Cairo Day Trip from Sharm El Sheikh by Flight: Pyramids & GEM
15 hours, private. Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, vehicle, entrance tickets and lunch included.
The short answer
A private 15-hour day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo by air, with flights included, visiting the Giza Plateau, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, about 1 hour of flying each way.
- New
- Private
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Sharm El Sheikh · Cairo · Giza Pyramids · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum
- Includes
- Return domestic flights Sharm El Sheikh–Cairo, booked by us (economy) · Private airport transfers in Sharm El Sheikh · Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Cairo · Private Egyptologist guide (English) · Entrance tickets: Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April is cooler at Giza. In summer the plateau is very hot, so the early arrival helps. Weekdays are generally less crowded at the sites.
- Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
- ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and IATA member
02Overview
A first look
This is a 15-hour private day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo by air. We book your return domestic flights, which take about an hour each way, and a private guide and driver meet you at Cairo Airport. The day covers the Giza Plateau, the Great Sphinx, lunch and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and you are back at your Sharm hotel that night. Tickets, transfers and lunch are included. It suits travelers who accept a 04:00 start in exchange for seeing Cairo without a long coach ride.
Background
The facts
Cairo lies about 400 km north-west of Sharm El Sheikh. The flight takes about 1 hour, and the day trip totals roughly 15 hours including airport transfers and a drive to Giza.
Named in this entry
Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid·Great Sphinx·Grand Egyptian Museum·Tutankhamun·Cairo
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want the pyramids and the museum from a Sharm base without a night on the road, and who prefer a private guide and vehicle.
Maybe not, if
- Anyone who cannot manage a 04:00 start, a long day on their feet or heat at Giza.
What lingers
- 01Return domestic flights Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo booked by us and included
- 02Giza Plateau with the Great Pyramid, Khafre, Menkaure and the panorama point
- 03The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple with a private Egyptologist
- 04Grand Egyptian Museum, the Grand Staircase and the Tutankhamun galleries
- 05Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Cairo, for your party only
- 06Entrance tickets for Giza and the museum, plus lunch, included
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- No overnight coach
- Private guide and vehicle
- Flights, tickets and lunch included
Things to Consider
- A 04:00 start and late return
- Time at each site is limited
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
A private vehicle collects you at 04:00 from your hotel and drives you to the airport. Bring your passport, which is needed for the flight. Arrive prepared for a short night, and eat or drink something light because there is not much time before boarding.
- 2
The flight leaves at about 06:00 and lasts around an hour. Flight times follow the airline schedule on your date, so our team confirms the actual times when your request is accepted. The flight is economy, and it is a good chance to rest before a full day.
- 3
Your private Egyptologist guide and driver meet you at Cairo Airport at about 07:30. The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries only your party. The drive to Giza takes a little over an hour, depending on traffic, and the guide starts to explain what you will see.
- 4
At about 08:45 you reach the plateau. The guide leads you around the Great Pyramid, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the panorama point for wide views. Going inside a pyramid is optional and needs a separate ticket. Camel and horse rides are also extra.
- 5
At about 11:00 you walk to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple beside it. The guide explains who built them and what the statue is thought to represent. The viewing terrace gives a clear look at the face and the paws. It is busy, so patience helps for photos.
- 6
Lunch is at a local restaurant near Giza at about 12:15, and it is included in the day. Drinks with the meal are not. This is a chance to sit down in the shade and rest before the museum. Mention dietary needs when you send the request.
- 7
At about 13:30 you enter the Grand Egyptian Museum. The guide takes you up the Grand Staircase and through the Tutankhamun galleries, plus other highlights chosen to fit the time. Entry is included. The museum is large, so wear comfortable shoes and expect a lot of walking.
- 8
At about 17:00 your driver takes you back to Cairo Airport. Traffic in Cairo can be heavy in the afternoon, which is why the drive and check-in are given plenty of time. Keep your passport and boarding documents together for the flight home.
- 9
The flight home leaves at about 19:30 and takes around an hour, with a private transfer from Sharm El Sheikh Airport to your hotel. Expect to arrive back late in the evening. The exact flight times depend on the airline schedule for your date.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Return domestic flights Sharm El Sheikh–Cairo, booked by us (economy)
- Private airport transfers in Sharm El Sheikh
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Cairo
- Private Egyptologist guide (English)
- Entrance tickets: Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
- Ticket to go inside a pyramid
- Camel or horse ride at Giza
- Drinks with lunch
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Sleep on the outbound flight, because the Giza day starts straight away
- 02
Carry water and a hat, as there is little shade on the plateau
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
This is a private trip, so the price for children is shown once you enter their ages in the request. Flights need a seat from age 2. Please enter each child's age in your request so we can show the right price.
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 does the price work for this private Cairo day?
That is per person and falls as your party grows, because the guide and vehicle are shared between more people. It includes the flights, transfers, tickets and lunch. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your request, and flight prices can change with the date.02What time is the pickup from my hotel?
The private transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Airport is at about 04:00 for a flight around 06:00. Our team confirms the exact times once flights are checked, because they follow the airline schedule on your date. Keep your passport ready, as it is needed for the flight.03How do children and flights work on this trip?
This is a private trip, so the price for children is shown once you enter their ages in the request. Flights need a seat from age 2, so a child aged 2 or over has a seat on each flight. Enter every child's age when you send the request.04What should I wear and bring to Giza?
Wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothes that cover the shoulders and a hat, and use sunscreen. Bring your passport for the flight and some cash for optional tickets such as going inside a pyramid or a camel ride. The plateau has very little shade.05Can I cancel this trip, and what are the terms?
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 the guide only for my party?
Your Egyptologist guide and the vehicle are private and serve only your party, up to 15 people. You can set the pace at each stop within the time available. The flights are on regular airline services, so you share the aircraft with other passengers.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-SHM-296370
At a glance
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