From FYP to Flight: How TikTok Became My Travel Guide to Egypt

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a friend who mentioned how she used TikTok to plan her entire trip to Egypt. She had been scrolling through her FYP when she stumbled upon a video of someone discovering a hidden oasis in the Western Desert. It wasn’t the typical tourist spot you’d find in a guidebook, but it sparked something in her. She ended up exploring lesser-known spots like a small, family-run restaurant in a village or an underground art space in Cairo. That’s when it hit me. Why not let TikTok plan a weekend for me, too?

So, I gave it a try. I started scrolling, and before I knew it, my feed was full of clips from different content creators showing everything from serene Nile retreats to vibrant street performances. The beauty of it was that TikTok’s algorithm seemed to get exactly what I was looking for the more I engaged with the videos. If I liked a video about art in a local neighborhood or a quiet beach spot, I’d get more of the same, and I could easily see how my day could be shaped by these unique recommendations.

Creators like Taher Travels, Belal Yosry, and Explore with Chris do more than just showcase Egypt; they invite you into the soul of the country. Taher’s explorations take you from the bustling streets of Cairo to the serene beauty of desert escapes, while Belal’s videos feel like a deep dive into the heart of Egypt, showing places untouched by tourists. Chris, with her adventurous spirit, uncovers Egypt’s best-kept secrets, offering an intimate look at local life and hidden gems.

What really stood out was how real-time content brought my day to life. TikTok, as it turned out for me, wasn’t just a platform for carefully curated content. It’s full of live updates from places you might never find in traditional travel guides. I saw a live stream of a sunset over Siwa Oasis and another of a local music festival along the Red Sea. In fact, one of Belal Yosry’s videos truly captured the magic of Siwa showing the breathtaking salt lakes with their unreal turquoise waters. Seeing that in real-time made me realize I had to add it to my itinerary. The spontaneity TikTok allows made my trip feel more organic and exciting.

I also loved how TikTok introduced me to places that weren’t on the usual tourist list. I discovered a video showing a restored Nubian village along the Nile, where ancient traditions blend with modern creativity. Another clip highlighted an art collective in Alexandria, turning an old warehouse into a community space. These are the types of gems that traditional guidebooks often miss, and they made my trip feel more authentic.

What I didn’t expect was how TikTok helped me understand the local culture before I even stepped foot in Egypt. As I watched videos of artisans crafting jewelry in Dahab or families gathering in Nubian villages, I picked up cultural tips that would make my trip even more immersive. I learned simple things, like how to greet locals in the dialects or the importance of rural hospitality, which helped me connect more meaningfully when I visited.

At first, I thought TikTok was just another platform where I’d scroll through funny content and trends. But as I delved deeper, I found myself experiencing Egypt through the eyes of those who truly knew it. Suddenly, the country felt less like a destination on a map and more like a living, breathing entity; a place I could connect with in a way that felt real and personal.

So next time you’re planning a trip, why not let TikTok do the heavy lifting? One scroll could lead you to a hidden gem you never would have found otherwise, or inspire you to explore new areas. With each video, TikTok is not just changing the way we travel, it’s changing how we connect with the world. And who knows? Your next adventure might just be one TikTok away.