One day in Cairo: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 0 of 2 free; paid: Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum
- Duration
- 7 h 20 min · 09:30–16:52
- Start and finish
- Giza Pyramids → Grand Egyptian Museum
- On foot
- ≈ 0 min in total
- Transport
- 1 ride, ≈ 22 min
- Lunch
- around 12:30
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- October to April. In summer the plateau is very hot by noon — arrive at 7:00.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Cairo09:30–16:52 · 2 places · 7 h 20 min
Giza Pyramids
· 3 h · EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra
- Lunch · 1 h
- 22 min · transport or taxi
Grand Egyptian Museum
· 3 h · ≈ EGP 1,830, online only
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
0 of 2 are free; 2 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Giza Pyramids | 43 | 3 h | EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Grand Egyptian Museum | 41 | 3 h | ≈ EGP 1,830, online only |
| Total | 6 h | 0 of 2 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Giza Pyramids. The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. The plateau is 700 EGP; inside Khufu is a separate 1,500 EGP ticket. Gates open at 7:00 — come early, before the heat.
- 2
Grand Egyptian Museum. 2 km from the pyramids: Tutankhamun's entire tomb, the colossus of Ramesses II and Khufu's boat. About 1,830 EGP, online only for a timed entry; no re-entry.
Who this route is for
- First time in Cairo with one day
- A day trip from Hurghada or Sharm
- Pyramids and Tutankhamun are the priority
- Islamic Cairo and the bazaar are day two
- Saqqara and Memphis need another day
October to April. In summer the plateau is very hot by noon — arrive at 7:00.
What to do in Cairo in one day
The pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum sit side by side on the western edge of the city, so you do not lose the day in traffic. Morning on the plateau while it is cool and the groups are fewer; lunch near the museum, then the galleries until evening — on Wednesdays and Saturdays the museum is open until 21:00.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Visiting the Giza pyramids
The main entrance is the visitor centre on the Fayoum road, at the south of the plateau. The plateau is 700 EGP; inside Khufu's pyramid is 1,500 EGP with a daily cap. Expect persistent sellers and camel handlers — agree any ride price before you get on.
Last entry is 16:00, 15:30 in Ramadan.
Grand Egyptian Museum tickets
Tickets are sold only online on the official site, for a date and time; they are named and non-refundable. The foreigner price is about 1,830 EGP. Galleries open 9:00–18:00, until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays; last entry is an hour before closing.
Getting around
Ride-hailing — Uber, Careem or inDrive — is easiest: you see the fare upfront. From downtown to Giza takes 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. The metro does not reach the pyramids.
Is one day in Cairo enough?
For the pyramids and Tutankhamun, yes. In the evening you could add the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir and the Citadel are in the 2-day itinerary.
How to do it right
- Buy the Grand Egyptian Museum ticket online a few days ahead — there is no ticket desk.
- Be at the pyramids for the 7:00 opening: cooler and quieter.
- Tickets for museums and sites are sold on Egymonuments, the Experience Egypt app and at the gate; they are dated and non-refundable. Under-6s go free.
- Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
- Agree the price of a camel or horse ride on the plateau — and what it includes — before you start.
Questions
What can you do in Cairo in one day?
The Giza pyramids with the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's tomb.
Can you visit the pyramids without a tour?
Yes: tickets are sold at the gate and online, and a guide is optional. Take an Uber or Careem from the centre.
How much is entry to the pyramids?
700 EGP for the plateau; inside Khufu 1,500 EGP, Khafre 280 EGP.
Where is Tutankhamun displayed?
In the Grand Egyptian Museum next to the pyramids, where his whole tomb is shown.
Can I buy Grand Egyptian Museum tickets at the door?
No — online only, on the official site, for a date and time.
What time do the pyramids open?
At 7:00, last entry 16:00; in Ramadan 8:00–15:30.
How much does this day cost?
The plateau 700 EGP and the museum about 1,830 EGP, plus taxis. Under-6s free.
Can I do Cairo as a day trip from Hurghada?
Yes, but it is about 5–6 hours each way by road; flying or staying overnight is easier.
When is the best time to visit?
October to April. Summer reaches 40 °C — visit the pyramids early.
What currency is used in Egypt?
Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: Egymonuments
- Wikipedia: Giza pyramid complex, Grand Egyptian Museum
