Visiting the Pyramids without a guide at Giza.
Yet another local.. No, I don’t want you to take my picture..
No, I don’t want to pay you to stroke your camel..
Time to climb onto the Great Pyramid of Giza to escape the hassle!
Considering heading to the Pyramids of Giza, but unsure whether you need a guide or not?
This blog has got you covered, following my solo backpacking trip to Egypt.
The do’s, the don’ts, and best spots at the Giza Plateau are all explained to make sure you can fully enjoy the picture perfect pyramids, without too much hassle from the locals!
Selfie time at the Great Pyramid of Giza.
How to visit the Pyramids in Giza without a guide.
The Giza pyramids are a big draw for Egypt and are the first on the list for many people during a trip to Cairo, however, if you don’t plan correctly, you can have an underwhelming experience.
If you aren’t using a guide, then you need to sort the logistics out of getting to the pyramids, and your options are detailed lower down this blog.
Once you arrive, you can just purchase your entrance ticket at the northern ‘Mena House’ entrance to the Giza Plateau.
This is the point where you should decide whether you plan on entering inside any of the pyramids, as the tickets cost extra.
Purchasing at your entry point is the most efficient way of doing it!
It is a pretty straight forward process entering without a guide.
Once you are inside the Giza Plateau, you can wander around the pyramids, or use a horse carriage to get around more quickly.
I enjoyed taking my time and living in the moment as I walked around the Great Pyramid for the first time.
Give yourself plenty of time so there is no deadline to finish exploring certain areas etc.
The best photo spot at the Giza Plateau.
Getting to the pyramids from Cairo.
It takes around 30 minutes to reach the pyramids of Giza from Cairo by car, therefore this is your best option.
Traffic congestion can slow this down a little.
Uber.
I found Uber to be the most convenient and reliable while I was in the Egyptian capital.
I used the global service to visit many highlights in Cairo and to the Train Station when I was catching the Cairo to Luxor night train.
The local Uber drivers regularly take passengers to and from the Pyramids.
Unfortunately you won’t find Uber in any of the other popular cities across Egypt.
Taxi.
Taxis are another option, however, this is an option which can go both ways.
To minimise any issues with haggling or language barriers, asking your hotel to pre-book a taxi with a fixed rate is the way to go.
Cairo Metro.
There is a Giza Metro station on Al Haram Street, located about 8 km from the pyramids. It is on line 2 if you are heading there from Downtown Cairo.
You will have to take a taxi or a bus to reach the Pyramids from the station, which takes around 15 minutes.
Bus.
If the bus is your preferred method of travel, you need to look out for numbers 355 and 357.
You can catch these buses from behind the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
Getting closer to the ancient wonders.
In the queue.
Entrance information for Giza Plateau.
Opening hours:
April - September: 7am to 6 pm
October - March: 8am to 4 pm
Entrance costs:
Adults: 240 EGP (£6).
Students: 120 EGP (£3).
How long do you need at the Giza Pyramids?
3 to 4 hours is sufficient time to explore the whole site.
If you are exploring without a guide, I would say you need even less time.
If you do want a tour guide for the Pyramids..
Book one of these highly rated day tours of the Pyramids of Giza:
From Cairo: Half-Day Tour to Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Visit the pyramids with an Egyptologist guide to learn the fascinating history of the landmark in more detail. You will also get air conditioned transport to and from your accommodation anywhere in Giza or Cairo.
This option takes care of the boring logistics for you!
Cairo: Full Day Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis with lunch.
This longer tour option includes Memphis, Saqqara and an authentic lunch.
A great option if you want to visit all three sites with a guide and not have to organise transport yourself to travel between the sites.
Buying my ticket.
The best photo spots at the pyramids.
You are spoilt for choice for photo opportunities as you explore the Giza Plateau, therefore, I have listed some of my favourite spots for the best photos:
In front of the sphinx.
The Sphinx statue at Giza is mystical and draws intrigue from global visitors seeking ancient Egyptian facts about the fascinating stone structure.
The famous Sphinx Selfie is on most visitors’ bucket list, so make sure you head to the vantage point directly in front of it to capture the ideal picture.
The bottom corners of each pyramid.
It is said that the Great Pyramid is nearly perfectly aligned along the cardinal points of North, South, East, and West, which is mind boggling.
I found the best selfie spot to capture the ideal angles was at the corners of each pyramid.
I still can’t get my head around how an ancient civilisation could be capable of such an architectural feat.
The corner spot is one of the best places to grab a photo.
Panoramic point.
The panoramic point is the best photography spot at the Giza Plateau, as it captures all three pyramids, alongside the smaller queen pyramids.
You can reach the panoramic point by foot, horse carriage, or camel.
It took around 10/15 minutes from the car park where the third pyramid (Menkaure) is to arrive at the platform.
I travelled by camel though, so I think it would be slightly faster by foot.
This is the place where tourists take funny photos from weird angles etc.
As you can imagine the locals are experts at capturing the perfect shot for you, but it costs!
The side of the sphinx.
Although you won’t capture the famous ‘kissing’ photo from the side, you will manage a picture of the Sphinx and Great Pyramid together.
Can you climb the pyramids in Egypt?
I managed to climb onto the third row of rocks on the Great Pyramid before security whistled at me and waved me down!
There were other tourists higher up who didn’t get wrong though, so try and work that one out!
I feel in most places in Egypt, rules are made up on the spot, as are the prices.
It is the law now that tourists are not permitted to climb the pyramids, and offenders can face prison time in Egypt for doing so.
The entrance inside the Great Pyramid requires some climbing though, so as long as you stay below that point, you should be fine.
Sitting on the Great Pyramid.
Exploring the pyramids by foot.
It took around 20 minutes to wander around the whole of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
A lot of granite blocks, plenty of camels, but too much hassle!
Walking around the different highlights of the site without a guide definitely attracts more locals.
Every few minutes I would hear “Sir”, “Salah”, “Amigo”, basically anything to grab my attention.
This is fully expected at the notorious pyramids so you have to just accept it and ignore them. Being polite doesn’t work, as it encourages them to follow you and harass you.
In summer months, it is not advisable to walk between the sites at Midday, as it can get inhumanely hot, so it can ruin your experience.
There horses and camels if you can’t handle walking in the heat.
How much is it to go inside the Pyramids of Giza?
As I said above, your entrance fee does not cover entry inside the pyramids..
so here are the costs to enter each pyramid:
Pyramid of Khufu
The Great Pyramid, or Cheops is 481 feet high, and the largest pyramid on site, and costs 900 EGP (£23).
This is the main pyramid, therefore, it gets very busy at times. I found the queues and crowds to be very overwhelming for this pyramid.
Pyramid of Khafre.
There are two entrances into the Pyramid of Khafre, with both leading to the same single burial chamber. While they are less elaborate than those in the Great Pyramid, they are still made out of huge blocks of granite.
You can enter and descend through its passageways to see the Pharaoh's ornate sarcophagus.
This one is significantly cheaper at the cost of 220 EGP (£5.50).
Pyramid of Menkaure.
The third pyramid is the easiest one to enter as it is slightly out of the way of the main entrance, so less crowded.
It also costs 220 EGP (£5.50).
Entry inside the Pyramids of Giza has not always been available to visitors, therefore, you should make the most of the opportunity, in case the site goes back to its previous rules.
The entrance to the third pyramid.
Walking down the shaft inside the pyramid.
What is inside the Egyptian pyramids?
If you are looking for treasure in the pyramids then you are out of luck… however, if you are looking for a cramped chamber which is sweltering and crowded then you will get your wish!
I didn’t find anything special about the tunnels and chambers within the pyramids, other than my imagination running away with itself, thinking back thousands of years.
You can make your way to the King's Chamber and see the sarcophagus of the ancient king, though it is now empty.
The structure and passageways of the pyramids are impressive in terms of construction.
I would say it is worth entering one of the pyramids to see for yourself, but all three would be a waste of time and money.
I much preferred the Grand Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, or the colourful hieroglyphics on display at Medinet Habu.
Posing in the chambers of the pyramid.
Can you ride a camel at the Giza Pyramids without a guide?
One of the highlights while visiting the Pyramids of Giza is riding a camel around the famous landmark and capturing a postcard worthy snap.
Enjoying one of the famous camel rides at Giza doesn’t come easy though, as it is an activity that is notorious for tourist scams and highly inflated prices.
However, with some good haggling skills you can secure a reasonably priced camel ride without a guide.
There is an abundance of options for camel rides, and I got the impression that the locals were competing with each other to secure tourist rides, therefore, if you stay strong on your price, one of them will agree.
If riding a camel is on your Egypt bucket list, then try your luck for a cheap price!
How much does a camel ride cost at the pyramids?
The first thing that comes to mind is how long is a piece of string!
Although entrance to the Pyramids, famous temples, Museums, and other landmarks are a fixed cost to avoid corruption, everything else is free for all.
The ‘official rate’ can be between 50 - 100 EGP (£1-£2.50), however this is rare!
It all depends how long you want to ride for and whether you want the ‘extras’, such as the locals to take your picture for you.
My personal cost was around 500 - 700 EGP (£12.50 - £17.50), although it started a little lower, but the local guy edged the price up by adding extras and basically begging for a tip by the end of my ride.
A camel and his dog friend.
Riding a camel.
Tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza.
Here are some tips to make sure your dream visit to the last remaining ancient wonder doesn’t turn into a nightmare!
Timing is important.
Pre-planning your trips to the Pyramids is important, as with the main archaeological sites in Luxor, as Egypt gets very hot, which makes it very difficult for some visitors to get around, especially in the open air temples.
Early mornings are your friend, and not just in the Southern cities in Egypt!
If you aim to arrive at the Giza plateau for opening time, you will avoid the crowds which arrive on official bus tours from midday onwards.
The temperatures are also more manageable at this hour.
Two more insider tips for you:
Use Entrance 1 – it's less crowded than the tourist-heavy Entrance 2.
Fridays and Saturdays are prime Egyptian tourist days, so weekdays offer a calmer experience.
Come prepared.
Footwear matters:
Opt for sturdy shoes – you'll be navigating sand and uneven terrain.
Sun protection is key:
Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses – the desert sun is no joke.
Hydration is vital:
Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it regularly. Opt for light, breathable clothing, especially in summer.
Local currency:
Carry Egyptian pounds for vendors, and tipping. Avoid large bills and change money beforehand.
Get involved with the local culture.
Egypt is very traditional and its culture can be very different to what you may be used to in your home country.
You should find it easier to navigate Pharaoh Land with these tips:
Bargaining etiquette:
Bargaining is part of the culture, but be respectful and decide on your fair price before arriving at Giza.
Tipping:
Tipping is expected for good service, and a small amount shows appreciation (a few Egyptian pounds is sufficient).
I didn’t mind tipping the locals after my camel ride, however, he did become pushy asking for more.
Learn some Arabic:
Basic phrases like "thank you" and "no, thank you" go a long way. I learnt that ‘la, shukran’ saved me some hassle later in my Egypt trip.
Visit the Pyramids of Giza in a sustainable way.
Be respectful of the site and its significance.
Leave no trace – dispose of waste responsibly.
Be mindful of cultural differences and dress modestly.
Be prepared for crowds, but don't let them dampen your experience.
The iconic shot.
Hotels with the best views of the Pyramids of Giza.
There is something magical about the Pyramids of Giza dominating the desert landscape in Giza….
So why not book a hotel with views of the last remaining ancient wonder… to really make your Egypt trip special!
Here are some great options for you to consider:
A budget option in Cairo with a restaurant, bar and private parking.
The perfect choice for a beautiful sunrise view of the pyramids.
Rooftop views of the pyramids.
More animals working in the heat.
Love pyramids? How about the oldest one in the world at Saqqara?
As much as the Pyramids of Giza were a bucket list activity on my Egypt trip, along with visiting King Tut’s tomb, and the Temple of Philae, I actually preferred the step pyramid at Saqqara.
The oldest Pyramid in the world is over 4000 years old and has a different structure to the pyramids I have been shown since I was a child.
I also found Saqqara to be much quieter and to have fewer locals trying to scam you, although there are still a few chancers!
Cairo to Saqqara is only around 45 minutes by car, so if you get a chance, you should definitely add it to your Egypt itinerary!
You can squeeze it in before you head to Luxor and Aswan on your Egypt adventure.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is the oldest pyramid in the world.
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