Alexandria Day Tour, incl. Wadi Natrun Monasteries

The short answer

Alexandria day tour from Cairo with Egyptologist is a 1-day guided excursion covering the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ◈Private
• ◌Small group

• Archaeology & history
• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

Full Day (approximately 12 hours total; around 10 hours on tour including transfers)

Travel style

Private or Small-Group Guided Day Tour

Accommodation

N/A

Operated by

Egypt Discovery Tours

Destinations

Cairo · Alexandria · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa · Qaitbay Citadel

Includes

Pickup and drop-off at confirmed central Cairo hotels · Air-conditioned vehicle · A licensed Egyptologist guide · Admission fees for scheduled sites · Bottled water on transfers

Best for

People visiting Egypt for the first time · History enthusiasts · Partners and family groups · Cairo-based travellers

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina – modern library and manuscript collections; our guide allocates 45–60 minutes inside the reading complex.
• 02See Qaitbay Citadel on Alexandria's Eastern Harbour – built on the Lighthouse of Alexandria's historic site; 30-minute visit.
• 03Explore the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar; entrance fees are included where standard.
• 04Visit Wadi Natrun's monasteries: Deir Anba Bishoy, Deir el‑Suryan and Deir Abu Maqar; expect 60–90 minutes on-site.
• 05We use a private air‑conditioned car and driver; expect an early start and extended driving time.
• 06Operated by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologist accompanies departures.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike large coach day trips, this excursion uses a private or small-group vehicle, which usually means less waiting and a more flexible pace at each site. Compared with an overnight Alexandria stay, it concentrates on the main historical landmarks in a single day and returns to Cairo the same evening. It is also more structured than independent travel because transport, entrance fees and guiding are arranged in advance.

Bundled in

• 🛎Hotel pickup
• ◈Group Egyptologist
• 🎟All entry tickets

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa involve descending stairs; consider this before choosing the excursion if stairs are difficult for you.

2. 02

   Lunch is not included, so allow for its cost when planning your day in Alexandria.

3. 03

   Optional-site admissions are not included; check which stops are scheduled before adding extra visits.

4. 04

   Confirm that your Cairo hotel falls within a listed pickup zone when booking.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The excursion can be arranged as a private tour or a small-group option, depending on preference and availability. It may also be adjusted with more time at one site, lunch arrangements, or additional stops in Alexandria if requested in advance. Any extra admissions or optional visits are normally added separately if they are not already listed in the itinerary.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Pickup from central Cairo hotelsMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Alexandria's BibliothecaRight here
• Qaitbay Citadel30 min walk
• Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs4 km
• Pompey's Pillar16 min walk

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   See Alexandria's harbour, Roman tombs and Ottoman-era citadel

2. 02

   Choose a private vehicle or a small-group option

3. 03

   A licensed Egyptologist connects the city's distinct historical periods

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How much time does the Alexandria sightseeing day trip from Cairo take?

   The excursion lasts about 12 hours from hotel pickup in Cairo to drop-off. The drive to Alexandria usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way, leaving time for visits in the city. Traffic can affect the return time, so avoid arranging a tight connection or fixed evening plans.
2. 02Which Cairo areas have hotel pickup for the Alexandria tour?

   Pickup is available in confirmed central Cairo areas, including Downtown, Zamalek, Garden City, Dokki, Mohandessin and the Giza Plateau area. We confirm your pickup point and departure time before the excursion. You return to the agreed pickup point at the end of the day.
3. 03What is included in the Alexandria tour from Cairo?

   The booking includes return travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed Egyptologist guide, bottled water during transfers and entrance fees to the scheduled sites. Vehicle arrangements are private or small-group, depending on the option selected. The day involves substantial road travel, so the pace at each stop is planned around the route.
4. 04What is not included in the Alexandria day tour?

   Lunch, drinks beyond the bottled water provided during transfers, gratuities, personal spending and entry to optional sites are excluded. The itinerary mentions a seafront lunch stop, but the meal itself is not covered. Bring a payment method for food and any personal purchases.
5. 05How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible?

   Expect walking on uneven surfaces at Qaitbay Citadel and stairs at the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. The catacombs descend underground and may not suit visitors who find stairs difficult. Tell us about mobility needs when enquiring, as access arrangements and the route may depend on the site conditions.
6. 06Is the Alexandria tour suitable for children?

   Children can join, but the return drive takes around five to six hours in total. Bring snacks, water for the stops and something to occupy younger travellers in the vehicle. There is no age policy specified, so ask us to confirm arrangements for your child's age before booking.
7. 07What should I wear and bring on the Alexandria tour?

   Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, particularly from spring to autumn. Alexandria can feel cooler and breezier by the Mediterranean than Cairo, so a light layer is useful. Carry any personal medication and dress modestly if your visit includes a religious site.
8. 08Can I take photographs at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the catacombs and Qaitbay Citadel?

   Photography rules vary between Alexandria's sites and may change, so check the signs or ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures. Be particularly careful in the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, where restrictions may apply inside. Do not photograph people without their permission.
9. 09When is the best time to visit Alexandria from Cairo?

   The cooler months, roughly October to April, are generally more comfortable for walking around Alexandria. Summer brings higher temperatures, while the corniche can be breezy at other times of year. This is a long day in any season, so carry sun protection and allow for possible traffic delays.
10. 10What are the main stops on the Alexandria sightseeing tour?

    The planned visits include the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and Montaza Palace Gardens. The catacombs are a Roman-period burial complex with Egyptian and Greco-Roman features; Qaitbay Citadel stands on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse. The exact order can vary with traffic and site conditions.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms