Many of the one-stop flights from Australia to Cairo already change planes in Dubai, so a stopover adds a second destination without adding a flight. The flight from the east coast to Dubai takes about 14–15 hours; after three nights there, the hop to Cairo is about 3.5–4 hours and you arrive in Egypt already halfway adjusted to the time zone. Your first morning at the pyramids is a good one rather than a blur.
The two places make a deliberate contrast. Dubai gives you the Creek, the souks, the Burj Khalifa at sunset and a day in the desert or Abu Dhabi, with smooth logistics and a hotel pool to recover by. Egypt then gets eight focused days with a private Egyptologist: three nights in Cairo, two in Aswan for Philae and Abu Simbel, and two in Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
This follows the plan in our Egypt and Dubai guide. If you would rather finish with Dubai, we simply reverse it, flying out of Egypt to Dubai for a pool-and-shopping finale before the long flight home.
Journey highlights
- Three nights in Dubai to break the journey from Australia
- Al Fahidi, an abra across the Creek and the Deira souks, then the Burj Khalifa at sunset
- A desert afternoon with dunes and dinner at a camp, or a day trip to Abu Dhabi
- The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx at opening time with a private Egyptologist
- The Grand Egyptian Museum's complete Tutankhamun collection
- Philae Temple and a sunset felucca in Aswan
- Abu Simbel's temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari
- The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and Karnak
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Dubai
Land in Dubai after the long flight from Australia and transfer privately to your hotel. Rest, swim and, if you are up to it, take an evening stroll by the lake to watch the Dubai Fountain show beneath the Burj Khalifa.
- Day2
Old and new Dubai
Start at 8am in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a quarter of restored wind-tower houses on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek, then cross on an abra, the wooden water taxi, to the spice and gold souks of Deira. Retreat to the hotel through the heat of the day, then go up the Burj Khalifa in the late afternoon on a pre-booked sunset slot.
- Day3
Desert drive or Abu Dhabi
Choose between a lazy morning and an afternoon desert drive, with dunes at sunset and dinner at a camp, or a private day trip to Abu Dhabi, about 1.5 hours away, for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (arms and legs covered, headscarf for women) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
- Day4
Fly to Cairo
Fly from Dubai to Cairo, about 3.5–4 hours. You are met inside the terminal, helped with your Egypt visa and driven to your Giza hotel, about 45–60 minutes away. The evening is free.
- Day5
Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Reach the Giza Plateau at opening time for the Great Pyramid, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx. After lunch, your Egyptologist leads you up the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum to the Tutankhamun galleries and the Solar Boat of Khufu.
- Day6
Saqqara and Islamic Cairo
Drive about 45 minutes south to Saqqara for Djoser's Step Pyramid, built around 2650 BC, and the finely carved Old Kingdom tombs. In the late afternoon visit the Citadel of Saladin, then walk through Khan el-Khalili for dinner and mint tea.
- Day7
Fly to Aswan, Philae and a felucca
Take the morning flight to Aswan, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Visit Philae, the island Temple of Isis, by motorboat, and finish with a felucca sail around Elephantine Island as the sun sets over the west bank dunes.
- Day8
Abu Simbel
Leave before dawn for the roughly three-hour desert drive to Abu Simbel, or upgrade to the 45-minute flight where schedules allow. See the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari, and hear how both were cut up and moved uphill in the 1960s. Back in Aswan by early afternoon to rest.
- Day9
Drive to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu
Follow the Nile north by private car, about 3.5 hours of driving, stopping at the riverside double temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Arrive in Luxor in the late afternoon.
- Day10
Luxor West Bank
Start with an optional sunrise balloon flight, then visit three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The afternoon is free by the hotel pool.
- Day11
Karnak and Luxor Temple, fly to Cairo
Explore Karnak at opening time, including the Great Hypostyle Hall and its 134 columns, then Luxor Temple. Take an evening flight to Cairo, about an hour, and stay near the airport.
- Day12
Depart Cairo
A short transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport for your flight home via the Gulf.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Dubai, 3 nights | Address Downtown or Jumeirah Al Qasr or similar |
| Cairo (Giza), 3 nights | Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar |
| Aswan, 2 nights | Mövenpick Resort Aswan or similar |
| Luxor, 2 nights | Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar |
| Cairo airport, 1 night | Le Méridien Cairo Airport or similar |
What’s included
- 3 nights in Dubai and 8 nights in Egypt with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers in Dubai and a private guide for the Old Dubai morning
- Burj Khalifa observation deck tickets and either the desert drive with dinner or a private Abu Dhabi day trip
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every touring day in Egypt
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for all transfers and touring
- Standard entry fees to the sites listed, including Abu Simbel by road
- Felucca sail and Philae boat in Aswan, meet-and-assist at Cairo airport and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights, including the Dubai–Cairo sector (we can quote and book these together)
- Egypt visa fee and any UAE entry costs
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Optional extras such as the Luxor balloon flight, the Abu Simbel flight upgrade and Tutankhamun's tomb
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless stated
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Destinations on this journey
Cairo & Giza · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor
Egypt and Dubai in 12 Days: Three Nights in Dubai, Then Cairo, Aswan and Luxor: FAQs
Is it better to do Dubai before or after Egypt?
We put Dubai first because it breaks the 14–15-hour flight from Australia and lets you adjust before the early starts in Egypt. If you would rather finish with a treat, we reverse the order. Our Egypt and Dubai guide compares both options.
How long is the flight from Dubai to Cairo?
About 3.5–4 hours. Several airlines fly the route daily at the time of writing, and it can often be added to your international ticket as a stopover. See our flights from Australia to Egypt guide.
Do Australians need visas for Dubai and Egypt?
At the time of writing, Australians can get a visa on arrival in the UAE for short visits and need a visa for Egypt, either an e-Visa or a visa on arrival. Rules change, so check Smartraveller for both countries and read our Egypt visa guide.
Can we add a Nile cruise?
Yes. Replacing the Aswan nights and the drive north with a three-night Aswan to Luxor cruise works on some departure days, or you can extend to the full four-night sailing on our Classic Egypt and Nile Cruise. The Nile cruise guide explains the options.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes. Dubai first is particularly kind to children's body clocks, and Egypt's days are paced with afternoon breaks. Abu Simbel means a very early start, so some families prefer the flight. Our Egypt with kids guide has more ideas.
