Egypt Express X FlexTrip – Cairo, Giza & Saqqara

IMPORTANT: You do not need to live in Madrid to join this trip. Participants are welcome from anywhere, as long as they arrive and depart on the recommended dates indicated below. Airport transfers and the full itinerary are organized around these dates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]

The flights to Egypt and back are not included in this package. You will need to book your own flights and send us the flight details. With these details, we will make sure to arrange your airport pick-up and drop off in Egypt.

Below are our recommended flights if you are travelling from Madrid. We recommend looking at all available flights through Skyscanner so you can compare and select the one you prefer. If you are flying to Egypt from other cities, please make sure to arrive and depart on the recommended dates. In case of any questions, please reach out to us via email so we can assist you.

Important Things to Keep in Mind:

• You will need to fly in and out of Cairo (CAI) or Giza (SPX).
• Plan to arrive to Cairo or Giza on Thursday, October 22nd*:
  • Check all flights from Madrid to Cairo or Giza on that day and sort them by price on Skyscanner to find the best deal.
• Plan to leave from Cairo or Giza on Sunday, October 25th**:
  • We recommend the Pegasus flights PC583 and PC1099 leaving at 04:00 on Monday, October 26th from Giza (layover in Istanbul, landing in Madrid at 11:40). We will take you to the airport around midnight after the Sunday program, so you fly overnight and arrive in Madrid the next morning, or
  • the Wizz Air flights W46070 (leaving Giza at 23:55 on Sunday) and W46011 (leaving Rome at 06:00 on Monday, landing in Madrid at 08:40) or the Ryanair flight FR9601 from Rome (06:00, landing in Madrid at 08:35). The Wizz Air flights do not show on Skyscanner, so you need to make two separate bookings, for example on the Wizz Air website: Giza to Rome and Rome to Madrid, or
  • any direct flight of your choice leaving on Sunday evening (ideally not before 9pm) as we have a full day of exploration or on Monday (see tab “Extra Night Add-On”).
• Send all your flight information and questions to [email protected].

*If you decide to book an earlier flight on Thursday, our partners in Egypt will assist you with the visa process upon your arrival at the airport of Cairo/Giza and bring you to our hotel. However, no activities will be organized on the arrival day.

**If you decide to book an earlier flight back on Sunday, we will, of course, arrange a transfer to the airport for you. However, please keep in mind that you may miss some of the activities scheduled for that day.

Find the right flight for you and we will arrange the airport transport in Cairo/Giza. If you have any questions, just shoot us an email to [email protected].

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo/Giza (Thursday)

Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo/Giza International Airport, our local partner will assist you with the visa process at the airport and coordinate your transfer to our hotel.

This day is intentionally kept free of activities, giving everyone time to rest, recover from the flight, and settle in. Our adventure and sightseeing program will begin the following day.

Day 2: Cairo – Pyramids of Giza – Sphinx – Saqqara – (Friday)

After breakfast at the hotel (included), we’ll head out for an unforgettable first full day in Egypt. We’ll start at the iconic Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Great Pyramid of Khufu and the awe-inspiring Great Sphinx, one of the most famous sights in the world and a true bucket-list moment.

After lunch, we’ll continue to Saqqara, where we’ll explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest large stone structure ever built. Beyond this architectural wonder, we will also explore the ancient tombs of the Old Kingdom kings who were laid to rest here. Along the way back, we’ll also visit a traditional Papyrus Factory and a Perfume Factory, offering a glimpse into crafts that have been part of Egyptian culture for thousands of years (shopping is optional in those places).

In the evening, we will arrange an optional dinner, where you can discover local Egyptian flavours and specialities.

Day 3: The Grand New Egyptian Museum – The Egyptian Museum of Civilization (Saturday)

After breakfast (included), we’ll start with a guided visit to the famous Grand Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient artifacts. Recently inaugurated, it is the largest archaeological museum on the planet, showcasing over 100,000 objects from a single civilization, including the complete Tutankhamun collection, displayed together for the first time ever.

After lunch, we continue to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a modern and immersive space that tells the full story of Egypt from prehistory to the present day. The highlight is the Royal Mummies Gallery, where you’ll come face to face with some of Egypt’s most iconic pharaohs, learning about their rituals, beliefs, and lasting legacy.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a private boat ride on the Nile with food served on board (included) – a relaxed and scenic boat experience that’s the perfect way to end an epic first day of sightseeing.

Day 4: Islamic Cairo – Coptic Cairo – Departure (Sunday)

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel for a full day of discovering Cairo’s rich history. We’ll start with a visit to the Citadel of Saladin, including the impressive Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque, offering panoramic views over the city. We then continue to the historic Al-Azhar Mosque, followed by a walk through Al-Azhar Park, a green oasis with beautiful views of old Cairo.

Next, we’ll head to Old Cairo to explore some of the city’s most important religious landmarks, including the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga), and the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue, as well as a visit to the Cave Church.

We then enjoy a walk through the lively streets of Khan El Khalili Bazaar and Al-Muizz Street, soaking up the atmosphere of Cairo’s historic medina. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to wander through the stalls, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a traditional Egyptian tea, before our transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Included in Price:

• Meet & assist service at Cairo/Giza Airport, including help with visa on arrival (see “Passport and Visa Information”)
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• 3 nights in a 3★ hotel in Giza
• Daily breakfast (3 Days)
• 3 full days of sightseeing with private tour guide (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
• Nile boat experience with typical egyptian food and soft drinks – included (Saturday)
• Expert English-speaking local tour guide
• Entrance fees to all sites (Important: please check tab “Entrance Fees”)
• Private air-conditioned transportation for all tours
• All service charges & taxes

Not Included in Price

• Flights to/from Cairo
• Egypt entry visa (Important: please check tab “Passport and Visa Information”)
• Lunches, dinners & drinks not mentionned in the included section
• Entrance inside the pyramids (access to the pyramid site is included, but tickets to enter the interior of any pyramid are not)
• Camel ride by the pyramids (optional)
• Personal expenses & extras not mentioned
• Tips for guides, drivers, etc.

We have planned this trip’s itinerary around the most affordable flight options that are available.

Those who wish to arrive earlier or stay in Giza for one more night are welcome to book our Extra Night add-on in addition to their Basic Package ticket. We will arrange an additional night for you at one of our group’s hotels for the price of 75€. This price includes:

• 1 night at our group hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel (depending on when your flight leaves)
• Airport transfer

IMPORTANT: If you do choose to stay an extra night with us, please send your flight details to [email protected] so we can prepare the shuttle accordingly.

In Giza, we will be staying at a 3★ hotel. Room assignments will be determined based on the information that you provide us when signing up. We usually have double or triple rooms (separated beds) for this trip.

Group Name

When signing up for this trip you will see the option to indicate a “group name”. This is where you can inform of about who you would like to share a room with. We will always do our best to keep your group together.

If you have purchased a ticket without indicating a group name, we will assume that you are ok with being placed in a room with someone you may not know. If this is not the case, please reach out to us at [email protected] to inform us about your roommate request.

We offer two ticket packages for the Egypt Express trip:

1. Egypt Express – Student Card Ticket (379,99€ / 399,99€)
   This package is available exclusively to those who possess an official physical student card and are less than 24 years old. We secure student-discounted tickets for the monuments in advance, so you’ll enjoy significant savings. However, please note that the entrance to each monument will involve a check, and you must present your student card at the entrance. If you book this package but do not have a valid student card, you will be required to pay the full entry fee at each museum upon arrival.
2. Egypt Express – General Ticket (429,99€ / 449,99€)
   This package is available to everyone, regardless of student status. The tickets included are at the regular price for adults, with no student verification required.

Make sure to choose the package that fits your situation, as the correct student card is required to take advantage of the student discounts.

All travelers to Egypt are required to obtain a visa before travelling or upon arrival in Cairo/Giza. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into Egypt.

You can apply for a visa in two ways:

• Visa on Arrival
  • Upon arrival in Cairo/giza, you can purchase your visa at kiosks in the arrival hall, right before the immigration counters.
  • The cost is $30 USD/EUR and they only accept cash. (having exact change will make the process faster)
  • Visas on arrival are valid for up to 30 days.
  • A local representative from our team will be there to assist you with the visa application and ensure everything goes smoothly.
• E-Visa (online)
  • The cost is $30 USD/EUR and need to be paid by credit/debit card on the official website.
  • Apply for an e-visa in advance to avoid stress.
  • The e-visa is valid for up to 3 months.
  • Note: You have to create an account and make the e-Visa application at least 7 days before your departure. Once you start the process, please contact us by email so we can provide you with the additional details required to complete the application.

If you choose the Visa on Arrival option, please let us know in advance. This will allow our partners in Egypt to prepare the visa for you upon arrival, so you can skip the waiting lines and proceed more smoothly through immigration.

If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].

Citylife offers a basic travel insurance package with every trip that can be purchased as an add-on to your ticket. The insurance is provided by Innovac in partnership with Europassistance and will cover basic medical emergencies for the duration of the trip.

Do you Need to Take the Insurance?

It is not mandatory to take this specific insurance that we offer, but please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to make sure that you are travelling with proper coverage. If you decide not to take the insurance, we will consider that you are covered by another policy.

For a complete breakdown of the coverage that the insurance provides, please select the following links:

• Insurance Breakdown in English
• Insurance breakdown in Spanish