The best Cairo day trips (New Updates)

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, home to more than 10 million people, is the biggest city in the Middle East. Cairo, sometimes known as the "city of a thousand minarets," boasts some of the finest Islamic architecture in the world, notably the mosques at Al-Azhar and Muhammad Ali.

Some must-see locations can be visited on day trips from Cairo, while major cities like Luxor and Aswan are farther distant and need more time.

Find out more with the Egyptian Immigration & Electronic Visa Portal in this article.

Pick out your preferred pyramid in Giza and Saqqara

Pick out your preferred pyramid in Giza and Saqqara

• Travel time: 45 minutes to reach Giza from Cairo and 45 minutes to reach Saqqara from Giza

Although the Pyramids of Giza, the only wonder of the ancient world still standing, normally receive the most attention from tourists, Egypt's oldest pyramid is located a little further south of the city.

If you want to have day trips from Cairo, you can tour pharaonic burial sites. Begin your day with a trip around the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramids of Menkaure and Khafre, and the Giza Necropolis after breakfast. Check at the ticket office because the pyramids that allow the public to enter are subject to change every day or even hourly. The inner chamber of Menkaure, the smallest pyramid, is surprisingly the largest and most fascinating with three floors. You can even travel into the desert from there to look for an iconic.

Head out of the plateau beyond the Sphinx and into the bustling city of Giza to hail a cab (or grab an Uber). Before beginning the 25km (15.5-mile) drive to Saqqara, which has no decent food options, now is the opportunity to pick up anything from one of the many stores outside the site gates if you neglect to bring water or a sandwich for lunch. Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser when you arrive in Saqqara. It is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and provides a striking visual contrast to the more smooth Giza pyramids. The Step Pyramid was the first burial chamber ever constructed. It was constructed as a kind of architectural experiment during the reign of Djoser (2670 BC), the first pharaoh of the Third Dynasty.

How to get to Giza and Saqqara from Cairo

Taking an organized tour, hiring a private guide and driver, or taking a taxi for the day are the most convenient ways to see Giza and Saqqara. You can use Uber to get to Giza but you cannot use Saqqara because it is further away.

Explore lesser-known pyramids and an ancient capital at Dahshur and Memphis

Explore lesser-known pyramids and an ancient capital at Dahshur and Memphis

• Travel time: 1 hour, 15 minutes to Dahshur from Cairo, 20 minutes to Memphis from Dahshur

Before traveling to Memphis to witness Egypt's old capital during the Old Kingdom, you can see the lesser-known Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid, both named after its most distinctive features, located south of Saqqara. For enthusiasts of ancient history, Memphis is synonymously linked to pharaonic Egypt; although there is not much of the ancient city left, there is a sphinx and a nice outdoor museum.

How to get to Dahshur and Memphis from Cairo

The best ways to see Dahshur and Memphis are either by taking an organized trip that includes them or by hiring a cab or private guide for the day.

Read about: The best time of year to visit Cairo.

Chill out at Alexandria, Egypt’s second city

Chill out at Alexandria

• Travel time: 2.5 hours

Cairo day trips for Alexandria are the perfect way to balance out Cairo's intensity. Our Day Tour in Cairo highlights the contrast as Alexandria is much more relaxed and a great location to unwind, with its long stretch of beaches and views of the Mediterranean. Here, the Mediterranean Sea and its marine effects rule, and the Nile is no longer the community's lifeblood.

Head to the Alexandria National Museum, which houses the carefully chosen collection of antiquities from the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic centuries that tell the narrative of the city's tumultuous past. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the city's epicenter of scholarship and culture, is a 20-minute stroll toward the lake. It is an architectural wonder, with its distinctive sloping disk shape and outside walls adorned with dozens of various inscriptions. Take a trip and look around the main reading hall.

It is also worthwhile to view Kom Al Dikka's huge excavations. The modest, second-century amphitheater, which features marble terrace seating and well-maintained mosaic flooring, together with some exquisite Roman villa mosaic floors, is the main draw.

Stay until sunset to photograph the Citadel of Qaitbay, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a lighthouse built in 279 BC.

How to get to Alexandria from Cairo

Many accommodations and tour operators run day trip to Alexandria from Cairo. If you want to go independently, take a train from Cairo's Ramses Station.

Visit a desert mirage at Al Fayoum

Visit a desert mirage at Al Fayoum

• Travel time: 2 hours

The well-known oasis resort of Al Fayoum, which is located 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Cairo, rightfully deserves one of the best day trips from Cairo. Discover the magic of Cairo, but if time is limited, you may still enjoy many of the area's natural beauties during the day.

Make your first stop in Karanis, which is located 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) north of the heart of Fayoum, after leaving Cairo early enough to avoid the morning traffic. Witness the natural treasures of Al Fayoum, such as the Wadi Rayyan Protected Area with its waterfalls, rowing cruises to the middle of the lake, and wildlife in the nearby national park, after enjoying the ancient ruins, which include two Graeco-Roman temples. 

How to get to Al Fayoum from Cairo

Many hotels in Cairo can help you organize a day tour, or you can bargain with a cab driver for a daily charge.

Soak in the surf in Ain El Sokhna

Soak in the surf in Ain El Sokhna

• Travel time: 2 hours

Beachfront Sokhna has become such a popular day trip to Red Sea from Cairo.

Ain El Sokhna, which means "hot spring," is a watersports resort featuring immaculate beaches and constant sunshine. It offers a plethora of activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkeling, diving, and boat trips, making it a popular choice for adventure seekers. 

Being a relatively recent Red Sea development, Sokhna's cleaner beaches are less congested than those of Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, which can get busy during the peak season with beachgoers. For this reason, Sokhna is a popular resort for Egyptians and visitors seeking peace and quiet.

Take a plunge in the serene turquoise waters, then have lunch at one of the beach resorts, such as Stella di Mare, or board a Sunmarine boat for a 90-minute boat tour that includes lunch and views of the marine environment. 

How to get to Ain El Sokhna from Cairo

There are plenty of bars at the beachside resorts. Visitors may enjoy a sundowner to cap off the day's events before heading back to Cairo.

Planning your Cairo day trips

Cairo day trips offer a gateway to Egypt's unparalleled wonders, from ancient marvels to coastal paradises. So pack your sense of adventure and embark on a journey from Cairo to uncover the treasures of Egypt.

As you plan your journey to Egypt, ensure a smooth travel experience by applying for your Egypt eVisa via our website. With a hassle-free online application process, you can obtain your visa conveniently from the comfort of your home or company. Moreover, with our user-friendly platform, the visa application process becomes a breeze. Our dedicated support team is available to assist you every step of the way, ensuring that your application is handled smoothly and efficiently.