Cairo - Alexandria Short Break: 5 Days to the Land of the Kings with Sightseeing
Budget 5-day holiday between Cairo and Alexandria with hotel accommodation, guided day tours covering Cairo, Giza and Alexandria, airport pick-up and drop-off, and bottle water during tours. Visits include the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx, Saqqara Step Pyramid, Alexandria highlights (Pompey's Pillar, Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina), the Egyptian Museum, Saladin's (
In Collaboration with Egypt Direct Tours. Updated on April 26, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Egypt Direct Tours, inspired by the tour Cairo -Alexandria Short Break 5 Days to Land of the Kings with Sightseeing . Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Great Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx
- Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
- Pompey's Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa (Alexandria)
- Qaitbay Citadel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Egyptian Museum and historic Old Cairo (Coptic area, Ben Ezra synagogue)
Explore all itineraries in Cairo.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo. Meet & assist at Cairo International Airport, private air-conditioned transfer to your Cairo hotel and check-in (hotel check-in from 14:00, early check-in subject to availability). Overnight in Cairo.
Arrival: Meet & transfer to hotel
Meet our representative at Cairo International Airport on arrival, assisted transfer by private air-conditioned car to your Cairo hotel and hotel check-in. Representative will confirm local arrangements and next-day pick-up times.
Tips from local experts:
- Keep passport and flight details handy for the meet-and-assist at arrivals; the representative will ask for your name.
- Hotel check-in is officially from 14:00; if you arrive early, luggage can usually be stored and room allocation is subject to availability.
- Flights can be delayed; if your arrival time changes, notify us as early as possible so the airport pickup can be adjusted.
Day 2
Full-day guided tour of the Giza Plateau (Great Pyramids & Sphinx) and Saqqara (Step Pyramid). Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Tour runs approximately 09:00–16:00 and includes transfers from/to your Cairo hotel.
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and Saqqara (full-day)
Pickup from your hotel at 09:00. Visit the Giza Pyramid Complex to see the Great Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mykerinos), and the Sphinx (approx. 2.5 hrs on site). Lunch at a local restaurant (1 hour). In the afternoon visit Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the surrounding necropolis (approx. 2 hours). Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
- Monday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- The Giza plateau and Saqqara have uneven and sandy surfaces—wear low-heeled, closed shoes and a hat; bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Bring a printed or digital copy of your passport for site entrances; entrance fees are excluded from the package and are usually paid on site.
- There are rest and shaded seating areas near the visitor facilities; ask your guide to schedule short rests if needed to avoid long continuous walking.
Day 3
Day trip to Alexandria by deluxe car. Visit Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Lunch at a seafood restaurant by the sea is included. Return to Cairo in the evening.
Alexandria: Pompey's Pillar, Catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel, Library
Early pickup from your hotel and transfer to Alexandria (road transfer approx. 2.5–3 hours each way). On arrival visit Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, have lunch at a seafront fish restaurant, then visit Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Depart Alexandria to return to Cairo at the end of the day.
Tips from local experts:
- The drive between Cairo and Alexandria can take 2.5–3 hours each way—bring any medications, a light snack, and water for the transfer.
- Most Alexandria sites have steps and uneven surfaces; use the guide for assistance and choose lower-traffic visiting times where possible.
- If you need a quieter seating area at lunch, ask the guide to reserve a calm table; seafood restaurants usually provide shaded seating by the sea.
Day 4
Full-day Cairo sightseeing visiting the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Salah al-Din (Saladin) and the historic Old Cairo (Coptic area: Abu Serga, Hanging Church, Ben Ezra synagogue). Return to hotel in the late afternoon.
Egyptian Museum, Saladin's Citadel and Old Cairo (full-day)
Start at 09:00 with a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to see the main collection and highlights. Continue to the Citadel of Salah al-Din and then to the Coptic area of Old Cairo to visit Abu Serga, the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra synagogue. The guide will adapt walking pace and provide seating/rest stops throughout the day.
- Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday9:00 – 11:00 AM, 1:30 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- The Egyptian Museum and the Citadel can be crowded—carry a small bag and keep valuables secure; seating is available in the museum's main galleries.
- Several Old Cairo sites are historical buildings with steps—if stairs are difficult, ask the guide to plan shorter, seated visits or view the exteriors.
- Bring a light scarf or shawl for modest dress when visiting religious sites; comfortable shoes and a small bottle of water will help during walking sections.
Day 5
Breakfast, hotel check-out (check-out time 12:00; late check-out up to 14:00 subject to availability), and assisted transfer to Cairo International Airport for final departure.
Hotel check-out and transfer to Cairo International Airport
After breakfast, the representative will meet you to confirm check-out and transfer arrangements and drive you to Cairo International Airport for your departure. Official hotel check-out time is 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 is subject to availability.
Tips from local experts:
- Confirm your flight time with the representative the evening before to allow suitable transfer timing and airport arrival (recommended at least 2–3 hours before international departures).
- Keep passport, boarding pass and any luggage tags ready; airport traffic can be variable—allow extra time for peak traffic windows.
- If you require a later check-out, request it at reception the day before; late check-out until 14:00 is possible but depends on hotel availability.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 5 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Seniors |
| Transfers | 2 |
| Restaurants | - |
| Total Activities | 3 |
| Total Places | 3 |
| Activities Types | Transfer, Culture |
Why this experience
Five days is enough time to know Egypt's most essential sites without rushing. You'll move through Cairo's layered history—standing inside the pyramids, touching stone thousands of years old—then pivot north to Alexandria, where the Mediterranean light and Greco-Roman ruins create a completely different atmosphere. This itinerary builds gradually: you arrive, settle into your hotel, and explore at a pace that lets knowledge accumulate.
Your guide is your translator and context-provider throughout. In Cairo, you'll see the Giza Pyramids and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. In Alexandria, you'll descend into the Catacombs (an eerie echo of Rome in Egypt), climb Pompey's Pillar, and explore the Qaitbay Citadel perched on the harbor. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina connects you to the idea of the ancient library—knowledge preserved, lost, and reclaimed. Hotel accommodation is included, as is airport transportation, so arrival and departure are handled. You're just focused on seeing Egypt.
Before you go
- Best time: Autumn through spring (October–April). Cairo summers are extremely hot; Alexandria coastal temperatures are more moderate, but inland walking is uncomfortable in summer heat.
- Budget: Check the booking widget for current tour pricing. Most packages include 4 nights of hotel accommodation, airport transfers, all guided tours and entrance fees, and water during site visits.
- Difficulty: Moderate. You'll walk several kilometers per day, climbing stairs in monuments and exploring uneven archaeological sites. The pace is leisurely, but comfort with sustained walking is necessary.
- What to bring: Sun protection (high-SPF sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses), lightweight breathable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, a light cardigan for air-conditioned spaces and evening Alexandria breezes, and plenty of water.
- Getting there: Airport pickup from Cairo International Airport. Hotel drop-off at the end of day 5. All internal transportation between Cairo and Alexandria is included via air-conditioned vehicle.
- Accessibility: Pyramids involve climbing stairs and uneven terrain. Catacombs require descending stairs into underground chambers. The Citadel has slopes and steps. Consult the operator if you have mobility concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Do we go inside the pyramids or just see them from outside? Most itineraries include entry to the Great Pyramid interior (you'll walk the ascending passage and reach the King's Chamber). You'll also explore Saqqara's Step Pyramid complex from the outside and inside passages.
How much time do we spend in each city? Typically three days in Cairo (including travel days), two days in Alexandria. This gives enough time to see the main sites without exhaustion.
Is this itinerary suitable for first-time Egypt visitors? Yes, absolutely. This is often called an "Egypt Essentials" itinerary for exactly that reason—it covers the highlights and gives you a solid introduction to both the pharaonic and Greco-Roman layers of Egyptian history.
What's included in this itinerary? This itinerary on TheNextGuide is free to read and follow at your own pace. The bookable tour includes four nights of hotel accommodation in Cairo and Alexandria, airport pickup and drop-off, all guided tours of Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara Step Pyramid, Egyptian Museum (depending on operator), Alexandria Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, all entrance fees, professional English-speaking guides, and water provided during tours.
Complete your trip in Cairo
Deepen your Egypt exploration with additional Cairo-based experiences before or after your 5-day tour.
- Sunrise camel ride on the Giza Plateau — Add a pre-dawn camel experience to your pyramid encounter.
- Private hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle — Spend an evening on the Nile with dinner and entertainment.
- Overnight travel on deluxe sleeper train Cairo–Luxor — Extend further south to Luxor's Valley of the Kings after your main tour.
Browse all Cairo itineraries at TheNextGuide.
Last updated: April 2026
