Cairo Day Trip by Bus from Sharm El Sheikh: Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
- Duration1 day (overnight departure)
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirmed before you pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This long but unforgettable day trip takes you from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to Cairo by air-conditioned bus. With an Egyptologist guide you explore the Grand Egyptian Museum and its Tutankhamun treasures, stand before the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, and enjoy lunch with pyramid views. In the default option, entry tickets to the pyramids area, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum are included, together with hotel pickup. It suits travellers who want to see Egypt's icons during a Red Sea holiday.
Highlights
- See the Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau
- Stand face to face with the Great Sphinx
- Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun's golden treasures
- Panorama Point photo stop over all the pyramids
- Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the pyramids
- Egyptologist guide and hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh
Full Description
The Pyramids of Giza
The three great pyramids of Giza were built about 4,500 years ago for the pharaohs Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mykerinos). The Great Pyramid of Khufu, originally about 146 metres high, is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing, and for nearly 4,000 years it was the tallest structure on Earth.
On this day trip to the Giza Pyramids from Sharm El Sheikh, our Egyptologist explains how the pyramids were built and why they were placed here on the desert edge. You walk around the base of the Great Pyramid and see the other two up close. Entry inside the burial chambers is not included and requires a separate ticket on site.
Panorama Point and the Great Sphinx
From Panorama Point on the desert plateau you see all nine pyramids of Giza lined up, including the small queens' pyramids, with the Cairo skyline behind them. It is the classic photo of any Egypt trip and a highlight of every Giza Pyramids tour.
Next you descend to the Great Sphinx, carved from a single limestone ridge with a lion's body and a human head, believed to represent Khafre. Nearby stands the Valley Temple of Khafre, built of massive granite blocks. The best time to visit the Sphinx is in the afternoon light, which is when our program usually arrives.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Standing near the pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest archaeological museum in the world devoted to a single civilisation, with over 100,000 artefacts. A colossal statue of Ramses II greets you in the atrium, and the Grand Staircase is lined with kings' statues leading to a window view of the pyramids.
The star of the museum is the complete Tutankhamun collection, shown together for the first time, including his famous golden mask. Grand Egyptian Museum tickets are included in the default option, and our guide takes you to the most important galleries. An alternative option visits the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square instead.
The Road from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo
How long is the drive from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo? Around 500 kilometres, crossing the Sinai along the Gulf of Suez and passing under the Suez Canal through the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel. For security, tourist buses travel in an escorted convoy, so each direction can take seven to nine hours.
That makes this a very long day that begins in the early hours and returns late at night. While waiting for the return convoy, the group usually visits a papyrus institute and an essential oils workshop, where you learn about ancient crafts. If you prefer a shorter trip, ask us about flight-based options.
Itinerary
- Early hotel pickupDeparture from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel in the early hours by air-conditioned bus.
- Drive across SinaiTravel north through Sinai and under the Suez Canal to Cairo, around seven hours with rest stops.
- Grand Egyptian MuseumGuided visit to the main galleries and the Tutankhamun collection, about two hours.
- Lunch with pyramid viewsLunch at a restaurant overlooking the Giza Plateau.
- Pyramids and Panorama PointGuided visit around the Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure, and photos at Panorama Point.
- The Great SphinxSee the Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre up close.
- Papyrus and essential oilsOne or two short cultural visits while the return convoy is assembled.
- Return to Sharm El SheikhDrive back in convoy, arriving at your hotel late at night.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh
- Return transport by air-conditioned bus
- Egyptologist tour guide
- Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Pyramids
- Entry to the Giza Pyramids area and the Sphinx
- Entry ticket to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square
Not included
- Nile boat trip (optional, extra cost)
- Drinks at the restaurant
- Camel ride at the Pyramids
- Entry inside the burial chambers of the pyramids
- Any costs not mentioned in the programme
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers who cannot manage a 20-hour day with long bus rides
Meeting point
We pick you up from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Om El Sid and nearby resorts) in the early hours of the morning. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking; please be ready in the hotel lobby with your passport. You return to the same hotel late at night.
Important information
- Bring your passport: it is checked at security points on the way.
- A Sinai-only entry stamp is not valid for Cairo; you need a full Egypt tourist visa. Our team can advise you before the trip.
- Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, with a jacket for the air-conditioned bus and early morning.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for the Giza Plateau.
- Entry to the inner burial chambers of the pyramids, camel rides and the optional Nile boat ride are not included.
- Drinks at lunch are paid separately.
- The journey is long (seven to nine hours each way) because of the security convoy.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Cairo day trip from Sharm El Sheikh cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel and all transport by air-conditioned bus are included.
How long is the Cairo day trip by bus?
It is a full day of around 20 hours. The drive takes seven to nine hours each way because tourist buses travel in a security convoy.
Is the Cairo trip suitable for children?
Older children who handle long bus rides well usually enjoy it. For small children, the length of the day can be very tiring.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, light clothes, a jacket, sunscreen, a hat and your passport. A small snack and water for the bus are useful.
Can I book the Cairo trip for tomorrow?
Often yes, if places are available, but we recommend booking at least a day ahead so we can check your visa and passport details.
What is the difference between the options?
The default option includes tickets to the pyramids area, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The other option visits the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square instead of the GEM.
Do I need a visa to visit Cairo from Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes. The free Sinai-only stamp does not cover Cairo, so you need a full Egypt tourist visa in your passport.
Can we go inside the Great Pyramid?
Entering the burial chamber of Khufu or Khafre requires a separate ticket bought on site and is not included; your guide can advise you on the day.
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