With a population of 22 million residents and over 14 million tourists yearly, Egypt's capital is beautiful and busy. Once you've sought souvenirs in the stunning souks, devoured local street foods, and marveled at the old-world architecture, it's time to try something new!
That’s where our day trips come in. You’ll enjoy Cairo as your central location, and still explore greater Egypt without going too far. Thanks to the high concentration of monuments, sites, and activities near the capital, hopping from one marvel to the next will only take a few hours.
Day Trips vs Day Tours
So what are day trips? Are they like day tours? Sort of. Unlike a day tour where you stay in one area, day trips take you beyond your primary destination, say, Cairo, to nearby sites within good time. That's why we're going beyond the city center to highlight 4 Egyptian gems along Cairo's outskirts. See a day trip you can't resist? Talk to a GWG tour guide and set up your next adventure.
Giza
Distance from Cairo: 23 km (14.3 miles)
Travel Time: 34 minutes (one way)
Accessible By: Private Car, Taxi/Uber
Estimated Total Tour Time: 4–9 hrs
Most people would consider Giza as the main reason they came to Egypt. The awe-inspiring Great Pyramids are over 4500 years old, consisting of Khufu (the tallest), Khafre, and Menkaure. They are the only wonder of the ancient world still standing today. This once-in-a-lifetime view is only enhanced by the longest-standing statue, the Great Sphinx. Sitting at 20 meters (66 feet) tall, and 73 meters (240 feet) long, this limestone symbol of the Pharaohs of old is a testament to ancient knowledge and construction.
When it comes to transport, it's best to go by private car/Uber. This way, you stop whenever you want, and arrive within a reasonable time. Taxi prices greatly vary, especially for foreigners, so a private car/driver is the best way to maintain price consistency. Giza Entry costs are around 8 USD, which doesn't include entry into the main pyramids or tombs. For a complete Giza Pyramid ticket list, speak to a GWG Egypt guide, or skip the hassle and book a GWG Giza tour. These often include all Giza Pyramid activities, including tomb tours, camel rides, ATV rides, Egyptian cuisine, and anything else you want to add.
Popular Cairo to Giza Day Trips include
- Half-Day Private Giza & Sphinx Tours - If you’re strapped for time, take a quick tour of Giza, the beloved Sphinx, and nearby tomb treasures, all within 4–5 hours!
- Pyramids, Museums & Bazaars Day Trips - Discover the history of over 50,000 Egyptian artifacts, and check out the Papyrus bazaar and the giant Khufu Pyramid.
- Detailed Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Tours - Immerse yourself in the Giza plateau, discovering the secrets beyond pyramids like the Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus.
Ain Sokhna
Distance from Cairo: 132 km (82 miles)
Travel Time: 1hr 30 min (one way)
Accessible By: Private Car, Taxi/Uber, Bus
Estimated Total Tour Time: 7+ hrs
Along the western shore of the Red Sea lies this scenic vacation getaway. The wind-blown palm trees and warm beaches would easily be mistaken for a resort in Florida or The Caribbean. As the premier lounge destination of the Red Sea Coast, Ain Sokhna is ideal for those seeking solace from the Cairo sun, thanks to the cool sea breeze. You'll enjoy a string of high-end resorts like Porto Sokhna, where activities such as golfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and windsurfing await.
You could reach Ain Sokhna from Cairo by bus, but that will take 2.5 hours. Using a private car cuts an hour from your journey, so you'll arrive at the red sandy beaches within 1.5 hours. We recommend scheduling a trip to Ain Sokhna after you've spent time in the city on one of our Cairo private tours. How many days in Cairo are enough? 3–4 days are ideal, but feel free to explore other destinations anytime.
Travel Treat: Alexandria For The Historian
Ah, Alexandria, the pearl of the Mediterranean. Home to Greco-Roman history, elaborate libraries, and cool waters. If you've got some time on your hands, head to the city founded by Alexander the Great, and home to Egypt's last Pharaoh, Cleopatra. Can Alexandria be considered a day trip? Absolutely! Here's how you can get there.
By Car: If you're traveling by private car, you'll be at the pearl of the Mediterranean within 2 hours.
By Train: Want to try the train? You’ll reach Alexandria in 3.5 hours. Train tickets are affordable, with first-class options in the Special and classic Spanish trains costing 8-10 USD.
Saqqara Necropolis
Distance from Cairo: 31.8 km (19.7 miles)
Travel Time: 47-54 minutes (one way)
Accessible By: Private Car, Taxi/Uber
Estimated Total Tour Time: 7+ hrs
Welcome to the Saqqara Necropolis, a lavish burial ground for Egypt’s most notable rulers. This area served as a cemetery for leaders from Memphis, Egypt’s first capital, founded in 2925 BCE. It is also home to the world’s oldest stone structure, the Djoser pyramid. Commissioned by King Djoser, and designed by the genius architect Imhotep, this pyramid took years to complete and is considered an ancient marvel. At the base of the World Heritage Site lies several smaller tombs known as mastabas.
With 10 km (6.2 miles) to explore and the nearby city of Memphis, we know you want to get the best out of your time. Saqqara can be paired with a Giza tour, like this,
- Saqqara + Giza Day Trips - Double up on Ancient Egypt with this extensive tour of the Great Pyramids and the Saqqara Necropolis. If you can't get enough of the pyramids during the day, wait until you see the pink and purple sunset views behind the pyramids.
If you want a full day of Saqqara sightseeing, we’ve got you;
- Full Day Saqqara Tours - The Djoser pyramid, Memphis City, the Mastaba of Ti, and so much more await on this 8-hour excursion of one of the world's greatest cities of the dead.
Want to add something to the itinerary? Take something out? It’s up to you. Just chat with your GWG guide and create a trip that suits your style and schedule.
Travel Treat: Luxor For The Road Tripper
Luxor is the land of elaborate temples and ancient festivals. Considered to be the greatest open-air museum in the world, it's ideal for those who want to learn about one of the most influential southern kingdoms of Ancient Egypt. The Karnak Temple, The Valley of Kings, and, of course, Hatshepsut’s temple awaits.
So, can you take a day trip to Luxor from Cairo? Unless you're flying in, which will take only an hour, you're looking at a long journey.
By Car: Road travel can take up to 8 hours one way.
By Train: Is there a train to Luxor? Yes. It's a ten-hour trip, but the destination is worth it!
Al Fayyum Oasis & Reserve
Distance from Cairo: 147.8 km (91.8 miles)
Travel Time: 1hr 45 minutes (one way)
Accessible By: Private Car
Estimated Total Tour Time: 9 hrs
If you’re ready to be shocked by Egypt’s landscape, head to the Al Fayyum oasis, where mesmerizing waterfalls, cool water basins, and rolling sand dunes coexist. We’re in love with this location simply because it’s such a rare sight. The crashing waterfalls of Wadi-El Rayan are a perfect reward for those seeing unique experiences. Not only is this a protected national reserve, but it's the perfect location for a desert safari. It's hard to believe that this area is blessed with a second marvel, the Wadi El Hitan, also known as Whale Valley. This UNESCO site tells the story of a time when Egypt was an ocean filled with 15-meter (50-foot) whales. The fossils are a haunting yet exciting peek into the past.
Due to its remote location, there's no direct access to the Al Fayyum oasis via train or bus. We recommend using a private car or minivan. To get the most out of your time here, we recommend activity-based tours like these;
- Al Fayyum Safari Adventure - Take your Egyptian journey to the next level with a 4×4 journey through this enchanting oasis. Along the way, you'll get a close-up view of Whale Valley, experience a traditional boat ride, interact with pitters in Tunis village, and so much more!
- Al Fayyum Oasis & Museum Tour - Sandboarding, serene lakes, sweet Egyptian pies, and beautiful waterfalls await those who take this day-long trip to the Wadi el Hitan & Rayan area.
What you're experiencing now is the unshakable urge to take on as many Egypt adventures as possible, and we feel you! It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that needs to be handled right. There's no need for messy schedules, transport troubles, forgotten phone calls, frustrating detours, and the fear of regretting your trip to the Land of Pharaohs. Let us help.
GoWithGuide tours are completely customizable, flexible, and accommodating, no matter your needs. We take the best of Egypt and turn it into an unforgettable tour. What are you waiting for? Contact a local private tour guide, and start planning the day trip of a lifetime.