How is this private trip priced?

The price is per person, and it falls as the group grows, because the vehicle, driver and guide are shared among more people. It covers the transfers, the Egyptologist, the Giza ticket and lunch. Children's prices depend on the ages you enter when you book.

Can I do this from a cruise ship in Alexandria?

Often yes, if your ship stays in port long enough. The day runs about 13 hours, so you need to be free from early morning until the evening. Give us your ship's name and all-aboard time when you book, and we will tell you if the timing works. We cannot promise a return-to-ship time, because traffic on the road to Cairo changes.

How long is the drive each way?

About three hours each way on the desert road, with a rest stop. Traffic near Cairo can add time on the way back. In total you spend about six hours in the car.

What should I wear for the churches?

Coptic Cairo is a living religious area, so dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear closed shoes that suit uneven stone. Light cotton trousers or a long skirt work well in warm weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.

Is this trip private, or will others join us?

It is private. Only your own party rides in the vehicle, and the Egyptologist guides only you. The maximum party is 12 people, and you can ask the guide to spend longer at the places you enjoy most.

Day TourAlexandria

Giza Pyramids & Coptic Cairo Day Trip from Alexandria – Private, Port or Hotel Pick-up

13 hours, private vehicle and Egyptologist, Giza ticket and lunch included, pick-up at 06:30.

At a glance

Departs: Daily

The short answer

A 13-hour private day trip by road from Alexandria to Giza and Coptic Cairo and back: the three Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Hanging Church, the Church of St Sergius and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, with an Egyptologist, lunch and the Giza ticket.

New
Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations: Alexandria · Giza · Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Coptic Cairo · Hanging Church · Ben Ezra Synagogue
Includes: Private pick-up and drop-off at an Alexandria hotel or the cruise port · Your own air-conditioned vehicle with a driver · Private Egyptologist guide who speaks English · Entrance ticket for the Giza Plateau · Lunch at a local restaurant
Guide languages: English

Best time to go

October to April has the best temperatures for the plateau. In summer, the early start helps.

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, an Egyptian tour operator working since 1988 with six offices
Travel licence ETAA 718 (Category A); IATA accredited agent

02Overview

A first look

This is a private 13-hour day from Alexandria to Cairo and back. Your driver meets you at 06:30 at your hotel or the cruise port, and the desert road to Giza takes about three hours, with a rest stop. Your Egyptologist spends the morning with you on the plateau, at the three Pyramids and the Sphinx. After lunch you drive into Coptic Cairo, the oldest Christian quarter of the city, to see two churches and a synagogue within a few minutes' walk of each other. The car is back in Alexandria between about 19:00 and 19:30. Because the trip is private, you can ask for more time at the places you like. Cruise guests should give us their ship's name and all-aboard time when booking, so we can check that the day fits.

Background

The facts

Giza and Coptic Cairo lie about three hours by road south-east of Alexandria. A private day trip leaves early in the morning and returns in the evening.

Named in this entry

Alexandria·Giza·Pyramids of Giza·Great Sphinx·Coptic Cairo·Hanging Church·Ben Ezra Synagogue

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

Travelers staying in Alexandria, or in port there, who want the Pyramids and old Christian Cairo in one private day.

Maybe not, if

Not for anyone who dislikes very long days or who cannot manage uneven ground and heat.

What lingers

01A private vehicle, driver and English-speaking Egyptologist for your party only
02The Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure, plus the panorama point over the plateau
03The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple
04Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, the Church of St Sergius and the Ben Ezra Synagogue
05Door-to-door service from your Alexandria hotel or the cruise port, with lunch on the way

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

Your own guide and vehicle, with a flexible pace
Pyramids and Coptic Cairo in a single day
Lunch and the Giza ticket included

Things to Consider

About six hours in the car
Starts at 06:30 and returns in the evening

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

Private pick-up and drop-off at an Alexandria hotel or the cruise port
Your own air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
Private Egyptologist guide who speaks English
Entrance ticket for the Giza Plateau
Lunch at a local restaurant
Bottled water

Not included

Gratuities
Drinks with lunch
Personal expenses
Entry inside the pyramids
Camel or horse rides

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

01
Sleep on the way out and save your energy for the plateau
02
Cruise guests should send the ship's name and all-aboard time with the booking

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children's prices are set from the ages you enter when you book, and there is no minimum age. The day lasts about 13 hours with around six in the car, so we suggest it mainly for school-age children who are comfortable on long drives and in the heat.

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

On the ground

Your route

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

01How is this private trip priced?
The price is per person, and it falls as the group grows, because the vehicle, driver and guide are shared among more people. It covers the transfers, the Egyptologist, the Giza ticket and lunch. Children's prices depend on the ages you enter when you book.
02Can I do this from a cruise ship in Alexandria?
Often yes, if your ship stays in port long enough. The day runs about 13 hours, so you need to be free from early morning until the evening. Give us your ship's name and all-aboard time when you book, and we will tell you if the timing works. We cannot promise a return-to-ship time, because traffic on the road to Cairo changes.
03How long is the drive each way?
About three hours each way on the desert road, with a rest stop. Traffic near Cairo can add time on the way back. In total you spend about six hours in the car.
04What should I wear for the churches?
Coptic Cairo is a living religious area, so dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear closed shoes that suit uneven stone. Light cotton trousers or a long skirt work well in warm weather.
05What is the cancellation policy?
More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.
06Is this trip private, or will others join us?
It is private. Only your own party rides in the vehicle, and the Egyptologist guides only you. The maximum party is 12 people, and you can ask the guide to spend longer at the places you enjoy most.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy

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