk in.
Trips like these build adaptability, curiosity, and confidence. They create shared stories — and stories are the currency of closeness. We woke up early together, rushed to get ready, looked out for one another, and functioned as a team.
If you and your child have even a modest appetite for Egyptian history, mythology, or ancient civilisations, Egypt is a powerful place to immerse yourselves. You may be surprised at how adaptable your child becomes in a new environment.
That said, for families — especially those travelling with young children and elderly parents — I would still strongly recommend going with a package tour. It removes friction, manages risk, and allows you to focus on what truly matters: learning, bonding, and experiencing Egypt together.
And in that sense, this Egypt trip fulfilled exactly what we hoped it would.
