A day trip to Alexandria from Cairo
 

I'd like to book a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo in December.

I saw the option of the turbo train or the express train. Has anyone taken either or both trains? If I do the train, I need a tour guide in Alexandria. Any recommendations or suggestions?
If not, I found this one tour which only costs $44 USD (http://www.hostelworld.com/tours/tou...p/TourUID.4260). Does this sound okay? Has anyone used this tour operator in Cairo to go to Alexandria?

What would be the best mode of transportation and a tour operator (or guide)? Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks!

Susanna
Alexandria is a city worthy of a visit. It is even nicer in winter (unless you go on a rainy day... (it has about 20 rainy days all in all from late November to March).

Trains: they all go the same route, however the fastet ones make the trip in 2h 20 mn, while others make it in 3 hr. The most expensive 1st class ticket is USD 5.5 each way.

The tour: obviously you do not want to be going around deprived from the benefit of arranged transportation and a guide. The tour you are mentioning seems convenient and comprehensive, however I do not know the company itself. I do not see it expensive (just deduct round trip train cost, transportation to & from train station in Cairo etc...).

When in Cairo, you will find lots of companies organizing day trips to Alexandria... so you maybe able to compare... for instance check the following links:
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...41,8590,00.asp

See # 19 for on the following
http://www.suneasttours.com/cairo1.htm

It is hard for me to justify the difference in prices, could be higher margins, better quality of buses, meal types, quality of guide etc..

Sorry to crash your post. I am going to Alexandria in November for two day on a cruise and wanted to know if it was worth going to Cairo for the day. It strikes me there is lots to see in Alexandria already and I should save Cairo for another trip.
Any ideas pls.
Thanks

Chrisamg;
I was born and raised in Alexandria and am very attached to the place (currently living in Cairo); yet I believe if you have two days, you should not miss Cairo... assuming the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, the Nile, the Bazaar in Old Cairo (Khan El Khalili) are of any interest to you :)

Obviously go on an organized tour for a day... do not try it on your own for such a short visit.

Chrisamg,

If this were to be your only trip to Egypt, I would agree with Sherif & recommend that you go to Cairo on the second day. If you think you may go to Egypt on another trip, I think I would save Cairo for that trip and spend the 2 days in Alexandria.

I'm going to be in Egypt for just one day and would like to catch a train into Cairo and then a short guided tour of the pyramids etc. My plan is to finish at the Museum in Cairo which I understand is right beside the station, and spend my remaining time exploring the museum.

Does this sound practicable to those who have been there before? Does anyone know how to get to Alexandria station from the cruise ship? We are in port from 7.00 am until late evening. I could take a ship's tour but I hate the herd approach; and I could take a chauffered car all the way but I've heard their roads are dangerous - and in any event the train sound more comfortable and more interesting. Any comments would be appreciated.