Best Day Trips from Cairo: Alexandria, Sinai & Luxor

Cairo's position at the top of the Nile Delta — between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the Sinai Peninsula and the Upper Nile — makes it one of the best-positioned cities in the world for day and overnight trips to extraordinary destinations.

Alexandria (2.5 hours by train)

Egypt's second city and former capital of the ancient world — where Alexander the Great founded his city in 331 BC and Cleopatra held court. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (modern successor to the ancient library) is architecturally extraordinary. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are spine-chilling. The Corniche seafood restaurants serve the freshest fish in Egypt. Trains from Ramses Station every hour; 2.5-3 hours.

Sinai Peninsula (Overnight recommended)

Sharm el-Sheikh (1-hour flight or 5-hour drive) — world-class diving on the Red Sea coral reefs. Dahab (6 hours) — laid-back alternative with the legendary Blue Hole dive site. Mount Sinai — hike up overnight to watch sunrise from the summit where Moses received the Ten Commandments (2,285m).

Luxor (1-hour flight / 9-hour train)

The greatest concentration of ancient monuments on Earth — Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple. For maximum impact, fly (EgyptAir domestic, EGP 800-1,500).