Cairo: Best Itinerary Ideas
How many days do you need in Cairo?
- Most travelers spend 4-5 days in Cairo
- With 6 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, Esna, and Kom Ombo
How Many Days to Spend in Egypt
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Cairo
Recommended Itinerary for 4 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 2 | Visit the Egyptian Museum & Cairo Tower | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Old Cairo Day Tour | Cairo |
| Day 4 | Visit Alexandria, Depart Cairo | Cairo |
Hit the highlights of Cairo and neighboring Alexandria on this tour. Over the course of four days, you'll see the Pyramids and Sphinx along with the extensive archives of the Egyptian Museum, views from Cairo Tower, and remnants of the ancient world in Alexandria. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo, Self-Guided Exploration | Cairo |
| Day 2 | See the Pyramids on a Tour of Giza, Visit the Egyptian Museum, Sound & Light Show | Cairo |
| Day 3 | View Precious Antiquities in Alexandria | Cairo |
| Day 4 | Guided Tour of Islamic Cairo, Dinner Cruise on the Nile | Cairo |
| Day 5 | Depart Cairo |
This five-day trip is anchored in Cairo and takes you to Egypt's top cultural highlights. Begin with major attractions in the capital city, touring the Egyptian Museum to see the King Tut exhibit. Then, detour to Giza to visit the iconic pyramids and the Sphinx, and then take a day trip to Alexandria to explore ancient Roman ruins. Return to Cairo, where you'll learn about Islamic traditions, and go for a dinner cruise on the Nile River. Read more
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including Aswan & Luxor
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 2 | Cairo: Pyramids of Giza, Memphis, Saqqara | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Cairo: Egyptian Museum &Islamic Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 4 | Fly to Aswan, Board Nile Cruise | Aswan |
| Day 5 | Travel by Boat to the Temples of Edfu & Kom Ombo | Luxor |
| Day 6 | Explore the Temple of Luxor | Luxor |
| Day 7 | Fly to Cairo, Depart |
Enjoy the best of Egypt on this weeklong adventure. Spend a few days in Cairo, visiting museums, learning about Islamic history, and side-tripping to the pyramids of Giza, before boarding a boat for a cruise along the Nile River. Highlights along the journey include Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Karnak Temple. The itinerary ends up back in Cairo—a perfect way to spend seven days. Read more
8-Day Itinerary Including Aswan, Luxor & Edfu
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo, Self-Guided Exploration | Cairo |
| Day 2 | Visit the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Fly to Luxor, Board Nile Cruise (Day 1) | Luxor |
| Day 4 | Nile Cruise (Day 2) | Edfu |
| Day 5 | Nile Cruise (Day 3) | Edfu |
| Day 6 | Nile Cruise (Day 4) | Aswan |
| Day 7 | Fly to Cairo, Free Time | Cairo |
| Day 8 | Depart Cairo |
Follow the ancient Nile down through Egypt to sail to some of the ancient world's most dramatic structures. Spots such as Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel evoke the complex structures of ancient Egyptian life and architecture, while a city tour of Cairo and a trip to the Aswan Dam will help bring you into Egypt's present. Read more
9-Day Itinerary Including Aswan, Luxor, Esna & Kom Ombo
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 2 | Tour the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Discover the Great Pyramids: Giza & Memphis | Cairo |
| Day 4 | Fly to Luxor, Board Nile River Cruise, Tour the Temples of Luxor & Karnak | Luxor |
| Day 5 | Explore the Valley of the Kings, Cruise to Esna | Esna |
| Day 6 | Cruise to Kom Ombo via the Temple of Edfu | Kom Ombo |
| Day 7 | Cruise to Aswan, Visit the Temple of Philae, Aswan Dam & Unfinished Obelisk | Aswan |
| Day 8 | Disembark from Nile River Cruise, Fly to Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 9 | Depart Cairo |
Cruise deep into the heart of Egypt on this laid-back, 9-day itinerary. After exploring the many charms of Cairo—from the Great Pyramids to bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar—you'll catch a quick flight south to Luxor to board an unforgettable Nile River cruise towards Aswan. By day you'll discover ancient sites and antiquities, while nights are spent falling asleep to the gentle rhythms of the river. Read more
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