No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the Pyramids of Giza. These ancient wonders date back over 4,500 years and are located on the Giza Plateau in Cairo. We had many questions about visiting the Pyramids independently, so we wrote this Blog post for you with all our tips for visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza without a tour.
Where to stay to visit the Pyramids of Giza
We stayed at the Nine Pyramids View Hotel, close to the Pyramids of Giza. We highly recommend staying here if visiting the Pyramids is your priority in Cairo, as they are close, allowing you to get there early. The hotel even has a fantastic rooftop to watch the sunset and view of the Pyramids.
How to get to the Pyramids of Giza
The best. and the easiest way to get around in Cairo is with Uber. The city is huge, so Uber indeed was our lifesaver for traveling in Egypt independently. The Pyramids are located far from the city center and depending on where you stay, we recommend counting enough time to get there as traffic can be crazy in Cairo.
5 things you need to know for visiting the Pyramids of Giza independently
Choose the right entrance
There are two entrances to visit the Giza Plateau. One is right next to the Great Pyramid near the Marriott Mena Hotel, which is the entrance for vehicles as well and where most tours start. The second is further down from the pyramids in front of the Sphinx. That’s the one we recommend, as you can get a beautiful shot of the Sphinx first when you enter and then continue to the pyramids from there.
The Pyramids of Giza are open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. We recommend going early to get there before the crowds.
You need a separate Ticket to enter the Pyramids
Going inside the Pyramids is not included in your average entry ticket for the Giza Plateau. If you want to enter the Pyramids, you need a separate and additional ticket for each of the four possible Pyramids you wish to enter. Besides that, please note that Cameras are not allowed inside the Pyramids. That’s why we decided not to go in, as we didn’t know where to leave the Camera.
Walk yourself and don’t support animal suffering
Walking around the Giza Plateau is doable, so there is no need to ride a Camel or Horse. Unfortunately, these animals are very mistreated, and that is why riding them should not be supported. One more reason why it’s best to go in the Morning as temperatures are less hot for walking around.
Don’t miss the best photo spot with all the Pyramids in one picture
There are different panoramic viewpoints on the Giza Plateau, where you can take amazing photos. Make sure not to miss the best perspective of all! This spot offers a view of all pyramids in the same picture, and we think it’s a stunning angle.
There is a Restaurant where you can have Brunch with an amazing view of the Pyramids
Walking around the Giza Plateau makes you hungry that’s why we recommend having Brunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge Restaurant. We loved the location and stunning view of the Pyramids here.
They offer continental oriental and western brunch. We chose oriental, which is vegetarian, and asked them to leave some things away to have a Vegan meal. They also helped us to get a taxi/uber to return to the entrance at the Pyramids. We recommend making a reservation online as this spot is quite popular.
Travel Tip
Internet Access in Egypt
For the internet, we recommend getting a local SIM card. It will make your life easier as hotels often have terrible wifi in Egypt. Especially when you travel independently, it’s beneficial to always have good connection.
The most convenient option for travelers is the eSim Card (digital SIM card) from Airalo. You can download and install a digital data pack and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as you land, so there is no need to waste time looking for a local plastic SIM card.
Conclusion
Visiting the Pyramids of Giza independently allows you to explore at your own pace, which is something we love. We think it’s easily doable on your own. Especially for photographers like us, going on a tour is never an option. If you want to learn a lot about the pyramids, we recommend hiring an experienced guide, as there is not much information to find. Make sure to organize a good guide before your visit.
While walking around, be prepared to get asked a lot if you want a guide, a camel, or anything else. We just friendly declined and kept walking, which was fine. With the information in this guide, you know everything you need to know to do it yourself.
