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Cairo and Giza are two separate cities within the vast Greater Cairo metropolitan area. For visitors, they often become part of the same trip: the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, followed by Cairo’s historic neighborhoods, mosques, churches and markets.
After spending a week in Hurghada, we continued our Egyptian journey with four days in Giza and Cairo. We stayed in Giza, woke up looking at the Great Pyramid of Khufu and used Uber to explore both cities. Our days included ancient tombs, museum galleries, rooftop dinners and considerably more shopping than my suitcase was prepared for.
IN THIS ARTICLE
In this guide, I’ll share where we stayed, how we got around, what we visited and the practical details I would have found useful before arriving.
How to Get to Cairo & Giza
Cairo International Airport is the main airport serving Egypt’s capital. Sphinx International Airport, west of Giza, is another option worth checking when planning your flights. We arrived at Cairo International Airport from Hurghada and returned to Vienna via Istanbul from Sphinx International Airport. We found both airports straightforward to navigate.
Check which airport your flight uses before arranging a transfer, as they are in different locations.
From Hurghada to Cairo
We flew from Hurghada to Cairo with Air Cairo. The flight took approximately one hour, and our one-way tickets cost around €100 per person. After a week on the Red Sea coast, we preferred a short flight that left us more time to explore Cairo and Giza.
Other options include:
*Compare the total journey time and what is included before booking.
Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel
We arranged our airport transfer through our accommodation, which can be particularly convenient for a late arrival. Confirm the airport, pickup point and flight details in advance. For a transfer back to the airport, I would also speak to reception a few hours before the agreed pickup to make sure everything is arranged.
Our introduction to Cairo began before we reached our accommodation. The driver who collected us at the airport pointed out places we should visit and explained what we were passing. He didn’t speak English, but he used Google Translate to communicate with us.
By the time we arrived, we already had several ideas for our stay. The journey felt like our own hop-on hop-off tour, with the hotel as our only stop. For the rest of the trip, we used Uber because we could see the estimated fare, driver details and route in the app.
Where to Stay in Cairo or Giza
Before booking our accommodation, I had one very specific wish: I wanted to wake up, open the window and drink my morning coffee while looking at the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
And that is exactly what we did.
We stayed at Villa Khufu Pyramids Hotel in Giza, in a residential neighborhood roughly between the pyramid complex and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The accommodation was about a ten-minute walk from a main street. This was a modest residential area, and our first walk through the neighborhood was an experience in itself. Anyone booking here should expect local streets and everyday city life rather than a resort setting.
Our driver also told us about plans to redevelop the area around the pyramids. Hearing about possible changes while passing the homes of people who already lived there gave us another perspective on the neighborhood.
Morning in our Giza neighborhood: pyramids in the distance, rubbish in the street and a game of football as daily life begins.
For me, the main reason for choosing this accommodation remained the view. Morning coffee with Khufu’s pyramid outside the window was exactly what I had hoped for.
Staying in Giza
Giza is a practical choice if the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum are your priorities. Many accommodations near the pyramid complex advertise pyramid views. Some offer them from guest rooms, while others have shared rooftop terraces for breakfast, dinner or drinks.
Check the precise location before booking. Giza covers a large area, and staying somewhere with “Giza” in the address does not necessarily mean being close to the pyramids.
Staying in Cairo
Cairo may suit you better if you want to spend more time exploring historic neighborhoods, museums, restaurants and cafés. Downtown Cairo is one option for a central base. Zamalek, on Gezira Island, is another area to consider, particularly if having cafés and restaurants nearby matters to you. Choose your neighborhood around the places you most want to visit. Distances and traffic can have a considerable effect on your daily plans.
Giza or Cairo: Which Is Better?
We were happy with our decision to stay in Giza. When we wanted to visit Cairo, we ordered an Uber. One of our journeys with Uber Comfort took approximately 30 minutes and cost around €7 to €9 one way. That is an example from our trip rather than a fixed journey time or fare. Both depend on your starting point, destination and traffic.
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How Many Days Do You Need in Cairo & Giza?
I recommend at least two days if you want to visit both the Giza pyramid complex and the Grand Egyptian Museum. You can fit selected highlights into a day trip, but I would give these two sites separate days. There is a lot to see and understand, particularly when visiting with a guide.
We spent four days here, and I was glad we had allowed that time. We could enjoy the major attractions without making every day a race between sites.
Best Things to Do in Giza
01 Explore the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx
The three main pyramids at Giza were built for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. The Great Sphinx stands nearby, but the complex also includes smaller pyramids, temples and tombs.
We entered the Great Pyramid of Khufu, following the narrow passages toward the King’s Chamber, where the granite sarcophagus remains. Seeing the pyramid from outside and walking through its interior are very different experiences. If you want to go inside, make sure you select the appropriate additional ticket.
We also visited the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. It was less crowded during our visit, and I found the surviving colors and carved figures particularly interesting. The wall reliefs depict activities such as bread baking, brewing and craftwork, as well as offerings intended to provide for the queen in the afterlife.
The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, the granite sarcophagus inside Khufu’s pyramid, and the colorful reliefs and statues of women in Queen Meresankh III’s tomb. Inside the Great Pyramid, it was so hot that it felt as though Ra, the sun god himself, had come to welcome us.
Entry to the Great Pyramid and the queen’s tomb costs extra. The official booking platform lists the general admission ticket and available additions separately, so check your selection before paying.
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02 Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum, usually called GEM, was the main reason I wanted to make this trip. The museum is near the Giza pyramids and brings together monumental statues, royal possessions and objects from everyday life in ancient Egypt. It also has a dedicated hall for Khufu’s boats.
Tutankhamun’s collection was especially thought-provoking.
Our guide explained that much of its extraordinary richness survives because his tomb was discovered largely intact. Looking at the objects, I kept thinking about how young he had been. He became king as a child and died while still a teenager. If this was what accompanied such a young ruler into the afterlife, what might once have filled the tombs of pharaohs who ruled for decades?
Tutankhamun’s golden mask and intricately decorated objects from his tomb, displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Tutankhamun’s golden throne and Khufu’s wooden boat at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
03 Visit Papyrus Workshops and Spice Shops
During our guided outings, we were taken to several papyrus, perfume and spice shops. I’m not sure whether every stop was formally part of the booked itinerary, but they gave us a chance to see a demonstration of how papyrus sheets are made from the plant.
These are commercial stops, so it is useful to know that you may be encouraged to buy something. You can watch a demonstration without committing to a purchase. Of course, I did buy something.
In a spice shop, I bought powdered arabic gum after hearing that it could help reduce appetite. I thought I had tried everything to eat less, so I might as well try this too. Back in Vienna, I realized I already had it at home under another name: acacia fiber.
Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any change in my appetite. Everything else may come and go, but my appetite stays.
04 Have Dinner with a View of the Pyramids
Our accommodation already had a pyramid view, but we still visited another rooftop restaurant because its terrace offered a wider view of the complex. It was worth seeing the pyramids from a different position, especially over dinner.
My recommendation is to go in the evening. During our September visit, daytime temperatures made sitting outside much less appealing. Check recent photographs of the terrace before choosing a restaurant. If the view is the main reason for going, ask for a table with a clear view when you reserve.
05 Consider the Pyramids Sound and Light Show
The Sound and Light Show is another possible evening activity near the pyramids. We didn’t attend. From our accommodation, we could see lights and tell that something was happening, but our view was from another side of the complex.
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Best Things to Do in Cairo
01 Visit the Salah al-Din Citadel
The Citadel stands above Cairo, with views across the city. The complex includes three main mosques: the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, recognizable by its large domes and slender minarets, the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad and the Mosque of Sulayman Pasha. It also houses the Police Museum, the Military Museum and the Al-Jawhara Palace Museum. After visiting the pyramids and GEM, a visit here introduces you to Egypt’s medieval fortifications, later rulers and Ottoman architecture.
For the mosque visits, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. I would recommend bringing a lightweight scarf as well. During our visit, coverings were available for visitors who needed them, but arranging them involved an additional cost. Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering carpeted prayer areas. You may also be offered shoe covers for an additional fee.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance and cost EGP 550 (approximately €9) for foreign adults or EGP 275 (approximately €4.50) for foreign students.
02 Explore Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Khan el-Khalili is filled with shops selling lamps, jewelry, spices, textiles and souvenirs. My practical advice is to browse before buying, compare prices and think about what you can fit in your luggage. My own behavior was somewhat different. I went into almost every shop and bought enough things that I am still finding places for them around my apartment.
Before the trip, I thought a 20 kg luggage allowance would be more than enough. The bazaar gave me several reasons to reconsider. Leave time to explore the surrounding streets and stop for tea or coffee. If you plan to shop, leaving some space in your suitcase is probably sensible too.
03 Discover Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo introduces another part of Egypt’s religious history, with churches including the Hanging Church and the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Despite its name, the Hanging Church does not hang in the way you might imagine. It was built above part of the Roman fortress of Babylon, which explains its elevated position and name.
The entrance and interior of the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo
The area also includes the Coptic Museum, the Church of Saint Barbara, Ben Ezra Synagogue and the remains of the Roman fortress of Babylon. Nearby, the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As adds another part of Egypt’s religious history to the visit.
04 Spend an Evening on Maadi Island
Dijana has a colleague from Cairo, and we visited Maadi Island on his recommendation. It was a good suggestion. After days of tombs, museums and historical information, we enjoyed walking beside the water and having dinner without another major sightseeing stop to fit in.
The island is also a wedding venue. During our visit, we saw at least five or six wedding couples having professional photographs taken around the grounds. There is also an amusement park for children, making it an option for a family outing too.
05 Consider the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, or NMEC, is still on my list for a future visit. We didn’t manage to go during these four days, but it is worth considering if you want to explore more of Egypt’s history. Its Royal Mummies Hall includes ancient Egyptian rulers such as Hatshepsut.
Getting Around Cairo & Giza
We used Uber throughout our stay and found it the most practical option for our plans.
Public transport is another option. Greater Cairo has a metro network, as well as buses and minibuses. The metro can be useful when your starting point and destination are near stations; check the operator’s network map when planning a journey.
Practical Tips for Visiting Cairo & Giza
Book Tickets Online
For most attractions, we bought our tickets online a day or two before visiting. That worked well during our trip, but it does not guarantee availability for every date. If an attraction is a priority, book once your plans are confirmed.
Check exactly what your ticket includes. At Giza, general admission and access to certain interiors are separate purchases. Use the official attraction or authorized booking channel, and save your tickets somewhere you can access easily.
Consider Hiring a Guide
I usually enjoy exploring independently, but I appreciated having guides for the major historical sites here. At the pyramids and GEM, the explanations helped connect what we were seeing with the people who built, used or were buried with these objects.
Start Your Sightseeing Early
During our visit, larger groups began arriving at some attractions around 10 or 11 a.m. Arriving earlier gave us more time before those groups appeared and helped us avoid some of the midday heat.
What to Wear
Light, breathable clothing worked well for our September trip.
I would bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A lightweight shirt for sun protection
- A scarf for religious sites
- Water
For mosques and other religious buildings, choose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Keep a scarf in your bag and follow the rules at each site.
I’ll share more of my packing choices in a separate Egypt packing guide.
Cash, Cards and Currency Exchange
For a rough idea of the amounts mentioned here, we received around 59 Egyptian pounds for one euro when exchanging money. Treat that as an example from our trip and check the current rate before traveling.
We used cards for larger payments and kept Egyptian pounds for tips, markets and smaller purchases. At the exchange offices we used, we were asked to show our passports and Egyptian visas.
We also withdrew cash from an ATM. That transaction included a fee of approximately €3.50, and the exchange rate was similar to what we had seen at exchange offices. That was the charge for our withdrawal.
Having both a card and some cash was the most convenient combination for us.
Leave Some Space in Your Schedule
My main advice is to give yourself time to absorb what you are seeing. After several hours of museum galleries or a guided visit through ancient tombs, I appreciated having an evening with fewer plans.
Four days gave us room for the main attractions, a rooftop dinner, a walk beside the Nile and some rather enthusiastic shopping.
Final Thoughts
Staying in Giza gave me the morning view I had hoped for, while our trips into Cairo added churches, mosques, markets and an evening beside the Nile.
I would choose the same approach again: separate days for the pyramids and GEM, followed by time to explore Cairo.
The museum helped explain the history we had come to see. The driver with Google Translate, the rooftop dinner and the purchases I somehow had to fit into my suitcase became part of how I remember the trip.
For the order of our visits, read my 4 Days in Cairo & Giza: My Itinerary.
If you’re combining Cairo with the Red Sea coast, you can also read my Hurghada Travel Guide and Hurghada Itinerary for 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days.