Cairo day trip from Hurghada travels overnight by air-conditioned minibus so you reach Giza in the morning. With an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, you visit the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, stop for lunch, then explore the Grand Egyptian Museum and its Tutankhamun collection. It is a long day, but the most affordable way to see the pyramids from the Red Sea.
Important information
- A very long day: Expect around 20 hours from pickup to drop-off, with about 12 hours on the road. Most travelers sleep on the way to Giza.
- Shared trip: You travel in a shared minibus with other travelers on a fixed schedule. For a shorter journey, see the Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada by Plane.
- Walking and heat: The plateau involves walking on sand and uneven ground, and the museum is large. Shade is limited at Giza, and midday temperatures are high from May to September.
- Optional extras: Tickets to go inside the pyramids, and camel or horse rides, are paid separately. Agree on any price with a camel or horse handler before you get on.
- Traffic: Cairo traffic can change the timing of the day. The guide may adjust the order of stops to keep the schedule.
- Passport: Carry your passport or a copy, as it may be requested at checkpoints on the road.
- Children: Children aged 0–3 travel free and children aged 4–11 pay half the adult price. The night departure and long drive are demanding for young children.
What to bring?
- Passport or a copy
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A travel pillow and a light jacket or blanket for the night drive
- A refillable water bottle and snacks
- Egyptian pounds in cash for extra tickets, drinks and tips
- Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees
Who is this tour for?
This trip suits travelers on a Red Sea holiday who want to see the pyramids and Tutankhamun’s treasures and would rather save money than time. It works for first-time visitors to Egypt, history enthusiasts, couples, friends and solo travelers who can sleep on a bus.
It is not the right choice for young children, travelers with limited mobility, or anyone who struggles with long journeys. They will be more comfortable on the Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada by Plane.
Trip info
-
Hurghada always; El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi free; Safaga and Soma Bay US$10 extra
-
Air-conditioned minibus or van for small groups; coaches for larger groups, sometimes with a car to the coach
-
Shared small groups (one operator caps at 8) and coaches; private sold separately
-
Egyptologist guide in Cairo; English standard
-
Varies: some include Giza plateau and museum tickets, others charge them on the day; entry inside the Great Pyramid always extra
-
Lunch at a local restaurant is standard
-
1
-
80
Full tour overview
The Giza Pyramids are about 450 kilometres from Hurghada, and the road trip is the simplest way for many Red Sea visitors to see them without booking a flight or a hotel in Cairo. The trade-off is time: you leave in the middle of the night and return late in the evening.
An air-conditioned minibus collects you from your hotel and drives through the night along the Red Sea coast and across the desert, with rest stops on the way. You arrive in Giza in the morning, where your Egyptologist guide joins the group.
The first stop is the Giza Plateau. You see the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure up close, then stop at the panorama point for a view of all three. Below the plateau, you visit the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, a short drive from the pyramids. The guide leads you through the highlights, including the Tutankhamun galleries, before the minibus starts the drive back to Hurghada.
The day lasts around 20 hours, with about 12 of them on the road. It suits travelers who want to see the pyramids and are comfortable with a very long day. If you would rather spend less time travelling, the Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada by Plane cuts the journey to about an hour each way.
Tour highlights
- See the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau
- Take in all three pyramids from the panorama point
- Stand in front of the Great Sphinx and visit the Valley Temple of Khafre
- Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, including the Tutankhamun collection
- Learn the history of each site from an English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Have lunch at a local restaurant in Giza
- Travel by shared air-conditioned minibus with hotel pickup and drop-off
