Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada

What to Expect from the Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada

A day trip from Hurghada to Cairo is one of the most impressive and unforgettable experiences of an Egypt holiday. The Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still standing, the mysterious Great Sphinx, the world-famous Egyptian Museum with the treasures of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and the lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar can all be experienced in a single day. Cairo, the pulsating capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa, offers a fascinating blend of millennia-old history and modern metropolitan life.

The day trip to Cairo is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the most important historical sights of Egypt without giving up their beach holiday in Hurghada. Our experienced, English-speaking guides are trained Egyptologists who bring the history of the Pharaohs to life with captivating stories and fascinating facts. Whether you are passionate about history, seeking impressive photo opportunities, or simply want to see one of humanity's greatest wonders with your own eyes, the Cairo day trip will leave you in awe.

The Pyramids of Giza: Experience a World Wonder

The Pyramids of Giza are undoubtedly the highlight of the day trip and a place that fills every visitor with amazement. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built around 2560 BC, stands at an original height of 146 meters, making it the largest of the three pyramids. For over 3,800 years it was the tallest structure in the world. Beside it stand the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafre, recognizable by its partially preserved limestone casing at the summit, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three great pyramids.

From the famous panorama viewpoint, you have a breathtaking view of all three pyramids with the Cairo skyline in the background, the perfect spot for the legendary pyramid photo. Here you also have the opportunity to ride a camel and photograph the pyramids from a unique perspective. For an additional fee, you can even enter the interior of the Great Pyramid and make your way through the narrow passages to the heart of this ancient wonder.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

Just steps from the pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza has stood watch over the Giza Plateau for over 4,500 years. The Sphinx, a figure with the body of a lion and the head of a human, measures 73 meters in length and 20 meters in height and is one of the most recognized and photographed monuments in the world. Its origin and meaning continue to puzzle researchers to this day. Adjacent to the Sphinx is the Valley Temple of Khafre, an impressively well-preserved granite structure that once served as the entrance temple to the pyramid complex.

The Egyptian Museum

After visiting the pyramids, our excursion takes you to the Egyptian Museum on the famous Tahrir Square in the heart of Cairo. The museum houses the world's largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities with over 120,000 exhibits, including the legendary golden death mask of Tutankhamun, considered one of the most valuable artworks in human history. You will see mummies, magnificent sarcophagi, finely crafted gold jewelry, monumental statues, and everyday objects from ancient Egypt.

Alternatively, you visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, built in close proximity to the pyramids and considered the largest archaeological museum in the world. This impressive new museum presents Egypt's treasures in a modern, spectacular setting and offers an unforgettable museum experience. Your guide will show you the most important exhibits and share the fascinating stories behind them.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

On the way back, we stop at the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the historic Islamic Old City quarter. This over 600-year-old market is a feast for all senses: narrow lanes filled with shops selling handmade jewelry, spices, leather goods, papyrus, alabaster, and colorful fabrics. Here you can haggle to your heart's content and acquire unique souvenirs. The El Fishawy Cafe, reportedly the oldest coffeehouse in Cairo, invites you for a glass of freshly squeezed mango juice or Turkish coffee.

Bus or Flight: Two Travel Options

Option 1: Day Trip by Bus

The bus journey from Hurghada to Cairo takes approximately five to six hours through the impressive Arabian Desert landscape. Departure is very early in the morning, around three to four o'clock. In the air-conditioned coach, you can use the drive for sleeping and arrive in Cairo well-rested. The bus option is the more affordable choice and offers spectacular desert panoramas along the way. The return journey starts in the late afternoon, with arrival in Hurghada between nine and ten in the evening.

Option 2: Day Trip by Flight

The domestic flight from Hurghada to Cairo takes only about one hour and offers significantly more comfort and time for sightseeing. The departure is in the early morning, so you are in Cairo by around nine o'clock with the entire day available for the sights. The evening return flight brings you back to Hurghada around eight in the evening. This option is more expensive but ideal for anyone who does not want to combine the long day with a tiring bus ride.

Typical Daily Schedule

The daily schedule for the bus version begins with pickup between three and four in the morning. After arriving in Cairo around nine o'clock, you drive directly to the Pyramids of Giza, where you spend approximately two to three hours. Around noon, you enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with a view of the pyramids. In the early afternoon, you visit the Egyptian Museum, followed by a stop at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The return journey to Hurghada begins around five in the afternoon.

With the flight version, you start more relaxed and have the entire day in Cairo after the early flight. There is more time for each sight, and optionally you can add extra stops such as the Citadel of Saladin with the impressive Mohammed Ali Mosque or a Nile cruise on a traditional felucca.

What Is Included in the Price

Our Cairo day trips are complete packages with no hidden costs. The price includes: pickup and return transfer from your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, or Sahl Hasheesh, transport by bus or flight, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the entire day, entrance fees for the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum, lunch at a local restaurant, and mineral water throughout the day.

Prices and Booking

The Cairo day trip by bus costs from 65 euros per person for a group excursion or from 120 euros as a private excursion with your own guide and vehicle. The day trip by flight starts from 200 euros per person, including domestic flights. Children aged 3 to 12 receive discounted rates. A two-day excursion with hotel overnight in Cairo is available from 180 euros by bus and from 300 euros by flight, offering more time for additional sights such as the Citadel, the Old City, and a Nile cruise.

Tips and Advice

Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet for much of the day, especially on the sandy terrain of the Giza Plateau. Sun protection is absolutely essential since there is virtually no shade on the pyramid plateau: sunscreen with high SPF, sunglasses, and a hat are a must. Bring some cash in Egyptian pounds for tips, small souvenirs, and optional extras such as entering a pyramid.

Your passport must be carried on the day of the excursion, particularly for the flight option. For the bus journey, we recommend a neck pillow and headphones for music or podcasts. A camera with plenty of storage is indispensable as the photo opportunities at the pyramids are spectacular. We also recommend going to bed early the evening before, as the bus version starts very early and makes for a long day.

The History of the Pyramids

The Pyramids of Giza were built over 4,500 years ago as burial sites for the pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty. The Great Pyramid of Khufu consists of an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons. How the ancient Egyptians constructed these monumental structures without modern technology remains the subject of intense research and debate. Ramps, levers, and sophisticated logistics involving tens of thousands of workers likely played a crucial role.

The pyramids were not mere tombs but were intended to enable the pharaohs to ascend to the sky god Ra. Each pyramid was part of an extensive complex with mortuary temples, causeways, and subsidiary pyramids for queens. The Sphinx was probably created under Pharaoh Khafre and served as guardian of the necropolis. Your guide will bring this fascinating history to life during the visit.

Why Choose Ra Reisen?

Ra Reisen has been organizing the Cairo day trip from Hurghada for many years and has perfected the schedule down to the smallest detail. Our English-speaking guides are trained Egyptologists with deep knowledge and passion for the history of their country. You receive not just an excursion but a vivid history lesson that inspires even those who normally have little interest in the past.

We focus on quality over quantity: small group sizes, comfortable transport, and sufficient time at each attraction. Lunch is served at carefully selected restaurants that combine quality and authenticity. Our German and English-speaking customer service is available around the clock, and flexible cancellation policies give you planning certainty. Book your Cairo day trip with Ra Reisen and experience one of the greatest wonders in human history.