- DurationApprox. 18–20 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Hurghada hotel, about 02:00
- PriceFrom $169 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
If you are staying on the Red Sea but cannot leave without seeing the Pyramids, this Cairo day trip from Hurghada makes it happen. It is a very long day, around 18 to 20 hours from pick-up to drop-off, but you travel in a private car with your own driver, so you can sleep on the way there and stretch out on the way back. In Cairo a private Egyptologist brings the sites to life at a pace that suits you.
The plan focuses on the two places most visitors care about: the Giza plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The museum is now fully open, including the Tutankhamun galleries, where you can see the golden mask, chariots and hundreds of objects from his tomb under one roof. Lunch is at a local restaurant between the two visits. Your guide keeps an eye on the time throughout, so you see the highlights properly without feeling rushed.
We will be honest: this trip is tiring, and with children or anyone who struggles with long car journeys, our 2 day version with a night in Cairo is more comfortable. Flights between Hurghada and Cairo take about an hour and can be quoted on request if you would rather cut the driving. Whichever you choose, pick-up times are confirmed in writing the day before.
Highlights
- Private air conditioned car with driver, door to door from your Hurghada hotel
- The Great Pyramid, Khafre, Menkaure and the Great Sphinx at Giza
- Tutankhamun’s golden treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Private Egyptologist guide and lunch at a local restaurant
- Entry fees included and no deposit to pay
Itinerary
Early morning – Pick-up from your Hurghada hotel
Your driver collects you from your hotel at around 2am. Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before, as the restaurant will not be open. The drive to Cairo takes about five to six hours along the desert highway, with a short rest stop for coffee and toilets. Most guests sleep for much of the journey. As the sun rises you pass through the Eastern Desert and reach the outskirts of Cairo in the early morning.
Morning – Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx
You meet your Egyptologist and arrive at Giza as the plateau opens, before the heat and the biggest crowds. Your guide explains how and why the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure were built, then takes you to the panoramic viewpoint for the classic photo of all three. You finish at the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Going inside a pyramid is possible for an extra fee, and a short camel ride can be arranged if you would like one.
Midday – Lunch at a local restaurant
After the morning in the sun, you sit down to a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant near Giza. Expect a spread of Egyptian dishes such as grilled chicken or kofta, rice, salads, tahini, fresh bread and seasonal vegetables, with vegetarian options always available. Drinks are paid separately. It is a good chance to rest, cool down and ask your guide any questions before heading on to the museum, which is only a short drive away.
Meals: Lunch
Afternoon – Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum sits close to the Pyramids and is the largest museum in the world devoted to one civilisation. You walk up the grand staircase lined with royal statues, then spend most of your time in the Tutankhamun galleries, where the boy king’s golden mask, thrones, jewellery and chariots are displayed together for the first time. Your guide picks out the highlights so you see the best of the collection in the time available.
Late afternoon to night – Drive back to Hurghada
In the late afternoon you say goodbye to your guide and begin the drive back to the Red Sea. Your driver stops on the way so you can buy a snack or dinner, which is not included. You arrive back at your Hurghada hotel at around 9 to 10pm, depending on traffic and road checkpoints. It is a long day, so we suggest keeping the following morning free to rest by the pool before your next adventure.
Good to know: This is a very long day of about 18–20 hours, with around 11 hours in the car. GEM tickets are booked online in advance, and passports are needed at road checkpoints.
What’s Included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Hurghada hotel
- Private air conditioned car with driver
- Private Egyptologist guide in Cairo
- Entry fees to the Giza Pyramids plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water in the car
Not included
- Entry inside the pyramids
- Breakfast, dinner and drinks
- Camel or horse rides
- Flights between Hurghada and Cairo (available on request)
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $475 |
| 2 travellers | $279 |
| 3–5 travellers | $229 |
| 6+ travellers | $169 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book. Prices can be higher over Christmas, New Year and Easter; we confirm the exact price in writing before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is such a long day trip to Cairo really worth it?
For many travellers, yes, because standing in front of the Pyramids and seeing Tutankhamun’s treasures is a once in a lifetime moment. But it is a very long day with around 11 hours in the car. If you have the time, our 2 day trip with a night in Cairo is far more relaxed and covers more of the city.
Why is the pick-up so early?
The drive from Hurghada to Cairo takes about five to six hours. Leaving at around 2am means you reach Giza when the site opens, before the midday heat and the largest tour groups. It also gives you enough time at the museum before the drive back in the afternoon.
How do I pay for the trip?
There is no deposit. You pay on arrival, either when your driver collects you or at your hotel the day before, whichever suits you. We confirm the price and exact pick-up time in writing when you book, so there are no surprises on the day.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Children are welcome, and those under 6 travel free while ages 6 to 11 pay half price. However, the long hours in the car and the early start are hard on young children. For families we usually recommend the 2 day version instead. Child seats are available on request.
Can I fly to Cairo instead of driving?
Yes. The flight from Hurghada to Cairo takes about an hour, which cuts out most of the road journey. Flight schedules vary by day and season, so tell us your dates and we will quote a version of this tour with flights and airport transfers included.
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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.
