If you're looking for a quieter, self-led experience, it is completely possible to visit the Pyramids independently. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning your visit there without booking a tour.
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To get to the Pyramids of Giza, your best option is to either take a taxi, uber, join a tour, or hire a guide and driver. If you booked a hotel with a view of the Pyramids, you can walk right to the Giza Plateau. By Taxi: There are three types of taxis in Cairo.
Most entrance fees range from 150 EGP to 450 EGP ($5 to $15). There are several bigger ticket sites, such as Abu Simbel (600 EGP) and the Giza Pyramids (540 EGP).
Some tourists planning a Great Sphinx of Giza tour wonder if you can go inside og the Great Sphinx enclosure. It is possible, but only during our tour of the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx.
Tourists are not required to follow any particular dress code to visit the pyramids in Egypt. Although many online sources say that female travellers should not wear short pants, many female tourists do, and nobody bats an eyelid. Both men and women are free to wear shorts to visit the pyramids.
Seeing the Pyramids from the outside is amazing, but there's something about venturing inside which just feels that bit more adventurous. Many people will tell you there's not much to see inside, and in some ways that's true.
There are incredible historical treasures, however, with hieroglyphic wall markings, but many find the inside of the Great Pyramid to be a stiflingly warm walk in the dark, and they're simply glad to get outside again.
There is not a large prevalence of violent crimes in Cairo, but tourists should be aware of petty crimes, such as purse-snatchings, which are more common. In addition, it is recommended that tourists who are women should not travel anywhere alone as they may become victims of verbal abuse or sexual harassment.
- How long you'll need at the Pyramids: Plan for at least 4–5 hours to leisurely explore the Giza Complex. If you purchase tickets to enter the different pyramids and visit the cemeteries and tombs as well, you can easily spend 7+ hours there.
You can avoid the worst of the crowds by arriving early. The pyramids open at 07:00 from April to September and 08:00 from October to March. Getting in before 09:00 gives you the best chance to see the pyramids before the worst of the crowds start arriving.
Inside the Red PyramidYou'll need to travel 45 minutes outside of Giza to reach the Red Pyramid, but you'll be richly rewarded if you do. Not only will you find a much, much quieter complex, but the experience going inside the Red Pyramid is much more rustic than the Pyramids of Giza.
It's only a backpack :) Your bags/backpack will be put through screening machines at the pyramids as well as many hotels etc in Cairo, is standard practice, you won't be singled out nor will you be searched at random. Egypt is not like that. And as quoted by some famous person.....
Although tourists were once able to freely climb the pyramids, that is now illegal. Offenders face up to three years in prison as penalty. In 2016 a teenage tourist was banned from visiting Egypt for life after posting photos and videos on social media of his illicit climb.
Toilet paper - You can always buy toilet paper while there or take some from your hotel. If you're particularly worried about hygiene, also bring your travel toilet seat covers. Note - don't flush anything down the toilet in Egypt, not even toilet paper. The pipes can't handle it.
Many people have said that the pyramids would last 1 million years or even until the world ended, but I'd say around 10,000 to 100,000 years based on current observations.
Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the fellas should leave the short shorts and tight singlets at home. Also, avoid packing anything in white.