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Giza and Cairo

Traveling to Egypt for the first time. We are planning most of it on our own, which we normally prefer to do when traveling. However, have read some posts about local guides and would like some input on what people have done. Giza and the pyramids; did you use a local guide? If so, which one and what is your evaluation? Did you simply do the area on your own and, in hindsight, did you feel that worked well for you?

Also, am curious about Cairo. Needing the same input. We obviously want to spend time in old Cairo and Coptic Cairo. We have four days to spend in Cairo but don't want an organized tour group for the entire four days. There are four active adults going and we will be staying at the Marriott Mena House in Giza.

Posted by
871 posts

We arranged for private tours on both trips, and I am glad we did. We set the itinerary ahead of time, and a driver and guide took us to every place on our list. Cairo is unlike any city I have visited: traffic is horrendous, and touts are everywhere. I wouldn't feel safe or comfortable doing Cairo on my own.

We traveled twice with Djed Egypt, and I highly recommend them. Their website is here: https://www.djedegypt.com

Since our trips, though, our Cairo guide, Moustafa Mohsen, has branched out on his own. Moustafa is an amazing guide, and I would highly recommend him. Moustafa's TripAdvisor page is here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294201-d29019174-Reviews-Adven_Tours-Cairo_Cairo_Governorate.html. (PM me if you can't get in touch through TripAdvisor, and I can dig up more contact info.)

In addition, I did a private tour of Jordan and Israel with Egypt and Beyond, which I believe is the company that Rick Steves worked with when he did his Egypt special a few years ago. They were expensive -- probably because Jordan and Israel are simply more expensive than Egypt -- but they were very good. Their website is here: https://www.egyptandbeyondtravel.com

BTW, we stayed at Mena House on both trips. Excellent choice! There is nothing like waking up every morning to the sight of the Pyramids.

Posted by
524 posts

We used guides for visiting Giza pyramids and Saqqara pyramids (two different guides on two separate days). They were both guides we found on Trip Advisor. We found it helpful to have a guide both for transportation and for info as there wasn't a lot labelled (tho I note we were staying in Cairo- if you are staying in Giza the transportation to those pyramids is already easier).

For the rest of Cairo, we visited on our own and found it relatively easy- including Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, Zamalek, and around the citadel. The metro is easy to use and uber is readily available and extremely inexpensive.

Posted by
9058 posts

I strongly recommend touring Egypt with a guide. Do group tours if you have to. It is safer to travel in a group tour.

I have been to Egypt three times and love it. Last time was two years ago and we did it with Gate 1 Travel.

Posted by
24 posts

Thanks so much for info! We're not interested in large group tours like Gate1 but will check out the private guide suggestions.