6 Days Cairo and Alexandria vacation

The short answer

6 Days Cairo and Alexandria vacation is a 6-day multi-day tour covering Giza, Saqqara, Alexandria, Old Cairo, Islamic Cairo, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ✦ New

• Cultural
• Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Travel style

Private Guided Multi-Day Tour

Accommodation

5 Nights in Cairo Hotel

Operated by

Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Pyramids Complex · Saqqara · Alexandria · Old Cairo · Islamic Cairo

Includes

Accommodation in Cairo for 5 nights · Private air-conditioned transfers · Expert Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to listed sites · Lunch during tours · All taxes and service charges

Best for

First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting private transfers

Guide languages

English

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Stand at the Giza Pyramids Complex and view the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Sphinx
• 02 Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid
• 03 Full-day excursion to Alexandria: Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• 04 Explore the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) and wander Khan el Khalili bazaar
• 05 Tour Islamic Cairo, including the Citadel of Salah El Din and Al-Muizz Street

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a simple Cairo city break, this itinerary adds a full day in Alexandria and combines Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and medieval Islamic sites in one program. Compared with large coach departures, it uses private air-conditioned transfers and an Egyptologist guide, which allows more flexible pickup timing and pacing at each site. It is also more comprehensive than a single-day Giza excursion because it includes museums, necropolis sites, and historic Cairo districts.

Bundled in

• 🎟 All entry tickets
• ◈ Private Egyptologist
• 🍳 Breakfast
• 🚖 Airport transfer
• 🚖 Private transfer

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be adjusted as a private tour with flexible pacing, additional photo stops, or more time at selected museums and bazaar areas. Optional upgrades may include different hotel categories, extra nights in Cairo, or changes to the Alexandria sightseeing sequence. Meal arrangements can also be adapted if special dietary needs are provided in advance.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This itinerary involves moderate physical activity and is not suitable for people who cannot walk short distances or climb stairs. Expect cobblestones, uneven ancient stone surfaces, sandy areas at Saqqara and the Giza Plateau, and multiple low or high steps at museums and historic sites. Transfers use private air-conditioned vehicles; vehicles are not wheelchair lifts. Many sites (Citadel of Salah El Din, Al-Muizz Street, Qaitbay Citadel) have stairs and limited ramps. The Grand Egyptian Museum and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina have step-free access and accessible toilets, but accessibility can vary between third-party sites. We do not run large coach groups; we use smaller private vehicles which makes door-to-door assistance easier. If you require a wheelchair, walking frame, or meet-and-assist at the airport, tell us before booking so we can advise on practicality and arrange staff to assist where feasible. Final decisions about access at each site rest with on-site management.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI) — Arrivals Hall Map

On the ground

Your route

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We use private air-conditioned vehicles for transfers and sightseeing; depending on group size these are typically Toyota or Mercedes minibuses to reduce vehicle count. We contract licensed local Egyptologists and drivers and pay entry and supplier fees directly to local providers, ensuring money flows to the local tourism economy. Lunches on tours are arranged with nearby restaurants, frequently family-run establishments in Cairo and Alexandria. We avoid printed route packs by sending digital documents and use electronic ticketing where available. We do not operate hotels or cruises; third-party suppliers provide those services and we choose them based on reliability and responsible practice. We avoid running large coach tours in central historic areas to reduce congestion and prefer staggered site timing to lower crowd pressure at sensitive monuments.

• Licensed local Egyptologists

  ETAA-credentialed, on payroll

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols

• Carbon-aware itineraries

  Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical

· In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 How long is the 6 Days Cairo and Alexandria vacation and what is the daily pace?

   The tour runs for six days with a mix of full and half sightseeing days. Days include walking, vehicle transfers and museum visits, typically 6–8 hours of guided activity per full day. Pace is moderate: mornings usually start between 08:00–09:00, with breaks for lunch and occasional longer transfers (Alexandria is about 220 km/2.5–3 hours each way from central Cairo depending on traffic).
2. 02 What time and where is hotel pickup on each day?

   Pickup time is arranged with you the day before and typically falls between 07:30 and 09:00. For flexibility we use private air-conditioned vehicles rather than coach-style group transfers. Exact pickup time depends on your hotel location in Cairo and that day's itinerary; we confirm a specific time when you receive your final documents.
3. 03 Which entrance fees are included and are any site extras excluded?

   Standard site entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included. However, pyramid interior tickets (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and any special-permit areas are excluded unless stated otherwise. If you wish to enter Khufu Pyramid interior we can arrange the ticket separately, subject to availability and additional cost.
4. 04 Is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) included and are there photography restrictions?

   Visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is included as stated in the itinerary. Photography policies vary: casual handheld photography in public galleries is usually allowed, but flash, tripods and professional equipment can be restricted and permits may be required. We advise keeping equipment minimal and following site staff instructions on the day.
5. 05 Is this trip suitable for children or family groups?

   Families with children can take this tour, but note there is a lot of walking and some early starts. Children under 12 require close supervision at sites with steep steps, high platforms and busy roads. We recommend planning rest time between visits and discussing any child-specific needs when you book so we can adapt pacing and vehicle arrangements.
6. 06 What level of fitness and mobility does this itinerary require?

   Moderate fitness is required due to extended walking, uneven ancient stone, steps and some standing in museums. Most sites have stairs and cobbled areas; the Giza Plateau and Saqqara involve uneven surfaces and sand. If you have limited mobility, tell us in advance; we can adjust transfers and choose lower-impact routes, though some sites remain physically challenging.
7. 07 What should I bring and what is appropriate to wear during the tour?

   Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), sturdy walking shoes, refillable water bottle and a light layer for cooler evenings. Temples and mosques require modest dress: shoulders and knees covered for both men and women. Comfortable, breathable fabrics are advisable; in summer temperatures often exceed 35°C, and winters can be cool at night.
8. 08 Are meals and drinks included throughout the trip?

   Lunches during tours are included as listed in the inclusions. Drinks, snacks outside the included lunches, and any meals not specified in the itinerary are not included. Bottled water is readily available; if you have dietary requirements tell us in advance so we can arrange suitable lunch options at restaurants visited during the tour.
9. 09 When is the best time of year to take this Cairo and Alexandria itinerary?

   The most comfortable months are October to April when average daytime temperatures in Cairo range 18–28°C. Summer (June–August) regularly exceeds 35°C and can be strenuous for outdoor sightseeing. Alexandria is cooler but windier; rain is infrequent but more likely between December and February. Booking outside peak months also eases crowding at major sites.
10. 10 Who runs the guiding and transfers on this tour and what languages do guides speak?

    We provide an expert Egyptologist guide and private air-conditioned transfers as arranged by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Our Egyptologists speak English; other language guides can be arranged if requested at booking and subject to availability. We confirm the guide’s name and language in your final travel documents.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

Full refund less a £50 admin fee

15–30 days

50% refund

Within 14 days

No refund – date changes considered case by case