A Cruise Stop in Cairo: From Port to Pyramids
- Esther
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
When cruising and visiting Egypt, your ship will typically dock in either Alexandria, Port Said, or Sokhna to access Cairo. Many cruise guests often wonder whether it's worth taking a tour to Cairo during their stop in Egypt. I’d love to share my experience to help you decide what might be the best option for you.
If you want to visit Cairo, I would recommend to take a tour organized by the cruise line. It’s a long trip, with a 3-hour bus ride each way. I visited the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum, where you can see the treasures of Tutankhamun and the royal mummies. The tour included the six-hour round-trip drive in a convoy, as well as lunch at a nice hotel.
I would recommend it if your cruise stops at any of these ports. It’s a long and exhausting trip, so keep that in mind. We were docked in Alexandria, and the ship sailed to Port Said while we were on the tour. We were picked up there in the evening.
The bus ride to Cairo takes about 3 hours, and we traveled in a convoy of 13 buses, escorted by the military. It was an interesting journey through the desert, giving us a glimpse of Egypt beyond just Cairo.
Our first stop upon arrival was the Pyramids. We were warned not to go on a camel ride, as these are offered by locals who often take you for a ride. Once you're on the camel, they take you away from the group and then demand a much higher price than what was originally agreed upon.
I didn’t go inside the Pyramids, but I did take some beautiful photos from the outside. If you’re considering going in, be aware that the entrance fee is not included and must be negotiated. In fact, in Egypt, prices for just about everything are up for negotiation.
After our visit to the Pyramids, the bus took us to a large hotel for lunch. The food was good, though of course they tried to sell us carpets during the meal.
Following lunch, we visited the Egyptian Museum. You could explore it at your own pace. The museum is huge, with countless treasures to discover, including the famous artifacts of Tutankhamun. After the museum visit, we had another 3-hour drive—this time back to Port Said, where the ship was waiting for us.
Arriving at Port Said on a cruise is an experience in itself. Passengers walk across narrow pontoon walkways to reach the shore, surrounded by local vendors in small boats selling souvenirs, spices, and handmade crafts — truly a unique scene.
Now imagine this: you're exhausted after a 13-hour day in the intense heat, and all you want is to get back on board for a shower and dinner. Instead, you find yourself navigating the crowded pontoon while vendors eagerly try to sell you something. It was chaotic, overwhelming — and unforgettable. One of those moments that stays with you long after the journey ends.
In 2022, a completely new cruise terminal was built in Port Said, so you no longer have to walk across the pontoons. It’s now much easier and more comfortable to disembark directly into the new terminal.
If you’re interested in visiting Egypt, I would definitely recommend going — it’s a unique and unforgettable experience.If you need help planning your next cruise to Egypt or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me!
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