How many of you have the Great Pyramids of Giza, or Egypt in general, on your travel bucket list? Visiting the only standing ancient wonder of the world has been a dream for many, thanks to history classes. And even though, as a native Egyptian, I always like letting people know that Egypt has much more to offer, the Giza Pyramids tour is a must. You just can’t go to Egypt without visiting its main monument and greatest attraction, and despite how touristy this might be, it’s TOTALLY WORTH IT.

You might be thinking to yourself, “What makes this blog post any different than any other relevant article on the World Wide Web?” Well, to answer your question, simply, because I’m a local and because I’m a traveler like you are. I know what a traveler needs, and I know the ins and outs of this country and its culture. And because this is Egypt’s biggest attraction and most touristy site, trust me when I tell you that you need a local to help you with this to avoid scams or disappointment.

But first, let’s see how much you’ve been paying attention in your history class…

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A History Lesson: Facts About the Great Pyramids of Giza

History buff or not, this is one of the most iconic monuments in the whole wide world, so you need to get your facts straight before you join a Great Pyramids tour. Ready for a quick history lesson? Here are some frequently asked questions about the pyramids and their answers.

Why were the Great Pyramids of Giza built?

The pyramids were built as royal tombs or burial sites for ancient Egyptian kings. The most famous of all are the Great Pyramids of Giza, which were built a little over 4,500 years ago for the kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

Who built the Great Pyramids of Giza?

Were slaves used to build the pyramids? Was it aliens who built it? The mystery behind the construction of the gigantic, royal tombs has led many to come up with all sorts of theories. However, the truth is that the pyramids were built by skilled, paid Egyptian workers. Skeletons found in the area prove that native Egyptian workers were around and had probably died during the flooding of the Nile.

How were the pyramids really built?

How the Great Pyramids of Giza were built still remains one of the world’s greatest mysteries. There are several theories on how the pyramids might have been built; however, none of them has been proven.

What does the Sphinx represent?

What was once considered the biggest statue in the ancient world, the Great Sphinx, which had the body of a lion and the head of a human, was considered a guardian for the pyramids.

Everything You Need to Know for the Giza Pyramids Tour:

How to go to the Giza Plateau?

To visit the pyramids, you can either choose to join an organized tour or go alone. Your hotel can easily put together a guided tour for you. However, if you choose to go alone, make sure to enter from the new “Great Gate“, located on the Cairo-Fayoum Road. The old Marriott Mena House entrance is no longer accessible. The old Sphinx gate is still operating, but visitors are encouraged to go through the new gate for a more organized experience.

Major Changes at the Great Pyramids

The site has undergone a huge redevelopment project led by Orascom and the Ministry of Tourism, greatly influencing the Giza Pyramids tour experience. And as of April 2025, many major changes have taken place, including the previously mentioned entrance point.

So, what happens next?

• There’s a new and improved Visitors Center at the entrance where you go through security screening after purchasing your ticket, either at the ticket counters or via the self-service machines. If you pre-book a tour and join a group, your guide will take care of this step.
• Private cars are no longer allowed to roam freely inside the complex; a new transportation system has been introduced as well. Visitors can now use the hop-on-hop-off shuttle buses available across the plateau. Bus stops are located at all major sites, such as the Panorama view, the Sphinx area, and by each of the Great Pyramids.
• Camel and horse rides are now restricted to a designated area instead of being allowed to roam freely.

When to go on the Giza Pyramids Tour?

The best time to visit the pyramids is early in the morning, before it gets crowded. It’s also better to avoid national holidays and weekends. Note that weekends in Egypt are Fridays and Saturdays.

Giza Pyramids Tour Practical Information

Opening Hours

The Giza Plateau is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Tickets

• Egyptian adult ticket: EGP 60, Egyptian student ticket: EGP 30
• Foreign adult ticket: EGP 700, foreign student ticket: EGP 350

Please note that prices are subject to change due to inflation and economic changes.

Activities

Aside from marveling at the ancient wonder and immersing yourself in the mysterious monuments, there are several activities you can enjoy during your Giza Pyramids tour.

• Go inside one of the pyramids (extra ticket applies)
• Ride a camel or a horse
• Take a photo with the Sphinx
• Attend the Light and Sound Show in the evening

Photography spots for the gram

Want to know the best Instagrammable spots at the Necropolis to document your Giza Pyramids tour? Here you go:

• The Sphinx backdrop
• In front of the Pyramid of Khafre
• At the foot of the Great Pyramid
• The Panoramic view
• Posing next to a camel/horse

Tips for a better Giza Pyramids Tour

• Don’t seem like you’re having a professional photo shoot. If you have a DSLR camera, it’s completely fine. Most Egyptian sites would make you pay for a photography/videography ticket, though. However, if it seems commercial, you might get yourself in trouble if you don’t have a permit. The reason why I’m saying this is that a lot of travel bloggers and content creators go big when shooting their content, but this might look commercial in the eyes of Egyptian authorities. So, better take care. Also, filming with a drone without a permit is illegal here!
• HAGGLE, HAGGLE, and HAGGLE your way through. Whether you’re buying a souvenir or hiring a horse/camel, don’t get yourself ripped off.
• Speaking of horses and camels, only go with it if you see the animals being well-treated. Also, don’t ride before you agree on a price.

• If you’re a professional horse rider, don’t expect well-trained horses at the complex. Horses there are only trained to pull carriages or carry an average tourist who does not necessarily know how to ride. So, if you’re looking for a horse that would rear or gallop, then you’d better seek one of the private stables in Saqqara instead.
• Almost everyone inside the complex will be trying to sell you something or do you some favors in order for you to tip them. Tipping in Egypt is a thing, but unless someone offers you an actual service, you’re definitely not obligated to do it. So, brace yourself because the minute you set foot in there, someone will come up to you every now and then to offer you a horse/camel ride, sell you something, or simply photograph you. They might offer help and tell you they’re not looking for money, but eventually ask for a tip. So, just save yourself the pain and long conversations and say NO.

The Giza Pyramids tour is the most touristic one in Egypt, and as much as the experience could be magical, it could still be the worst due to all the haggling and annoying so-called “service providers”. To avoid losing your temper and to be able to enjoy your time, it’s better to know these things in advance.

I highly recommend you go with an Egyptian friend (if you have any) or with an organized private trip to make this easier for you. However, you can definitely survive alone as well.

Most people there can speak English, if not other languages as well; however, here are a few Arabic words that could be useful to you:

• La: No
• Aiwa/ah: Yes
• Shokran: Thank you
• Khalas: That’s it/enough
• Bekam: How much?

Can you climb the pyramids?

No, climbing the Giza pyramids is strictly forbidden. Climbing up may seem easy; however, making your way down can be deadly. It’s much steeper than you think. Also, I personally believe it’s kind of disrespectful to the history and heritage. Something as legendary as that had endured centuries, so it must be preserved rather than disrespected.

Need help planning your trip to Egypt? Click here to learn more about my travel planning services.

What to Add to Your Giza Pyramids Tour

Dining Experience at the Complex

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A post shared by Nadine Arab | Solo Traveler ✈️ (@curlsenroute)

Orascom Pyramids Entertainment operates several premium dining experiences at the Giza Complex, acting as the cherry on top of your Giza Pyramids tour. Restaurants include 9 Pyramids Lounge, Khufu’s, and Ladurée. This is your chance to have lunch or brunch with a majestic view; it couldn’t get any closer or more exclusive than this!

P.S. Reservations are a must as these restaurants are usually booked weeks in advance.

Add the GEM to your itinerary

The new Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum, is very close to the complex. So, for better use of your time, it’s wise to book your museum visit on the same day of your Great Pyramids tour. Cairo (Greater Cairo, which is Cairo and Giza) is a huge city, and commuting can waste hours and hours.

Make sure you read my full guide to the GEM here.

To wrap it up…

The Great Pyramids tour is on almost every single traveler’s bucket list for all the right reasons. And because of that very same demand, it’s one of the world’s most touristic sites, and the experience can be quite hectic. Your visit to this attraction alone can make or break your whole trip to Egypt. That’s why it’s very important to lean on local advice to try and make the best of your experience.

Drop a comment and let me know if you’ve visited or not yet. And if not, you’d better save this for your big Egypt trip.

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