3 days in Cairo: itinerary

Three days works if you group sights by geography and accept one long day at Giza. The Grand Egyptian Museum sits next to the pyramids, so pair them; Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo are both east of the river and fit one day; Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis are a single southbound loop.

Book the GEM and the pyramids on separate half-days if you can — the museum alone takes three to four hours and the plateau is best at opening or in the last two hours before closing.

Cairo's headline sites run on fixed opening hours, but these shift with Ramadan and public holidays, so check the day before. The Grand Egyptian Museum uses timed entry; buy online to avoid the queue at the gate.

Tickets are usually card or cash in Egyptian pounds; carry small notes for tips and site extras. A private car and driver for the Saqqara loop is the simplest way to cover three sites in one day.

Cairo International Airport is the main arrival point; the flight time from your home country depends on your origin and connections, so check schedules for your dates. Most visitors take a taxi or ride-hailing app from the airport to a downtown or Zamalek hotel.

Inside the city, the metro is cheap and fast for central hops, but Giza, Saqqara and the airport are easier by car. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and give a fixed price before you set off.

Start early. Giza and the GEM are calmer in the first hour, and Saqqara is far more comfortable before midday heat. In summer, plan indoor sights for the afternoon.

Dress modestly for mosques and churches: shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a scarf. Expect to remove shoes at some sites. Agree taxi fares or use an app, and keep a small tip ready for site staff and drivers.

If you want a guided version, a licensed guide adds context at Giza and the GEM; book through a reputable operator. For a shorter stay, see one day in Cairo.

Short answers to the questions travellers ask most about a 3-day Cairo stay.