Summary
What kind of bucket list doesn’t include the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt? Believe it or not, the Giza pyramids are fairly easy to visit on a day trip from Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
Built in 2560 BC, the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made object in the world for 3,800 years. It’s the oldest of the Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World, and the only one still standing today.
Visiting the Egypt pyramids is a pretty simple experience, and there’s not a whole lot to do there except gaze at the big piles of rock, but it’s still a profound and unique experience that every traveler should check off their list.
This travel guide will explain how you can visit the Egyptian pyramids on your own, with or without a tour, and with a very modest budget and minimal planning!
Quick Facts (Main Pyramid)
- Date: 2560 BC
- Height: 150 meters (500 ft)
- Base Length: 150 meters (500 ft)
- Weight: 6 million tons
- No. of Blocks: 2.3 million
- Builders: 200,000+
Best Day Tours To The Egypt Pyramids
If you’re on a tight schedule and want to skip the extra steps involved in arranging your own trip to the pyramids, or if you’d rather travel in a tour group for safety or convenience, there are options for doing that.
There are a number of companies that offer prearranged day tours to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx for as low as $45 USD, complete with hotel transfer, optional camel ride, and same day return to Cairo.
However, if you’d rather make your own arrangements and go without a group, that’s covered next.
How To Get To The Giza Pyramids
The Great Pyramids are located on the outskirts of Giza, a suburb of Cairo, Egypt.
The nearest airport is the Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is served by numerous international airlines. You can shop for flights to Cairo at Skyscanner.
From the Cairo airport, it’s a 1 hour drive to Giza. The arrivals zone has plenty of taxis you can take, but Uber is a highly recommended option for being much cheaper and probably safer too.
Moreover, avoid renting a car in Egypt unless you are familiar with driving in the Middle East! Traffic in Arab countries can be dangerous and chaotic, making it a safer choice to travel with a driver familiar with the local traffic rules.
Consequently, the drivers in Egypt are quite affordable— as of 2024, the price for an Uber ride from Cairo to Giza is around 340 EGP (~$7 USD).
Giza Pyramids: What To Expect
If you’re staying at least one night in Giza, which is highly recommended, then you can drop off your luggage first at your hotel and then easily walk to the entrance of the pyramids and Sphinx.
There are numerous hotels in Giza that are within a 5 minute walk to the main entrance for the pyramids, and they usually offer great rooftop views. More on that later.
Once you’re ready to visit the pyramids, simply head up to the main ticket office and purchase your tickets. The scammers and touts will likely try to approach you at this point, but it’s best to ignore them.
As of 2024, the general ticket price is 540 EGP (~$11 USD), granting you admission to the Sphinx and the entire area surrounding the pyramids.
If you plan to go inside the pyramids themselves, you’ll need to buy an extra ticket. The price is 50 EGP for entering the pyramid of Khafre/Menkaure, or 300 EGP for the pyramid of Khufu.
Personally, I don’t think the extra tickets to go inside are worthwhile due to stifling temperatures and the empty interiors left by grave robbers. Instead, it’s better to save this money for visiting the Egyptian Museum or attractions in Luxor, where you can still see elaborate tombs and stunning artifacts.
Anyways, at this point, you’ve reached the pyramids and acquired your tickets. The security checks at the entrance are typically brief, with minimal waiting times.
Do look after your belongings; I have experienced cash being stolen from my wallet while passing through one of these x-ray machines in Egypt.
You’ll need to decide whether you want to see the Sphinx first, or the pyramids. The Sphinx is near the entrance, while the pyramids are a 15-20 minute walk away. I suggest starting with a camel ride to the pyramids, then looping back around to stop by the Sphinx on your way out.
Do not fall victim to scams! Giza is rife with scammers and aggressive touts, similarly to other tourist hotspots in Egypt.
Prepare to be approached by shady individuals claiming that you can’t walk around the pyramids without a guide (which is untrue), that you are in urgent need of their services (also untrue), or that their camel rides are the absolute best (probably not). Just remain firm and state that you won’t pay unless you receive what was initially agreed upon.
Camel Rides At The Egypt Pyramids
If you choose to go on a horse or camel ride (which I believe is an excellent idea), make sure to negotiate your price and terms BEFORE climbing on.
It’s common for touts to propose inflated prices after you’re already mounted and feeling obliged. Consequently, do not pay before your ride; handle the payment after your ride, regardless of their insistence!
As of 2024, the government of Egypt has set a fixed price for camel rides at 500 EGP (~$10 USD) for 1 hour. There’s a sign near the entrance stating this, which you can reference if you’re having difficulty securing a fair price from the touts.
You can also request your guide to take some photos of you on the camel with your camera; be prepared to tip for this, with an additional 50 EGP being satisfactory.
Your guide might demand a larger sum; however, solid negotiation and persistence will likely yield a better outcome. Even the most forceful touts will relent when they see you are resolute. This is a typical part of life and travel in Egypt.
By the way, 50 Egyptian Pounds is an excellent price for a camel ride. I have traveled extensively across the Middle East and can confidently assert that camel rides at Giza are significantly cheaper than in more developed locales like Dubai or Oman. If you’re looking to ride a camel, this is likely the best place worldwide to do so.
I experienced two camel rides at Giza—one 30 minute and another 60 minute—both of which were unforgettable. Camels can be somewhat intimidating to ride due to their height, but it’s a remarkable experience.
Moreover, you can proudly tell friends about the time you rode a camel at the Great Pyramids of Egypt—an epic story to share!
The Great Sphinx of Giza
Don’t forget to visit the Great Sphinx as well. This mythical creature, with the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh, is the oldest surviving sculpture in Egypt.
It’s included in the same 540 EGP ticket you purchased at the entrance for the pyramids, so just present your ticket at the Sphinx entrance and you can walk up to it.
There’s also a fantastic photo spot near the gate, perfect for capturing a frontal shot of the Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khafre in the background.
Unfortunately, when I visited, I couldn’t get a complete profile of the Sphinx’s body and paws due to scaffolding, likely in preparation for an upcoming visit by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
Additionally, take a moment to admire the massive stone blocks in the entryway—these blocks weigh an extraordinary amount!
Hotels Near The Egyptian Pyramids
There are several appealing hotels in Giza, all within a 5 minute walk to the main entrance of the pyramids, and they typically feature stunning rooftop views over the area.
I strongly recommend staying at least one night in Giza to enjoy a leisurely pace and maximize your time there.
Moreover, it allows for easier access to the Sound & Light Show or simply to relax and watch the sunset over the pyramids.
I stayed at Marvel Stone Hotel for $32 USD/night, which had a fantastic rooftop terrace overlooking the pyramids and Sphinx, along with comfortable seating and even a pool table.
This was one of the highlights of my Giza trip; I could savor the pyramids while watching camels roam in the distance—without being pestered by sellers.
In the evening, I enjoyed the sunset over the Pyramid of Khafre while capturing some beautiful photos from the rooftop.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Giza Pyramids?
Egypt has an arid climate, meaning it remains hot and dry throughout the year.
The coolest months span from December to March; this period draws the most visitors to the pyramids. However, visiting during any spring or fall month is also typically pleasant.
I traveled to Egypt in September; while the heat was intense at times (especially in Luxor), I found it manageable in Giza. Northern Egypt is much milder compared to nearby Middle Eastern countries like Qatar or the United Arab Emirates.
You can capture stunning photos of the pyramids in the morning; however, dust may obscure some colors. The optimal time for photography is around noon, when the dust settles and the vibrant blue sky emerges in the backdrop.
