How much does it cost to visit the pyramids in Abusir? Basically, its not a question of, if someone will try to scam you, but when! If your travel itinerary includes the Faiyum oasis area, make sure you stop at Meidum. However, we highly recommend paying for premium membership. Visiting the Pyramids of Giza will be a great idea, even if you're on your own without a tour guide. But, the second problem is that the Giza (AKA El Giza) metro station isnt located very close to the Pyramids. How to Visit the Pyramids of Giza Without a Tour Guide Tomb of Seti I: is it really worth the money? Sunrise and sunset photography inside the complex is tricky due to the opening times, which dont allow you inside at these times at any time of year. There is nothing else special about Giza other than the awe-inspiring Pyramids. If you search on google maps for Giza Pyramids Ticket Office you will find the location of the ticket booth. Although it looks like a stone pile on the outside, you can find the treasure inside the Pyramid Texts, the first writings on the walls of a royal tomb in Egypt. The best photo op would be from just in front of the light and sound show seating area. Thanks for your support. December 22, 2022 Most people think that the only way to see the pyramids of Giza is by paying for a tour. Unfortunately the tomb was not open, so we cant really give any tips about that. Subscribe to Jacks Flight Club to monitor these. Even though the chambers interior is not preserved, exploring these pyramids is fun. They will be very persistent, so make sure you are well prepared so it doesnt rattle you and spoil your experience. The Great Pyramids of Giza, the oldest and most impressive structure in the world, are one of the most famous places in Egypt and a must-see on any trip to this fascinating country. You can also have someone walk down the hill onto the next crest to add some scale to the picture. Expect to spend at least 5-6 hours at Saqqara. We had no expectations for visiting and it turned out to be one of our favourite stops. So be warned: visiting the Egyptian Pyramids without a guide means you'll be asked, over and over again, to buy souvenirs, ride camels and horses, and who knows what else. On the other hand, it is a magical feeling when a distant picture from childhood turns into reality. Vodafone has the best reviews. Youll get four times as many deals emailed to you. However, its a sad fact of life that the many of the animals at the Pyramids are treated very poorly. How to Visit The Pyramids of Giza Egypt (+ Do's & Don'ts) Entry to the inside of the Great Pyramid is 400 EGP (roughly $21 USD) Camera tickets are included in the general entrance fee. The best option is to get a private car with a driver for $20-30. A one-way flight can be found for $60; check Egypt Air or Air Cairo. The trip takes 7 hours, so it is better to spend the night in Giza. Youre mainly walking on a mixture of pavement and hard ground - we thought there may be a lot of soft sand wed have to traverse, but it was all compact. It returns only in the morningsat 01:00, 03:00, and 8:20. We paid 200 EGP per camel at the end of 2021. What do you prefer to do when travelling? With that said, this guide will concentrate on how to safely get from Cairo to Giza, to visit the Pyramids. Best Things to Do at the Pyramids of Giza See the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure Go inside one of the pyramids Visit Panoramic Point Take a selfie with the Sphinx Visit the Valley Temple Watch the Sound and Light Show Map of the Giza Plateau The Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure How much does it cost to visit the pyramid at Meidum? If you come in the morning theyre more likely to target you since the complex is quiet and there are not many people to hustle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We are the co-founders of Travel Made Me Do It a website dedicated to publishing comprehensive travel guides. How to Visit the Pyramids of Giza - Travel Magazine Pros to exploring the pyramids without a Guide: No additional cost beyond the entrance tickets You're on your own time and never rushed You don't have to worry about any other tourists with you PYRAMIDS ADMISSION PRICES The cost of your visit depends what you want to do. It is easiest to hire a driver for a day for $20-30. If you go in the morning, youll almost have the place to yourself, which makes for a special experience. When youre ready, you can head back through the dirt towards the great pyramid of Khufu. Remember those pesky overpriced taxis or scams involving taxis? Youll only need to go inside one pyramid, since theyre all very similar from the inside. Only cash dollars are accepted for payment. We didnt look deeply into prices for the service, but if you do want to do it, be prepared to haggle hard. It is an unforgettable experience in itself. Go to the oldest Egyptian pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser. Next, follow the road leading to the ticket office. From here, you can step over the barriers and go right up to the pyramids and touch the stones! simply taking a taxi out there? How do I get to the pyramids? If you walk around the base of the pyramid of Khafre towards the smaller pyramid of Menkaure, youll start to get some amazing vantage points of the pyramids without many tourists in the way. He is the guardian of the world order and all the temples in the Nile Valley. The pyramid of Cheops is the largest in the world, at 147 meters high and 230 meters long. They have a variety of restaurants inside. They are much pricier as its a five star hotel, but its worth visiting the hotel at least once for the wonderful pyramid views alone. If youre visiting in summer, I wouldnt recommend it! When you reach the top of the path, youll be at the base of the pyramid of Khafre. The price does not include a tip for the guide who walks with you in the desert. Dominic Horner 1/24/2023. There are many tours that combine Giza and Saqqara pyramids, but I wont recommend them unless you are really short on time. Their famous lines are Im not a camel or a horse man, you dont need to worry, I dont want money. Hi Paola, Youll only need to go inside one pyramid, since theyre all very similar from the inside. The owner was really nice; plus, the room was spacious, clean and well located. Visiting pyramids without a tour guide - Cairo Forum Tickets cost 100 to 150 Egyptian pounds ($4-6). The Imhotep Museum is closed for renovation (as of December 2022). However, Turkish sultans removed the cover in the Middle Ages to decorate buildings in Cairo. But from experience, this is never a good idea. Pack Like a Pro: Backpacking Essentials for Endless Adventures, Nile Cruise on a Budget | Backpacking in Egypt, all-inclusive tour to the Egyptian Pyramids by plane. Entrance ticket to Giza Plateau. Another public transport option is using the Cairo Metro. Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 15 replies Sorted by The men with camels and horses will ride up to you offering a cheap price for a trip to the top of the complex or out to the panoramic view again, be polite but firm in saying no and theyll continue on their way. The Dahshur Pyramids: is this the greatest adventure in Egypt? I did a lot of research but there wasnt much information online, so I went and hoped for the best. The Valley of the Kings it isnt. How much time you need will largely depend on how much youre interested in seeing and how you choose to get around. Usually, I write about the history, the mystery, and the grandeur of a place like the pyramids. This travel time estimate is more accurate if youre taking an Uber or taxi. As a result, his pyramid appears bigger than that of his father. Catching a public bus or the Cairo Metro will take longer, perhaps closer to 4590 minutes. Then youre in trouble! It is actually free to visit the pyramids. Pyramid of Khafre - smaller than Khufu and larger than Menkaure Pyramid of Menkaure - the smallest pyramid of the three Mystery of the Great Pyramids of Giza Alternatively, you can jump the barriers to the left of the bathroom entrance and get to the same position. You can also stay at Guardian Guest House or Marvel Stone Hotel for $50 per night. The Sphinx is a sculptural portrait of a king with the body of a lion. Both the front and side view of the Sphinx get incredibly busy and you cant avoid the crowds by walking around the base like you can with the main pyramids. You can even crawl through the web-covered passage to the burial chamber inside Sahures pyramid if you are allowed to do so by guards. I am being quoted $60 for a morning trip. In addition to this magnificent structure, there are Egyptian pyramids of Saqqara, Dahshur, and hundreds of smaller necropolises across Egypt. If you want to bring a tripod or monopod, this will add another 20 EGP to your ticket (roughly $1 USD). Indeed, we felt so lucky to be here! Do not let local guys take your picture at the Sphinxthey forcefully ask for a tip of $1 per photo. Third time lucky! Although, pyramids of Khafre and Menkauer have similar interiors. Need more pyramid inspiration? Both complexes are huge, and it is better to enjoy one at the time. However, knowing what to see, how to get around, and how much time you need there is not so straightforward if youve never been before. To tour a group or not? Its better to ask someone from the other tourists to snap a shot for you. The Marriott Mena is what pyramid dreams are made of. So equip yourself with anti-theft gear. Its truly mind blowing and a real pinch yourself experience. Egypt as a whole is safe to travel. Its likely that the best price youre going to get is around E70100 ($57USD). You can read more about going inside the pyramids and what to expect here. This enables you to get around the whole Pyramid complex inexpensively and means you dont need to use animals, which are often very poorly treated. Indeed, getting from Cairo to Giza Pyramids by taxi is still a popular way to get to there independently. Ancient Egyptians believed that it would help the pharaoh to reach the afterlife. Our favourite view was the one at, and just beside Nine Pyramids Lounge. The easiest way to get to the pyramids is by Uber. It's a spectacular site, and it gets the whole hype for a reason. Nearby stands the pyramid of Khafre, son of Cheops. It is smaller, so slightly less impressive than the other two, and does have some stone cladding at the bottom, which isnt quite as picturesque, but we still enjoyed seeing it up close. Let us know what you prefer in the comments section below. This article will focus on things to do and practicalities, if you want to know about scams and mistakes to avoid at the Pyramids, we have you covered in this article. The rooms are dated, but clean and comfy enough. We tipped the guy 200 EGP; he seemed satisfied. At the end of the day, I think being respectful of these amazing structures and their history is more important than a few pictures for your socials. If youre on foot its best to have a map of the complex on your phone, its easy to see all three pyramids and where to head, but its not so easy to find Mers Ankh tomb for example. The Great Pyramids are located on the outskirts of Giza, a suburb of Cairo, Egypt. Thats their way of tricking you into thinking you have to do a camel ride to go to these areas. Yes You Can! Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. We thought it might also empty out later in the day, but that wasnt the case on any of our visits. Visit the Pyramids of Giza without getting Scammed Any thoughts welcome on a practical option to this. To learn more about other fantastic destinations to visit in the Middle East and the surrounding area, read our guides about visiting Lebanon and Cyprus. Its directly in front of the Pizza Hut. This was our second favourite view in the complex. Its not worth hiring a guide for this reason alone. There is no one amazing spot for the best viewpoint of the Pyramids. You'll likely want to plan your trip around the weather, meaning the best time to visit is from October to April. The lunch, entrance fees, hotel pick-ups, and drop-offs are all included in the tour price of about 81.00 per person. How will you get to the Giza Pyramids, from Cairo, without getting overcharged or scammed? You can read more about going inside the pyramids and what to expect here. The Giza Necropolis is open daily from 7:00 to 17:00. Visiting it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This was the first Egyptian pyramid and the worlds first stone structure of this size. We really wanted to watch sunset at the Pyramids, and when I started asking around I was universally told I needed to take a sunset tour, this was backed up by articles I read online. In the burial complex in Abusir are the burials of kings from the fifth dynasty. Our two favourite options are at opposite ends of the price scale, and we actually recommend them both equally. Is visiting the pyramids on your bucket list for Egypt? Can you get from Cairo to the Pyramids of Giza safely? There are two entrances to the Pyramids complex: one by the Great Pyramid and one by the Sphinx. For the ancient Egyptians, the pyramid represented a hill of land that rose from the ocean of chaos. You can take photos with your phone inside the pyramids. I am sure there are some great Egyptologists out there, but we certainly couldnt find one in time! On your way to the Faiyum oasis, you can visit the Medum Pyramid. Experience the best of this incredible and ancient city on a private tour of Cairo. Of course, if you end up in Egypt, youll have no option but to visit the incredible Pyramids of Giza. The Pyramid at Meidum is a little-visited attraction in Egypt. The workers trained on them before constructing the legendary pyramid of Cheops. Some may say that camel riding in Giza is a touristy activity. Of course, before you head to the Giza Pyramids, youll need a place to stay in Cairo. Report inappropriate content 11-15 of 15 replies Sorted by 240 EGP ($10) for an adult foreigner, 120 EGP ($5) for students. Beware of anyone who asks for your ticket and says theyre there from the Ministry of Tourism to help you. Heres the scenario. Unlike the Great Pyramid tomb, Khafres tomb will only be open if the Pyramid of Menkaures tomb is closed (as they alternate between them). 4. A firm but polite no thank you or la Shukran (in Arabic) usually does the trick. Its a must see. Visit The Pyramids of Giza Solo: How To See The Pyramids Without a Tour or Guide April 3, 2020 Poppy Bling | poppybling.com Before I went to Egypt, I knew I wanted to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza without organising a guide or tour. Its just as impressive as you hope it will be, although slightly less romantic due to the crowds. During the summer, from April to September, visiting the Pyramids starts at 7 am until 7 pm. Four hours flew by unnoticed. Because the traffic is pretty hectic in Cairo, roads are congested. So, it can get overcrowded as a result of the tour groups going there for sunset. Insider tips for the Valley of the Queens & Valley of the Nobles, Mount Sinai: the magic of climbing Moses Mountain at sunset, The full lowdown on Egypt's magnificent White Canyon, The truth about visiting Salama Canyon aka Small Coloured Canyon, What it's really like on the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor. Even beside the Great Pyramid (Khufus) you can find a quiet spot if you go looking. Pharaohs and important people were buried inside pyramids. Egypt is home to the first and last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World the Great Pyramid at Giza. If you do happen to find a friendly guide or camel man and wish to have them help you, make sure you negotiate a good price before setting off. Your Guide To Visiting The Pyramids Of Giza. Should I visit the Egyptian pyramids in Abusir? On the surface this is the most romantic way to get around the site, and I cant deny watching the horses gallop across the desert was captivating. The capital, and with it a royal cemetery, moved to Luxor. If you want to bring a tripod or monopod, this will add another 20 EGP to your ticket (roughly $1 USD) Just be aware that there is a parking lot there. The best viewpoint of all (Nine Pyramids Viewpoint) is a few kilometres further on, so its going to almost double your walk, and that would be a bit much for most people - especially given theres very little shade. This is one way to beat the terrible traffic in Cairo and is very safe and cheap to use. If youve got the budget, this is the place to stay in Giza. Even downloading an audio tour is an option sometimes. While it can be annoying and difficult to deal with, its important to understand that Egypt is a developing country where these people are trying to make ends meet through tourism. Egypt houses numerous logic-defying historical structures, and the Pyramids of Giza are examples of renowned attractions that . However, it doesnt mean you cant escape the crowds at all. By using the website, you accept full personal responsibility for any harm or damage you suffer as a result of your actions arising out of or in connection with the use of the website or its content. Some people travel straight from Cairo International Airport to the Giza Pyramids. Of course, with some street smarts, learning basic Arabic and using technology (thank you Google Maps), you might get by. This will help you put the amazing views into perspective. You will walk with a camel caravan among the dunes of the Sahara, admiring the enormous Pyramids of Giza on the horizon. One thing guides will do is fend off most sellers inside the Pyramids complex itself, however, we didnt find that necessary. Thankfully, the Pyramids of Giza can be visited independently, without a guide. Or is the hassle factor too much to cope with? Its more than safe to do so, as long as you follow advice from this guide and use simple and standard travel precautionary measures. This helps towards the costs of running our website. The benefit of going on foot is total freedom and its a different feeling to being ferried between the sites by car. The second major attraction of Saqqara is the Pyramid of Unas. Well never forget the moment we first caught a glimpse of the Great Pyramid from the Uber. You should be sensible when when visiting tourist hot spots like the Pyramids of Giza. Required fields are marked *. We've probably all seen TV shows, read books, or perhaps wrote a fourth-grade report on them, so . We tried the Indian and Italian and both were good. Between us we tried most of the dishes and there wasnt a dud in the mix! Visiting Queen Nefertari's Tomb: is it really worth the money? Travel to the Pyramids of Giza (All You Need To - Muslim Solo Travel Can I Visit the Pyramids in Egypt? - Egypt Tours Plus