Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAlexandria

Cairo and the Pyramids in a Day from Alexandria: Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum

About 13 hours, private car and Egyptologist guide, Giza, the Sphinx, the Museum and lunch.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 13-hour private day trip by road from Alexandria to Giza and back: the three Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, with an Egyptologist guide, a private car and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Alexandria · Giza · Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum
Includes
Private transfers from and back to your Alexandria hotel or cruise port · A private air-conditioned car with a driver for the long day · Your own English-speaking Egyptologist · Tickets for the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum · A sit-down lunch at a restaurant we know near the Pyramids
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is far more comfortable at Giza. In summer the plateau is hot by mid-morning.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator, founded in 1988
  • Six offices across Egypt, run by Discovery Tours Egypt

02Overview

A first look

This is a private day trip from Alexandria to Cairo and back, by road. It is a long day, so you leave early, at 06:30 from your hotel or the cruise port. The drive to Giza takes about three hours, with a rest stop on the way. At Giza your Egyptologist guide takes you around the Pyramids and the Sphinx, then you have lunch and spend the afternoon in the Grand Egyptian Museum. You are back in Alexandria at about 19:45. Your party has its own car, so you can stop whenever you need to.

Background

The facts

Giza lies on the western edge of Cairo, roughly 220 kilometres from Alexandria. The desert road between the two cities takes about three hours by car.

Named in this entry

Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid of Khufu·Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure·Great Sphinx of Giza·Alexandria to Cairo desert road

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers in Alexandria who want to see the Pyramids and the Museum without changing hotels.

Maybe not, if

  • Not recommended for young children, wheelchair users on the plateau, or anyone who cannot manage a very long day.

What lingers

  • 01The Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau
  • 02The panorama point for views of all three Pyramids together
  • 03The Sphinx, then Khafre's Valley Temple
  • 04The Grand Egyptian Museum, including the Grand Staircase and Tutankhamun galleries
  • 05A private Egyptologist guide who speaks English
  • 06Your own air-conditioned car, with lunch at a local restaurant

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Pyramids and the Museum from Alexandria in one day
  • Private car and guide, so you can stop when you like
  • Lunch and tickets included

Things to Consider

  • A 06:30 start and about six hours on the road
  • Entry inside a pyramid costs extra

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

  6. 6

  7. 7

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Private transfers from and back to your Alexandria hotel or cruise port
  • A private air-conditioned car with a driver for the long day
  • Your own English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Tickets for the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum
  • A sit-down lunch at a restaurant we know near the Pyramids
  • Bottled water in the car

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • What you drink with lunch
  • Anything you buy for yourself
  • A ticket to go inside one of the pyramids
  • Camel or horse rides at the plateau

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sleep on the way out and keep your energy for the Museum in the afternoon

  2. 02

    Carry small notes for tips and optional tickets

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and are counted in your party size. The day includes about six hours in the car and a lot of walking, so it suits children who cope well with long journeys. Please give their ages when you book.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

On the ground

Your route

1Alexandria2Giza

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Where does this day trip start?
    In Alexandria. Your driver collects you from your Alexandria hotel or the cruise port at 06:30, and you are taken back to the same place in the evening.
  2. 02How long are we in the car?
    The drive is about three hours each way, so around six hours in the car in total. Because the trip is private, you can ask the driver to stop for a break at any time.
  3. 03Is this suitable if I am arriving by cruise ship?
    It can be, but only if your ship stays in port until the late evening. You are back at about 19:45, so please check your sailing time and tell us when you book. We will not advise it if the ship leaves earlier.
  4. 04Can we go inside a pyramid?
    Going inside a pyramid needs an extra ticket, which is paid for on the spot and is not included. Spaces inside are small and steep, and your guide can advise whether it is worth it for your party.
  5. 05Does the price cover lunch?
    Yes, lunch at a local restaurant near the Pyramids is included. Drinks with the meal are not.
  6. 06How does cancelling work?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-ALX-224200

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