Cairo itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · EgyptOctober–May
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 33
- Per day
- ≈ 2,800 EGP
- First stop
- 08:00
Short answer
The TripWalkers Cairo itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 33 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:
- Day 1 Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
- Day 2 Grand Egyptian Museum
- Day 3 Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 5 and 6 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 2,800 EGP a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 08:00–20:00
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
Culture
Giza Pyramids
Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure; cool and empty at the 07:00 opening. Entering the Great Pyramid costs an extra 1,500 EGP (narrow tunnel). Haggle camel rides at 200-300 EGP; pay by card.
≈ 700 EGP per personCulture
Great Sphinx of Giza
Included in the pyramid ticket. Approach from the Valley Temple; morning light hits the face.
FreeLandmark
Panorama Point Giza
A desert viewpoint that takes in all three pyramids at once: the classic photo.
Free- 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Khufu's Restaurant Giza
Modern Egyptian cooking with pyramid views. Book ahead; 9 Pyramids Lounge is the alternative.
≈ 900 EGP per person- 4 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Giza Sound and Light Show
A light and sound show in front of the Sphinx. Nights are cool; buy tickets in advance.
≈ 600 EGP per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- 9 Pyramids LoungeLunch in the desert with pyramid views; go here if Khufu's is full.
- Giza Camel Tour30 minutes by camel in the desert; fix the price beforehand.
Day 2 · 09:00–17:00
Grand Egyptian Museum
Culture
Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge museum that opened in 2025: Tutankhamun's complete treasure (5,000 pieces) and Khufu's solar boat. Book a timed ticket online (~1,450 EGP); allow 3-4 hours and take a morning slot.
≈ 1,450 EGP per personFood
GEM Food Court
Eating area inside the museum, with pyramid views.
≈ 300 EGP per personLandmark
Grand Egyptian Museum Garden and Obelisk
The hanging obelisk and the outer courtyard; photograph them against the pyramid skyline.
Free- 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Koshary Abou Tarek
Cairo's most famous koshary (rice, lentils and pasta) since the 1950s. Downtown, four floors, 80 EGP.
≈ 80 EGP per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Zooba DowntownModern Egyptian street food: ta'meya and hawawshi.
- Egyptian Museum TahrirThe old museum, with the mummies and artefacts that were not moved to the GEM.
Day 3 · 09:00–17:00
Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili
Culture
Citadel of Saladin & Muhammad Ali Mosque
The citadel and the alabaster mosque; the terrace has views over Cairo and the pyramids.
≈ 550 EGP per personCulture
Sultan Hassan Mosque
A Mamluk masterpiece, with a huge courtyard and a sense of calm.
≈ 300 EGP per personLandmark
Al-Muizz Street
A Fatimid street of mosques, sabils (public fountains) and the Beit el-Suhaymi house, lit up at night.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe
Run by Oberoi inside Khan el-Khalili. Try the molokhia (jute leaf stew) and mint tea; air-conditioned.
≈ 400 EGP per personShopping
Khan el-Khalili
A 14th-century bazaar selling copper, spices and papyrus. Bargain down to a third of the first price; El Fishawy cafe is open 24 hours.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- El Fishawy CafeA mirrored cafe since 1773; mint tea and shisha.
- Al-Azhar MosqueA mosque-university since 970; visit instead of Sultan Hassan.
Day 4 · 09:15–17:30
Coptic Cairo and the Nile
Culture
Hanging Church
A 3rd-century church built over a Roman fortress, in Coptic Cairo. Take the metro to Mar Girgis.
FreeCulture
Coptic Museum
Coptic art and the Nag Hammadi texts.
≈ 300 EGP per personCulture
Ben Ezra Synagogue
Said to be where Moses was found; home of the Cairo Geniza.
Free- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Abou El Sid Zamalek
Egyptian cooking in 1920s decor in Zamalek: stuffed pigeon and molokhia.
≈ 450 EGP per person- 2 h · travel, break, free time
Nature
Nile Felucca Ride
One hour on a sailing felucca from Zamalek. Go at sunset and haggle per boat.
≈ 400 EGP per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Sequoia ZamalekA riverside terrace on the Nile; shisha and meze, instead of the felucca.
- Cairo TowerA 187 m tower in Zamalek with city views.
Day 5 · 08:30–15:00Day trip
Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis
Culture
Saqqara Step Pyramid
The world's oldest pyramid (Djoser). The Serapeum's underground bull sarcophagi need an extra ticket; cooler in the morning.
≈ 700 EGP per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Dahshur Red Pyramid
Entry into the Red Pyramid is included (steep tunnel). Next to the Bent Pyramid, with few tourists.
≈ 150 EGP per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Memphis Open Air Museum
The ancient capital, with a colossal statue of Ramses II and an alabaster sphinx.
≈ 200 EGP per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Saqqara Country Club Lunch
A farm restaurant among palm trees: grills and Egyptian bread.
≈ 400 EGP per personShopping
Saqqara Carpet School
A hand-woven carpet workshop; no pressure to buy, just watch.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Abou Shakra GizaA kebab classic; stop on the way back.
- Bent Pyramid DahshurInside the Bent Pyramid; go instead of the Red Pyramid.
Day 6 · 09:30–17:00Day trip
Alexandria
Culture
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
2.5 hours by train from Cairo; a modern library and museums in a disc-shaped building.
≈ 70 EGP per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Qaitbay Citadel
A 15th-century fortress on the site of the ancient lighthouse, with Mediterranean views.
≈ 150 EGP per personFood
Fish Market Restaurant Alexandria
Fish on the Corniche: pick yours from the counter, with Mediterranean views.
≈ 600 EGP per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs
Roman-era underground tombs, mixing Egyptian and Greek styles.
≈ 200 EGP per personNature
Alexandria Corniche
Walk the seafront boulevard and take the tram to Montaza; the return train is at 18:00.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Mohamed Ahmed Foul AlexandriaAlexandria's classic for ful and falafel.
- Pompey's PillarA Roman column; go instead of the catacombs.
Day 7 · 09:30–13:45
Zamalek morning, easy farewell
Nature
Gezira Island Zamalek Walk
The island district: ivy-covered embassy streets and the Nile.
FreeCulture
Aisha Fahmy Palace
An Art Nouveau palace and gallery in Zamalek.
≈ 50 EGP per personFood
Ovio Zamalek
Zamalek's breakfast and brunch cafe; a farewell meal.
≈ 300 EGP per personFood
Zamalek Nile Bank Last Tea
A last tea at a cafe with Nile views; the airport is 45 minutes away.
≈ 100 EGP per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Cairo Kitchen ZamalekHome cooking; go instead of Ovio.
- Museum of Islamic Art CairoOne of the world's best collections of Islamic art; go instead of the Zamalek plan.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Cairo trip easier
- Uber and Careem are safe and cheap. Taxis don't use meters, so agree the fare beforehand. Metro Line 1 goes to Coptic Cairo (Mar Girgis). Traffic to Giza takes 1 hour.
- October to April is ideal (20-28°C). December and January mornings are 10°C and evenings are cool. During Ramadan, restaurants are closed in the daytime.
- Monument entry is by card only in 2026, no cash. Book GEM timed tickets online; entering the Great Pyramid at Giza costs 1,500 EGP.
- Koshary costs 50-80 EGP, ful and ta'meya 30, restaurants 300-600. Tip (baksheesh) 20-50 EGP everywhere, 10% in restaurants.
- There are no 'free' photo or camel offers at the pyramids: say 'la shukran' (no thank you) and keep walking. Women will be more comfortable with shoulders and knees covered.
- Take your shoes off and wear a headscarf in mosques; don't visit during Friday midday prayer.
Spending: ≈ 19,500 EGP per person for 7 days
- Food6,500 EGP
- Entry and tours7,500 EGP
- Local transport3,500 EGP
- Other2,000 EGP
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
On world lists: 1 place in this city
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Cairo?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 5 and 6; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Cairo cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 2,800 EGP per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Cairo?
The first stop is at 08:00. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.