Islamic Cairo Day Trip from Alexandria – Private, Citadel, Sultan Hassan & Khan el-Khalili
13 hours, private vehicle and Egyptologist, tickets 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 Islamic Cairo and back: the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and Khan el-Khalili, with an Egyptologist, lunch and tickets.
- New
- Private
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Alexandria · Cairo · Citadel of Saladin · Mosque of Sultan Hassan · Mosque of Ibn Tulun · Khan el-Khalili
- 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 tickets for the Citadel and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan · Lunch at a local restaurant
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April has the best temperatures. 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 the medieval heart of Cairo. A driver meets you at 06:30 at your hotel or the cruise port, and the desert road to the city takes about three hours, with a rest stop. Your Egyptologist then takes you through the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan and the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, with lunch in the middle of the day. In the afternoon you walk into Khan el-Khalili, the old bazaar, and the lanes around Al-Azhar. The car is back in Alexandria between about 19:00 and 19:30. This trip has no Pyramids, so it suits travelers who want to see living Cairo rather than ancient Egypt. Cruise guests should give us their ship's name and all-aboard time when booking. We send your request to our team, who confirm availability and the final price before you pay anything.
Background
The facts
Islamic Cairo lies 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·Cairo·Citadel of Saladin·Mosque of Sultan Hassan·Mosque of Ibn Tulun·Khan el-Khalili
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers staying in Alexandria, or in port there, who want medieval Cairo and its mosques and markets in one private day.
Maybe not, if
- Not for anyone who dislikes very long days, crowds or heat, or who cannot manage steps and uneven ground.
What lingers
- 01A private vehicle, driver and English-speaking Egyptologist for your party only
- 02The Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- 03The Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- 04The Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest mosques in Cairo
- 05Time in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the lanes around Al-Azhar
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Your own guide and vehicle, with a flexible pace
- Citadel, great mosques and bazaar in one day
- Tickets and lunch included
Things to Consider
- About six hours in the car
- Shoes off and modest dress at the mosques
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
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- 5
- 6
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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 tickets for the Citadel and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks with lunch
- Personal expenses
- Shopping in the bazaar
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Bring a scarf and wear shoes that slip off easily
- 02
Cruise guests should send the ship's name and all-aboard time with the request
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children's prices are set from the ages you give in your request, 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. Children should be ready to dress modestly and take their shoes off in the mosques.
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. It covers the transfers, the Egyptologist, the Citadel and Sultan Hassan tickets, and lunch. The final price is confirmed by our team once we know your group size and the children's ages.02How do I book this trip?
You send us a request with your date, group size and where you are staying. Our team checks availability and confirms the final price with you. You do not pay anything until that is agreed.03Can I do this from a cruise ship in Alexandria?
Possibly, 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 with your request, and we will say honestly whether it fits. We cannot promise a return-to-ship time, because traffic on the road changes.04What should I wear in the mosques?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off at the mosque doors. Women should bring a scarf to cover the hair. Socks are useful, because the floors can be cool or hot.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
Continue reading
From the archives
Product ID: EXC-ALX-711222
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