2 Days in Cairo and Giza: The Ultimate Itinerary

Last updated on April 6th, 2026 at 07:59 pm

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Do you want to know the best way to spend 2 days in Cairo and Giza? Are you wondering what to do in Cairo and Giza besides seeing the pyramids? Are you planning a trip to Egypt and wondering how many days to spend in Cairo? This 2-day itinerary for Cairo and Giza will answer all your questions! Whether you are taking a quick trip to this unique city or traveling throughout Egypt, this guide is for you. 

Where is Giza in relation to Cairo?

Cairo is the modern capital of Egypt, a bustling city that blends the past with the present. Giza is the home of the mysterious Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, built by the ancient Egyptians. Giza is a city in the Greater Cairo metropolitan area; therefore, it is often lumped together with Cairo, although they are 45 minutes apart. They have histories that are intertwined but unique. Although they are often considered one, they feel worlds apart.

Giza is more touristy because of the proximity to the pyramids. It is also less modern. Cairo is chaotic and lively, with lots of people, cars, and pollution. It has a more modern history and feel. While Cairo was never officially colonized, it was occupied by the French and British throughout history, and certain areas have a distinct European influence. Cairo has a strong Coptic and Muslim influence; Giza has a stronger ancient Egyptian influence. The infrastructure in Cairo and Giza hasn’t been maintained very well over the years, and many older buildings are showing wear. 

The Best Time to Visit Cairo and Giza

The best time to visit Cairo and Giza is between October and March, when temperatures are cooler. 

The winter, December through February, is the most popular time to visit because the weather is mild, but sites are crowded and hotels are more expensive. 

The shoulder season is a great time to visit because temperatures are still manageable and prices are lower. Shoulder season is March to April and October to November. 

I would not recommend visiting Egypt in the summer, especially if you plan to travel south. It was already getting pretty hot in March. 

Cairo is typically not as hot as Luxor, Aswan, or Abu Simbel, but it can be hot during the day and cool in the evening. When we visited in March, the average high was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. I wore jeans and a light jacket most days. 

I don’t recommend visiting during Ramadan, the holy month in Islam, because many restaurants are closed during the day, and sites have different hours. We planned our visit during Ramadan by accident, and it was generally fine; it just required some flexibility on our part. However, we did miss out on a couple of things, namely trying Kosheri, the Egyptian dish to try in Cairo, so I would avoid Ramadan if possible. 

Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, so it changes every year. It lasts 29 to 30 days. In 2026, Ramadan will be celebrated from mid-February to mid-March. 

Looking for a unique activity in Cairo? Check out my review of the Cairo Nights food tour here!

Egypt Travel Tips

Visa Requirements 

If you are traveling to Egypt for tourism purposes from the United States or most other countries, you need a tourist visa. To obtain a tourist visa, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date. You must provide information about your visit and pay a fee. 

Visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Canada, and many other countries can purchase an eVisa online ahead of time that allows a maximum stay of 30 days. Otherwise, you must purchase a visa on arrival. 

I recommend the eVisa simply so you can move through the airport faster, but when we were traveling, the visa on arrival line wasn’t too long. 

eVisa

Apply for the eVisa at least 7 days before your trip. To obtain an eVisa, visit this website, create an account, and enter your travel details. The application requires host information, so if you are traveling independently (i.e., without a tour group), you can enter the details for your first hotel in Egypt. 

If you enter something incorrectly on your application, it will be rejected, so make sure to double-check your entries. 

After you fill out the information, you must pay a fee of $25 USD for a single-entry visa or $60 USD for a multiple-entry visa. 

It can take between 8 and 11 days to get approved for an Egyptian eVisa. Once you are approved, you will receive an email with the visa attached. You must print this and carry it with you, although no one looked at ours. The eVisa is valid for 90 days once approved and can be used for a maximum stay of 30 days. 

Visa on Arrival

To obtain a visa on arrival, you must go to the immigration counter after you arrive in Egypt. We saw a sign that said “Visa On Arrival” when we landed at Cairo International Airport. You must provide information about your visit and pay the $25 USD fee, which must be in US dollars cash. Credit or debit cards are not accepted. 

Dress Conservatively

Egypt is a Muslim country, and women should dress conservatively. It is best to wear loose clothes that cover your knees and shoulders and are not revealing. You might get unwanted attention from men if you don’t dress modestly. Men can wear whatever they like, but Egyptian men usually wear pants and long sleeves. 

If you are visiting a mosque, women must cover their knees, shoulders, and heads. Some places will provide skirts or scarves to cover your head, but I prefer to bring my own scarf. Men should not wear shorts or tank tops. Everyone must remove their shoes to enter a mosque. 

Always Carry Cash

Hotels and many restaurants typically accept credit or debit cards, but cash is still king in Egypt. Carry cash for markets, local restaurants, or street food, and the many tips you will give out. 

As usual, when you travel, watch out for ATM fees. ATMs from Banque Misr and the Egyptian National Bank didn’t have any additional ATM fees, excluding those that your bank might impose. We use the Revolut Metal card to avoid international ATM fees. Always decline the ATM’s exchange rate. 

Sign up with my Revolut referral link, and I will earn a reward with no additional cost to you!

Tip/Bribe Culture

Tipping is huge in Egypt. Everyone wants a tip or a favor like “come look at my shop!” for moving your luggage (which they refuse to let you do), driving you to your destination, taking a picture for you, helping you cross the street, helping you find your hotel… You get the idea. 

Tipping at restaurants is also expected. This is usually 10-15% of your bill. Other tips typically range between 5 and 20%, with tour guides being on the higher end. 

Additionally, a tip or a bribe can get you far in Egypt. Often, you can see a closed section of a temple or tomb with an extra tip. People at our hotel were tipping the pool attendants to hold chairs for them all day while they weren’t there (which was incredibly frustrating). In King Tut’s tomb, you can likely get a photograph of the young King’s mummy for a tip. In Egypt, you can put a price on anything, and people often do. 

How to Get to Cairo and Giza

Flying into Cairo

Cairo International Airport is the easiest airport to fly into to visit Cairo and Giza. Most regional airports in Egypt also have direct flights to Cairo International Airport, except Abu Simbel Airport and Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria. Neither of these airports currently offers non-stop flights to Cairo. 

GoBus to Cairo

We used GoBus to travel from Alexandria to Cairo and found it an enjoyable experience. There are other GoBus routes available throughout Egypt. Check the routes and book here. 

They offer buses with varying levels of comfort, so make sure you book something comfortable. We were on a New Deluxe bus and found it satisfactory. The New Deluxe buses have air conditioning, reclining seats, and a bathroom on board. Most of the other buses, except the GoMini, seem to have air-conditioning at least. 

On our three-hour trip from Cairo to Alexandria, there was a 15-minute break each way where you could use the bathroom, smoke, or get a coffee.  

Trains to Cairo

Trains from Aswan, Luxor, and Alexandria go to and from Cairo. 

From Alexandria, trains typically take three to four hours to reach Cairo. The cost of a first-class train ticket is approximately $35-45, depending on the type of train. 

From Luxor or Aswan, day-trains and sleeper trains are available for travel to Cairo, with stops along the Nile Valley. The journey between Cairo and Aswan is 549 miles or 879 km. Check out The Man in Seat 61 for more information on train travel in Egypt.  

Rent a Car

I don’t recommend renting a car in Egypt because the driving is some of the worst I have seen in my travels, and it might be difficult if you aren’t used to it. However, if you prefer to rent a car, DiscoverCars allows you to easily find and compare car rentals globally.

There is enough availability of taxis, ride-shares, and public transportation in Cairo and Giza to get around, so renting a car will only be a hassle. I would only consider renting a car if you plan to explore more of Egypt.

2 Days in Cairo and Giza

Day 1 – Experiencing the Great Pyramids of Giza

For your first day in Cairo and Giza, I recommend spending the morning visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx. After all, this is likely one of the big reasons you are visiting!

Visiting the Pyramids With or Without a Guide

You can visit the Pyramids with or without a guide. If it is most important to you that you see the pyramids with as few people as possible, then I recommend going without a guide. If you want to learn about the site in real time, then you should go with a guide. 

Going with a guide means you will be on their timetable. Unless you can find an early tour, you will not be the first one in the complex with a guide because tours usually start around 8 AM or later. Of course, you can always ask if you can go earlier. 

Many people visit without a guide – it is absolutely doable. However, there are no signs with information, so if you go this route, it is a good idea to purchase a guidebook or research on your own so you understand what you are looking at. 

The pyramid complex is large, and while a guide will probably provide a car, it could take a long time to traverse on foot. The Panoramic Viewpoint, where you can see all 9 pyramids, is worth a visit. It will take about 45-50 minutes to reach this spot on foot from either entrance. 

Initially, I had planned to walk into the pyramids without a guide, but at the last minute, I decided to take a guide so we could learn about the pyramids. I was hoping that the guide would still be willing to get there right when it opened. That didn’t happen. The guide wasn’t ready until 8:30 AM, supposedly because of Ramadan. Regardless, from our hotel, I could easily see as people flooded into the gates at open, and I was a little disappointed that I changed the plan.

How to buy tickets for the pyramids?

You can buy your tickets ahead of time on the official website or at the ticket office. You will still have to wait in line for security if you buy tickets in advance. 

How to Book a Tour for the Pyramids of Giza?

There are plenty of options for booking a tour of the pyramids. 

Most hotels in Giza offer tours, so you can always book through your hotel. If you do that, be ready to haggle for a price. 

If you don’t want to deal with haggling, and I don’t blame you, then you can always book a tour on GetYourGuide or Viator. With this method, the price is set, and while you might not get it as cheap as possible, you can check out the reviews and will likely pay a fair price. 

This highly rated private tour includes pick-up and drop-off from Cairo or Giza, an Egyptologist guide, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, General Admission to the Pyramids and Sphinx complex, and a short camel ride. Note, this does not include entry into any of the pyramids.  

Pyramids, Sphinx, and Papayrus Tour

Our tour, booked through our hotel, was $65 USD per person for an approximately 2-hour private Pyramid tour, an Egyptologist guide, a driver, and a 20-minute camel ride, not including tips or the entrance to the Pyramid complex.

Another downside to going with a guide is that they will likely try to convince you to add activities to your tour. Whether it is a free visit to a shop or a visit to Saqqara for an additional fee, this is a common practice in Egypt. If you don’t want to do it, just politely but firmly say no, and they should let it go.

Our guide took us to a Papayrus shop, which was a clear attempt to get us to buy something, but they didn’t force us. It was somewhat interesting, but I would have skipped it as we were both tired and ready to go back to the hotel by that point. 

Should You Go Inside the Pyramids? 

I don’t think it is worth it to go into the Pyramids; however, I was given the same advice before I went to Giza, and I still decided it was something I wanted to do. Sometimes you have to experience something for yourself, regardless of what people recommend. 

Inside the Great Pyramid, the most commonly entered Pyramid, you traverse a long corridor that is very steep and narrow at points. 

Most of the walkway is a wooden ramp, with protruding wooden blocks that prevent you from sliding down. There are handrails. 

About halfway through, you enter a narrower corridor with a low ceiling, so you have to squat while walking. We were sore for days after! 

Traffic goes both ways (i.e., the way out is the way in, too), so you are battling people going the opposite direction. Sometimes you have to wait a while for a break in traffic because the attendants just keep letting people inside. 

This entrance was created specifically for tourists, so there is no art on the walls, and you aren’t walking in the footsteps of ancient Egyptians.

It is hot and claustrophobic inside the pyramid, but it gets even hotter once you reach the King’s Chamber, the end goal of this extravaganza. Inside the chamber, the walls are bare stone, and there is an empty and eroded granite sarcophagus near one wall, once the resting place of the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. 

Have I convinced you that it is not worth it? 

If not, it costs 1500 EGP, or about $29 USD, per person to enter the Great Pyramid. 

You can enter the Pyramid of Menkaure for a smaller fee of 280 EGP. This pyramid is smaller, but it is similar inside. 

Guides are not permitted to enter the pyramids with you. 

Riding Camels at the Pyramids

Whether you choose to visit with or without a guide, you can ride a camel near the pyramids if you desire. Camels and the camel drivers wait to take tourists on a ride to the Panoramic Viewpoint on the southwest side of the Pyramids for a tip. 

If you choose to go with a guide, you can choose a tour with a camel ride. There are also horses or horse and carriages if you prefer. 

Ensure your camel appears healthy and well-cared for to the best of your ability. If you don’t feel good about riding a camel, you can always take pictures with them instead. Camel tourism is a source of livelihood for many Egyptians, so it is important to make sure they still get business. 

The scariest part of riding a camel was getting on. You mount the camel while it is sitting and then hold on as it raises its back legs, followed by its front legs. I felt like I was going to fall off.  Camels are much taller than horses, so that takes some getting used to as well. 

The guide led our camels towards the panoramic viewpoint, which took about 10 minutes. He took photos of us on the camels with the pyramids in the background. 

On the way back, he let me lead the camels myself, which was much harder than it looked! 

The whole experience took about 20 to 30 minutes and was clearly a tourist activity. However, if riding camels is on your Egyptian bucket list, this is a great place to do it!

You should tip your camel driver for the ride, even if you choose a tour that includes it.

Visit the Sphinx and the Valley Temple

The final activity at the pyramid complex is visiting the Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre. 

The construction of the Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and the middle pyramid is credited to Pharaoh Khafre because archaeologists discovered several statues of him in the temple, and the Sphinx aligns with the middle pyramid. 

The Valley Temple of Khafre was used to mummify the Kings before they were buried in the tombs. 

The nose of the Sphinx was removed sometime between the 3rd and 10th centuries AD, intentionally. No one knows why it was removed, but there are many theories. 

You cannot enter the Sphinx. 

Papyrus Institute

The final stop on our tour was the Papyrus Institute. Ancient Egyptians used papyrus as a writing surface, which was then adopted by the Greeks and Romans. The Papyrus Institute is a small building off the main street in Giza where they demonstrate how papyrus is made into paper. You can purchase Egyptian art printed on papyrus.

The artwork is beautiful and would make a good souvenir if you so wished; however, they are a bit pricey. You will need to haggle for a good price.

Lunch

Next, I recommend eating lunch. For this itinerary, you have an option to head to Cairo now or stay in Giza for lunch and afternoon activities. The second day of this itinerary includes exploring Cairo more!

For classic Egyptian dishes and rooftop views in Giza, head to Zeeyara Pyramids Elite. The restaurant offers an excellent view of the pyramids, especially during the day. The food was pretty good, but not the best we had in Egypt. We started with baba ghanoush and bulgur camel meatballs, which were good but a little dry inside. As for the entrees, we enjoyed the Egyptian fattah bil mouza, which had big chunks of lamb served over rice, crispy garlic pita, and topped with a garlic tomato sauce.  

Alternatively, you can head to Cairo and eat koshery, the national dish of Egypt, at Koshary Abou Tarek. Koshary is a dish that contains pasta, chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato sauce served on a bed of rice and lentils. This is a must-eat dish when in Cairo! Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t find a place open that serves it during Ramadan, but Koshary Abou Tarek is popular with locals and tourists. 

Afternoon in Giza: Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

The much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is now open to visitors! As of October 2024, the main gallery is open. The full grand opening, including the Tutankhamun gallery and Solar Boat exhibit, is on July 3, 2025. 

This brand new museum focuses only on Ancient Egypt. Some of the highlights include the hanging obelisk displayed in front of the museum, a 36-foot (11-meter) tall statue of Ramses II, a colossal statue of Queen Hatshepsut, and many statues of Egyptian Pharaohs. 

After July 2025, all of the artifacts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb will be displayed in the same place. This includes King Tut’s gold mask and sarcophagi, currently on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, as well as chariots, jewelry, statues, and furniture. The exhibit will feature 5,000 artifacts from his tomb. 

The other exhibit opening in July of 2025 is the solar boat, a huge wooden replica of the boat constructed to carry the soul of Pharaoh Khufu to the afterlife.

Afternoon in Cairo: Visit Coptic Cairo and the Civilization Museum

Cairo has a rich and varied religious history; for a comprehensive understanding, consider visiting Coptic Cairo. Christianity was practiced in this part of Old Cairo before and during the Islamic period. Coptic Cairo encompasses several historic churches surrounded by the remains of a Roman fortress known as the Babylon Fortress. The churches and historical sites in Coptic Cairo are free, but the Coptic Museum requires an entry fee. 

A highlight of Coptic Cairo is the Hanging Church, which dates back to the third century, making it one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The Hanging Church closes at 4 PM, so head there first. It is free to enter. 

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is a short Uber ride from Coptic Cairo and closes at 5 PM. This museum covers prehistoric Egypt through the Pharaonic, Greek, Coptic, Islamic, and contemporary eras. Here you can see 20 royal mummies excavated primarily from the Valley of the Kings, including the mummies of Hatshepsut and Ramses. Tickets are 550 EGP for adults. You can purchase tickets online here or at the door.

Dinner at Tablia Balady or Wardet Biuret

For more classic Egyptian food, check out Tablia Balady, a woman-owned restaurant where the menu changes daily. 

Alternatively, for some delicious Lebanese food, check out Wardet Biuret Restaurant. The food was great. We tried a grill plate with kofta (minced meat with spices) and kebab, a Lebanese arayes plate (beef layered in thin, fried pita bread), and halloumi manoushe (flatbread with melted cheese). It was way too much food, but everything was delicious. They also serve fresh juices. They do not serve alcohol, but most places don’t. 

Bonus Stop! Check out Omar Al-Dimashqy Patisserie, a pastry shop nearby. They were serving up knafeh, an Arabic sweet cheese pastry. It was delicious, so definitely give it a try! Otherwise, they sell other sweet treats such as baklava and ice cream.

Read More: Exploring Tangier, Morocco in a Day

Day 2 – Exploring Cairo

Egyptian Museum

Start your day at one of the most popular sites in Cairo and a must-see before you embark on the rest of your Egypt adventures: the Egyptian Museum. This huge museum is home to many Egyptian artifacts, including mummies, sarcophagi, and statues and findings from temples and tombs. It also contains most of the famous contents of King Tut’s tomb, until July 2025, when this will be moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. 

A highlight for me was seeing a rare silver sarcophagus of King Psusennes I. In Ancient Egypt, silver was rarer and more expensive than gold, so having a sarcophagus of silver was a display of the Pharaoh’s greatness. 

There is a lot to see in this museum. There are not many signs, and fewer in English. In the popular exhibits, like King Tut’s, there are English signs, but there are many other places where there are no signs at all, so using Google Translate isn’t an option. 

Should you hire a guide for the Egyptian Museum?

It is possible to have a guide take you through the Egyptian museum, and many people either do that or go with a tour group. There will be guides waiting near the entrance if you want to hire one when you arrive. Be ready to haggle for a price.  

We decided to hire a guide, and I think it was a good investment. Henny was our favorite guide in all of Egypt because he treated me, as a woman, like a real person. He offered two different options: a 45-minute tour of just the highlights or an hour and 45 minutes including the highlights and the two special exhibits upstairs, King Tut’s tomb and the Tanis Necropolis. We chose the second option for 2100 EGP, not including tip. He was incredibly knowledgeable and pointed out things I wouldn’t have noticed on my own.  

Bar’Oro at the Ritz-Carlton

If you need a respite from the chaotic nature in Cairo, which you probably will after the busy museum, head to Bar’Oro at the Nile Ritz-Carlton. It is a restaurant and bar with views of the Nile River, plus it is right next to the museum. 

Usually, I would not recommend hotel food over local food, but as we visited during Ramadan, when locals fast from sunrise to sunset, most everything was closed during the day. The previous day, we tried to visit three different restaurants at lunchtime, and they were all closed! Most hotel restaurants and bars will be open during Ramadan since they cater to tourists. 

The food is good and, as a bonus, since it is a hotel, they serve alcoholic drinks. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer, which was excellent. It was two dense pieces of bread, one covered in a heaping pile of ricotta with pistachio and pesto, and the other topped with chunks of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. We ordered this and a margarita pizza, not knowing we would get bread and olive oil with our meal, so it ended up being a very carb-heavy meal. Bar’Oro serves beer, wine, and cocktails in addition to food. 

Cairo Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali

Next, take an Uber to the Cairo Citadel, where you can see the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, Sulayman Pasha al-Khadim Mosque, the Police Museum, the Al-Jawhara Palace Museum, and the Military Museum, plus some panoramic views of Cairo. 

The Cairo Citadel was constructed under the orders of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. Its position on the Muqattam Hills and the strong fortifications of the citadel make it an impressive medieval fortress. Construction was finished in 1207 AD during the reign of Sultan al-Kamel ibn al-Adel. 

Inside the Cairo Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is one of the most notable structures. It is huge, beautifully perched on a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by the fortress walls. This mosque was built under Muhammad Ali Pasha, who was considered the founder of modern Egypt, in 1857.

The inside of the Mosque is just as breathtaking as the outside. You must dress appropriately to enter and remove your shoes; alternatively, you may wear plastic booties provided over your shoes.  

The Cairo Citadel is 550 EGP to enter and is open every day from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Return to Cairo either with Uber or a taxi. You may have to wait a while for an Uber since the Cairo Citadel is slightly outside the city, but when we visited, taxis were waiting in the parking lot. 

Khan el-Khalili

Another thing to do in Cairo is to visit Khan el-Khalili, Cairo’s famous market. This is one of the largest bazaars in the city. This is a big draw for tourists, but locals also shop at this market. I always enjoy visiting a bustling market. You can find clothing, souvenirs, decor, spices, gold, alabaster, and more for sale. The merchants will ask if you want to look at their shops constantly. Be prepared to haggle for a good price if you find something you want, and beware of counterfeit items, particularly gold, alabaster, and saffron, to name a few common ones. 

This is also home to Naguib Mahfouz Cafe, an upscale restaurant and cafe dedicated to Naguib Mahfouz, a famous Egyptian writer who won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1988. The cafe serves juice, tea, coffee, and both international and regional food dishes. The restaurant behind the cafe serves a more extensive menu of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The space is ornately decorated with mirrors and geometric patterns reminiscent of the art deco style.

They were closed when we visited, for Ramadan, but typically they are open 10 AM to midnight. 

Al-Azhar Mosque

Alternatively, check out the first mosque built in Cairo, Al-Azhar Mosque. It was commissioned in 970 AD and originally served as a learning institution. Al-Azhar University is still attached to the mosque, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. 

It is across Al-Azhar Street from Khan el-Khalili, but you have to use the underpass to cross the street. You may enter the mosque for free if you adhere to the dress code rules.

Cairo Nights Food Tour 

I was gifted the Cairo Nights food tour by A Chef’s Tour, but I would have booked it myself because I love their food tours! If you are looking for something unique to do in Cairo, I highly recommend doing the Cairo Nights food tour. This small group tour takes you through a labyrinth of alleyways and narrow streets to find hole-in-the-wall restaurants and local food spots that you wouldn’t be able to find on your own. If you love to taste the local cuisine while culturally enriching your trip with food experiences and history, this is a must-do for you! 

Read more about my experience on the Cairo Nights tour here!

Or book the Cairo Nights food tour here.

Other Things to Do in Cairo and Giza

If you have another day in Cairo or Giza, here are some suggestions for how to spend it!

Visit Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur

Memphis

Memphis was the northern capital of ancient Egypt during the Early Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom, estimated to be 5,000 years old. It was the first capital formed after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. You can visit the open-air museum, including a large, no longer standing statue of Ramesses II. 

It is located near the present-day village of Mit Rahina, about 40 minutes away from Giza, with little traffic. It is 200 EGP for an adult to visit the open-air museum. Parking is an additional 25 EGP. You can buy tickets here.

Saqqara Necropolis

At the nearby Saqqara Necropolis, you can see the oldest pyramid in Egypt: the step pyramid of Djoser. Djoser was a Pharaoh during the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. This pyramid, constructed for Djoser in the 27th century BCE, was a precursor to the other pyramids of Egypt, including the Pyramids of Giza. The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the center point in the funerary complex, which includes other tombs and ceremonial structures. 

Entry to the Saqqara Necroplis is 600 EGP for an adult, with an additional fee of 280 EGP to enter the Pyramid of Djoser. There are several other tombs that you can visit for additional fees. Parking is 25 EGP. 

Dahshur

Dahshur features some of the oldest pyramids in the world. It is 30 minutes south of Memphis and Saqqara. In Dahshur, you can see the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid for 200 EGP, including entry to both the pyramids. 

The Red Pyramid is so named because it is constructed of red limestone. It is the third-largest pyramid in Egypt. 

When construction began on the Bent Pyramid, the angle of inclination was a steep 54° angle. The angle was changed to a less dramatic 43° angle during the construction, likely to prevent its collapse, giving the pyramid a “bent” look. 

Tickets to Dahshur can be purchased online in advance. 

How to Get to Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur

You can easily get a guide to take you to Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur. This popular tour from Cairo or Giza includes the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis. Note that this is a very full day and won’t allow for much downtime or exploring the sites in great detail. 

Alternatively, you can hire a driver to take you to any of these sites without a guide. I recommend asking your hotel if they can provide a driver, or if you take an Uber or taxi in Giza or Cairo, ask if they would be willing to drive you to and from Memphis, Saqqara, or Dahshur. You can likely take an Uber to these sites, but you may not be able to find one to bring you back to Giza or Cairo, so you would have to rely on taxis for the return trip. The price of a driver will depend on the distance and your ability to haggle for a good price. I would aim for 500 to 600 EGP for the day, going between Cairo or Giza and Memphis/Saqqara, with potentially a little more for Dahshur. 

Visiting all three locations will probably take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how many of the monuments you wish to enter. 

How to Get Around Cairo and Giza

Ride-Share in Cairo/Giza

The easiest way for foreigners to get around Cairo and Giza is by using Uber. It is generally affordable. The only downside to Uber is that the license plates are in Arabic, and Uber doesn’t show you the Arabic characters, so it is difficult to double-check that you are getting in the correct car. To avoid this, you can enable the PIN verification feature if you haven’t already, where the driver must input your 4-digit PIN to verify the ride. 

Careem is another ride-share app popular in Egypt. Using Careem, you can pay your driver in cash or with a credit/debit card. 

Lyft is not available in Egypt. 

Taxis in Cairo/Giza

Taxis are available in Cairo and Giza, but they don’t have a meter, so you must agree on a price beforehand. This requires haggling for a fair price. Compare the prices on Uber if you want the best price. 

We only took one taxi in Cairo due to the availability of Uber drivers, but we had a few bad experiences with them elsewhere in Egypt. We experienced plenty of people offering us taxi rides in Cairo, especially if we were standing around looking like we were waiting for a ride. 

Public Transit in Cairo/Giza

Public transit in Cairo is available in the form of the metro and buses. 

Cairo Metro

The Cairo Metro is similar to other cities around the world and is generally easier than taking the bus. There are three lines. Stations are typically underground. Tickets are 8 to 20 EGP, based on the distance traveled, and can be purchased at the ticket counter with cash. You can also purchase a refillable Metro card. 

There are usually one or two all-female carriages, so if you are female and traveling alone or with other women, you may want to use that carriage since sexual harassment is common in Egypt. 

Your ticket must be entered in the turnstile upon exiting the platform. 

The Cairo Metro doesn’t go all the way to the Great Pyramids, but you can take it to the Giza Governorate. 

Buses

The two main types of buses in Cairo are public buses and microbuses (white vans, usually). Both can be hailed by trying to make eye contact with the driver and waving in the direction you want to go. 

Public buses cost 10 to 20 EGP, depending on whether they have air conditioning or not. Pay the ticket seller or bus driver in cash. 

When you need to get off, head towards the front of the bus and motion to the driver that this is your stop. 

Microbuses are much the same, except they are smaller, often crowded, and uncomfortable vans that tend to have longer routes. They are frequently used by locals. You can see people piling into them on the side of the highway in Cairo. 

Flag the microbus the same way as the public bus and enter through the sliding door. Hopefully, there is an open seat, but I have seen them at times packed full, and it is unlikely that everyone is sitting in a real seat. 

The microbus is 16 to 19 EGP, again based on amenities. Pay for your transportation by sharing your destination with the person in front of you and handing them the money. It will be passed to the driver. They will pass back your change. 

When it is time for you to get off, notify the other passengers as best you can, open the door, and exit quickly. 

Where to Stay in Cairo and Giza

You can stay in Cairo, Giza, or both for this itinerary. Staying in Giza is fun because you can wake up to a view of the pyramids, depending on the hotel and room selection. Staying in Cairo means having more to do in the evening and access to authentic restaurants. 

Or, for the best of both worlds, you can stay in Giza the first night and Cairo the second night. This is what we did, and it felt like the best of both worlds. I enjoyed that we didn’t have to drive back and forth between Cairo and Giza very much. 

Where to Stay in Giza 

We stayed at The Gate Hotel in Giza, which has an excellent view of the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and is right next to the walk-up entrance to the Pyramids. It was affordable, considering the view, even though we booked the Executive Suite. We paid $124 for the night. 

The Executive Suite is a large room with two sitting areas and a bathtub below a window overlooking the pyramids. The room was clean, if a little bit outdated. 

The large bathroom has a standing shower with no door or curtain, a common design in Egypt. The floor has a drain, so it is okay if the water gets all over the bathroom. 

The only complaint we had about the room was that we were woken up by the incredibly loud Light and Sound show, which occurs near the Sphinx, around 11 PM. However, the show is usually not that late. I think the schedule was adjusted for Ramadan. 

The Gate Hotel has an outdoor cafe where you can enjoy food and non-alcoholic drinks with a view of the Pyramids. There is also a rooftop accessible with the same view. 

The downside is that the view also looks over the street, where people park their cars, and a huge pile of rubble from a demolished building. However, being so close to the entrance to the Pyramids is great if you don’t intend to visit with a guide, who will likely take you to the vehicle entrance farther away.

Where to Stay in Cairo

If you want to be close to most of the sites and museums in Cairo, it is best to stay in Downtown Cairo or Zamalek, the island in the Nile near downtown Cairo. 

We had a pleasant stay at the Holy Sheet Hostel. It is a hostel with shared rooms, but they also offer several private rooms with private bathrooms. We booked one of these. This is a budget stay option, but it was clean, comfortable, and breakfast was included. 

Our room had air conditioning, two twin beds, and good shower pressure. The shower was small, with no curtain or door, so that the entire bathroom gets wet when you shower, but that is by design, and they provided a squeegee for the floor. No toiletries are provided. 

The location in downtown Cairo is great, but this means it is quite loud at night. You are also likely to hear the call to prayer at dawn from the mosque across the street; however, this is a common occurrence in Egypt. 

You can also use this map to look for local stays:

What to Pack for Cairo and Giza? 

Want to enhance your time in Egypt further? Check out When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt by Kara Cooney, an in-depth history of women who ruled in ancient Egypt. I listened to the audiobook while we traveled from Cairo to Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, and it helped with my understanding of ancient Egypt. It gave me an appreciation for the difficulty women faced under this patriarchal system and made it all the more impressive that some of them were able to rise to power. It also provided context to many of the archaeological sites in Egypt, which allowed me to enjoy them even more! 

I purchased a couple of modest dresses for this trip. This simple maxi dress comes in many colors and has pockets! I found that this was perfect for Cairo. This ankle-length sage dress is a bit more fun and also has pockets. I wore this a ton! Finally, the colorful print of this maxi dress is perfect for taking interesting photos at the Egyptian temples and is not revealing. 

I recommend bringing a lightweight jacket for the evenings, which can be cold. In Cairo and Giza during the spring, winter, or fall, it gets cold at night, and you might need a puffer jacket too. 

Pack a hat and scarf for your visit to the pyramids because you will be exposed to the sun, wind, and sandstorms, which are somewhat common. This light-weight scarf comes in multiple colors and can also be used as a shawl to cover your shoulders!

Comfortable shoes are a must in Egypt as you will be walking a lot on uneven surfaces.  

Finally, stay connected in Egypt with an eSIM. With Airolo, you can be connected as soon as you land. New users can get 15% off with code NEWTOAIRALO15. Existing users can get 10% off with code AIRALOESIM10.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Cairo and Giza? 

One to two days here is good, especially for your first visit. If you love it, it is much easier to return to Cairo than to some of the other cities in Egypt. Cairo is an interesting, historic, and chaotic city. It is busy with people and cars. It is noisy with the incessant honking of car horns. The infrastructure is not great, and it is polluted. It is still worth visiting, but it might be overwhelming to spend a longer time here unless you have visited before. 

Should I travel to Egypt with a tour group? 

You don’t have to go with a tour group. Many people travel independently to Egypt. However, Egypt could be a challenging place to navigate if you have little experience with international travel. There are tons of great options for guided trips to Egypt if you are more comfortable with that option!

What is it like traveling to Egypt as a woman? 

I found traveling to Egypt as a woman a little exhausting. I traveled with my husband, Luke, and almost everyone talked exclusively to him about everything: money, opinions, questions, whether we were enjoying ourselves… Sometimes, even when I asked a question, the answer would be mostly directed to Luke. 

Even though I did all the bookings for our hotel stays and tours, they would address Mr. Shelby when we met, and I would have to correct them. Women are treated differently from men in Egyptian culture, and I tried not to hold it against the individuals, but it was honestly taxing at times. 

Traveling solo as a woman in Egypt is supposed to be difficult as well, and I can understand why. Egyptian men are typically known to catcall women traveling by themselves. Luckily, traveling with a man saved me from most, but not all, of that. Luke also got plenty of comments like “you’re a lucky man” or “you’ve got a Queen” (true but annoying to hear constantly). 

This is not a reason to avoid traveling to Egypt; in contrast, I think it is important for Egyptians to see women making decisions, planning trips, and paying for things so that maybe the stereotypes can be changed for the better. Plus, it made me feel thankful to have as many liberties as I do in the USA. 

Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Is it safe to travel to Cairo?

Yes, it is generally safe to travel to Egypt. Always check the US State Department safety rating or your country’s equivalent and do your research beforehand to determine if you feel safe traveling. See if you can find out if other people are traveling there on social media. 

The Middle East has a bad reputation in the USA, and while I’m sure there is truth to some of it, I generally felt safe in Egypt. Additionally, there were many other travelers there, primarily from Europe and Asia.

When we visited Egypt, the US State Department considered Egypt a Level 3: Reconsider Travel. For perspective, however, Italy is currently a Level 2. There were certain areas in Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert, which were rated as Level 4, so we avoided those places (although I would like to visit them in the future). 

I always recommend being cautious and aware as a traveler, and if something is too good to be true or doesn’t feel right, politely excuse yourself from it. 

Unfortunately, bad things can happen anywhere, and we can’t control everything, but don’t diminish your dreams because of fear.  

Can you drink alcohol in Cairo and Giza? 

Egypt is a Muslim country, and so, locals don’t typically consume much alcohol. The available alcohol is primarily for visitors. There is some alcohol in Cairo, but not every restaurant serves it. During Ramadan, there are even fewer places serving alcohol.

Should I visit Cairo or Giza during Ramadan? 

I found Cairo difficult to navigate during Ramadan, more so than the other cities we visited in Egypt. Since the locals fast from sunrise to sunset, most restaurants are closed during the day, usually opening around sunset. This is fine for dinner, but it made finding breakfast and lunch difficult. Luckily, we were able to have breakfast at our hotel. For lunch one day in Cairo, all we could find was a few snacks to tide us over until dinner. 

Touristic sites and attractions also change their hours during Ramadan, sometimes unexpectedly. Things might open later or close earlier. However, based on our experience visiting during Ramadan, they usually open eventually. The Pyramids of Giza are open during Ramadan, with slightly adjusted hours. 

If you decide to visit during Ramadan, be flexible with your schedule. Bring snacks in case you can’t find anywhere to eat. You may end up eating at places that cater to tourists. 

Reflections on 2 days in Cairo and Giza

Spending at least 2 days in Cairo and Giza should be on every traveler’s bucket list. From the wonder of the Pyramids of Giza to the culturally rich capital, there are so many reasons to visit this region. This Cairo and Giza itinerary is great whether you are exploring all around Egypt or just taking a quick trip! 

Have you been to Cairo and Giza? What would you add to this 2-day itinerary? 

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