Egypt Discovery
ExcursionCairo

Alexandria Overnight Tour from Cairo

Private transfer from Cairo, guided visits to Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, plus one night in Alexandria.

At a glance

Length
2 days · 1 nights
Departs
Daily

The short answer

Alexandria overnight sightseeing tour from Cairo is a two-day excursion covering Roman and modern sites in Alexandria, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Private
  • Cultural
  • Archaeology & history
Best for
  • Couples·
  • Solo traveller·
  • Groups·
  • Seniors

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
Two days and one night
Travel style
Private Guided Excursion
Accommodation
N/A
Operated by
Egypt Discovery Tours
Destinations
Cairo · Alexandria · Pompey’s Pillar · Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Roman Museum (Alexandria)
Includes
Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Cairo hotels · Qualified Egyptologist guide on the sightseeing day · Air-conditioned vehicle transfers · Lunch on the main sightseeing day · Entrance fees to listed sites
Best for
History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Alexandria · Travellers who prefer an overnight stay · Small private groups · Families with older children
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when Alexandria is milder than inland Egypt and daytime temperatures are easier for walking visits. Summer can be warm and humid, although the coastal location is generally more temperate than Cairo. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours and traffic patterns may change, so earlier departures and advance planning are advisable.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
  • Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
  • Qualified Egyptologist guide on the sightseeing day
  • 24/7 on-the-ground support for pre-arranged itineraries
  • Entrance fees to the listed sites are included unless stated otherwise

02Overview

A first look

Morning on Alexandria’s corniche brings a salt-laced breeze and the distant clatter of fishermen’s nets, a contrast with the cool shadowed chambers you will enter later that day. Expect compact walking sequences between sites, short pauses for coffee, and time on the promenade before evening falls.

Unlike same-day coach runs, our overnight timing preserves a morning visit in quieter light, not a hurried return to Cairo. We arrange all transfers and the hotel night, and one of our qualified Egyptologists leads the walking visits, explaining the Roman and Hellenistic layers on site and advising when to take photos or rest.

Background

The facts

Alexandria is Egypt’s principal Mediterranean port and was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. It later became a major centre of Hellenistic learning and Roman administration, and many of the city’s surviving monuments date to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. A two-day excursion from Cairo typically covers the city’s main archaeological and modern cultural landmarks with an overnight stay to allow morning sightseeing before the return journey.

Pompey’s Pillar stands in the Serapeum area and is one of the largest surviving Roman monolithic columns in Egypt, rising about 26.8 metres. The nearby Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are a multi-level funerary complex that combines Egyptian, Greek and Roman architectural features; they are usually reached by stair access and involve uneven walking surfaces. The Roman Museum in central Alexandria presents artefacts from the Greco-Roman period, while remains of the Roman Amphitheatre can be viewed in the same district.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 on the Corniche, is a modern library and cultural centre that marks the revival of Alexandria’s historical association with scholarship. Travel between Cairo and Alexandria is roughly 220 to 230 kilometres by road each way, depending on the route and traffic conditions. Most guided excursions use an air-conditioned vehicle and schedule the archaeological sites together for efficient routing.

An overnight in Alexandria is useful because it reduces the pressure of a same-day return and allows a quieter visit in the morning. It also makes it easier to visit sites at a steadier pace, especially for travellers who prefer fewer hours in the vehicle and more time at each stop.

Named in this entry

Alexandria·Cairo·Pompey’s Pillar·Serapeum·Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs·Alexandria Bibliotheca·Roman Museum·Roman Amphitheatre·The renowned Alexander the Great

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This is suitable for adults and older children who are interested in Greco-Roman history, archaeology and urban sightseeing rather than beach time. It also suits travellers who prefer a private or small-group style with a more relaxed timetable and moderate walking between sites.

Maybe not, if

  • It is not ideal for travellers who need step-free access at every stop, or who want to avoid a long road transfer and a full day of walking.

What lingers

  • 01Private transfer Cairo–Alexandria (approx. 225 km; about 2.75–3 hours), pick-up from Cairo hotel or Cairo airport.
  • 02Guided visits to Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa with our Alexandria specialist Egyptologist.
  • 03Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay and Pompey's Pillar; 90–120 minutes on the Corniche includes seaside walking and lunch stop.
  • 04Overnight hotel in Alexandria included; morning option to visit Montaza Palace gardens before the midday crowd.
  • 05We operate private-car tours only – not large coaches; a 07:00 departure avoids peak Cairo traffic on route.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • See Pompey’s Pillar and the Serapeum site in Alexandria.
  • Explore the multi-level Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa with an Egyptologist.
  • Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Alexandria’s Roman Museum.
  • An overnight stay allows morning time in Alexandria.
  • Avoid the same-evening return pace of Cairo day trips.

Things to Consider

  • The Cairo to Alexandria road transfer takes several hours.
  • The Catacombs have stairs and uneven surfaces.
  • A full sightseeing day involves substantial walking.
  • Summer weather can be warm and humid.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a same-day coach trip from Cairo, this itinerary includes an overnight in Alexandria so the sightseeing day is not compressed into a single return journey. That makes it better suited to travellers who want more time at the main sites and a quieter morning in the city before travelling back. It is also different from independent travel because transfers, guiding and entrance logistics are arranged in advance.

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

06:30 to 07:00 AM

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

  6. 6

  7. 7

  8. 8

  9. 9

  10. 10

  11. 11

  12. 12

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Cairo hotels
  • Guided sightseeing with a qualified Egyptologist for the Alexandria visits
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for the transfer between Cairo and Alexandria
  • Lunch provided on the main day of sightseeing
  • Entrance tickets to the sites listed in the itinerary

Not included

  • Any hotel upgrade cost for overnight accommodation in Alexandria
  • Drinks except where explicitly included with meals
  • Tips for the Egyptologist and driver
  • Personal expenses and optional activities

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Allow extra road time in your plans, as Cairo to Alexandria journeys vary with traffic and road conditions.

  2. 02

    Wear shoes with a secure grip for the underground chambers and uneven surfaces at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.

  3. 03

    Check whether the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is open to visitors on your travel date before setting your expectations for the visit.

  4. 04

    Carry water for site visits, particularly during warm-weather travel in Alexandria.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The excursion can be arranged as a private tour or for a small group, depending on the preferred pace and budget. It may also be customised with a specific hotel standard in Alexandria, additional time on the Corniche, or extra visits such as the Qaitbay Citadel if requested in advance. Meal arrangements and return timing can usually be adjusted to suit flight or onward-travel schedules.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

Pair this Alexandria excursion with time in Cairo to see the Giza Plateau and the Egyptian Museum, then continue south to Luxor or Aswan. The overnight stop avoids the same-evening return of a Cairo-based day trip and leaves morning time in Alexandria.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Minimum age for this excursion is five years because the Catacombs include steep stairs and narrow passages. Child rates apply for ages 5 to 11; from age 12 full adult price applies. Strollers are not practical at Kom El Shoqafa due to steps and confined spaces; a baby carrier is more useful for infants. High chairs at the included lunch venue cannot be guaranteed; tell us at booking if you need one and we will request it from the restaurant.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where
Pickup from central Cairo hotelsMap

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

On the ground

Your route

1Cairo2Alexandria

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs20 min walk
  • Roman Amphitheatre remains3 km
  • Alexandria Bibliotheca5 km
  • Qaitbay Citadel6 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Morning time in Alexandria, unlike same-day return trips

  2. 02

    Roman landmarks paired with the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina

  3. 03

    An Egyptologist guide for the main sightseeing day

·In summary

This 2-day Alexandria overnight sightseeing tour from Cairo includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central Cairo, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, a qualified Egyptologist guide for the sightseeing day, lunch, and entrance fees to the listed sites. The itinerary visits Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum, with an overnight in Alexandria. Drinks, gratuities, personal expenses and optional activities are not included.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Alexandria overnight sightseeing tour from Cairo?
    The excursion lasts two days and includes an overnight in Alexandria. This gives you time to visit the city without making the return journey to Cairo on the same evening. The exact departure and return times depend on the final arrangement, so confirm them before travel.
  2. 02Is hotel pickup included for the Alexandria tour from Cairo?
    Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for central Cairo hotels. Travel between Cairo and Alexandria is by air-conditioned vehicle, with an Egyptologist guiding the sightseeing visits. If your hotel is outside central Cairo, ask us to confirm whether pickup can be arranged and where to meet.
  3. 03What is included in the Alexandria sightseeing tour?
    The listed site entrance fees, transport by air-conditioned vehicle and lunch on the main sightseeing day are included. An Egyptologist guide is provided for that sightseeing day, along with hotel pickup and drop-off from central Cairo hotels. The overnight accommodation arrangement should be confirmed before you book, particularly if you want a specific hotel.
  4. 04What is not included in the Alexandria overnight tour?
    Drinks not specified with meals, gratuities, personal spending and optional activities are excluded. A specific hotel upgrade in Alexandria is also excluded. Ask us to confirm the accommodation arranged for your dates, as the standard stay and any requested upgrade are not the same thing.
  5. 05How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible?
    Expect walking on historic ground and stairs at some sites, including the spiral descent into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. These features may make parts of the visit difficult for anyone with limited mobility. Contact us before booking to discuss your needs; access conditions can vary by site and cannot be assumed to be step-free.
  6. 06Can children join the Alexandria tour from Cairo?
    Children can travel with adults, but the long road journey and walking at archaeological sites may be tiring for younger visitors. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa involve a descent by spiral staircase. Tell us the children’s ages when enquiring so we can check the arrangements and help you judge whether the pace suits your family.
  7. 07What should I wear and bring for sightseeing in Alexandria?
    Wear comfortable shoes with a firm grip and bring sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses and water. Conditions can be hot, particularly in warmer months, while shaded areas are limited at some open-air sites. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious places; this route is primarily archaeological and cultural.
  8. 08Can I take photographs at the Alexandria sites?
    Photography rules differ between Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and museum spaces. Check posted signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures, especially indoors. Camera permissions or restrictions may change, so we cannot guarantee that photography is allowed at every stop.
  9. 09When is the best time of year to visit Alexandria?
    Spring and autumn generally bring milder conditions for walking around Alexandria’s outdoor sites. Summer can be hot, while winter may be cooler and breezier on the Mediterranean Corniche. The overnight format avoids the same-evening return of a day trip, but weather and site conditions still affect how comfortable each visit feels.
  10. 10What will I see at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa?
    The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are a multi-level Roman funerary complex with Greek, Roman and ancient Egyptian artistic influences. The visit includes a spiral staircase and burial spaces such as the banqueting chamber. Unlike an open-air monument such as Pompey’s Pillar, much of this site is underground, so expect enclosed spaces and steps.

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

Editorial review

Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: EXC-CAI-493110

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