- DurationApprox. 10–11 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsMeet at the cruise terminal, Ain El Sokhna Port
- PriceFrom $129 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
Of all Egypt’s cruise ports, Ain El Sokhna is the nearest to the pyramids, which makes this private Cairo shore excursion from Ain El Sokhna the most relaxed way to see Giza from a ship. The fast desert highway gets you to the Giza Plateau in about 2 to 2.5 hours, leaving time for the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, lunch and a proper visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
With around five hours of driving in total, the day suits port calls of at least 10 hours. On longer calls we add an hour in Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s medieval bazaar. Everything is timed backwards from your all-aboard time, aiming to have you back at the terminal at least one hour early, and your Egyptologist guide adjusts the pace to suit you.
Highlights
- Ain El Sokhna is the closest cruise port to Cairo: about 2–2.5 hours to Giza
- The Great Pyramid, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx
- Tutankhamun’s complete collection at the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Private Egyptologist guide, lunch and entry fees included
- Khan El Khalili bazaar added on longer port calls
- Return planned around your ship’s all-aboard time
Itinerary
07:30 – Meet at Ain El Sokhna Port
Your guide meets you at the cruise terminal with a name sign as soon as passengers are cleared ashore. You set off in a private air-conditioned vehicle with cold water along the Sokhna highway and Cairo’s ring road to Giza, about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
10:00 – Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
Walk around the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, then drive to the panoramic viewpoint where all three pyramids line up. Finish at the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre. A short camel ride near the viewpoint can be arranged at extra cost, and entry inside the Great Pyramid needs a separate ticket.
12:30 – Lunch near the pyramids
Lunch at a local restaurant near the plateau, with Egyptian grills, rice, salads and dips, and vegetarian options available.
Meals: Lunch
13:30 – Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum, about 2 km from the pyramids, is fully open. See the colossal Ramesses II in the atrium, the Grand Staircase of royal statues and the Tutankhamun galleries, where the king’s gold mask, chariots and jewellery are displayed together. Allow around two hours with your guide.
15:45 – Return to Ain El Sokhna
Leave Giza for the drive back to the port, arriving around 18:15. On calls of 12 hours or more, we visit Khan El Khalili bazaar for about an hour before heading back. Departure is set by your all-aboard time and never pushed later.
Good to know: Times are an example for a ship alongside from about 07:00 to 19:30. We confirm your exact schedule in writing once we have your ship’s times.
What’s Included
Included
- Meet and assist at Ain El Sokhna Port and return to the ship
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees to the Giza Pyramids area, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid (about $20–30)
- Camel or horse rides
- Drinks with lunch
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Personal shopping
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $289 |
| 2 travellers | $189 |
| 3–5 travellers | $155 |
| 6+ travellers | $129 |
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
Will I get back to the ship on time?
Yes, the return is planned first. We work backwards from your all-aboard time, allow about 2.5 hours for the drive plus a margin for Cairo traffic, and aim to reach the terminal at least one hour early. If anything runs late, your guide shortens the museum visit or skips the bazaar rather than delay the return.
How long does my ship need to be in Ain El Sokhna?
At least 10 hours alongside for the pyramids, lunch and the Grand Egyptian Museum. With 12 hours or more we can add Khan El Khalili. If your ship stays overnight, we can add a second day for Old Cairo, the Citadel or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Why the Grand Egyptian Museum and not the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir?
Tutankhamun’s treasures, including the gold mask, are now at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which sits beside the pyramids and saves time in Cairo traffic. If you would rather see the older Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, which keeps a remarkable collection of its own, just tell us when you book and we will plan the day around it.
Can I go inside the Great Pyramid?
Yes, with a ticket of about $20–30 bought on site. The climb to the King’s Chamber is steep and narrow and takes 20 to 30 minutes, so it is not for anyone with claustrophobia or limited mobility. On a shore day it uses time otherwise spent in the museum.
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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.
