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The pyramids of Menkaure, Khafre and Khufu rise behind smaller pyramids on the Giza plateau.

Cairo in 3 days

Start with Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, explore Historic Cairo, then combine Coptic Cairo with NMEC and an evening beside the Nile.

3 days, 18 stopsBalanced paceNov to MarApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
The Giza pyramids, the first stop on the Cairo and Egypt itineraries. · Adapted from KennyOMG, Pyramids of the Giza Necropolis · CC BY-SA 4.0

Trip at a glance

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum

Visit the plateau early, then spend the afternoon with selected galleries at GEM before a Downtown dinner.
  1. 1
    8:00 AMGiza Pyramids plateauExplore the plateau exteriors first. Arrive with your entrance and pickup point agreed; pyramid interiors need separate tickets.About 1 hour 30 min here
    Other nationalities, adult: EGP 700 (about $13) · Egyptian adult: EGP 60 (about $1) · Plateau admission; pyramid interiors cost extra

    Official fees: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesLast verified

    Walk about 25 min within the plateau
  2. 2
    10:00 AMOptionalGreat Sphinx, GizaContinue to the Sphinx viewing area on the same plateau visit; skip this extension if you need a slower morning.About 1 hour here
    Part of the plateau visit
    Car and entrance formalities to GEM, allow about 60 min
  3. 3
    12:00 PMGrand Egyptian Museum dining areaUse an entry window that covers your arrival, then have lunch in the commercial area before entering the galleries.About 1 hour 15 min here
    Meals extra; arrange museum admission first
    Walk through the museum complex, about 10 min
  4. 4
    1:30 PMBook aheadGrand Egyptian MuseumAllow three hours for selected galleries, including Tutankhamun if that is your priority; seeing everything needs a longer visit.About 2 hours 45 min here
    Other nationalities, adult over 24: EGP 1,830 (about $34) · Egyptian adult over 24: EGP 220 (about $4) · Book an entry window

    Official fees: Grand Egyptian MuseumLast verified

    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsOpens Tiqets. TravPa earns a commission.
    Walk through the complex to the gardens, about 10 min
  5. 5
    4:30 PMOptionalGrand Egyptian Museum exterior gardensTake a short garden break before leaving the museum complex. Stay inside the ticketed visit because re-entry is not included.About 30 min here
    Included with museum admission; no re-entry
    Car to Downtown Cairo, allow about 60 to 90 min
  6. 6
    6:30 PMTalaat Harb and Downtown diningChoose dinner around Talaat Harb, then take a short street walk if you still have energy after the museum afternoon.
    Pay as you go

Before you go

Where to stay for this plan

Stay Downtown for a central base across the three days, or choose Zamalek for evening dining. Keep the same hotel and allow extra driving time on the Giza day.

Hotels in Cairo

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Plan last checked Nov 3, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.