- DurationApprox. 11–12 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsMeet at the cruise terminal, Alexandria Port
- PriceFrom $135 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
A port call in Alexandria is your chance to stand in front of the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. This private pyramids shore excursion from Alexandria takes you to the Giza Plateau for the Great Pyramid, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx, then on to the Grand Egyptian Museum next door, where the full Tutankhamun collection is on display alongside thousands of other treasures.
We are honest about the distances. Giza is about 3 hours from Alexandria Port on the desert road, so around six hours of the day are spent in the vehicle. That leaves roughly five hours on the ground, enough for the pyramids, the Sphinx, lunch and the museum’s highlights at a sensible pace. We plan the day around your ship’s all-aboard time and aim to have you back at the terminal at least one hour before it.
This excursion suits port calls of at least 11 hours alongside; 12 is more comfortable. Send us your ship’s name and port times when you enquire and we confirm a realistic schedule in writing before you pay. If your call is shorter, we will tell you so and suggest our Alexandria city tour instead.
Highlights
- Meet and assist at the Alexandria Port cruise terminal, and back to the ship
- The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the panoramic viewpoint on the Giza Plateau
- The Great Sphinx and the granite Valley Temple of Khafre
- Tutankhamun’s complete burial collection at the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Private Egyptologist guide, lunch near the pyramids and entry fees included
- Timings planned backwards from your ship’s all-aboard time
Itinerary
07:30 – Meet at Alexandria Port
Your guide meets you at the passenger terminal holding a sign with your name, as soon as the ship clears passengers to go ashore (times shown assume an arrival around 07:00). You settle into a private air-conditioned vehicle with cold water and head south on the Cairo–Alexandria desert road. The drive takes about 3 hours, and your guide uses it to introduce the Old Kingdom and the pharaohs who built the pyramids.
10:30 – Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
Walk around the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, built about 4,500 years ago from more than two million blocks, then drive to the panoramic viewpoint where the three main pyramids line up for the classic photograph. Finish at the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Entry inside the Great Pyramid needs a separate ticket and only fits if you give up museum time.
12:45 – Lunch near the pyramids
Lunch at a restaurant near the plateau, with Egyptian dishes such as grilled meats, rice, salads and mezze, and vegetarian options. Your guide keeps lunch to around an hour so that the museum and the return drive stay on schedule.
Meals: Lunch
13:45 – Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum stands about 2 km from the pyramids and is fully open. Start in the atrium with the colossal statue of Ramesses II, climb the Grand Staircase lined with royal statues, then spend most of your time in the Tutankhamun galleries, where the king’s gold mask, chariots, jewellery and shrines are shown together. Your guide concentrates on the highlights to make the best of the time.
15:45 – Return to Alexandria Port
You leave Giza with time for the roughly 3-hour drive plus a margin for traffic on the edge of Cairo, arriving at the port around 19:00. Departure from Giza is fixed by your all-aboard time and is never pushed later to squeeze in an extra stop. Your driver stays in contact with our operations team until you are back at the terminal.
Good to know: Times above are an example for a ship arriving about 07:00 with all-aboard around 20:00. We confirm your own timings in writing once we have your ship’s schedule.
What’s Included
Included
- Meet and assist at Alexandria Port and return to the ship
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the whole day
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees to the Giza Pyramids area, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Lunch at a restaurant near the pyramids
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Tickets to go inside the Great Pyramid or other pyramids (about $20–30)
- Drinks with lunch
- Camel or horse rides at the pyramids
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Personal shopping
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $339 |
| 2 travellers | $210 |
| 3–5 travellers | $169 |
| 6+ travellers | $135 |
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?
The return is planned before anything else. We work backwards from your all-aboard time, allow about 3 hours for the drive plus extra for Cairo traffic, and aim to reach the terminal at least one hour early. If the day runs late, your guide shortens the museum visit rather than delay the return. Our operations team follows every shore excursion until you are back at the port.
How long does my ship need to be in Alexandria?
At least 11 hours alongside, and ideally 12. The round trip by road takes about six hours, and you need around five hours in Giza for the pyramids, lunch and the museum’s highlights. If your ship stays overnight, we can spread the visit over two days and add Saqqara, Islamic Cairo or Alexandria’s own sights.
Will the ship wait if we are delayed?
No. Ships are only obliged to wait for their own excursions, which is exactly why we build in generous margins and never squeeze in extra stops on the way back. Our drivers know the road well and monitor traffic all day. In the unlikely event of a serious delay, we stay with you and help with every arrangement until it is resolved.
Is the Grand Egyptian Museum fully open?
Yes. The Grand Egyptian Museum is fully open, including the Tutankhamun galleries with the king’s complete burial collection. It sits beside the Giza Plateau, which makes it the natural pairing with the pyramids on a shore day. The royal mummies are not here; they are at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Old Cairo.
Is this the same as your Cairo trip from Borg El Arab Airport?
The sights are similar, but this tour is built around a cruise call: meet at the ship, a fixed return and timings set by all-aboard. If you are arriving by air at Borg El Arab or staying in Alexandria, book our Cairo trip from Borg El Arab Airport instead, which can also finish at your Cairo hotel.
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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.
