The Pyramids of Giza: All You Need To Know + Insider Tips

The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most incredible places on earth! Over 4,600 years old, the Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that is still standing!!!

Never in my wildest dreams or imagination did I think that I would visit the pyramids in Egypt. I didn’t even know how. Then I saw a friend of a friend post about her trip on Facebook and I was determined.

After much research, I booked a 2-week Gate1 Tour of Egypt. It included one day at the pyramids. I booked my flight a few days early so I could spend more time exploring Cairo and the pyramids.

I’m so glad I did, because I ended up doing two things that were not included in the tour – 1) I went inside the Great Pyramid and climbed to the top and 2) I watched the Pyramids Sound & Light Show.

If I could do it, so can you! This post will tell you everything you need to know about how to visit the pyramids in Giza, including entrance fees, opening hours, and insider tips.

What is a Pyramid?

A pyramid is a triangle shaped tomb built for a king, which the ancient Egyptians called pharaohs.

To date, 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. (And there might be more in the future!) Most were built as tombs for pharaohs and their consorts during the Old Kingdom (2700–2200 B.C.) and Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 B.C.)

The oldest pyramid in Egypt is the Pyramid of Djoser, which is known as the Step Pyramid. It was built in 2630 B.C. at Saqqara for the Third Dynasty’s Pharaoh Djoser.

Where are the Pyramids in Egypt?

The most famous pyramids in Egypt are the 3 large pyramids in Giza – the Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu), Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. 

Giza is a small town 8 miles west of Cairo. It is only a 30-60 minute drive from the Cairo city center to the pyramids. So you have two choices – you can stay in a small hotel with a 24/7 view of the pyramids. Of you can stay a safe Western hotel in Cairo and take a day trip (or two) to the pyramids.

How to Get from Cairo to Giza

Getting to the pyramids from Cairo is easy, and you have several options. 

Uber: Uber is available in Cairo. (When I arrived at the Cairo airport there was a billboard that said, “Uber is Uber in Arabic.”) Since the drivers are vetted it is the safest and easiest way to get around Egypt. All you need to do is to download the app and place an order.

Taxi: Another convenient way to reach the Giza Plateau is by taxi. The trip can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Travel tip! Don’t get inside a taxi unless the driver turns the meter on. If they don’t. they are going to charge more.

Bus: The public bus from downtown Cairo to the Gize Pyramids is a good option for those looking for the cheapest way to the Pyramids. Unfortunately, this takes up to 90 minutes and requires 1-2 transfers.

Tour Group: If you are on a group tour to the Pyramids, you probably won’t need to worry about transportation to/from the pyramids since the tour bus will take care of all your transportation for the day. 

How to Visit the Pyramids of Giza

Before we get into everything you can expect to see at the Pyramids of Giza, here’s some essential information for planning your itinerary. 

Opening Hours 

The Pyramids of Giza are open from 8:00-4:00pm during Winter (October to March) and from 7:00am-6:00pm in Summer (April to September) During Ramadan they close at 3:00pm. 

Entrance Fee to the Pyramids of Giza

You can purchase a general admission ticket online or at the main gate. This ticket covers the entire complex. There are additional fees if you want to go inside any of the pyramids or see other attractions within the complex.  

Best Time to Visit

To avoid the extreme heat and large crowds, the best time to visit the Pyramids is early in the morning (before 10:00am). This also gives you plenty of time to explore the complex at your own pace and take as long as you want to. 

Not only does this help dodge tour groups, but it also offers softer light for photography.

Regarding the seasons, winter (November to March) is the peak tourist season. The temperature is much cooler during these months, but expect way bigger crowds. 

Many people try to visit during the ‘shoulder season’ (April or October) to avoid both the intense heat and the crowds. 

The Pyramids of Giza 

Most people come to Giza to see the 3 large pyramids dedicated to Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. However, there is much more to see in the “Giza Plateau” complex, which is actually an ancient necropolis (cemetery).

There are several small pyramids and mastabas where queens and other family members are buried. (A mastaba is a rectangle tomb with sloping walls and a flat roof).

The pyramid exteriors are currently covered in uneven, rocky surfaces. However, they were originally covered in a smooth layer of white limestone that could be seen for miles.

If you want to learn more about the Pyramids of Giza (and other pyramids around the world), I highly recommend a book called 100 Facts Pyramids.

The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu) is the oldest and largest of the three structures. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still remains intact!!!

It was built during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (2580–2560 B.C.) Which means it is over 4,500 years old!!!

Originally standing at 481 feet, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. However, due to erosion and removing the outer casing stones, it stands slightly shorter today at 454 feet. 

Construction of the Great Pyramid was completed around 2560 BC, and it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

For a small fee, you can enter the Great Pyramid and explore its three main chambers and intricate system of shafts. Khufu was buried in the central chamber.

The Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khafre was built by Pharaoh Khufu’s son Khafre, who ruled Egypt from 2558–2532 B.C. It is the second tallest and second largest pyramid at Giza and is located in the middle of the 3 large pyramids.

Not much is known about Khafre other then he succeeded his older brother Djedefre to the throne. He is most famous for building the second-largest pyramid at Giza and the Great Sphinx. 

Khafre’s pyramid looks taller than his father’s pyramid but it is not. It is 10 feet shorter but it is located on higher ground. Khafre did this on purpose because he wanted his tomb to outshine his father’s without disrespecting him.

The Pryamid of Khafre is only109 yards southeast of the Great Pyramid. Although it was built slightly shorter (471 feet), it appears to be even larger than the Great Pyramid due to its elevated location and better preservation of its limestone casing at the apex.

Fun fact! The Pyramid of Khafre is the only pyramid at Giza that still has part of its polished white limestone casing. You can see it at the very top. 

The Pyramid of Menkaure 

As the name suggests, the Pyramid of Menkaure was built for Khafre’s son Mankaure. It is the smallest of the three main Pyramids at Giza.

It’s significantly smaller than the other two, initially reaching a height of 213 feet but now reduced to about 204 feet. This pyramid marks a shift in the scale and complexity of pyramids across Egypt, which probably speaks to declining economic conditions at the time. 

Can you go inside the Pyramids?

You can go inside all three of the Pyramids of Giza, but you need a separate entrance ticket. And the number of visitors is limited each day for both the safety and preservation of the monuments. 

The climb through the narrow passages (they built it this way to throw off grave robbers, but it didn’t work) leads through a number of small, claustrophobic hallways that go straight uphill until it eventually arrives at the Grand Gallery and the King’s Chamber.

It had to have been 130ºF when I climbed into the Great Pyramid. I recommend doing it towards the end of the day so you aren’t sweaty in all your photos! 

How much is it to go inside the Pyramids?

The cost of entering the pyramids is in addition to the general admission fee to the Giza Plateau. You can buy your tickets in advance online or onsite.

Is it worth it to go Inside the Pyramids?

In my opinion, it was definitely worth going to the pyramids, and I am so glad that I did!

But whether it will be to you really depends on your interest in ancient Egyptian history and architecture. 

All the artifacts have been moved to museums, and it’s pretty cramped and dull inside. The main reason to go inside the pyramids is to see the incredible engineering feats of the ancient Egyptians, like the Grand Gallery and the King’s Chamber inside the Great Pyramid. 

So, it might not be worth the price if you aren’t particularly interested in architecture or have mobility issues. 

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most famous statues in the world! Constructed during the reign of Khafre, it is carved out of the same bedrock as the pyramid itself, and was once connected to the pyramid by a long causeway. 

It is one of the oldest and largest monolith statues in the world. 

The sphinx features a lion’s body and a human head believed to represent Pharaoh Khafre, who reigned during the 4th Egyptian dynasty around 2500 BCE. The statue is HUGE (73 meters long and 20 meters high). 

Unfortunately, the Sphinx has suffered considerable damage over the past few millennia, more than what would happen due to natural erosion. A lot of people have reasoned that after the Egyptian Dynasty was over, vandals deliberately damaged the Sphinx’s face. 

Did Napoleon shoot off the Sphinx’s nose?

According to legend. Napolen’s troops actually shot off the Spinx’s nose with a cannon, which would add to the long list of places Napoleon affected during his conquests—it’s like a global game of “Where’s Waldo.”

Take a Picture Kissing the Sphinx

One of the popular things to do at the pyramids complex is to take the famous “kissing” photo with the Sphinx. There are local Egyptians you can pay to take a picture for you. They know exactly where to stand to create the illusion of kissing the Sphinx.

Camel Rides & Horse-drawn Carriages

Another popular way to see the pyramids is by camel or horse-drawn carriage. 

I did not ride the camels, but I did visit the viewpoint where you can take a quintessential image of a camel in front of the pyramids. This viewpoint is way over on the opposite side of the complex. Our tour bus took us here, but you could also take a taxi or a horse-drawn carriage. 

I did book one of the horse-drawn carriages with a local operator. This was a great decision because the complex is way too big for me to walk to every landmark and viewpoint in a single day. 

You can typically book these rides on-site or arrange them through a tour group in advance. 

Buy Hay to Feed the Horses and Camels

Many animal activists, like myself, are firmly against supporting this industry in any way. However, after speaking with the local owners, I discovered that many of the horses and camels at the pyramids starved when tourism dropped off during the Egyptian Revolution. 

This broke my heart, and part of me feels like, at least this way, they get adequately fed and have a decent quality of life.

Just be aware that it’s vital that you choose a responsive tour provider to protect the animals and only support those who care for them well. The first time I visited Giza, I saw a man feeding his horses from the garbage dumpster. 

I showed my tour guide, and he took his picture (because they also care about the well-being of the animals). 

After my tour, my guide was nice enough to take me to where all the working horses go to feed after the pyramid complex closes so I could buy a bunch of hay to take back and feed that man’s horses! 

The Pyramids Sound & Light Show

The Giza Pyramids are one of 5 Egyptian historical sites that have a Sound & Light Show. (The others are the Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Philae Temple, and Abu Simbel).

The Pyramids Sound & Light Show is absolutely amazing!!! I highly recommend it! It takes you on a journey back thousands of years to the time of the pharaohs. “Narrated” by the Sphinx, it explores mysteries such as how the pyramids were built.

The narration is cheesy. But the pictures and lights projected on the pyramids (below) are absolutely amazing!

This tour offers free transportation to/from the Sound & Light Show.

Show Times & Ticket Prices

The Pyramids Sound & Light Show is offered daily at 8:30pm in English and 9:30pm in Spanish. It is available in 20 additional languages via headphones.

You can pay extra for a VIP front row seat. If you like to take pictures and/or film, it is worth every cent! The prices are:

* Adults: $20
* VIP Front Row Seat: $26
* Kids 6-12 years old: $11
* Kids under 6: Free

Travel Tip! The pyramid complex closes at 5:00pm every day. The first Sound & Light show does not start until 8:30pm.

Therefore, you have two options. 1) Find a nearby restaurant to hang out. 2) Visit the pyramids in the day on one day and at night on another day. Since the pyramids are not far from Cairo this is an easy option. I didn’t feel like sitting around, so that’s what I did.

Do You Need a Tour Guide?

I rarely take tours. I only did one in Egypt because I thought it was safer for me as a solo female. My problem with them has always been that they don’t spend enough time in the major cities. 

So, every time I book a tour, I go early and stay late to visit major cities. 

If you’re also more comfortable booking a guided tour, this tour is the most affordable (and highly rated) option.

You could also book a private tour that includes the Egyptian Museum! 

Pros of Hiring a Guide

Cons of Hiring a Tour Guide

4 Tips for Enjoying the Pyramids of Giza

1. Avoid Common Scams

Unfortunately, some of the vendors and traders around the Pyramids are known for scams and taking advantage of tourists. Here are a few scams to watch out for!

The “Free” Gift: Vendors may try to hand you something as a ‘gift,’ but once you accept it, they will demand payment. To avoid this, don’t accept items offered for free.

Camel and Horse Rides: Be wary of handlers offering a short ride for what seems like a small fee, only to demand a much higher amount once you’re on the animal and away from the crowd. Always agree on a clear price before mounting, and ensure it covers the complete ride back.

Fake Tickets: Some scammers may offer to sell you entrance tickets at a discount. These tickets are often fake. Always purchase your tickets from the official ticket office.

Photo Scams: If someone offers to take your photo with your camera, they might ask for money after taking a few shots. If you want someone else to take your photo, it’s better to ask a fellow tourist.

2. What to Wear in Egypt

No matter when you visit Egypt, I suggest wearing loose, breathable clothing, along with a hat and sunglasses, to stay comfortable and protect yourself from the sun. 

Sunscreen is also a really good idea! 

The other thing to note is that while the Pyramids do not have a particular dress code, Cairo and other cities around Egypt have quite a few religious sites. So, it’s important to respect the local customs and dress modestly. 

3. Eat Before You Go! 

No food is sold inside the Pyramid complex, and you’ll likely spend several hours exploring. 

Also, bring plenty of water because it can get HOT at the Giza Plateau. 

I recommend eating breakfast before you go, then exiting the complex to grab dinner at a local restaurant before returning for the evening light show if it fits your schedule.

4. Use the Toilet at the entrance

There are Bathrooms near both entrances of the Giza Plateau. You have to pay a small fee. (There is also a bathroom at the Khufu Ship Museum if you are going there).

I highly suggest that you use the bathroom when you enter the pyramid complex because you are going to be there for several hours and it is a LONG walk back.

Hotels near the Pyramids of Giza

Giza is a hole in the wall. There is not much to do there besides the pyramids, and it is not a nice area.

There are several hotels in Giza that have a view of the pyramids. However, most get bad reviews. I’ve heard people say they did not feel safe. Or the manager booked tours on his own initiative and pressured them to attend. And the hotel cancelled their bookings.com reservation so they could not leave a bad review.

Therefore, if you are going to stay at a hotel in Giza you need to spend a long time reading the hotel reviews!

My Hotel Story

I am a single female who travels alone. I wanted to stay in a small hotel with a 24/7 view of the pyramids, but I did not feel safe. Therefore, I paid more to stay in a large, clean, modern hotel in Cairo. Since I was going to visit many places in Cairo (not just the pyramids), it made sense.

However, I must not have read the hotel reviews close enough. Because most of the guests at my hotel were from Saudi Arabia and other conservative Muslim countries. I dress pretty conservatively, especially in a Muslim country like Egypt. However, I was the only female at my hotel who did not have her hair covered and was not wearing an abaya, which is a long black dress from head to toe.

I felt so uncomfortable in the hotel restaurant on my second trip to the breakfast buffet was pure agony. I was so happy a few days later when I joined my Gate1 tour and checked into the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. A former palace, it is beautiful and more importantly, full of western tourists.

If you’re going all the way to Egypt, you should consider taking a cruise down the Nile River to check out the Luxor Museum and the Valley of Kings/Queens.

More Things to Do in Giza

When I arrived at the pyramids, I was shocked to find out that an urban city actually surrounded me. I think I expected to be way out in the middle of the desert, and the next time I visited (with my tour group), a lot of people were saying the same thing! 

Despite the proximity to the city, there are still only a few things to do in the city. 

The Grand Egyptian Museum 

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located just beside the Giza Pyramids, finally opened its doors in November 2025 after years of anticipation. The museum cost over $1 billion to build.

It is one of the largest and most advanced archaeological museums in the world, designed to showcase over 100,000 artifacts in a modern, immersive setting. Some of the artifacts have never been displayed publicly before! One of its biggest highlights is the complete King Tutankhamun collection, displayed together for the first time in history.

The museum also features the Khufu Solar Boat, which used to be right next to the Great Pyramid. The ancient cedarwood boat was discovered in 1954. The ancient Egyptians believed the boat would carry the pharaoh into the afterlife.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is just a short distance away from the pyramids of Giza, making it easy to plan both in one trip. 

Pyramid of Djoser (Step Pyramid)

The Pyramid of Djoser (commonly known as the Step Pyramid) is located 19 miles south of the Giza Plateau. 

This was the very first pyramid built in Egypt. It was built around 2670 B.C. and dedicated to the first Egyptian Pharaoh. It’s about 60 meters high and 100 meters on each side. 

The Step Pyramid was a revolutionary design when it was constructed. Today, it’s a really popular day trip from Giza, and if you visit, you can see a variety of cool tombs, temples, and smaller pyramids. 

Unfortunately, it’s being renovated at the time of this writing, so you can’t go inside.

For those interested in Egypt’s Christian heritage, you may enjoy reading “Where is St. Mark Buried – Alexandria or Venice?“

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it to the end, I genuinely hope this has made you feel more confident about your trip to the Pyramids of Giza or inspires you to start getting more serious about planning your trip. 

The Grand Egyptian Museum is finally set to open, so now is the perfect time to visit it and the Great Pyramids of Giza before they are overrun with tourists! 

If you’re traveling solo, just book a tour (this made me feel so much safer) and get there as early as possible to avoid the heat and the crowds. 

I also recommend grabbing this fun book with 100 Facts about the Pyramids of Giza. 

If you’re planning to explore more of Egypt, be sure to check out my blog post on Things to do in Alexandria, a city rich in history and stunning Mediterranean views.

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