Cairo is also called the City of a thousand minarets because of the Islamic architecture that can be found in the whole city!

In Cairo we stayed for two and  a half days. The first one we wandered on our own in the places we outlined in our relevant post (prices included) which is worth reading to find out the places we recommend for both food and sweets!  For the second day we joined a one-day tour at the Saqqara desert, the suburb of Giza, the famous pyramids and the Egyptian Museum with Egypt Day Tours. We recommend that you try Egypt Day Tours to have an inside view of the world largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, to enjoy and understand deeply  the exhibits, the monuments and the history of the Egyptian ancient civilization since the first Pharaoh till Alexander the Great and Cleopatra!

First stop Giza Plateau and the Pyramids

The pyramids of Giza are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world that exists and stands proudly till this day at the necropolis of Giza. These are the three great  pyramids: the Pyramid of Cheops, also known as the Great Pyramid, the little smaller pyramid of Khafre and the relatively modest pyramid of Mykerinos. All three of them belong to the Fourth dynasty of Pharaohs. Together, including the ones we mentioned in the itibitine post, they form a vast complex of  pyramids the burial tombs of the great kings! The famous Great Sphinx belongs to the necropolis of Gkiza and actually it was just a huge rock which Ramses the second, the greatest Pharaoh of all, ordered it to be sculptured with his own face on it!

The Pyramids

The pyramids were built for the sake of the pharaohs, in order to accommodate their tombs eternally! In and out of each pyramid the architecture and design of each of them does not leave anyone unmoved especially considering that we are talking about a civilization that counts more than 5,000 years from now! These pyramids are dated back in 2580 BC.

Inside the Pyramids

Inside the pyramids the chambers where the tombs and the carnivores of the pharaohs were found are located and the treasures that accompanied them as well. On their inside there are solid and narrow corridors that lead either downhill or uphill to the chamber of Carnivores. Admission is allowed with a separate ticket, the price of which you will find below as well as extra tips!

Is it worth to enter the pyramids?

Our answer is obvious and positive! Apart from the  natural curiosity of a traveler, it is not possible not to be impressed by a real human miracle! After all you can visit the cheapest one with just €5 entrance, which we do not consider unbearable taking into consideration that you will be able to witness to something unique in the  whole world. Inside them of course there is nothing to see as the relics have been transferred to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.

The Saqqara desert and the camels

The vast land stretching from the pyramids of Giza to the depths of Central Africa is the Sahara Desert! Beautiful scenery very different from the sceneries most of us have in our countriesa, always keeps impressing us and will continue to do so… On our next trip we will cover other areas we mention in our post, because we are talking about a huge country the exploration of which needs more time! Around the pyramids of Giza you will find camel waiting stoicly to take you for a  deeper ride into the desert at a relatively low price. They’re the most adorable creatures with their cute smiles! We have not tried it, but it is your journey and your decision.

As a special offer to anyone that comes through our blog, Egypt Day Toursi will offer a 10% discount on any tour / activity  plus a free camel ride in case you are in the pyramids area.

The Unknown pyramids

Yet the pyramids of Giza are not the only ones in Egypt! There are a few more and are located 30-40 km away from Cairo! Definitely worth the visit as you will not see the big crowds of Giza and you will enjoy them better (Bend, Step Pyramid etc.).

The Mysteries of the Sphinx

We have all heard of the mysteries of the Sphinx and thats why we call Egypt the Land of mysteries. So what’s the mystery, anyway? Maybe you ll be able to unsolve the myth while entering into the mysterious plateau…

Extra Tips before you step on the sand make a wish and maybe… The Sphinx may help you achieve it!

Extra tips for your entering to the pyramids and in the case of downhill direction try to get it upside down, like you would climb it! It’s easier and safer!

Our second stop is the Egyptian Museum

We are sure that in every museum you have ever visited there have been antiquities from the Roman Empire, the Greek antiquity and of course from the anscient Egyptian civilization. Well the Egyptian Museum of Cairo has unique exhibits from all the 62 dynasties of the Pharaohs of Egypt, has hundreds of exhibits, statues, carnivores, tombs, golden relics even mummies.

We recommend Egypt Day tours as it is wise to have a guide with you both to guide you correctly through the exhibits and to help you  understand and unfold  the mysteries of the Pharaohs and the ancient history and culture of Egypt!

The carnivores as ancient pieces  of art will get your attention, and so will the golden tombs which have a room size and of course the two separately secured halls with the mummies of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt and other less famous being calculated 5,000 years ago (a separate ticket is required).

At late afternoon the most amazing day comes to an end with the most incredible memories. This was all about our second day in Cairo with the Egypt day tours.  The first day was a stroll in the urban and modern Cairo while the second was an intrusion into the mysteries of Giza. So nice contrasts amongs those two faces of Cairo just like a mystery… Our unique experience in Cairo ends with so much new information and history about humankind!

egyptian museum

Read our full itinerary with prices in our post!

We thank Egypt Day Tours for the beautiful tour!

As a special offer to anyone that comes through our blog, Egypt Day Tours will offer a 10% discount on any tour / activity by mentioning the promo code NONSTOPTRAVELLERS plus a free camel ride in case you are in the pyramids area. 

Admission tickets

• Pyramids of Gkiza 160 EGP-(360 EGP Khufu’s’s Pyramid-100 EGP Khafre’s Pyramid
• Egyptian museum 160 EGP + 50 EGP photo pass or you can buy 300EGP inclusive tickets with Royal Mummies Hall

cairo egypt day tours pyramids

The post CAIRO DAY TOUR TO GIZA PLATEAU PYRAMIDS BY EGYPT DAY TOURS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Train from Luxor to Cairo

Here there are the two options completely different from each other. The first one is the simple day trip train with options Ac1 and Ac2 and prices at €10 per route, and the second one is a night sleeper train with a private cabin and price at 80USD per person. The difference in price is chaotic indeed so it depends on your wallet, we chose the cabin due to health issues that did not allow us to travel seated for 9 hours. The cabins were cute, overpriced of course, including dinner and breakfast. The good thing about the night train is that you save an overnight stay at a hotel and don’t waste any time commuting from one city to another.

Train from Cairo to Alexandria roundtrip

At Cairo station there are no machines to get tickets on your own as we have read in other blogs so you will have to wait in huge queues, spend a lot of time, have the money ready, split up into two lines of men women ( See extra tip below to save time). Know in advance the itineraries you are interested in. See prices here. Generally there are some delays, we did not face a particular problem but be prepared for Egyptian times.

egypt how to travel by train

Finally, if you have someone local around, just ask them to help you at the counter because most employees do not speak English and you may lose your turn while looking for another queue. Theoretically you can buy your tickets online here, but we unfortunately did not succeed doing so because the system had fallen down while we were there. If you make it, remember to print the tickets in a hardcopy version. There is also control everywhere however for passengers’ bags and luggage and once you pass the checks just ask the employees to guide you on the right platform! An indicative price is at €3 the route for Ac1 and Ac2.

egypt how to travel by train

Extra Tip
Always have cash on you, credit cards are not used anywhere (except hotels and fine restaurants).

 

Extra Tip
Give the money to the lady of your group in case there is one of course because women queues are too small compared to those of men!

Extra Tip
Close either Ac1 or Ac2, they are both ok and safe.

Extra Tip
Train restrictions

The post HOW TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN EGYPT appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Did you know that Egypt is called a gift of the Nile thanks to Herodotus?

egypt pyramids gkiza cairo

Itinerary for travelling to Egypt

Find below the 8 day itinerary we created and finally followed including all costs in Egyptian pounds per person (Egyptian pounds EGP), Euro and dollars! We followed the Nile route from the south to the north, but those of you who have more time or have been before at the Nile once before you can visit El Almaine, the White Desert, the oasis of Shiva, the Sina Peninsula, the Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, the Red Sea, etc.

1 DAY 
Flight to Cairo-flight from Cairo to Aswan
Food at Kato Dool Nubian Resort
Overnight at Kato Dool Nubian Resort (read more here or watch our video here)!
Tour in Abu Simbel (200 EGP-photo pass 300 EGP), you can go only with an organized tour which either have to be pre-booked, or arranged at your accommodation. Keep in mind that the car starts at 4.30 in the morning so arrange your stay and transfer in advance (12 USD).

2 DAY

Excursion to Abu Simbel (starting 4.30 am, 3 hours way, return to Aswan at about 13.00 pm)
On the return take a motor Boat (150EGP) to the islet of Philae Temple (140EGP).
Nubian Village (enjoy a walk at the beautiful coloured villages, if you stay at Kato Dool congrats coz you are right in the village itself, if you stay eg. on Elephantine Island you have to get a motorboat to the Nubian villages).
Food at Kato Dool Nubian Resort
A Felluca ride to Elephantine Island (70EGP) and sunset. You can go to Unfinished Obelisk (80 EGP), Nubia Museum (100 EGP), Aswan Museum (70 EGP) as well.
Overnight at Kato Dool Nubian Resort (read more here or view video here)!

3 DAY

We say goodbye to Aswan and either we take a car to Luxor (that’s what we did 15 USD) or join a three-day cruise at the Nile to Luxor (more relaxed and restful program for 40USD)

Pay a visit to the temple of Horus in Edfu, explore the temple of Kom Ombo.
By car to Kom Ombo and to the Temple of Crocodile (100 EGP) and the Edfu temple (140 EGP).
You can also stop at the Mausoleum of the Agha Khan on the way to Luxor.
Drop off at Luxor (15 USD total transfer)! A train is more economical choice if you have more time!
Overnight at Luxor (11 euro/2 nights)

4 DAY

Wander through the royal burial sites the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the west bank of Luxor. Tour in Kings Valley (200EGP + 300EGP photo pass) where you can see 3 tombs of  Pharaohs (Ramses IV-IX-Meremtah (to Toutaghamon and Seti the cost is  €50 for each one) – (photo ticket = 15 € We think it is not worth it just enjoy the visit).
Memnon Colossi, Queens Valley & Hatsepsut Temple (100 EGP).
Food at Al Sahaby Lane (Rooftop with a view to the Luxor Temple and a cool evening breeze).
Sound and Light Show Karnak Temple (15 USD booking online capability, there are shows at almost every temple but from what we have read and tried if you are about to try one at least try this one at Karnak as it is not static, but do not expect much, its overpriced anyway..).
Overnight at Luxor (11 euro/2 nights)

5 DAY

At sunrise you can ride an Air balloon over the Nile (60 USD)
Luxor Temple (140EGP) – Located in the city center so you can just go on foot.
Karnak Temple (150 EGP) you can go there either on foot parallel to the river banks (30 ‘), either by horse cart (40EGP) or by taxi (50EGP)
Visit the market of Luxor, small but strong in terms of bargaining!
Visit the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum.
Food at Sofra.
Night Train to Cairo 10.55 pm – 9.00 am (80 USD) Day train (10 USD). For more information about trains in Egypt read here! You will definetely  need some help and you will find the links for the itineraries too!

6 DAY

Citadel of Saladin Cairo, Mohamed Ali Mosque (140 EGP), attention because on Fridays the Islamic mosques are closed due to praying, on other days women must have their heads covered (taxi 20 EGP = 1 euro).
Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan (80 EGP)
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Mit Rahina Museum (60 EGP), there lies a huge statue of Ramses 2.
Cairo Tower (Opening Hours: From 8 am to Midnight) (300 EGP).
Market KhanAl Khalili (with taxi or Uber 25-30 EGP) and El Gamaleya
Food in Abu Tarek for Kosharu Special (30 EGP)
Felluca Ride at the Nile, coffee  by the river (50 EGP).
Café Eish and Malh
Sweets Mandarine Koueider (Kiounefes and Basbousa (Samali))
Sweets in
Overnight Cairo to Tahrir Square or El Talaat Harb (30 USD/3 days).

egypt cairo

7 DAY

Tour with Egypt Day Tours in Giza Plateau – Pyramids – Sphinx – Egyptian museum the only one of the seven wonders of anscient world  that still exist (160 EGP-360 EGP Khufu’s’s Pyramid-100 EGP Khafre’s Pyramid) (read our detailed blog post with all the information you might before for your visit to the pyramids of Giza.
Camel Ride (Optional, we did not tried this one but if you choose to do so you can ride a camel for some money and find yourself on the spot that gives you a view to all the pyramids together).

As a special offer to anyone that comes through our blog, Egypt Day Tours will offer a 10% discount on any tour / activity  plus a free camel ride in case you are in the pyramids area. 

Tour the Egyptian Museum  to view the worlds largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities. (located next to Tahrir square) (160 EGP + 50 EGP photo pass + 300EGP inclusive tickets with Royal Mummies Hall) at 17.00 closes for half an hour and reopens with other prices (read our detailed post with all the information).
Dinner Cruise €13 (Optional) on the Nile or Felluca sunset (you can find a cruise at the marina Dok Dok close to the Four seasons hotel)
If you have one more day we suggest you to visit the other Saqqara pyramids, which are less famous but also less crowded. They are just around 30-40 km away from Cairo so it means an extra day for you, Bent pyramid- Dashur and Step Pyramid.
Overnight Cairo in Tahrir Square or El Talaat Harb.

8 DAY

One day excursion to Alexandria by train (53 EGP). For our tour we chose Egypt Day Tours while on our adventure with the train read more here!
Alexandria Library (70EGP)
Kavafis Museum (30 EGP + Photo Pass 25 EGP)
Kom El Dekka Roman Amphitheater (80 EGP)
Pompeys Pillar and Temple of Serapeum (80 EGP)
Saint Sava Church
Evangelismos Church
Catacombs of Kom Ash Suqqafa (80 EGP)
Fort Qaitbay (Lighthouse Faros of Alexandria once stood there)
Corniche
Return by train to Cairo (53 EGP).
For information about the tour and surprise gift for you who will choose it you will find here!

Visa

You can claim your visa at the airport! Do have 25 usd with you for the visa fees and proceed to passport control.

Taxis in Cairo and Alexandria

Taxis in general are very cheap with prices not exceeding 1 euro per race, in Cairo they are white while in Alexandria they are black and yellow. There are taxis with taximeter and taxis without one. Always ask before you enter if there is a taximeter and make sure the meter is switched on (at 6 EGP). If there isnt any taximeter just negotiat the price before you enter! Finally there is Uber as long as you have Internet connection!

From Cairo to Airport

The best solution is a negotiated taxi, around 120 EGP.

• SOUND AND LIGHTS SHOWS
• DAY TRAINS
• NIGHT TRAINS

Extra tip: Have cash everywhere except hotels and any fine restaurants!

 

Extra advice: You will be asked to gine baktsisi (tips) eg at the toilets of monuments and temples, be sure to keep some pounds on you.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

We have not experienced any danger and even until late  night there are people everywhere, people of all ages, genders and religions! Security checks are occuring at all points of interest.

Read more abut Egypt in our blog posts about Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza Plateau, Alexandria the city of Alexander the Great and our train adventure.

How much does a trip to Egypt cost?

For the above itinerary we spent in euro:

€400 movements (air, trains, taxis)
€170 for entry to points of interest
€65 Food
€49 Accommodation
€22 Miscellaneous
€4 Souvenirs
Total: €710 person

Combining the magic and mystery of life and death and the secrets of Pharaohs Egypt’s histrory is one of the most extraordinary and significant for the human kind! We wish that you soon find yourself travelling in this enchanting and mystical country and those of you who are about to do so, use the discount offer that we have for you in collab with Egypt day Tours!

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