Lonely Planet Egypt (Travel Guide)

I love LP books because they always give you a snapshot of costs, generally stable businesses that aren’t likely to disappear anytime soon, and info about transportation from place to place which can be challenging, no matter how good the system is.In this edition, there are no hotels listed, no phone numbers, no descriptions of travel hubs and costs. There is one page about accommodations in the entire book and it gives very broad averages and a plea not to use AirBnB or unregulated hotels.You’re better off buying an older version or the Cairo to Istanbul book from over a decade ago.

I have the first Lonely Planet Guide, Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, 1979. This, and my 2 shelves of other Lonely Planet guides have enabled me to travel the world on a budget. What a horrible surprise to find that this Egypt guide had zero information on lodging, dining, or even traveling from one place to another. Completely missing! I was devastated. I don’t need just another pile of information on the sites. I need to get from one to the other. I need to know how I can get a bus or train or boat or hitchhike to the next stop. I need to know what part of town the budget hotels are and which are the best for either meeting people, getting some quiet time, or doing laundry. Who has a friendly, helpful owner? Which room has the best view? What’s the best thing on the menu at the little hole-in- the- wall restaurant that everyone loves? I would’ve returned it but I had assumed it had similar content as all the others so I already wrote in it.

The format and layout of the version before this one is so much better. This is more like a picture book. I don’t need to waste money on pictures. I will take those myself when I’m there. I want the travel information and tips for an enjoyable journey. Lovely Planet, please go back to the former layout.

I just got the latest edition and it pales compared to prior editions of this guidebook. Lonely Planet Egypt used to be the very best. You would be far better off buying an older edition. This edition lacks floor plans, informed details of sites, and indeed, most anything of value or substance. In fairness - the GEM Museum is still not fully open - but even so - they could have done far better here. Museums have little information provided and the great sites have been stripped of anything like useful information or helpful diagrams. I have genuine doubt the authors even went to Egypt to update this edition. I really do.

Complete redesign has a few nice tips but overall not worth it. Get the previous edition.

The design changes are an atrocious affront to all of us who have loved LP for decades. The amount of useful information in this “updated” edition has been cut from previous editions by 50-60%. I get that LP may be trying to capture the “no attention span” Insta-generation with less text and lots of pretty pictures, but could LP please continue to make the grown-up version for us actual travelers?

Very informative. Felt as if I was wandering in Egypt.

LP guides are always first class. Used this in a whirlwind tour of the key historical sites if Egypt, ranging from Cairo, through Aswan and on to Abu Simbel. The book highlights all the key sites and features for those short of time, and gives good pointers to anyone who wants to explore deeper.

As usual for a book in this series, very good and high quality information.

Before buying I was skeptical of others' negativism: but they are right. lonely planet has completely screwed up this new format. I would be able to find more info on Google but if so why should I spend money on a book. This is the first time I am going to other brands for my travel and hope it will be the sign for them to go back to what they were used to

It had up to date information from a recent update, which was a positive. I like that most of the regions in Egypt are covered within.Highly positive spin on Egypt. Too little information on the negatives and how to minimise them as a non-arabic non-muslim. Some information on health issues, but superficial.The information isn't detailed and often refers you for example to websites. The maps are more artistic, rather the informative.Better than nothing for planning purposes, but seek advice from other sources on for example vaccinations, food hygiene, Egyptian water parasites, scammers and so forth.