Cairo is an amazing city to explore during a trip to Egypt. It is also a fantastic place to base yourself for some of the best day trips from Cairo. From ancient tombs to seaside resorts, Egypt has something for everyone that can be seen from Cairo.
Where to Stay in Cairo
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Cairo hotels here! Other options include the following hotels.
We opted to stay in Giza at the Marriott Mena House so we could be close the pyramids. The Hilton Pyramids Golf is another good option in Giza. If you want to stay in Old Cairo, I recommend the Ramses Hilton, Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences, the Marriott Hotel, the Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis, or Hyatt Regency Cairo West.
Best Day Trips from Cairo: Less than One Hour
Memphis
When visiting Egypt, visiting Memphis from Cairo is a must. Memphis is the ancient capital of Egypt and was once a very prominent area. It is located just 15 miles south of Cairo, making it very easy to be one of the best day trips from Cairo. It is located near several of the other infamous pyramids in the area, too, so it is easy to do in one trip.
Visitors can opt to get here by Uber, which will cost less than $5 each way. You can also opt to take a tour that includes a private driver and guide. I also recommend pairing a visit to Memphis with a visit to Saqqara and/or Dashur.
Memphis is worth a day trip from Cairo, especially for history lovers since it is such a historical site. It costs about $5 to get in. Once there, you can visit the open-air museum and see many artifacts from ancient times. The most significant piece there is the largest statue of Ramses II in existence.
Plan to spend about an hour exploring the complex and seeing the various pieces. It is better if you have a guide as many of the things are not labeled or do not give much information about the pieces.
Saqqara
By Alex of Adventure to Every Country
One of the best day trips from Cairo is to Saqqara. Saqqara is about 20 miles or 47 minutes by taxi from Cairo. Unfortunately, there is a real lack of public transportation in Cairo. Fortunately, taxis are very cheap. Uber operates in Cairo and costs around $5 for a one-way journey. Guided tours also run from Cairo, which can make things easier for you.
Why is it worth a day trip from Cairo? It’s an opportunity to see some incredible Egyptian pyramids without the large crowds found at Giza. There are 11 major pyramids there, with the most famous being the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is one of the oldest man-made structures on Earth, dating back around 5,000 years.
What to do: walk around and see the pyramids and tombs in the desert. You can even go inside some tombs and see the hieroglyphics. The Tomb of Kagemni (KA-GMNI) is particularly worth checking out.
Other tips: Watch out for fake “guides” who will make up rules that mysteriously stop applying when you give them money. There aren’t as many of these guys as there are at Giza, but they do still exist. Going with a tour group can avoid this. You can also easily combine a trip to the Pyramids of Saqqara with nearby Memphis, which is just a 15-minute drive away and houses an impressive large statue of Ramses II, among other things.
Dahshur
By Samantha of Find Love and Travel
One of the best day trips from Cairo, Egypt, is visiting the Dahshur Pyramids, which are around 23 miles away from each other. Dashur is an Egyptian pyramid complex with two of the most famous pyramids residing here, The Red Pyramid and The Bent Pyramid. While many people get excited about the Giza Pyramids, these were both built before the Great Pyramid was even a thought.
The Bent Pyramid is an example of early pyramid development, and its name is coined due to its bent appearance towards the top of the structure. It’s definitely a unique site and well worth the visit! The Red Pyramid is also called The North Pyramid and gained its name due to its rusty, reddish limestone stones. This pyramid is also believed to be the Egyptians’ first successful attempt at constructing a smooth, true pyramid. Currently, you can even climb up to go inside!
Visiting Dashur is just a really great way to go into more depth about the Egyptian’s pyramid building history. An Egypt travel tip to keep in mind is haggling is a big deal around tourist attractions, but thankfully, it is not as bad here. If you travel by car from Cairo to Dahshur, this will take around an hour. While you can take public transportation, I would highly recommend a tour since there is little to no information without a guide.
The Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
By Tom of Tom Henty’s Travel
The last remaining ancient wonder of the world, along with a picture-perfect mythical statue which symbolizes a great pharaoh of yesteryear: it is fair to say that the Giza Plateau makes for one of the most awesome day trips from Cairo!
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the first landmarks on global tourist bucket lists, as the fascinating stone structures, which are thousands of years old, present a touch of ancient master craftsmanship and mystery in equal measure.
There is no doubt that a day trip to the Giza Plateau should be on your Cairo itinerary, as it is located only 25 km from the Egyptian capital. You can reach the pyramids by car in around 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic in and around Cairo, which can get very busy. Alternatively, there are accommodation options to suit all budgets with Pyramids views in Giza.
You can wander around or enter the three main pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), climb onto the first few steps of the structures, or ride a camel around the famous landmark for a different perspective. To capture your famous Sphinx selfie, you should head to the giant statue as you head towards the exit of the site. There are several viewpoints available for visitors.
If you visit the Pyramids as a solo traveler or without an official guide, you are more likely to get hassled by the locals. An early morning visit at around opening time will help you to minimize the amount of awkward encounters you may face. You will also avoid the coach tours and midday heat, which can reach very high temperatures in Egypt in the summer months.
All three pyramids are similar inside, so if you are on a budget you can enter the third pyramid for much cheaper than the Great Pyramid. In the evening, there is also a Pyramids light show.
Best Day Trips from Cairo: 1-2 hours
Hurghada
By Lavina of Continent Hop
Hurghada is a town that faces the Red Sea. Cairo is 280 miles away from here. The journey by air from Cairo to Hurghada will not exceed one hour and a half. It is approximately a 4–5 hour drive by car, so if you like long road trips or want to stay the night, you can rent a car and head there.
It is famous for having clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and a variety of sea life. This makes Hurghada a great place for snorkelers and divers. The fact that it went from being a small fishing village to a busy vacation town shows how appealing it is. It is a must-have in your Egyptian itinerary. You can swim and dive like never before in Hurghada. The coral reefs in Sahl Hasheesh and Giftun Island will unfold the lives of the varied flora and fauna of the underwater.
You will be back home with the most exciting experience, whether you are an experienced diver or just a beginner, due to the clear waters and lots of fish. Besides that, you can unwind on the city’s beautiful beaches, which are serene spots compared to the bustle of Cairo.
Desert safaris in Hurghada offer a thrilling way to experience the Egyptian desert. Whether you like quad biking over dunes or a jeep excursion, the desert contrasts beautifully with the seaside. These trips reveal the desert’s distinct ecosystem and offer the peacefulness of large open expanses. Go to El Dahar, the old town, to see its souks, which are traditional markets. You can buy gifts, spices, and handmade goods here.
Stay for one night in Hurghada so that you really get a take of everything the city offers. The sun in Egypt can get extremely powerful, so it is important to use sunscreen.
Luxor
By Joanna of The World in My Pocket
Luxor is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt on the historical route. You can easily do a day trip from Cairo to Luxor if you choose to fly. There are plenty of Egypt Air flights connecting Cairo with Luxor in just one hour.
Start your visit to Luxor with the West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings is. You will need a good three hours to visit this area. The ticket includes access to three different tombs, which you can choose from the ones that are open on the day you visit. To see King Tutankhamun’s Tomb, you have to pay extra, but remember that all the treasures inside have been taken to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. In the Valley of the Kings, there is only his mummy. On the West Bank, don’t miss the Temple of Hatshepsut – the woman who ruled as a king.
In the afternoon, come back to Luxor and explore the two temples here: Karnak and Luxor. They are both very big, and it’s advisable to take a guided tour in order to understand their history and explore the most important places inside each temple.
If you can extend your trip, it is highly worth taking a cruise on the Nile to experience more of this amazing part of Egypt.
Best Day Trips from Cairo: More than 2 hours
Alexandria
By Sarah of Mukikapup’s Travels
Alexandria, Egypt, is about three hours from Cairo by car and makes a fantastic day trip because there are a lot of historically significant sites to see in one day! I did a day trip from Cairo to Alexandria, and I hired a driver and tour guide for the day.
Sites I recommend visiting include the modern Library of Alexandria, which is really impressive in its design and artifacts, plus the library itself. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is one of the most photographed places in Alexandria for its carved tombs that mix Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman influences (it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages). It’s also just fun to go underground and explore!
The Serapeum of Alexandria is a site that includes an offshoot of the original Library of Alexandria, Pompey’s Pillar, and more archaeological remains with a great view. Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, which is one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt, is also here and was restored by the Ministry of Antiquities.
The Royal Jewelry Museum contains an extremely large collection of jewelry, 19th-century paintings, statues, and more art that will wow you as you learn the history of some of the royalty from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty. Cleopatra’s Palace is an underwater archaeological site that scuba divers should definitely visit. The Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is one of a number of photo-worthy Mosques in Alexandria.
No matter what, there are so many fun and exciting things to see in Alexandria; it makes for one of the best day trips from Cairo.
Abu Simbel
By Maria of Map and Camera
Abu Simbel is about 850 kilometers (about 530 miles) south of Cairo, almost on the border with Sudan. It’s a long way but can be done as a day trip and is well worth it. Abu Simbel deserves its place in any Egypt itinerary.
Take an early morning flight from Cairo to Aswan. The flight takes less than an hour and a half. From Aswan to Abu Simbel, you can either arrange a private transfer or, after a short layover, board the next flight to Abu Simbel. Check the schedules of Air Cairo and Egypt Air.
If you leave Cairo early in the morning, you can be in Abu Simbel before 10 am. Take your time to explore the site and catch an early afternoon flight to Aswan. Spend the afternoon in Aswan, having a cup of tea at the Old Cataract Hotel, which evokes the era of Agatha Christie. In the evening, take a flight back to Cairo. If all this seems too much of a hustle, opt for a private tour.
Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of two temples dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. Built in the 13th century BC, the entire complex was moved in the 1960s to avoid being flooded by the newly constructed Aswan High Dam.
The façade of the Great Temple is decorated with four colossal statues of Ramses II and is oriented towards the sun. Twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October, the sunlight illuminates the inner sanctum, illuminating the statues of Ramses, Ra (the sun god), and Amun (the king of gods), while leaving the statue of Ptah (the god of darkness) in shadow.
Despite its distance from Cairo, Abu Simbel is a must-see on par with the Pyramids of Giza, an essential addition to any Egypt trip, and one of the best day trips from Cairo.
Port Said
By Dee of Vanilla Papers
Head to Port Said for historic villas, incredible seafood, and quiet local beaches that make for one of the best day trips from Cairo. Port Said might not be the bustling port of its heyday, but it’s full of old-world charm and the history of the Suez Canal.
This hidden gem is about a 2.5-hour trip from Cairo. To get there, take a bus (with either GoBus or East Delta Travel) or hire a car for the day. Port Said is well off the beaten tourist path, and it’s not easy to navigate if you don’t speak Arabic. There’s no Uber there, and major tour companies don’t go there at all!
For a seamless day trip, go either with an Egyptian friend or with Semsemia Tours, a local niche company that specializes in the Nile Delta region.
Start your day in Port Said with brunch at the vibrant fish market, brimming with local catches like shrimp and red mullet. Choose your fish and get it grilled or fried on the spot, then topped with local spices. For a more leisurely meal, head to El Borg on Tarh El Bahr Street near the beach. This famous eatery lets you select your fish and get it grilled, fried, or baked.
Then, take the free ferry across the Suez Canal to Port Fuad and admire the charming colonial villas that speak of the city’s past (they once housed staff who worked on the Suez Canal). Relax on the beach and watch the massive tankers navigate the canal. The beaches in Port Fuad are rocky, quiet, and full of locals sipping tea at makeshift cafes.
In the evening, wander through the Gomhuria district to window shop. Don’t miss the historic Greek and Italian churches that speak of the city’s cosmopolitan past.
Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Cairo
As you can see, there are many amazing day trips from Cairo that visitors can add to their Egypt trip. If you want to save some money, check out this post about visiting Egypt on points. If you have more time, extend your stay in some of these areas.
