Trip highlights
- 1Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
- 2Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun's treasures
- 3Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- 4Old Cairo and Coptic Christian sites
- 5Nile dinner cruise
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Giza Plateau
Tuesday, January 12
Est. spend
$110
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo International Airport
Taxis or rideshare apps reach central Cairo or Giza in 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy at most hours.
Agree the fare or use a rideshare app rather than negotiating with airport taxi touts, who frequently overcharge tourists significantly.
☀️ Afternoon
Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
Giza Plateau, Cairo
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world — the Great Pyramid of Khufu, along with the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx guarding them. No description prepares you for their scale in person.
Hire a licensed Egyptologist guide at the entrance rather than wandering alone — the historical and astronomical context genuinely transforms the visit.
🌙 Evening
Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
Giza Plateau, Cairo
An evening laser and narration show projected onto the pyramids and Sphinx, telling the story of ancient Egypt — touristy but a genuinely good way to see the monuments illuminated after dark.
Check showtimes and language schedule in advance — different evenings run in different languages.
🍽️ Meals
Airport or hotel breakfast
Egyptian · $8
Giza area lunch
Egyptian · $12
Giza dinner
Egyptian · $22
Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo
Wednesday, January 13
Est. spend
$95
per person
🌅 Morning
Egyptian Museum
Tahrir Square, Cairo
Home to one of the world's most extraordinary collections of ancient artefacts, including Tutankhamun's golden death mask and treasures — though some pieces have moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the original downtown museum remains essential.
Hire a guide for the Tutankhamun collection specifically — the sheer volume of artefacts can be overwhelming without context on what to prioritise.
☀️ Afternoon
Old Cairo and Coptic Christian sites
Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo)
A historic quarter home to some of Christianity's oldest surviving churches, including the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, tracing Egypt's pre-Islamic religious history.
Dress modestly when visiting religious sites — covered shoulders and knees are expected at both churches and mosques.
🌙 Evening
Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Khan el-Khalili, Cairo
A centuries-old bazaar in Islamic Cairo, selling spices, jewellery, lanterns, and crafts in a maze of narrow alleyways — one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in the Middle East.
Bargaining is expected and part of the cultural experience — start at roughly half the asking price and negotiate from there with good humour.
🍽️ Meals
Museum café breakfast
Egyptian · $8
Old Cairo lunch
Egyptian · $12
Khan el-Khalili dinner
Egyptian · $20 · El Fishawy, a centuries-old café in the bazaar, is a genuine institution for tea and shisha alongside dinner.
Saqqara & Nile Cruise
Thursday, January 14
Est. spend
$140
per person
🌅 Morning
Saqqara and the Step Pyramid
Saqqara, Egypt
An ancient necropolis south of Giza, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the earliest large-scale stone monument in Egypt and the direct architectural precursor to the smooth-sided pyramids at Giza.
Saqqara receives far fewer visitors than Giza, making it a genuinely peaceful, less crowded way to see equally significant ancient history.
☀️ Afternoon
Memphis open-air museum
Memphis, Egypt
The ruins and a colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II mark the site of ancient Memphis, once the capital of Egypt — a worthwhile combined stop with Saqqara given the proximity.
🌙 Evening
Nile dinner cruise
Nile River, Cairo
A dinner cruise along the Nile with traditional Egyptian entertainment, including belly dancing and a Tanoura (whirling dervish-style) performance — a fun, touristy but enjoyable way to see Cairo's skyline from the water.
Book a reputable operator with good reviews — quality and food standards vary significantly between Nile cruise companies.
🍽️ Meals
Saqqara area breakfast
Egyptian · $8
Memphis area lunch
Egyptian · $12
Nile cruise dinner
Egyptian · $45 · Usually included in the cruise ticket price.
Grand Egyptian Museum & Departure
Friday, January 15
Est. spend
$95
per person
🌅 Morning
Grand Egyptian Museum (if open) or Citadel of Saladin
Giza or Citadel of Saladin, Cairo
Egypt's vast new flagship museum near Giza, intended to house the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities anywhere — check current opening status, or visit the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval Islamic fortress with sweeping city views, as an alternative.
Confirm the Grand Egyptian Museum's current opening sections before planning your final morning — the museum has opened in phases.
☀️ Afternoon
Final shopping and lunch
Cairo
A final lunch and souvenir shopping for papyrus art, alabaster, or spices before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to Cairo Airport
Cairo International Airport
Allow at least 3 hours before an international flight given Cairo's traffic unpredictability.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Egyptian · $8
Final Cairo lunch
Egyptian · $15
Airport food
Egyptian/International · $15
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
October–April offers comfortable temperatures (18-28°C) for sightseeing. May–September is extremely hot, often exceeding 38°C, making extended outdoor monument visits genuinely difficult.
🛂 Visas
Most Western nationalities can obtain an Egypt e-Visa online in advance, or a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport for a fee — apply online ahead of travel to save time at immigration.
💱 Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP). Cash is widely used, especially for bazaars, tips (baksheesh), and smaller vendors; cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 122
ambulance: 123
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Hire a licensed Egyptologist guide for the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum — the historical context dramatically improves the experience compared to visiting unguided.
- Baksheesh (small tips) is expected for many services, from bathroom attendants to photo assistance — carry small denomination notes throughout your trip.
- Bargaining is the norm at Khan el-Khalili and most markets — approach with patience and good humour rather than aggression.
- Dress modestly, especially at religious sites — covered shoulders and knees are appropriate for both churches and mosques.
- Be prepared for persistent touts and unofficial 'guides' near major tourist sites — a polite, firm decline is usually sufficient.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Cairo, Egypt without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
Subscription-based travel medical insurance. Best for longer trips, digital nomads, or frequent travellers. Renews weekly or monthly.
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