Cairo to Saqqara Day Trip (2025) – How to Visit Egypt’s Oldest Pyramid.
I thought I’d seen Egypt’s greatest wonders at Giza… Until I stood in silence before the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest.
No crowds…. No chaos... Just myself, and 4,700 years of history.
Saqqara feels completely different to the Pyramids of Giza. Much calmer, older, and somehow more mysterious.
This is where Egypt’s story truly began. Built for King Djoser by the architect Imhotep, the Step Pyramid was the blueprint for every pyramid that came after.
If you’re planning a trip to Cairo, Saqqara is an unmissable day trip, which is easy to reach, fascinating to explore, and surprisingly peaceful.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to visit Saqqara from Cairo in 2025.
How to get there, entrance fees, the best time to go, and which Cairo-to-Saqqara tours are genuinely worth booking for a smooth, unforgettable experience.
Selfie with the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara Necropolis.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
3 Top Rated Hotels in Cairo for easy access to its ancient wonders.
Marriott Mena House, Cairo (Arguably the world’s most famous pyramid-view hotel.) - My Number One Pick.
Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (Pyramids view, and private swimming pool).
Guardian Guest House (Bucket List Pyramids View for a bargain price).
I wrote a full article on the best areas of Cairo to stay for first time visitors.
🏨 Staying in Giza or Downtown Cairo?
Most Saqqara tours include pickup from both — making it easy to explore Egypt’s oldest pyramid in a single day.
How to visit Saqqara from Cairo (and why a tour makes it easier).
Saqqara lies just 30 km south of Cairo, which is about a 45-minute drive on a good day, as the roads are sketchy…
To say the least!
But like most places on my Egypt itinerary, getting there isn’t as simple as it looks on a map.
There’s no public transport, and Cairo’s traffic and lack of clear signs can turn a short trip into an exhausting one.
You could rent a car, but driving in Cairo is not for the faint-hearted.
Cairo traffic is difficult to navigate.
Taxis are hit or miss, and haggling can get tricky unless you speak Arabic or know a fair price beforehand.
That’s why I chose to visit with an official day tour from Cairo that combined Saqqara, Memphis, and the Giza Pyramids in one day. It included hotel pickup, an Egyptologist guide, and stress-free entry to each site.
No negotiating. No confusion. Just ancient history…
🌍 I booked this top-rated Saqqara & Giza day trip through GetYourGuide — it included hotel pickup, an expert Egyptologist, and all entry fees. You can check the latest prices and availability here →
From Cairo to Saqqara in one afternoon!
Why Visit Saqqara? (The oldest pyramid in Egypt explained).
Saqqara isn’t just another pyramid site… It’s where Egyptian architecture began.
Long before the Great Pyramid of Giza, King Djoser’s Step Pyramid was built here around 2630 B.C.,
Making it the oldest stone monument on Earth. Designed by the legendary architect Imhotep, its six-tier design was the blueprint for every pyramid that followed.
The impressive necropolis is covered in tombs, temples, and pyramids, which are said to date back to the First Dynasty in around 3100 BCE. New discoveries are regularly made, including some 2500 year old wooden coffins and bronze statues, as recent as May 2022.
The locals love riding the horses and donkeys on site.
Saqqara made global news in January 2023, as the 4300 year old mummy of a man named ‘Hekashepes’ was found, covered with gold.
Saqqara is a treasure trove, For people who visit Egypt to enjoy its historical landmarks, therefore, this site must not be missed on your Cairo itinerary!
Unlike Giza, Saqqara is peaceful. You can actually hear the wind whistle through the desert and take your time with photos without constant hassle.
If you want to explore beyond the main step pyramid, join a Saqqara & Memphis full-day tour from Cairo — it covers transport, entry, and an Egyptologist guide who explains every hidden detail.
🎟️ Saqqara Tickets & Opening Times (2025 Update).
Opening hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (daily)
Entry fee: ≈ EGP 300 (£7.50)
Inside Step Pyramid: add EGP 150 (£4)
Payment: Card only at all official sites in Egypt.
⏰ Arrive early to enjoy the quiet atmosphere before bus groups arrive around 10 a.m.
Information boards throughout Egypt are displayed in English and Arabic.
A local waiting to welcome my ‘wallet’ into Saqqara.
Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss.
Here are the main highlights of the site, which all official tours will visit. My post on Best budget tours in Egypt goes into more detail.
1. The Step Pyramid of Djoser.
Built over 4,700 years ago, this six-layered monument was Egypt’s first experiment with stone architecture.
It symbolised a stairway to the heavens, helping Djoser reach the sun god Ra.
Another angle, another selfie!
You can go inside the pyramid (extra ticket), and the tunnels are narrow but atmospheric, and far less crowded than those at Giza.
I noticed many other stone relics from Djoser’s reign in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
It is awesome wandering around the site to get different angles and perspectives of the Step Pyramid.
The Step Pyramid is one of Egypt’s most picture perfect structures, and is my favourite on the site!
2. The Entrance Colonnade.
A grand walkway of 32 stone columns greets visitors as they enter the necropolis.
Ceremonies that once passed through this gateway, and apparently it’s one of Egypt’s oldest surviving architectural corridors.
Columns inside the entrance colonnade.
3. The Tombs of the Nobles.
Beautifully decorated with colourful reliefs and inscriptions showing everyday life.
I noticed fishing, banquets, and family scenes. I saw something similar during my time in Luxor, at some of the ancient relics.
Bring a flashlight or phone light to spot details inside the chambers.
The local got my money!
The southern corner of the Saqqara complex is home to the tombs.
4. The Serapeum.
A little-known underground complex that once housed sacred bulls mummified for the god Ptah. It’s a fascinating add-on if you’re intrigued by Egypt’s animal cults.
More tombs.
Best way to visit Saqqara from Cairo (Tour vs Taxi vs DIY).
Saqqara is roughly 45–60 minutes from central Cairo depending on traffic, but the Egyptian capital is one of the most popular cities in Egypt, so it is very busy most of the time.
You can technically hire a taxi or private driver, but costs vary wildly and there’s no official pricing. Renting a car isn’t recommended, Cairo’s roads can be chaotic and poorly signed.
That’s why most travellers visit as part of a Cairo day trip combining Saqqara, Memphis, and the Pyramids of Giza. These tours usually include:
✅ Hotel pickup/drop-off.
✅ Air-conditioned transport.
✅ Egyptologist guide.
✅ Entry tickets & skip-the-line access.
🌍 This is the tour I personally joined, and it turned a potentially stressful DIY day into one of my most enjoyable experiences in Egypt.
👉 Check current prices and availability here →
Posing in front of some colourful art.
Best time to visit Saqqara.
The best time to visit Saqqara is October to April, when daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 20–28°C.
The dry winter air makes walking across the necropolis far more enjoyable, and the light is perfect for photography in the morning or late afternoon.
If you’re planning a Cairo to Saqqara day trip, aim to arrive as soon as the site opens at 8 a.m…
Not only to avoid the midday heat, but also to experience the Step Pyramid before any tour buses arrive.
Avoid June to August if possible; the desert heat regularly exceeds 40°C, and there’s very little shade on site.
Fridays are also quieter (Egypt’s weekend), meaning you’ll often have the courtyards and tombs almost to yourself.
Camel shot with the pyramid.
Saqqara vs Giza – Which Is Better to Visit?
Giza might have the fame, but Saqqara has the soul.
The Pyramids of Giza are grand, crowded, and often overwhelming.
A must-see for any first-time visitor to Egypt, but not exactly tranquil. Saqqara, by contrast, feels like stepping into an older, quieter chapter of history. It’s where Egypt’s pyramid-building genius began, centuries before Khufu’s masterpiece.
At Giza, expect persistent vendors, queues, and chaotic traffic.
At Saqqara, you’ll find space to breathe, explore the Step Pyramid and ancient tombs at your own pace, and even hear the wind across the desert.
If you have time for both, I was happy I finished with Saqqara as it was way more peaceful in the afternoon heat. This is why the official tours choose this itinerary.
My morning at Giza.
My honest review of my afternoon at Saqqara.
On my solo trip to Egypt, I only had a few days in the capital, therefore I booked a day trip to the Pyramids of Giza which included Saqqara and Memphis.
I would be lying if I was to say I was looking forward to Saqqara when on route - The morning at the Giza Pyramids had taken it out of me, and that was just the camel ride!
When pulling into the archaeological site, I could see the step pyramid in the distance, which piqued my interest and woke me up a little.
How wrong I was!
Once I entered the site and got past a few locals trying to sell me souvenirs, I walked through the entrance colonnade and into the main courtyard area, and there it was!
The oldest stone pyramid in the world!
There wasn’t another soul in sight either, so I had the mystical masterpiece all to myself.
This was a complete contrast to my Giza experience, where I didn’t even get one minute to myself.
When my tour guide eventually caught up with me, she started to explain the main history points and then she directed me to tombs at the opposite side of the site.
I found the tombs to be very colourful compared to some at Valley of the kings in Luxor.
One of the locals did eventually get a tip from me, but he did explain the hieroglyphics to me and made for a great photographer to be fair!
I spent around an hour at Saqqara and I honestly think it was a better experience than the Pyramids of Giza, which unfortunately are overrun with greedy locals.
This was my last activity on Cairo itinerary before I caught the sleeper train to Luxor later that evening.
Some local culture near Saqqara.
FAQ: Visiting Saqqara from Cairo (2025).
Is Saqqara worth visiting?
Absolutely. It’s one of Egypt’s most peaceful archaeological sites, home to the world’s oldest pyramid and beautifully preserved tombs. If you want ancient history without Giza’s chaos, Saqqara is unmissable.
Can you go inside the Step Pyramid of Djoser?
Yes. Entry costs around EGP 150 (£4) extra. The tunnels are narrow but safe, and far less crowded than Giza’s chambers.
How long do you need at Saqqara?
Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore the main areas. Most Cairo day tours combine Saqqara with Memphis and the Giza Pyramids, so expect a full 7–8 hour day.
Is Saqqara safe for tourists?
Yes. It’s patrolled and calm compared to other sites. Just bring sun protection, bottled water, and small change for tips or restrooms.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.