Egypt Discovery
ExcursionHurghada

Budget Cairo Excursion from Hurghada by Coach: Pyramids

20 hours, shared coach (up to 40 guests), Egyptologist guide, pyramids, Sphinx, museum and lunch included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 20-hour shared coach excursion from Hurghada to Cairo: about six hours each way, then the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, a museum and lunch with an Egyptologist guide.
  • New

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Hurghada · Cairo · Giza Pyramids · Great Sphinx
Includes
Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay · A shared air-conditioned coach · An English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the Cairo part of the day · Admission to the Giza Plateau and the museum · Lunch in a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Cooler months from October to April are far more pleasant at Giza. In summer the plateau is extremely hot by late morning, so bring water and a hat.

  • Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
  • Local team in our Hurghada office

02Overview

A first look

This is the budget way to reach the pyramids from Hurghada. A coach collects you at 01:00 and drives along the Red Sea coast road to Cairo, about six hours with a rest stop. You then spend the day at the Giza Plateau, the Sphinx and a museum with an English-speaking Egyptologist, with lunch included. The coach leaves for Hurghada at about 15:00 and reaches your hotel around 21:00. It is shared with up to 40 guests, and it suits fit, patient travellers who accept a very long day.

Background

The facts

Cairo is about six hours by road from Hurghada, along the Red Sea coast and then inland. The excursion leaves at 01:00 and returns around 21:00, with roughly 12 hours spent in the coach.

Named in this entry

Giza Pyramids

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Budget-conscious, fit travellers who want to see the pyramids and accept a very long day. Ideal if you do not wish to pay for flights.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suitable for young children, people with back problems or anyone who dislikes long coach journeys.

What lingers

  • 01Giza Plateau with the three great pyramids and the panoramic viewpoint
  • 02The Great Sphinx, with an Egyptologist guide to tell you its story
  • 03A museum visit, confirmed when you book (the Grand Egyptian Museum or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization)
  • 04Lunch in a local restaurant before the long drive back to the coast
  • 05Shared air-conditioned coach, with a rest stop on each leg of the drive
  • 06Pick-up from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay

Honest assessment

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

Highlights

  • The lowest-cost route to the pyramids from the Red Sea
  • Guide, tickets and lunch all included
  • Pyramids, Sphinx and a museum in one day

Things to Consider

  • Around 12 hours on the road with a 01:00 start
  • A large shared coach of up to 40 guests

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay
  • A shared air-conditioned coach
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the Cairo part of the day
  • Admission to the Giza Plateau and the museum
  • Lunch in a local restaurant
  • Water on board the coach

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • The extra ticket for going inside a pyramid
  • Camel or horse rides at Giza
  • Drinks with your lunch
  • Your own spending money

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sleep on the way out, because you will want energy at Giza

  2. 02

    Bring a small bag of snacks, as rest stops are brief and busy

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. With a 01:00 start and about 12 hours on the road, we advise this trip only for children who travel well.

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

✈1Hurghada2Cairo3Giza

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does pricing work for the coach option?
    The price is per person and covers coach, guide, tickets and lunch. Camel rides, pyramid entry and drinks are extras on the day. Prices are provisional until we confirm your request. We are an Egyptian operator (ETAA Licence 718), not an ATOL or ABTA member, and we do not sell international flights.
  2. 02When is the pick-up, and is it really at night?
    Yes. Collection is at 01:00 from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay. Be in the lobby a few minutes before. If your hotel can give you a breakfast box for later, ask the evening before, and bring snacks for the journey.
  3. 03Can I bring my children?
    You can, but this is a hard day for small ones. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. Think about the 01:00 start and around 12 hours in a coach before you decide.
  4. 04What do I need for the night drive and the heat?
    Bring your passport or a copy, a neck pillow, a light blanket, a sun hat, sun cream and snacks. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, with a warm layer for the coach. Coach air conditioning can feel cold at night, so the blanket is useful.
  5. 05What is the cancellation rule?
    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.
  6. 06Is the coach shared, and how crowded will it be?
    It is shared with other guests, up to 40 in all. The seats are air-conditioned, but a full coach is less roomy than a car. If you want more space and a quicker route, ask about our private flight option from Hurghada when you send your request.

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-HRG-662422

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