12 Tips for Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s also the last one standing, no other Ancient Wonders exist today. It’s no wonder why this is a bucket-list destination for many!

It had been my dream to visit the pyramids ever since I watched the film The Mummy (1999). That might sound lame haha, but as a child I equated visiting the pyramids with fun, adventure, and historic discoveries, which is exactly what I experienced. It was one of the most magical and memorable moments of my life. So if you’re also ready to visit the pyramids and make all your dreams come true, then…

HERE ARE 12 TIPS FOR VISITING THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA IN EGYPT

DSCF5728

Visiting hours are from 8am – 5pm // This gives you ONLY nine hours at the site and trust me you’re gonna need all the time you can get, so make sure you arrive early.
The general entrance fee is $10 USD and about $20 USD if you want to enter one of the pyramids // All pyramids are pretty similar so if you’re on a budget, I suggest that you only pay to enter one of the pyramids. If you don’t have a budget then go inside every single pyramid because, why not?
How to get there after arriving to Cairo // The pyramids are located in Giza, which is about a 30-40 minute drive from Cairo, depending on traffic. You can get there by taxi, bus, metro, or Uber. I strongly suggest taking an Uber, it’s definitely the easiest and I would even say safest. BUT…if you don’t want to deal with transportation that early in the morning, I suggest you stay at least one night in Giza. There are plenty of hotels just steps away from the site. Plus, it will add to your experience if you wake up, walk out to your balcony, and you find the pyramids filling up your landscape views.
In regards to weather, the best time to visit the pyramids is anywhere between October to April // Avoid the scorching hot summer and visit while the temperatures are pleasant enough to enjoy your visit. I visited during April and, although it was hot, we had a nice breeze to keep up us cool. Please note that sometimes the breeze comes with sand haha!
If you suffer from claustrophobia maybe you should consider not going inside the pyramids // You have to walk through extremely narrow and short walkways, so short you have to crouch down. Don’t spend your non-refundable money if you don’t think you’ll be able to do it. *you can follow me on Instagram and watch my Egypt highlight stories to get a better idea of the space.
Hire a guide (especially if you’re a solo female traveler) // Personally, I don’t like someone telling me where to go and when to leave, BUT I did hire a guide. Mainly because it was just me and my cousin Vanessa and we didn’t want to get harassed. So, I simply asked the hotel staff and they referred me to their tour guide. // Although he was very nice and helpful, he didn’t know much about the pyramids’ history, so I suggest you do some research before your trip in order to find a good guide that you feel comfortable with. Also, be very clear about what you want – like, do you want someone to give you a whole history lesson or do you want someone that will you just guide you from point A to point B and give you your space?
Do hire a driver // If you don’t hire a guide, please make sure to at least hire a driver. The site is HUGE and walking will waste a lot of your time. Like I mentioned before, you only have 9 hours and you’re gonna need them all.
Skip the camel and horse ride // They rent out camels and horses within the site but they are beaten and tortured and I wouldn’t suggest that you ride one. Besides, they’re kind of dirty (still cute tho). The only interaction I had was with a camel. I wanted to take a picture with one so I gave the owner a tip, but that’s all.
Don’t forget The Sphinx of Giza // The Sphinx is located within the same complex and it is included with your entry ticket, don’t miss out! And don’t believe anyone that tries to tell you that you need to pay again, it’s not true!
There are several different view points // Make sure you do a full circle around the pyramids to catch the best angles. I totally made this mistake and I didn’t get a shot of all 6 pyramids together (insert crying emoji here)! So learn from my mistakes and thank me later! 😉
Wear comfortable and breathable clothes // Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. I wore my super comfortable Vici sandals and if you don’t mind the sand getting on your feet then sandals are okay, if not, opt for sneakers. Also, I would recommend wearing something loosely fitted and flowy, a hat, sunglasses, and SPF.
Pack some snacks // I’m not entirely sure but I don’t think there are any restaurants or food vendors inside the complex. So, pack some snacks because you’re not allowed to exit and re-enter.