The Giza Pyramids: Getting More Out of an Overrun Site

The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World and it’s been on the tourist circuit since the Romans came to stare at it. That means 2,000 years of people trying to sell you camel rides, fake papyrus, and “special access” to things that don’t require special access. Going in knowing this makes it considerably more enjoyable.

The Site

The Giza plateau has three main pyramids: Khufu (the Great Pyramid, 138 metres tall), Khafre (slightly smaller but positioned on higher ground so it appears the same height), and Menkaure (significantly smaller). The Great Sphinx sits between Khafre’s pyramid and its valley temple.

Entry to the complex costs EGP 360 for foreigners (as of 2024). Entering the Great Pyramid itself costs an additional EGP 600. It is a sweaty, claustrophobic crawl through low, narrow passages to reach an empty granite chamber. The burial goods and mummies are long gone. Most people who pay to go inside find it underwhelming; unless you’re specifically interested in the engineering, skip it.

The Solar Boat Museum near the Great Pyramid holds a 43-metre wooden vessel from around 2500 BC, excavated from a sealed pit beside the pyramid in 1954. This is genuinely extraordinary and most visitors walk past it. Entry is separate (around EGP 100). Go.

Timing and Crowds

The site opens at 08:00. Being there at opening, ideally on a weekday, is the difference between a memorable visit and a cattle-market experience. By 10:00, tour buses are arriving from every hotel in Cairo and the plateau becomes crowded.

The eastern side of the site, toward the valley temples of Khafre and Menkaure, is noticeably less trafficked. Walk that way once you’ve seen the main pyramids.

Camel and Horse Tours

Multiple operators near the entrance offer camel or horse tours. These are not inherently a bad idea for covering the full plateau, since it’s a 1km walk across loose sand just to reach Menkaure. Negotiate the price before mounting; the return journey price should be agreed upfront. Budget EGP 400-600 for a 45-minute circuit.

Eating

The immediate area around the site is not known for good food. Most restaurants facing the pyramids are priced for tourists and mediocre. Koshary El Tahrir in central Cairo is the benchmark for the Egyptian national dish: a bowl of pasta, lentils, rice, crispy onions, and tomato sauce for EGP 30-50. Abou Tarek in downtown Cairo is the famous version.

For a meal near the site that isn’t overpriced, ask your hotel in Giza; they’ll know which local places are worth it.

Where to Stay

Marriott Mena House sits directly adjacent to the Giza plateau and has unobstructed pyramid views from its gardens and pool. From around $150-200/night. It’s the obvious choice if you want the visual of having breakfast looking at a Wonder of the World.

Budget options cluster along the roads into central Giza; the Pyramids Inn is serviceable at around $30-40/night.

Getting There

From central Cairo, the Metro runs to Giza station (Line 2), from which you take a microbus or taxi the final 4-5km to the site. Expect to pay around EGP 60-100 for the taxi. Uber operates in Cairo and is often more reliable than negotiating cab prices.

The late-afternoon light is better for photography. The Sound and Light Show runs in the evenings and is kitsch but harmless.