3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
The Pyramids and Sphinx, a sunset boat ride at Luxor and Karnak Temple. Two nights, two domestic flights and a private Egyptologist, all arranged for you.
The short answer
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor is a 3-day, 2-night trip to Cairo and Luxor: 1 night in Cairo and 1 in Luxor. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $1,032 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Not everyone has a week. This short break fits the best-known Egyptian sights into three days, and it is honest about the trade-off: it is quick and busy.
You land in Cairo and see the city lit up after dark. Day 2 is a full day. You visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx in the morning, fly south to Luxor and finish on the Nile at sunset. On day 3 you tour Karnak Temple, then fly back to Cairo for your trip home.
It is three days with two flights. There is no time for the Egyptian Museum or the Valley of the Kings. If those are on your list, our longer Cairo and Luxor tours are a better fit. We book the flights, the transfers, your two hotel nights and the guiding. You choose the standard of hotel when you book.
What lingers
- 01Cairo by night: Cairo Tower and the lanes of Khan el-Khalili
- 02The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx on a half-day private visit
- 03A private motorboat ride to Banana Island on the Nile at sunset
- 04Karnak Temple with a private licensed Egyptologist
- 05Two domestic flights, Cairo to Luxor and back, booked for you
- 06Two hotel nights with breakfast and every transfer arranged
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $1,0323★ hotels | Luxor · 1 nightEl Mesala Hotel Luxor | $1,032May–Sep: from $998 | |
| Comfortfrom $1,0824★ hotels | Cairo · 1 nightJewel Sport City Luxor · 1 nightIberotel Luxor by JAZ | $1,082May–Sep: from $1,062 | |
| Classicfrom $1,1145★ hotels | $1,114May–Sep: from $1,089 | ||
| Prestigefrom $1,1665★ deluxe hotels | Luxor · 1 nightSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor | $1,166May–Sep: from $1,179 | |
| Luxuryfrom $1,5155★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 1 nightSt. Regis Cairo Luxor · 1 nightHilton Luxor Resort & Spa | $1,515May–Sep: from $1,489 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
3 Days / 2 Nights · Cairo · Cairo Tower · Khan el-Khalili · Giza Plateau · Great Sphinx · Luxor
- 1
A representative meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and a private driver takes you to your hotel. Once you have settled in, you are collected for a private evening tour of Cairo after dark. You go up Cairo Tower for the view over the city and the Nile, then walk through the lanes of Khan el-Khalili, the old market. Dinner is not part of the plan, so you can eat wherever you like.
- 2
This is a full day. After breakfast you spend the morning at Giza with your Egyptologist guide, standing before the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Entrance fees and private transport are included. A transfer then takes you to Cairo Airport for the flight to Luxor, which is arranged around your flight time. In Luxor a driver takes you to your hotel.
Late in the afternoon you board a private motorboat for a ride to Banana Island, with fresh fruit, mint tea and water on board, and watch the sun go down over the Nile.
- 3
After breakfast your private Egyptologist meets you at the hotel for a half-day visit to Karnak, the largest temple complex in Luxor, including its Sacred Lake. The guide, entrance tickets and vehicle are all included. A driver then takes you to Luxor Airport for the flight back to Cairo. In Cairo a private transfer takes you to the airport for your journey home.
This is the end of the trip, so book a late-evening or night international flight to leave room for delays.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Two nights in hotels, one in Cairo and one in Luxor, with breakfast on days 2 and 3
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo
- All airport and hotel transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private evening tour of Cairo by night, including Cairo Tower and Khan el-Khalili
- Half-day visit to the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx with transport
- Private motorboat to Banana Island at sunset with fruit, mint tea and water
- Half-day Karnak Temple tour with a private licensed Egyptologist and entrance tickets, including the Sacred Lake
- Entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary
- Meet-and-assist at Cairo Airport
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Meals and drinks other than the breakfasts stated
- The inside of the Great Pyramid and any extra tickets at the sites
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ride the Cairo Tower lift early in your evening so you see the Nile and the Giza skyline before the city lights take over.
- 02
Browse the lanes of Khan el-Khalili without rushing; a friendly no thank you ends any sales pitch and keeps the evening relaxed.
- 03
Wear a light layer for the Banana Island motorboat at dusk, because the breeze on the Nile turns cool once the sun drops.
- 04
Carry a hat and water at Karnak, where most of the courtyards are open stone with little shade between the gateways.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about a last night in Cairo, extra nights in Luxor, or one of our longer Cairo and Luxor tours that add the Egyptian Museum and the Valley of the Kings.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers with only a few days who want the Pyramids and a Nile temple in one trip. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with a busy schedule and some walking on uneven ground.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who want the Egyptian Museum or the Valley of the Kings, who need step-free access to every site, or who prefer a slow pace. Day 2 is a full day.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- The Pyramids, the Sphinx and Karnak Temple in three days
- Both domestic flights and every transfer handled for you
- A private sunset boat ride on the Nile
Things to Consider
- A fast pace with two flights, and a full day 2
- The Egyptian Museum and the Valley of the Kings are not included
- Last-day departure needs a late-evening or night international flight
Where it fits
A good first taste of Egypt when time is short. For the Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings or a Nile cruise, choose one of our longer Cairo and Luxor tours.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many short Egypt trips are a Cairo stay with a single day out. This one adds Luxor by air so you see both the Pyramids and a Nile temple in three days. It is quick, so it leaves out the Egyptian Museum and the Valley of the Kings.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Short guided break with two domestic flights
- Accommodation
- Cairo and Luxor hotels, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Cairo Tower · Khan el-Khalili · Giza Plateau · Great Sphinx · Luxor · Banana Island · Karnak Temple
- Includes
- 2 hotel nights, with breakfast · Flights Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo · Cairo by night, Giza Pyramids and Sphinx · Sunset motorboat to Banana Island · Karnak Temple with a private Egyptologist · All transfers by private vehicle
- Best for
- Travelers with limited time · First-time visitors who want a quick introduction · Add-on to a trip elsewhere in the region
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Small day bag for the flights and sightseeing
- Light layer for the evening on the river
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for the Nile at sunset and Cairo in the evening in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome, though a three-day trip with two flights and a full day 2 can be tiring for young ones. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This is a short trip with a lot packed in. Giza and Karnak involve walking on uneven stone, sand and some steps, with little shade. Day 2 has an early start, a flight and a boat ride, and boarding the motorboat means stepping across from the bank. The vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us your needs when you book and we will tell you honestly which parts are suitable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The trip uses two domestic flights and private road transfers, and the vehicle type can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo and Luxor, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and to keep to the marked paths at the sites.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Is three days enough to see Egypt?
It is enough for a first taste. You see Cairo by night, the Pyramids and the Sphinx, a Nile sunset and Karnak Temple. You will not see the Egyptian Museum or the Valley of the Kings. If you want those, a longer Cairo and Luxor tour is a better choice.02Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed flight from Luxor can cost you your connection. On this short break you fly back to Cairo on the last day and go straight to the airport. We strongly suggest a late-evening or night international flight, and travel insurance that covers missed connections. If you would rather play it safe, ask us to add a last night in Cairo.03Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flight from Cairo to Luxor on day 2 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 3 are booked for you and included. Flight times follow the airline schedule, and we arrange sightseeing around them. International flights are not included.04Is day 2 very tiring?
It is the busiest day. You visit Giza in the morning, take a flight to Luxor and finish with a sunset boat ride. It is a full day, so wear comfortable shoes and keep water with you. Most healthy travelers manage it well.05Which hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the hotels for your dates. You have one night in Cairo and one in Luxor. The sightseeing is the same at every standard.06Is this tour private?
Yes. The transfers, the Giza visit, the Cairo evening tour, the boat to Banana Island and the Karnak visit are all private for your group, with a licensed Egyptologist guiding on the sightseeing.07What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt entry visa, tips, travel insurance, drinks and meals other than the breakfasts, and personal expenses. Dinner is not included on any night.08When is the best time to go?
October to April is the most comfortable, with cooler days for walking at Giza and Karnak. Summer can pass 40 C in Luxor, so sightseeing starts early. Expect more visitors at Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-933865
At a glance
- Length
- 3 days · 2 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Cairo
- Nights
- 1 Cairo · 1 Luxor
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers