- Meet, welcome, and assist with airport formalities
- Entrance fees of the sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Door to door transfers
- All tours in our air-conditioned modern vehicle
- Mineral bottled water
- Local lunch
Inclusions
- Gratuities/Tipping (optional - recommended)
Exclusions
Tour Details:
- Duration: From 5 To 8 Hours
- Location: Cairo
- Availability: Available Everyday
- Pick up and drop off: Cairo Airport
- Tour Type: Private
The top Cairo layover tour
Take this Private guided Cairo layover tour from Cairo International Airport to explore Egypt’s famed Pyramids, The Great Sphinx, Downtown Cairo, the Old Islamic medieval town, and The tourist Bazaar at Khan El-Khalili.
Layover tour to the Pyramids, Sphinx, Downtown, Islamic Cairo & Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Upon arrival at Cairo airport, the Egypt Fun Tours representative will meet, welcome, and assist you with airport formalities. Transfer to Giza’s famed Pyramids. Explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Chephren’s Pyramid, and Mycarinus pyramid. Continue to the Great Sphinx which is originally a statue belonging to King Chephren. Proceed to the old Islamic town of Al-Qahira to see the walls and the gates of the old town, and watch the old mosques, streets, shops, and schools. We get inside one old mosque. Proceed to Khan El-Khalili tourist bazaar for your shopping opportunity. Transfer back to Cairo International Airport.
Prices: Price is quoted per person in USD
Option 1: Only A Car + Driver
- Solo traveler: 70$
- 2 people: 40$ per person
- 3 people: 35$ per person
- 4+ people: 25$ per person
Option 2: Car + Driver + Tour Guide
- Solo traveler: 90$
- 2 people: 55$ per person
- 3 people: 50$ per person
- 4+ people: 45$ per person
Option 3: Car + Driver + Tour Guide + Entrance fees
- Solo traveler: 120$
- 2 people: 85$ per person
- 3 people: 75$ per person
- 4+ people: 65$ per person
Option 4: Car + Driver + Tour Guide + Entrance fees + Food
- Solo traveler: 135$
- 2 people: 100$ per person
- 3 people: 90$ per person
- 4+ people: 80$ per person
Layover in Cairo
We landed very early in Cairo before 5 am!
We were met by an airport man who helped us go through all custom formalities (visa, exchange money, etc).
After that, we were taken to the mini van, where the driver went to meet our guide.
We requested a French-speaking guide as one of us was not too comfortable in English. The guide (I’m so sorry I do not remember his name) was really great!
2 of us had already been to Cairo, but one of us never. So we mentioned ahead in our emails that we wanted to see the Pyramids and Museum. Then anything we could see included in the tour cost.
The guide explained we would first go walk in Islamic Cairo, to the Pyramids, Museum and then do a Nile Cruise.
The Nile cruise was at extra cost so we asked to remove it.
Islamic Cairo was beautiful. As it was very early, around 6.30 am it was very quiet, unbelievable for Cairo. People were so friendly, and the architecture was just wow!
We then went to the Pyramids, which of course was the highlight of the tour.
We arrived at opening…. so let’s just say that we had the site for ourselves!! Absolutely amazing. Also, one thing to mention, the first time we went, we had a lot of hassle by the people who wanted us to ride their camel, buy whatever they sold, guides, etc. This time, none of this happened, maybe due to the fact it was 8 am and that Egyptians were not fully awakened? Lol
The guide wanted us to take a paid caleche tour to a mountain, but we could ‘t spend any extra as we had a 2 weeks holiday with lots of visitors, so paying extra here meant missing something somewhere else.
However the price is fixed, but as you are in Egypt, it can be negotiated.
We had some extra time to wonder around the pyramids by ourself so that was also appreciated.
We went to visit the sphinx at the end and took off.
The guide bought us some Egyptian lunch/ sandwiches which were amazing!
And then went to the museum. The city was awake by then, so we found Cairo the way we were first introduced with it, mad traffic!
The tour in the museum was quick but well explained. We also had plenty of time to wonder around while the guide waited for us outside.
After that, we asked to be taken back to the airport.
So we landed in Cairo at 5 am and were back at 2pm. We saw a lot and the guide was very knowledgeable.
I would have maybe like having a guide a little more involved, spending more time with us, giving us more informations about the Pyramids, but mostly at the museum where he seemed to have rushed from one statue to another. Apart from that, we had a great great time!!!
As an avid traveler Egypt has always been on my bucket list trip destination, due to its ancient historical elements. When the opportunity presented itself, I actively researched for the “perfect” tour guide company to utilize. Egyptfuntours is a company that received several positive reviews from TripAdvisors travelers. Their website was colorfully user friendly and provided valuable downloadable pre-trip travel process information. I was wonderfully prepared as a Christian woman travelling to a Muslim dominated country. Upon arriving in Cairo, Egypt this particular company positioned one of their subsidiary staff to assist and expedite our immigration process.FYI: for American citizens the visa fee is not $15 or $20 as quoted in some of the write up I read but $25. The immigration process was swift, approximately 20 minutes for us. Once the visa process was concluded, we were then escorted outside into the airport car park, and introduced to our assigned tour guide Mr. Mohammed. Mohammed was mentioned severally by past TripAdvisor’s travelers, as one of this company’s outstanding tour guide or Egyptologist. As a tour guide, Mr. Mohammed was well versed in cultural immersion. He effortlessly navigated and educated us about Cairo’s famous landmarks. We went to an Egyptian restaurant, had a delicious authentic Egyptian dinner specially selected by Mohammed. Mohammed speaks excellent English as he is College educated. He is an amicable personality, easy going, knowledgeable, and very accommodating to our tour needs. On a personal level, Mohammed is an avid photographer with professional camera equipments; at the end of our tour he gifted us via email wonderful pictorial images, which enhanced our enjoyment of a wonderful trip. I highly recommend using Egyptfuntours for your Egypt tour, and please don’t hesitate to ask for the tall Mohammed with the red car (many Mohammed in this company). Our overall experience was amazing.
Solo American blonde girl traveling, but was worried about safety- did research and picked Egypt Fun Tours (instead of random Viator people). Had Muhammad as a guide yesterday and he indulged my inner child obsession with Ancient Egypt. He had an actual Egyptology degree so he could tell me extra historical facts, details, and more impressively theories. In addition to the amazing educational experience, he was able to hold off hagglers and give me local guidance. Spent some of his own money to tip or pay for parking, so a large tip at the end is a must. The money you pay for these tours, you make back in 10 fold what locals will charge you at different places. The guides have their own little network and people don’t mess with them.
We did pyramids/sphinx, Egyptian museum and bazaar. The bazaar is crowded and I got a lot of stares (stuck out like a sore thumb), but Muhammad took me to all the right places and I never felt uncomfortable. I cannot emphasize how important it is to have one of these guides from a reputable place like Egypt Fun Tours and Muhammad made my experience a thousand times better being able to talk specifics about Gods and Pharaohs and location significance.
Hamada gives a personalised, flexible, hassle-free service. Exactly what I needed to make the most of a 10-hour layover in Cairo. His colleagues met me straight off the plane. Took in a breakfast at sunrise, the Old City, Giza and the magnificent Cairo museum before dropping me back directly at the airport. Great value. Highly recommended.
Brilliant layover experience
We were so pleasantly surprised and delighted by our experience with Hamada and his team at Egypt Fun Tours. We had a ten-hour layover at CAI and were unsure of what would be possible in this time, though Hamada assured us that we could see a lot – and we did.
The service Egypt Fun Tours is wonderful and professional. They took care of the visa and customs processes at the airport for us – a great bonus after landing at 5AM – and made our landing and exit process seamless. We were then treated to a terrific tour of Giza (complete with camel rides) and Islamic Cairo that we will never forget, along with some fun vendor visits as well. Our guide and driver were friendly, helpful, fluent in English, and wonderfully knowledgeable.
We will come back to Egypt someday for a longer visit and we will make all of our arrangements through Hamada and his team.
Wonderful Experience!!!!!!
Very knowledgeable tour in the city of Cairo… I would definitely book again had a blast!!! The city has great history the pyramids were great as well as touring old Cairo
Great experience and beyond friendly
I had a wonderful trip to Cairo to see the pyramids and other artifacts, and it’s all thanks to my awesome tour guide. I was traveling by myself, but they made me feel so comfortable right away! They were real pros and knew the ins and outs to see everything…and more! I even got to try a traditional meal among locals. The tour group also went above and beyond. My camera/phone died as soon as I got to Cairo and they were so helpful, finding me a place to charge it for a bit and then once we realized it was dead, took pictures for me with their phone and then sent them to me later!
Layover Day tour in Egypt
We had an absolutely amazing trip in Egypt with a magnificent, funny, knowledgeable and efficient guide called Mydo. From the minute we stepped off the Plane it was first class treatment!! We will definitely be back again!
Great day trip by Hamada
First time was it to Cairo. Mr. Hamada was exceptionally helpful and very knowledgeable about the pyramids and Egyptian history overall. He was very flexible with us with our plans are changing by the hour and never once he showed his displeasure. Finally because we asked he got us the best falafel in Cairo. We will definitely be using your services again when we return back to Cairo.
Cairo Day trip
Great trip organized. I had a 12 hour layover in Cairo and had a great time with Sherif who answered every question I had on ancient Egypt. Highly recommend.
Great Price and Safe Guides
Egypt Fun Tours and their guide Joseph provided a safe and fun experience through out our stay in Egypt. Joseph is a kind person who is very proud of his country and shows it in the way he speaks in the tour.
Egypt fun tours meets you at the airport, helps you with the visa procedures, they include lunch and all tickets to entrances.
I am genuinely thankful of their service and that is why I am writing this as my appreciation for Egypt Fun Tours taking us around Cairo and bringing us back safely to embark on our plane home.
The only thing a regret is going to Egypt for only one day. Yes we went in and out safely, but Egypt has more to offer like Abu Simbel and Luxor.
However, Cairo itself is a one day city in my opinion. So for that. A layover tour is worth it.
I located Egypt FunTours on-line after I found I had a 12 hour layover in Cairo enroute to Toronto from Istanbul. I had never arranged this type of tour before, and was a bit concerned about the arrangements as well as the need for a tourist visa. No worries with Egypt Fund Tours! I contacted them with a ‘wish list’ of what i hoped to see, and they did the rest! Hani responded promptly with a detailed itinerary and schedule that included every item on my list, and at a very reasonable price. The tour itself was perfect. I was met at the Cairo airport by Mohamed, and we were off to Giza to see the pyramids and the Sound and Light Show. Mohamed was friendly and outgoing, and we quickly became friends, based no doubt on our shared quirky sense of humour. He kept us on schedule without being rushed, and also went the extra mile after we were forced to cancel a boat ride on the Nile as my plane was late. Somehow, Mohamed managed to get me VIP, front row tickets for the light show! We then wandered through the streets and markets of old Cairo enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of this amazing city. Crossing streets in Cairo is an adventure in itself (driving even more so!) and Mohamed made certain I survived the wild streets and drivers of the city. He had me back to the airport in plenty of time, and my only regret was that I wasn’t able to spend more time in Cairo. I will definitely be contacting Egypt Fun Tours on my next, hopefully longer, visit to Cairo, and insisting that Mohamed be my guide.
Fun, interesting and SAFE layover tour!
I booked our flights to Jordan with a long layover in Cairo to be able to go see the Pyramids. I was a bit worried about the safety but once we got there, all was fine and we did not feal in danger once. Really, I am more nervous when I ´ m in the USA!
Our guide Mydo was there with his big smile when we got outside the airport! We had a driver and a nice van for the tour, private. We stopped at a little place near the Pyramids for some egyptian falafels, then we stopped to get coffee. He payed.
At the Pyramids, there was a long line up to get the tickets then to get in. Mydo used his charm to get us in quick! Everything was perfect there! He made sure we were safe. It was funny because a lot of people wanted pictures with us! The best part for me was that Mydo took his time to get great pictures and fun ones for us!
He timed everything so we could maximise our time in Cairo. He even found the Harley Davidson shop for my husband. He was the best!
The tour is paid cash when you are dropped off at the airport.
You also have to pay cash, in US, for your entry visa which is easy to get when you land. No papers to fill, it´s just a sticker YOU put in your passeport!
I highly recommend Egypt Fun Tours and try to get Mydo as your guide!
Two Amazing Days with Egypt Fun Tours Layover Trips!
I was a bit nervous being a woman traveling alone to Egypt for a two day layover but I didn’t need to worry a bit! Hamada is both kind and considerate. He made the whole whirlwind adventure very safe and full of delightful conversation. I enjoyed so much discussing our different cultures. Before I even had a chance to wonder if my driver had shown up at Cairo International to pick me up, I heard my name being spoken the moment I stepped outside the arrivals hall. I was so relieved and the trip just continued to be amazing from that moment on. The first day we went to the Cairo Museum and for a Nile Felucca Cruise. Hamada customized the entire day to include any special stops I wanted. Later that night, I was dropped off at my hotel in front of the Pyramids of Giza and told he would return promptly at 8am for day #2 adventures which included highlights such as the Pyramids and Sphinx, Saquarra, Memphis, and Old Cairo with a fun stop to learn about real Egyptian rug making. The following morning I was picked up on time to be whisked back to the airport to catch my return flight to the states. Egypt Fun Tours is absolutely the way to go if you will be visiting Egypt. Hamada and his driver Mahmoud made my time there feel comfortable and like I was an important person!
Airport layover tour
We had an excellent tour with Mydo. We only landed in Cairo at 2 pm and knew that we had very little time to see the pyramids at Giza as the site closes at 4.30pm. We received a phone call from Mydo making sure we knew where to meet him before we even cleared customs. He was waiting for us and whisked us off to an air conditioned vehicle without losing any time. Our driver took us straight to Giza with Mydo giving us loads of information and answering all our questions. Mydo was fun, informative and very professional. He pointed out areas of interest and really brought the past to life. We managed to see the pyramids and the Sphinx and we still had time left to do a walking tour of the old city and the Khan El Khalili bazaar. Mydo also treated us to a traditional meal and helped with taking memorable photos. We can recommend Mydo and Egypt Fun Tours with all our hearts.
Minée and Louis Heyns
Perfect timing for our our 9 hour layover!
Hamada picked us up right on time at the airport and shuttled us straight to the pyramids. They close at 4, so it was a quick trip, but he knew exactly how to get it done – and we loved seeing them close to sunset! We felt very safe and ‘cared for’ for our entire tour with our 3 kids ages 5, 8 & 11. Hamada even got us cookies and a LOT of water before our pyramid walk. Our driver was excellent as he took us from place to place. In 6 hours we were able to see the pyramids, go to a papyrus store, have dinner in the market area and see a mosque & the old city. We arrived back at the airport 2 1/2 hrs before our flight. Perfect! Thanks Hamada!!!
incredible experience
We were in cairo for a short time, and got to see exactly what we wanted. It was so well planeed out! Thanks again!
Great tour of Cairo
The four of us (me, husband, sister and nephew) met our guide Mydo and our driver Romany at the Cairo airport. We went directly to the pyramids about an hour away. My husband needs assistance and Mydo was very kind and patient. Mydo was professional, accommodating and pleasant. We’ve been to Cairo for our honeymoon 25 years ago and Mydo reminded us of Egyptian history that we haven’t thought about in years. My 21 year old nephew loved the tour and raved about Mydo and Romany. We went to the Sphinx, took funny photos, went to see how papyrus was made and had lunch in one of the best Egyptian restaurants in Cairo. I would recommend Egypt Fun tours to anyone!
One of the best tour company in the world.
Where to start , I had a 20 hours layover in Egypt and I emailed Hani Ahmed 3 days advanced I was replied back promptly with all details, not only about the tour but also about the airlines layover procedure at the airport. My tour guide Mohammed came to pick me up from the hotel . He is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about ancient Egyptian history . Meeting him was not like meeting a new person he made me felt like I met one of my old friend . Our driver Yasser (Batista) was always smiling ,warm and welcoming, Mohammed even kept me safe from the hustlers and scammers all the time . I strongly suggest everyone to book a tour with them. They have great experienced and are very well coordinated .Thanks a lot Hani, Mohammed and Yasser for your great service , I will see you soon next year Inshallah.
What a great, efficient company!!
2 days before our layover in Cairo, I mailed the company to ask what they could do for us in the way of seeing the Pyramids with the time that we had. They tailor make packages to suit your interests and your time. Speedy response from Hani Ahmed and we were booked within minutes.
Mohamed our tour guide was SO knowledgeable, and he made the marvel that are the Pyramids even more wonderful. Our driver was helpful and great too. We were back at the airport on time for our next flight. Mohamed even called to double check our terminals for us.
Highly recommend this company. You can’t go wrong.
Great tour, highly recommended
We did two separate tours with this company and both were amazing to say the least! We visited from South Florida and could not have asked for a better experience. My wife loved the Sphinx, my favorite was definitely the Pyramids! The guides were great as well, they knew their history and kept us laughing the whole time. We highly recommend this company if you are looking to visit the most amazing parts of Egypt!!
Layover tour
My layover day tour with Hamada Hussein was simply out of this world. He fetched me on time. He made me feel safe and comfortable and understood my needs and preferences within budget. He is an avid photographer which was a bonus since I love it too. I saw the pyramids of Giza and went inside one. Went on a camel ride so as to take the most breathtaking pictures showcasing all pyramids. Saw the Sphynx. The Papyrus factory. Had lunch and dinner in the viby market and had all my wishes fulfilled and more. I cannot wait to go for my next visit and trust Hamada fully for my full itinerary.
Fun Stopover Day in Cairo
If you have 6 or more hours stop-over time in Cairo, you should definitely go for this tour. My guide Mohammed picked me at the airport at 7am in the morning, and we first headed to the Giza pyramids and Sphinx. I really had enough time to see everything. We then passed by a papyrus “factory” where they show you how papyrus is used to make paper. I felt a little obliged to purchase something, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Then we headed to downtown where we had amazing Falafel for lunch at a rather local place. Mohammed then took me walking around the downtown area which I enjoyed a lot. We went into a mosque, had fresh pomegranate juice, and went to a souvenir shop with great prices and where nobody pushed or bothered me. After 6 hours I was back at the airport to catch my next flight (it was Friday so there was no traffic). I had only booked the tour 1 day in advance, and still they managed to give me a great and unforgettable experience. Mohammed also took some great pictures during the trip which he shared afterwards. The car was comfortable and air-conditioned. Go for this trip if you have some little time in Cairo, you will see a lot!
So informative, and so helpful. Wouldn’t do Egypt without him!
Hamada was so wonderful. We had 12 hours and he planned a perfect layover tour for us. He has a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humor. He showed us everything we wanted to see, plus gave us the feeling of being insiders with knowledge of the best places. And, he was invaluable when it came to navigating our way through town. We will definitely return to Egypt, and definitely tour with Hamada again! Thanks so much Egypt Fun Tours!
Great way to spend a long layover in Cairo!
On a recent 8 hour layover in Cairo, I had an opportunity to go on an Egypt Fun Tour excursion to the Pyramids and the Sphinx. It was such an amazing experience and something I had always wanted to do. The structures were impressive and and so was the service. I had a wonderful guide and driver that picked me up at the airport and dropped me back off, and made the whole experience all the more enjoyable. Mohamed, my guide, even took me to try some local culinary specialties, as well as drink tea and smoke a hookah in a historic outdoor cafe. The experience was so nice that I booked another tour to the Cairo Museum and Coptic Cairo during my layover on the way back home. Seeing a bit of Cairo is the best way to spend a long layover in Cairo and I highly recommend Egypt Fun Tours to be your hosts during your visit!
The best alternative for 8 hours in the airport 🙂
We had a great time on our layover tour in Cairo.
For 6.5 hours we got a breakfast (falafel) in front of the pyramids, fast track on getting to the pyramids and Sphynx. Also, our guide pointed to the best points to make pictures.
Cairo itself was not so good, so you may not spend a lot of time there.
fantastic tour!
We had a single day in Cairo, EFT helped us maximize this time – we would never have seen and experienced such a range of things without a knowledgeable and attentive guide. Excellent!
YES!!!
Myself and my brother recently made a trip to Egypt where we spent the predominant amount of time in dahab, we really wanted to try and see the pyramids before we left but werent really sure where to start as we only had a couple of hours in Cairo during our layover before heading home.
I found the details of Egypt Fun Tours online and decided to get in contact, from then on it was the smoothest, most professional hassel free experience, Arranging the tour was as easy as a wattsapp message, there was ZERO hassel which you normally encounter in these situations.
We were collected from the airport as we exited the terminal and were then taken on an experience that ended up being the highlight of our entire week!
The transportation is amazing and the driver did an outstanding job! While we were on the tour we were contemplating the outcome if we had decided to try and get to the pyramids of our own accord, I CANT RECOMMEND USING EGYPT FUN TOURS enough guys! Seriously! Take all the stress and hassel out of trying to figure it out alone and just get in contact with these guys! AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Thank you guys! From Garth & Matt ( South Africans! 🙂 )
Amazing tour, but some confusion in the airport
Despite changes in our personaL schedule, the tour staff were extremely accommodating and made the tour possible. The tour was great and I’ll remember it forever! They also provided great pictures after the tour was over. Thank you for that! My only suggestion would be to provide better directions for meeting up in the airport, or to meet us right as we get off the plane with a big sign. We had such a hard time finding the tour guide and had no idea where to go. That was the main reason our personal schedule changed because we couldn’t find the tour guide. Other than that we had a lovely, breathtaking time. I only wish we hadn’t been so exhausted during our layover from our long travels so we could have seen all that the tour had to offer, but we had to give in to rest.
Cairo Day Trip
A friend and I recently had a 7 hour layover in Cairo and decided to give the tour a try. It was incredible. The booking process was easy and professional and the tour itself went off without a hitch. We were picked up at the airport and were able to go to the pyramids, sphinx, a papyrus workshop and made it downtown for some falafel, a mosque visit and a wander around the market. It certainly helped that our tour was on a Friday as we didn’t have to contend with the usual Cairo traffic, but I would still recommend getting out of the airport and doing as much as you can. Mohammad was a great tour guide and was very easy to talk to. It didn’t feel like he was putting on a show or trying to rip us off in any way. It was a perfect day trip and we made it back with plenty of time before our flight.
Cairo Layover Tour
We did the 12 hour layover tour with Hamada and it was more than we could have ever imagined! Hamada knows everything about Cairo. His tour is informative without being too talkative, and he really seems to have a passion for his work. We felt completely safe and in good hands at all time. Thanks again Hamada!
-Chelsea & Brian
Timely, fun, informative, and SAFE!!
We went there on a family vacation, as a family with 2 little children, we highly recommend this company.
For a foreigner visiting Cairo for the first time, Cairo is intimidating. The City is filled with very poor people that are willing to cling to you in order sell you something. They are equipped with tens of tricks to make you eventually pay them something. “Mohammad” our guide from this company makes sure you are SAFE!
Moreover, this guy is super informative but very interesting and concise, he is well educated and you will never get bored of his stories.
Another thing you’ll love about this company is that they are not greedy. They will make every effort to make sure you are enjoying your tour:
They will add cites, remove cites, add free meals, recommend places, give you advises on how to deal with locals and whom to avoid so you don’t get in trouble…
Overall, it was an excellent experience and we loved it…
Trip to GIza Pyramids and The Museum
We recently travelled from Hurghada to Cairo on a day trip to see the Pyramids and the museum, we arrived at 7:45 after a 5 hour drive to be introduced to our guide Mohamed who was very friendly and informative. He took us round the pyramids and sphinx whilst giving an in depth knowledge into the facts and history of them, we then went onto a a papyrus gallery in which they showed us how they made the papyrus and the story behind some of the artwork (we purchased some as they made great gifts). Then we moved onto the museum where again Mohamed helps us getting the tickets and telling us the history of Egypt and individual pieces. Overall the tour was fantastic and Mohamed was great, he even took some very nice photos and sent them to us via email.
OUTSTANDING!
They nailed it! We had a four hour layover and the folks at Egypt Fun Tours put together an unbelievable exploration package! Hennie (sp!?) met us at the arrivals gate, zipped us away, sharing details as we made our way to the vehicle… and then proceeded to not only entertain us with humor and knowledge about every detail in and around Cairo! Hennie answered all of our questions, and went out of his way to make sure we saw as much as we could in four short hours… all the while ensuring our comfort, safety, and overall peace-of-mind that we’d make it back to CAI in time for our late night departure!
Timely and Interesting
We had an 11 hour layover, They were waiting for us when we disembarked, and we saw pyramids, sphinx, valley temple, and then went downtown and drove around the square and then wandered around Bourj al khalili and saw some old mosques and the souq area. We even stopped for some traditional Egyptian food…organs :). It was an experience, and Mohamed seemed very willing to change things as our tastes suited.
He made an extra stop at Starbucks on the way to the aiport as well per our request.
Good, reliable experience.
Best Layover!
Mohammed met us at the airport around 12 (we had a 10 hour layover). He started by taking us to get the most amazing falafel ever, and then taking us to Giza to see the pyramids. He was so patient and so thorough with his description of each place we went to, but sped along the parts we weren’t as interested in.
We got to see the Sphinx, the Pyramids, a papyrus making shop, as well as the downtown bazaar. He helped us haggle as well so we wouldn’t have to pay more than we needed to.
Despite the current political situation in Egypt, my husband and I felt extremely safe with Mohammed and the driver. We would definitely book again and next time try the Nile tour!
We have finally seen the pyramids!
We have long dreamed of a trip to Egypt, and so much of that dream is about seeing the pyramids (and the Great Sphinx), icons of might and mystery we’ve grown up with. We had a wonderful day trip with Egypt Fun Tours, with an excellent guide and a professional driver. We were able to see the sites on the Giza Plateau as well as Memphis and Saqqara. Although it was a full day with much to see, our wonderful guide, Muhammad, had it so well planned that we never felt rushed. He was very knowledgeable about the history and current investigations into the pyramids and happy to answer every question that we could think of. He was very good at providing advice for tipping and avoiding scammers. He took the time to get to know us and our interests/preferences (including a preference for local rather than tourist food) and he did his best to make see that we enjoyed the perfect day. We whole-heartedly recommend Egypt Fun Tours. You won’t go wrong.
Great Layover Tour!
We had a 12-hour layover in Cairo on our way to South Africa. It’s always been a dream of mine to see the pyramids, so I was excited to find Egypt Fun Tours. Heni (not sure about the spelling?) picked us up at the airport and was incredible the entire time. We were exhausted from our long flights (from Alaska), but he kept us entertained and was so full of information. When we got to the pyramids, we had the option of paying extra to go inside the Great Pyramid, but he talked us out of it. I regret that now, because I doubt I’ll ever have the chance again. The tour did include entry into one of the smaller pyramids. It was definitely interesting, but I don’t recommend it if you’re claustrophobic at all. . . You can take a camel ride through the desert near the pyramids if you have time. We just did a quick stop to get a few pictures sitting on a camel with the pyramids in the background. We let the guide negotiate with the handlers, and he was able to get a better price than was advertised. After the pyramids and the Sphynx, he took us to a local restaurant where we got to try some traditional Egyptian food. And then we walked through a huge market in the city. We never once felt unsafe. They do try to get you to buy some papyrus scrolls/art about halfway through the tour, but they weren’t too pushy. We actually got back to the airport early and didn’t feel like we missed out on a thing! So glad they offer these layover tours 🙂
Layover Tour
We took a layover tour with Mohammad today and had a wonderful experience. We saw the pyramids and the sphinx, rode camels, tried Egyptian pizza, sipped tea and smoked hookah in the bazaar, and had a beautiful walk though ancient Cairo. The tour was easy to set up, and a great success.
Well-done One-day Tour
On our way to Hurghada, we arranged for a sight seeing tour of Cairo to see the great pyramids, Sphinx, and other sites of interest during a long layover. First, we really appreciate that Egyptair took care of our luggage for the day. Second, our tour guide, Heny, was very knowledgeable and good at adapting the tour to fit our interests and needs. With a family of with kids ranging age from 9-19, it is important to us to have flexibility and variety to fit a wide range of interests. We usually don’t use tour groups because we find the schedules restrictive and the tour guides stick to a script. Heny kept us moving but also allowed us time to explore. It was nice having our own van, which was clean, newer model, and had seat belts for every passenger. When Heny learned that our colleg-age son took an Islamic humanities and arts class, Heny adjusted the schedule to add stops at some of the other historic mosques demonstrative of key periods and trends in Islamic architecture and design. Because of his experience and love for his home city, Heny showed us areas of town that might not be part of every tourists visit. It was a good tour that fit well with our travel plans and interests. We are looking forward to seeing more with Heny on the return trip.
fascinating stop over tour!
We had a 10 hour stop over at Cairo international airport so decided to arrange a tour of the pyramids and the Sphinx. I contacted Egypt Fun Tours who set up a fabulous tour. The guide met us at the airport and took us to the pyramids in a nice car. He showed us both the pyramids and the Sphinx which were close to each other. The tour was fantastic and an unforgettable experience, Thanks.
Very short time in Cairo, but great tour.
I recently had a short layover in Cairo (6 hours) and took a private tour with Egypt Fun Tours. Unfortunately it was evening so I lost chance to see the pyramids. Egypt Fun Tours accommodated my request, and gave me a good view of the city. They will get you to anything you want to see, and in a quick and comfortable way. They have the ability to make layover tours within any time-frame. Hani (my knowledgeable fun tour guide) allowed me enough time to see the market at Kalili, and helped me taking great photos from stunning old Cairo. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to see Cairo.
Best layover ever!
Had a great time in Cairo – we had all day and our guide was fabulous. We walked much of the city (a wonderful way to stretch the legs after sitting in planes), saw the pyramids, museum, the market, had tea, visited a mosque, etc. I would definitely recommend this – leaving the airport is easy with them, they meet you before customs and help you through the process, so even inexperienced travelers should feel OK with this process. The Egyptians we met were warm and welcoming, everyone should visit Cairo and Egypt!
Perfect 9 hour layover tour
We decided to try a long layover going through Cairo on our way to London, with the hopes of getting a taste of Egypt while breaking up the long flights. Absolutely no regrets going with Egypt Fun Tours, our day was tailored totally to our needs. We were picked up from inside the airport and skipped the long lines and straight out the door. We weren’t interested in souvenirs and Mohammed offered us tips to avoid the local sellers pushing their goods. He had excellent knowledge and very easy going. I was worried about making it back to the airport on time for our flight but everything was taken care of. Now is a great time to visit Egypt, political stability seems to be returning and we felt very safe and not too many other tourists were around! Thanks Mohammed Hussein and our driver!
Pyramids – check! Fun time – check!
It was a bit tricky convincing my boyfriend to leave the airport during our 10 HOUR! layover but once I found Egypt Fun Tours, he agreed to go exploring. I’m not a tour guide kind of girl but knew that in order to convince him I needed some help. In comes Hatem. Thank you Hatem! He picked us up on time, quickly got us transit visas and we were off to the Pyramids. I was there in 2001 and you could barely move. Not the case in 2014. It was a Saturday afternoon and there were maybe a couple hundred people there. Felt like we had the pyramids to ourselves! Hatem clearly knows his history and shared the ins and outs of the pyramids with us. We were starving so headed to Tahrir Square isn area to get some falafel. It wasn’t a tourist trap but not necessarily entirely local either. Falafel was good so I didn’t really care. The boyfriend was getting nervous about getting back in time but Hatem promised him he’d have us back by 9pm. We went to Old Cairo, walked around, had some tea in El Khalil and we were back at the airport at exactly 9pm. Way to go Hatem! If you’re on a tight schedule or have a travel partner that is a little reluctant, rest assured Egypt Fun Tours will take care of you!
Fantastic Lay Over in Cairo
I love Cairo and revisiting in a lay over is always challenging because you don’t want to miss your flight. The service was superb, Egypt Tours really takes care of you and can provide you a personalised your schedule according to your needs. Highly recommended….!!!!
Amazing layover tour! Hani was an incredible guide! Great experience
I did the layover tour in Cairo in between flights and I had such a great tour with Egypt fun tours! My flight came in earlier than the tour but my tour guide Hani still came to the airport early anyway to pick me up and show me a few places before the pyramids opened. He is extremely knowledgeable, very friendly and fun to be around. He took me to all the best places for traditional food, guided me through the pyramids, took me to a papyrus shop and of course shopping in the bazaar and tea at the famous el fishkawy cafe. Even though I was a lone female traveller I always felt comfortable and safe and Hani treated me more like a friend that was showing me around his city. My tour was privately catered to my liking, the vehicle has access and the driver was friendly though does not speak English. I had such an amazing experience and will definitely be recommending this company for future travellers! Thanks Hani 🙂
-Vanessa
Quick tour of Cairo on an 8 hour layover
We found that Egypt Fun Tours on trip advisor and it had great reviews so we figured we would try it. I’m so very glad that we did.
Our tour guide, Hanny, was helpful and knowledgeable about everything from the history of the pyramids, the city, and how much we should pay for souvenirs. We were able to see the pyramids, a papyrus shop and the old market. We travel often and have been in many places, but I would not attempt to see Cairo on my own, especially with a time constraint. Hanny got us to where we wanted to go quickly and easily and got us back to the airport with time to spare.
The driver was excellent and the car was clean and had great AC.
Flawless Execution of Stopover Tour
We had a 5 hour layover between flights at Cairo international. How could you get off a plane in Cairo and not have your kids see the only one of the Seven Wonders still standing? I was keeping my fingers crossed that everything would come together on our tight schedule. Fortunately Egyptair 986 was bang on time. Egypt Fun Tours took it from there and made it happen. After we cleared immigrations our guide was waiting for us. He ushered us to a pristine, air conditioned van with a friendly driver and we were off. Our guide skillfully handled tickets, etc. at Giza while the van followed us around the site. We had about 2hrs at the Pyramids and then were delivered back to CAI with plenty of time for our ongoing flight. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Egypt Fun Tours for making this happen for my family.
Great Layover Tour of Cairo
At first we thought we might see the city ourselves and save a few bucks, but after thinking about it we decided to go with a tour group. We found that Egypt Fun Tours had great reviews so we figured we would give it a shot. I’m so very glad that we did. Not only did it live up to the great reviews but I would say it would be hard to imagine a better tour. Our flight got in late but the tour guide knew how to get us to the pyramids quickly during rush hour before they closed. The tour guide was helpful and knowledgeable about everything from the history of the pyramids, answering every question we had about landmarks, to how much we should pay for souvenirs. We were able to see old Cairo, the downtown area around Tahrir square and got a quick introduction to the making of papyrus at a shop we stopped by. The driver was excellent and the car was clean and had great AC. Overall, I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Great tour!
I only had the better part of a day during my layover in Cairo, but I was able to see so much! Hatem was a great guide; friendly, knowledgable, and professional! When I come back to Egypt, I’ll definitely book a longer tour through him!
Cairo’s very own pharaoh, Hanny!
We had a stopover of 18 hours in Cairo and our guide, Hanny made them unforgettable.
He was very personable and considerate of our needs and he taught us how to get about without being harassed by street vendors.
He is a walking encyclopedia, his knowledge of ancient Egyptology is so vast , I could not believe it.
Thank you very much Hanny!
Aura and Ritz
A great & safe way to explore Cairo
I did a layover tour with Mohammed in mid-December and had the best time wandering around the Pyramids, Sphinx, Papyrus Museum, Cairo Museum, and Bazaar. We even got to see the sun setting over the Nile! Mohammed took me to a very local place for lunch and I tried koshary, a dish with pasta, lentils, and chickpeas (delicious and hearty). He provided thorough commentary and background info on every place we visited. All details were taken care of. He picked me up from the airport and dropped me back at my hotel at night. Our tour lasted about 8+ hours and I’m so impressed with all he managed to pack into the day. I felt safe the whole time, which was my main concern and the reason I went with Egypt Fun Tours. Oh, Mohammed also went out of his way to stop at a Starbucks to I could get caffeine after my 6am flight to Cairo. So glad I got to visit this special city! I look forward to going back in the future for a longer visit.
Wonderful
I had a great time. Ahmed is the man. I had a short layover in Egypt and wanted to visit the Pyramids. Ahmed was right there waiting for me when I got off the plane. He took me to the To get some Egyptian coffee with a great view of the Pyramids. Then we toured the Pyramids and the sphinx. He have a great tour with useful information and answered any question I had. I recommend this highly and would contact him again if I’m in Egypt.
Day Trip to Cairo
We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip to Cairo. Egypt Fun Tours had been highly recommended to us so we had every confidence that we would enjoy our visit to Cairo. We were very impressed by the warm welcome we received from our tour guide and by the hospitality shown to us by everyone we met at the places we visited. We particularly enjoyed the Egyptian Museum and the pyramids. The price represented excellent value for money and if we ever pay another visit to Egypt we’ll definitely use the services of Egypt Fun Tours again.
Highly recommended
My boyfriend and I had lengthy stop-overs in Cairo when flying to and from South Africa. Egypt Fun Tours organized two fantastic day trips for us that allowed us to take in all the major sites of Cairo and Giza. They were easy to work and communicate with leading up to our arrivals and friendly, funny and informative guides. Highly recommend to anyone who has a day to spend in Cairo!
a great day trip
On our stop over in Cairo we had around 12 hours. Egypt Fun Tours was great and helped us to make the most of our short time there. We saw the pyramids/sphynx and to the Egyptian Museum and then the old city for dinner before heading back to the airport. It was really a great taste of Cairo in a very short time. We’d highly recommend Egypt Fun Tours stopover tour for anyone with a long layover in Cairo.
Egypt 12 hour tour
On the way to Uganda, we had a 12 hour layover in Egypt. Out group leader found this awesome company and we toured Egypt in 12 hours! AWESOME!!!! recommend to all. We seen the pyramids and the city and learned a great deal about the history.
Amazing time
Hani and Mohammed were great – they were very knowledgeable and funny and great to be around.
They showed us (my parents and I) the sights (all of the typical spots – pyramids, museums, etc and non-typical spots, like street markets) and it was great.
highly highly rec them.
Convenient and cool. Next time don’t hit on me.
Logistically, the trip was awesome. I just did a quick layover tour of Giza and the old city of Cairo, and had a blast. My guide met me at the airport, took me where I wanted to go, explained a good amount of history, treated me to lunch, spoke excellent English, and was super friendly.
Maybe a little too friendly. I really didn’t appreciate being called a “beautiful young woman” and such repeatedly by a man I was stuck in a business relationship with. That’s just awkward and uncomfortable. Note that this was not one of the owners, so if you’re touring with them you should be fine.
Take this tour!
I usually shy away from guided tours but since I only had a few hours, I decided to splurge. It was well worth it. Mohammed managed to do the impossible: make a quick tour feel relaxed and well paced. We hit many sites but at no point did I feel like I was being rushed. In a very short time I was able to get a feel for the city and realize a few hours was nowhere near enough. I will definitely be back.
P.S., Mohammed has some really great stories. Ask about his matchmaking experience!
An Amazing Experience!
In March my husband and I took an Egypt Air flight from Mumbai to Istanbul. This flight included a 22 hour layover in Cairo. We decided to take the opportunity to hire a proper tour guide and see the sights. We usually prefer independent travel but because of the short amount of time, we decided having a guide would be the best option for us. Mohammad was amazing! He made sure we got everything we could want out of the tour. We stopped by the Pyramids, Tahrir Square, the old Islamic city, ate delicious pigeon for dinner, sipped tea and smoked shisha in two of the different popular cafes, walked around the night market, picked up some egyptian sweets, and ended the night by chatting in the hotel lobby. We’ve spent the last 2 and a half years traveling all over the world and our single day in Cairo stands out as one of the best days we’ve ever had on the road. I can’t express how much we recommend Mohammad and Egypt Fun Tours. We are already planning to spend some extended time in Egypt. We will without a doubt be using Egypt Fun Tours in the future!!
Great one day tour in Cairo
My husband and I had a long layover in Cairo on our way to Kenya in 2010. Since we had never been to Egypt, we decided to sign-up for a one-day tour with Egypt Fun Tours Day Trips. Our guide was there when we arrived and quickly guided us through the process of obtaining a short term visa. After making a quick stop at his favorite falafel shop for lunch, we had a private tour of the city by van, a visit to the pyramid and spinx in Giza, a walking tour which included a visit to a mosque, a bazaar and a stop at a cafe for tea. Our guide spoke very good English and was a perfect host. He even arranged a short camel ride for me and took pictures!
Outstanding! The absolute best way to see and do as much as you can in a short amount of time.
A friend and I had one day to spend in Cairo. Egypt Fun Tours–and tour guide Hani–came highly recommended by another friend who used them on a long layover. We were extremely impressed. For only about US$100, two people had a guide, driver, and car to ourselves for an entire day. Hani customized a tour for us on the spot based on what we wanted to accomplish and his knowledge of what was practical, allowing us to hit nearly all of the major sites in one day.
But Hani was more than just your ordinary guide. He took us to the train station in the morning to help us buy tickets to Luxor on the night train leaving that night, hung out with us at the end of the day at the hookah bar, and even waited with us on the train platform and saw us off! I can’t recommend Hani and Egypt Fun Tours enough. My friend and I liked it so much, we had Hani hook us up with a similar tour in Luxor the next day.
Very Considerate and Helpful
Guide and driver were on time, open to my requests and took care that I felt safe and saw the Pyramids and parts of old cairo during my less than 24 hour stay between flights. Office staff were great in communicating by email before and during the trip.
Amazing one day tour
Fantastic tour. We were picked up at the airport early in the morning (6am), and were dropped off in the evening after discovering amazing Cairo. The guide was knowledgable, and took us to many hidden places, which we wouldn’t have found without him.
My day trip to Cairo was brilliant , and close to the best one day experience of my life. Hani was an amazing ambassador for his city and country , his wealth of knowledge, courtesy and good humour was awesome .
The itinerary was perfect , I visited most of the famous landmarks as well as experiencing the local way of life , I felt completely safe at all times.and would highly recommend this organisation to anyone considering a tour in Cairo or Egypt. Hani t promptly answered every query I sent prior to arriving in Cairo and assured me that E.F.T would take care of me and accomodate any additional requests I may have. If all travel organisations were as courteous and efficient as this company travelling would always be fun . I cannot fault them and thankyou Hani for making my day trip so wonderful , you are a scholar and a gentleman
Marion
Cairo Day trip
Great trip organised. I had a 12 hour layover in Cairo and had a great time with Sherif who answered every question I had on ancient Egypt. Highly recommend.
AMAZING layover tour
We had the MOST amazing layover tour with Egypt Fun Tours. Hanni was amazing and we loved every moment. Pyramids, authentic food and Islamic Cairo – amazing!
Outstanding layover tour
I had the opportunity to do a layover tour with this Egypt fun tours this Friday and it was amazing. I had a 10 our layover tour in Cairo, I was met by Mohamed on time at the airport. He picked me up in a clean, new, safe and comfortable van. He spoke perfect English and we explained into great detail what the itinerary was. I got see the pyramids of Giza, did a camel ride and even visitors the local market. Mohamed is a kind, honest, knowledgable and respectful guide. He was always attentive to my needs and I had the best time ever!’ I felt safe as if I was with a family member. Thank you Mohamed for such a wonderful time 😉 I recommen this tour to anyone that wants to make good use of their layover.
11 wonderful hours in Cairo
I had an 11 hour layover in Cairo, and it couldn’t have been better spent than with Manal from Egypt Fun Tours. I was able to adjust my tour once we left the airport and Manal had some really great suggestions when I told her what it was I wanted to do. She took me to a lovely hotel at the base of the Great Pyramid where we enjoyed a coffee and she explained to me, using the sugar bowl, cream pitcher and packets of sugar, how the complex was laid out. We wandered the pyramid complex for about 2.5 hours. Manal, an Egyptologist, was so knowledgeable and explained the standard theories about the pyramids and sphinx as well as some new theories which I, as an anthropologist, thoroughly enjoyed.
I then asked Manal to take me to a place where I could purchase an authentic papyrus painting that was actually painted with paint and not stamped. The shop was great, and I had an amazing cup of Turkish tea that probably had more caffeine in it than I have in a week back home! I purchased 3 paintings, and then we were off to an Egyptian perfumery and to wander through the old town. The old Islamic part of Cairo was beautiful. Wandering through the streets and the various street stalls and vendors and food establishments; pausing to admire the architecture; having a nice bite of Egyptian pizza were all divine.
We made a quick pass through the big tourist market but didn’t stop, and I think having Manal with me made the vendors less aggressive than I’ve read they can be.
We than met up with Hani and enjoyed a falafel and mint tea while listening to the Call to Prayer and watching the myriad people wandering to and fro. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
I can’t say enough great things about Manal and Hani. Manal was an excellent guide and I consider myself lucky that she was mine through my 11 hours in Cairo – Ask for her!!
Apologies that my one Blackberry photo is so poor – I had so many more but had an SD Memory card malfunction in the 109 degree heat of Dar Es Salaam and have not yet been able to retrieve my photos.
Early layover tour in Cairo
My husband, 2 sons – aged 9 & 11 – and I landed in Cairo at 5:15am on Saturday 12 January 2013. We had booked an early layover tour with Egypt Fun Tours after reading the great reviews in TripAdvisor. As promised he and his driver awaited us in a big, comfortable mini-bus.
We were all exhausted, with our boys having had only 1 and a half hours sleep on the previous evening’s flight and all of us from travelling around Europe for 4 weeks. but we had a very busy day planned. I have multiple sclerosis and was beginning to flare as my walking deteriorated and I wasn’t well at all, beginning the day prior to landing in Egypt. Not the easiest bunch to have as a group! Nonetheless, Hani ploughed straight ahead. He could see the little ones were tired and adapted things accordingly. After noticing how I was walking he also showed concern for me and was VERY patient with my snail-pace.
After the exhilarating, eye-opening ride through Cairo to Giza – Pyramids and Sphinx, we went to Saqqara, another pyramid complex that is beautiful in it’s own right, with a look at the first pyramid ‘the step pyramid’ and a view of the further red pyramid; then back to Cairo to a papyrus shop for an exhibit on how papyrus is made and an opportunity to buy some pieces; lunch at a local fast-food type place, where even my usually quite fussy eaters tried a bit of everything and ate a full falafel! Yes! Full of vegetables! We then visited the Cairo Museum – a place that I have dreamed about since I was a little girl. Ah! You walk in and the tall statues greet you with an ominous awe that seems to radiate the place. I could have stayed their for hours. Unfortunately for me my body could no longer keep up – I may have just pushed it to the limit insisting that I climb down into two tombs/pyramids and walked on a bit of Sahara to see the first pyramid ever built, how could I not??? But at the museum I just crashed. Hani was very concerned and wanted to take me to the museum clinic but I assured him I was fine, just needed to sit. I sat outside the exit whist my worried husband and children looked at the pieces I have read about all these years.
The last stop was the great market, I couldn’t go in but our son wanted to buy gifts for his big sister back home so Hani took all three of my boys for a rush buy at El Khalil I think it’s called? Pity, apparently the market is awesome. Back in the van we were taken back timeously enough to checked in for our long flight home (where on this flight, the little ones slept non-stop).
Thanks to my incredible slowness we didn’t get to see the market as we should have, or medieval Cairo. But that is the beauty of a private tour. It is adaptable. If we were on a group tour I would have been ‘left on the bus’ continuously. Hani was absolutely fantastic. His knowledge of the area, his warmth, friendliness and openness makes for a new friend in Cairo and I would recommend him 150% to anyone going for any type of tour to Egypt as he does other Egypt tours as well.
Thank you Hani, I am sorry for messing up the day somewhat and although it may have seemed I was not enjoying myself at times, it was not that, I was in a lot of pain and not well. But I loved our visit, even more so because you made it that more comfortable and special.
Great layover tour!!
I had an excellent layover tour with Hani. He is knowledgable, fun, and passionate about his city. I went for a tour of the pyramids, sphinx, and to a papyrus factory which were all great. Ask him any question about Egyptian history and he will surely know the answer! Also had yummy Eyptian falafel!
The driver Hani hired for the tour, Karim, was also great and made the touring seemless as we didn’t have to worry about parking.
Overall I learned a lot, had a great time, and look forward to returning to Cairo again and seeing the downtown, old Islamic city, and the bazaaar with Egypt Fun Tours!
Transit stopover in Cairo
We have just returned from a two week holiday in Cape Town. On the way out our airline schedule meant that we had a 15 hour stop in Cairo. We decided to arrange a tour of the city and after asking for quotes/itineraries we chose Egypt Fun Tours. This worked out very well. Our guide; Hani was a knowledgable, relaxed and fun to be with. He was also able to sort out some minor passport issues we experienced upon arrival. The tour itinerary was flexible and included a few surprises along the way. The vehicle we drove in was modern, safe, well maintained and air conditioned. Hani employed a driver so that he could talk to us and accompany us whilst the driver looked after the vehicle and met up with us when required – highly recommended! We arrived back in good time for our connecting flight.
Excellent Tour
Really excellent tour from Mohamed, and we learnt so much about Egypt and went to places we never would have found as tourists on our home.
My girlfriend had a 12 hour stop over on the way to Ethiopia and it was the perfect way to see Cairo. I hope people continue to visit Egypt, despite the problems
Excellent Layover tour
I would recommend Egypt Fun Tours to everyone who is looking for either a cultural or relaxing trip in Egypt. I was recently on a private layover tour and could not have been any happier with my day in Cairo. My tour guide, Hani was waiting just outside immigration and escorted me to a new, clean van. We then started off at the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza then wondered around Tahrir square visiting local cafes and trying local foods. To finish the day off we visited the Islamic part of cairo and then onto the Khan El-khalili bazaar, where I bought souvenirs for family and friends.
Cheers to my tour guide, Hani who could answer all my questions about the pyramids, cairo or Egypt in general. He even bought me a shwarma and falalfel at a local take away restaurant. Again, I would recommend this agency to everyone as they are able to cater to individual needs at an affordable price.
Goes well beyond “tour”
I am tempted to say “my friend Hani” runs an amazing service, because that is how he makes you feel. I first went on the 9-hour layover tour in summer 2011. Hani and driver picked me up at the airport at 3am, and by the time I left at noon we had wandered along the Nile, walked through the clusters of (then) cheerful protesters in Tahrir Square, toured the bazaar and medina area, had breakfast, and gone to both Giza and Saqqara. A whirlwind, but it was so well-planned I never felt rushed or hectic, and I learned a huge amount without feeling overwhelmed. In summer 2012 I stopped back for the daytrip out to the Valley of the Whales, again a stunning trip, made most impressive to me for the fact that at the height of summer during Ramadan Hani good-naturedly walked me around the desert all day while eating and drinking nothing himself (he made sure I had an excellent meal)–and with almost no sleep, since the evening before he had voluntarily stayed in town to escort me to a film/lecture across the city that I needed to get to for my work. As a solo woman traveler I would not even have returned to Egypt this year if it had not been for knowing I could rely on Hani and Egypt Fun Tours. I simply cannot recommend them highly enough.
Egypt Fun Tours makes the most out of your layover!
I had a really short layover in Cairo and didn’t want to be stuck in the Cairo Airport for several hours. It was like Mission Impossible: Egypt Fun Tours’ mission was to show me around Cairo during my short 5 hour layover which was made even shorter because my plane arrived late and I waited in the wrong line when getting my immigration stamp (buy your immigration stamp first and then wait in passport control!).
Despite arriving late, my Egypt Fun Tour Guide, Mohamed, and his driver Atem (not sure if that is spelled right), picked me up quickly and took me on my tour of Islamic medieval Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar. We passed through Modern Cairo “Heliopolis” , but I was more interested in the older parts of the city.
We had a short walking tour to the ancient city of Cairo to see its walls with their gates. Very impressive. We entered the gates and were immersed in the colorful Islamic street in Cairo where you see the ancient Islamic complexes,mosques,Madrassas (schools) and the very unique Islamic houses. I sampled Sugar Cane Juice, really delicious and not at all like the sugar cane juice I have had in Hawaii! We went through Khan El-Khalili bazaar,one of the oldest Bazaars in the world. At the end of the tour we went to have Egyptian tea (lovely tea with honey with mint) in El-Fishawy Cafe where we were treated by music at the next table. It was a lively and vibrant taste of the city; I can’t wait to go back to Cairo to see more! I was so glad I decided to do the tour rather than sit in the airport for 5 hours! I was quickly and safely returned to the airport with plenty of time to go through security and find my gate.
Egypt Fun Tours made exploring the city effortless and very satisfying! I really appreciated their efforts! I hope to return to Cairo in the near future and take their longer tours so I can explore more of Egypt.
A trip of a lifetime in a 10 layover tour!
We recently scheduled a layover tour in Cairo through Egypt Fun Tours. Our layover was 10 hours and we scheduled the tour just about a day and a half before our arrival. When we arrived in Cairo we very easily made our way out of the airport (after getting our visa of course) and found our tour guide waiting just as they said. Our guide let us to our very own van with a driver and we spent the entire day visiting the pyramids, the sphynx, and the city of Cairo. It was truly a trip of a lifetime condensed into 10 hours. Our tour guide, Mohammad, was the perfect guide for the trip, giving us historical information, answering all of our questions, and helping us with purchases. He was very professional and friendly. We highly recommend Egypt Fun Tours!!
One of the best day tours I’ve ever had
I was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of this tour company. I emailed to inquire about the Cairo layover tour about 30 hours before my flight was scheduled to leave from New York. I was pleasantly surprised to get a quick response confirming the tour and assuring that a guide would be there to greet me at the airport. Given all of the positive reviews I had read, I felt very comfortable going with this plan. My flight landed around 11am and I was greeted by Hani, my guide for the day. We didn’t return to the airport until 7:30pm, after spending an incredible day visiting the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the mummification temple, a visit to Golden Eagle to see how papyrus is made, driving along the Nile and through Cairo, eating a delicious lunch from Felefela, walking around ancient Islamic Cairo, and visiting the Khan el Khalili bazaar. Wow.
Even though I was feeling physically exhausted from travel and the desert heat, my guide Hani was very accommodating and thoughtful and I felt very much at home throughout the day. It felt more like spending a day with a friend who happened to be an Egyptian local, rather than spending a day with a tour guide. I told this to him and he said this is the way he prefers to give tours, to make sure that visitors get a sense of the daily life of Egypt in addition to viewing all the incredible sights. As someone who has traveled extensively in many different places and has gone on lots of tours like these, I think this one is the most memorable thanks to Hani being so friendly, warm, and knowledgeable.
While I would hands down recommend Egypt Fun Tours, there are a few things that would have been nice to know in advance:
1. Definitely bring some Egyptian pounds with you during the day (at least 50, but more if you think you might want to buy some souvenirs like papyrus art; the caliber of handicrafts and art is very impressive given the good price you can get for them, so even if you are like me and don’t typically spend money on souvenirs, I recommend bringing a little more than you think you’ll need!).
2. I only had a 50 pound note, so I wasn’t able to pay for the entry into the small pyramid at Giza. Hani covered this for me, but I felt a bit bad about that. Next time I would ask the guide how I can get some small coins or notes to have on hand for this kind of thing.
3. At the Sphinx, Hani had a local kid take some photos for me, since the boy could tell me how to pose so that it would look like the Sphinx was kissing me, etc. This was great and I loved the photos. However, I wasn’t sure what exactly was going on, and it wasn’t until after the boy had taken several photos that I realized he would want a tip for his efforts. I would have been happy to give one to him, but again, I didn’t have anything small. It would have been better if Hani could have told me about this in advance so I could have been aware what was going on. I don’t mind tipping people who are doing good work, but I do mind feeling like I’ve been somewhat coerced into a situation without being given all the information. Again, this was not a big deal, and is something that could easily be avoided by making sure with your guide to have some coins on hand and be aware that situations like these will come up.
4. Hani bought me lunch, which was a very generous thing to do, but since I knew that lunch wasn’t included in the tour price I again felt bad, given that he purchased so much food for me! Perhaps the price of the tour should just include lunch to avoid this kind of awkward situation.
Overall, as I said, I had an incredible day in Cairo and I feel like I learned so much while getting to explore this beautiful, captivating city. I always felt safe with Hani and the driver. Since I’ll be spending the next 10 months in Africa, I’m just trying to figure out when and how I can make it back to Egypt to book another tour with this company and see more sights 🙂
Good, but didn’t get what I paid for…
I had an 11 hour layover in Cairo. I wrote to them based on recent reviews for them on this site. After a few email exchanges with Hati, who I think is one of the owners, I was ready to get there. I was greeted by Hatem, a very good English speaking egyptologist. He took me to the pyramids and went out of his way to make sure I saw all the landmarks. I wouldn’t have any complaints about the tour except that I didn’t get what I paid for. My 130 dollar tour included a trip on a Falucca on the nile and this wasn’t mentioned. My tour was great except it didn’t match at all what was advertised. Hatem and the driver took me to a perfume shop and to a papyrus shop after the pyramids. I also had to pay for my entrance into the pyramid, something that was supposed to be included. So, the service is a good option, but make sure you get what you pay for. I did always feel safe though.
What an amazing day!
I had a 12 hour layover on my way to Dar es Salaam and wanted to take full advantage of my time in Cairo. After researching for many hours, I came across Egypt Fun Tours and emailed for more information. I received a prompt reply with full details of several options. They all appealed to me, so I requested a price to do everything. To my surprise, it was very affordable and I booked. After an 11 hour flight, I arrived in Cairo and was met right on time and in the correct place by Hani. He whisked me and my luggage to the private van and we were off to see the pyramids and sphinx. I must say that the level of knowledge Hani posesses is amazing. He is able to tell you as much as you want to know about anything in Cairo and will customize the detail to your liking. Next stop was the Nile river and Egyptian museum and then I asked to be taken to Tahrir Square, which happened to be hosting protests that day. He was happy to oblige and explained details of the revolution that only an Egyptian would know. He bought me more drinks and juices than I could handle and even paid for my dinner (authentic Egyptian falafel). We went to the market and bought some cool souvenirs – he knew the places that would be open on a Sunday and the best prices. We rested at an old and authentic cafe tea/hookah bar. The final touch was at the airport where he personally walked me to the gate (after clarifying with the Info Desk) and made sure I got through security. I could not recommend Hani high enough. 5+++ stars for sure. I learned so much, saw everything possible, and made the best of my short time in Cairo.