- DurationApprox. 10–11 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel
- PriceFrom $79 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This Ain El Sokhna day trip from Cairo is the easiest way to swap city noise for sea air. Sokhna, on the Gulf of Suez, is the nearest Red Sea coast to the capital, and a private car takes you there in about two hours. You spend the day at a beach resort with sunbeds, a pool and a sandy beach, with lunch at the resort restaurant included.
There is no sightseeing schedule: your driver drops you at the resort, you swim, read, sleep in the shade or try a water sport, and you choose when to head back. It is a popular break for families, for travellers between tours and for anyone who wants a day of rest in the middle of a busy Cairo itinerary.
We book day use at a good four-star resort with a proper beach and pool. Resort facilities, towels and lunch style vary by property and season, and the exact resort is confirmed when you book. Families can ask for a resort with a shallow beach or a children’s pool, and a private day room can be added for a supplement.
Highlights
- The closest Red Sea beach to Cairo, about two hours’ drive
- Day use of a beach resort: beach, pool, sunbeds and changing rooms
- Lunch at the resort restaurant
- Calm, clear water for swimming most of the year
- Private air-conditioned car and driver, at your own times
- Optional water sports and snorkelling paid locally
Itinerary
08:00 – Pickup in Cairo
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Cairo or Giza in a private air-conditioned car or van. The road east through the desert to the Gulf of Suez takes about two hours, depending on traffic leaving the city. Bottled water is provided, and you can stop for coffee on the way.
10:00 – Arrival and beach time
Check in for day use at the resort, where our team has arranged your entry. Change, pick your sunbeds and enjoy the beach and pool. The water at Sokhna is calm and clear for most of the year, and the mountains of the Galala plateau make a dramatic backdrop to the bay.
13:00 – Lunch at the resort
Lunch is served at the resort restaurant, as a buffet or a set menu depending on the property, usually with grilled meat or fish, salads, rice and dessert. Drinks other than water are paid at the resort. Vegetarian choices are available; tell us in advance about any dietary needs.
Meals: Lunch
14:00 – Free time and optional activities
Spend the afternoon swimming, sunbathing or trying a jet ski, banana boat or kayak where the resort offers them, paid locally. Some resorts have a small reef or snorkelling spot near the shore; bring your own mask or rent one. Your driver waits for you.
16:30 – Return to Cairo
Leave the resort when you are ready, usually in the late afternoon to avoid the evening traffic. The drive back takes about two hours, and you are dropped at your hotel in the early evening. You can stay longer if you like, as the car is private.
Good to know: Sokhna is busy with Egyptian families on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays; weekdays are quieter. Sea conditions can be windy in winter, and water sports depend on the weather and the resort.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Day-use entry to a 4-star beach resort (beach, pool, sunbeds, changing rooms)
- Lunch at the resort restaurant
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Phone support from our team throughout the day
Not included
- Drinks at the resort
- Water sports, snorkelling gear and towels if not provided by the resort
- Day room or 5-star resort upgrade (on request)
- Tips for the driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $175 |
| 2 travellers | $105 |
| 3–5 travellers | $89 |
| 6+ travellers | $79 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Cairo to Ain El Sokhna?
About two hours each way from central Cairo, a little less from New Cairo and a little more from Giza. The road is a fast highway through the desert. Leaving by 08:00 and returning around 16:30 avoids the heaviest traffic, but the car is private, so you can choose your own times.
Is a guide included?
No guide is needed for a beach day, so the trip includes a private driver rather than a guide, which keeps the price down. Our team arranges your resort entry in advance and is on the phone if you need anything. If you would like to add a sightseeing stop, ask us when booking.
Can we have a room for the day?
Yes. Standard day use covers the beach, pool, sunbeds and changing rooms. If you would like a private room to rest and shower, or a five-star resort, we can add it for a supplement depending on availability. This is popular with families with small children.
Is Sokhna good for snorkelling?
Sokhna is mainly a beach and swimming destination. Some resorts have rocky areas with fish close to shore, but the coral is limited compared with Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. For proper reef snorkelling, a Red Sea trip further south is the better choice.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
