VISITING THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA WITHOUT A GUIDE

The Pyramids are visited by millions of tourists every year and as every iconic tourist spot in the world you must be aware of scammers. The Pyramids of Giza are one of the Wonders of the ancient world. It is possible to visit the Pyramids without a guide and enjoy the experience. In this guide I will show you how to visit the Pyramids on your own and have an unforgettable experience. Giza is located out of El Cairo. This guide will focus on getting you from Cairo to Giza in the safest way.

I will also share my own experience visiting the pyramids without a guide and some of my photos to help you prepare your visit.

VISITING THE PYRAMIDS WITHOUT A GUIDE

Arriving in El Cairo for the first time can be intimidating. You have probably heard of all the dangers and scammers all around the country and you are worried for your safety. How will you get to the Giza Pyramids from Cairo, without getting overcharged? Can you get from El Cairo to the Pyramids safely on your own?

You will have probably have been told about how it is always better to arrange a tour when visiting the Pyramids to avoid being harassed but most of the tours are out of your budget, they fall too short on time and you are willing to explore the Pyramids at a slower pace.

Find here the video of the short horse ride I had when visiting the Pyramids. It felt too short for me and I spent 5 more hours after that, visiting the Pyramids without a guide.

Don’t worry, you are in the right place. I am a solo woman traveler and have traveled to Cairo and visited the Pyramids with and without a guide and had a fantastic time doing so. Find here below in this article the steps you need to take to visit the Pyramids of Giza independently and safely. First, let me tell you the best way to get from El Cairo to the Giza Pyramids.

CAIRO TO GIZA DISTANCE AND PYRAMIDS LOCATION

The Pyramids are located in Giza, the forth largest city in Africa by population and the third largest city of Egypt by area. Giza lies on the West bank of the Nile, opposite to El Cairo. The distance between Cairo and Giza is approximately 17Km, depending from which area you calculate the distance, as they are both very big cities.

I took several times Uber to travel from El Cairo to Giza and from Giza to El Cairo and the trip can take between 30 to 60 minutes. It is recommended to avoid rush hours as the traffic can be too much.

Find here a pin with the location of the Pyramids in Giza and the trip to get to Giza from El Cairo:

HOW TO GET TO THE GIZA PYRAMIDS FROM DOWNTOWN CAIRO

There are four ways to reach the Giza Pyramids from Cairo independently. You can either go by Uber, TAXI, shuttle bus or a combination of Metro and bus.

As a woman solo traveling in El Cairo I took Uber several times at different times of the day and I felt really safe. It was my preferred option as I was visiting El Cairo only for 10 days and I did not wanted to waste time in queues. However there are a few other options to travel from Cairo to Giza if you have more time and have a very tight budget.

CAIRO AIRPORT TO GIZA

I arrived in El Cairo International airport at 2:00 a.m. and went directly to the Giza pyramids. As it was so late at night I did not have any other option than taking a taxi. For security reasons and as it was my first time traveling to El Cairo I asked my hotel in Giza to book a taxi for me.

However there is Uber available in El Cairo International airport (I did not know when I landed in El Cairo), so this will be my recommended choice for your trip.

Public transport will be too much with all your cases as it is not straight and you will need to change several times. The trip is long. It took me almost one hour to reach my hotel at the entrance of the Giza pyramids during the night with no traffic.

UBER

This was my favorite mode of transportation when I visited the Pyramids and El Cairo. At the beginning I was a bit reluctant to travel in an Uber by myself but I found it pretty safe. To my surprise Uber drivers are very organized and there are many of them. I never had to wait too long for my Uber to reach me and some of these guys were really kind and fun to talk to.

The Uber cost was pretty affordable compared to other countries and much cheaper than the taxis. Of course you will need internet to get your Uber. You can get a SIM card upon your arrival at Cairo International airport but this will be much more expensive than getting it in a phone store in the center. So, I do not recommend you to get your SIM card at the airport.

The best package deal for internet data is Etisalat. Make sure you are going to a verified phone shop, otherwise you could be charged much more for your SIM card.

TAXI

Needless to say taxis are not very happy with Uber in El Cairo, as in most cities. Before Uber existed almost everybody arriving in El Cairo would use a taxi to get from Cairo to Giza and they used to charge much more money for the trip.

Some people still use taxi but it usually involves paying a much higher price for the trip if you are not ready to negotiate. I do not like bargaining so having Uber was a deep relief.

Uber always makes me feel much safer in whichever part of the world I am traveling as the name and number of the driver is known and registered as well as mine.

Make always sure to check the license plate and the driver photo on your app before taking the Uber.

PUBLIC BUS AND/OR MINIVAN

If you are on a really tight budget and you have enough time you can get from El Cairo to Giza by bus. From the bus stop behind the Egyptian museum you can step into bus number 355 to 357. The price is around 0,15$.

Do not be scared to jump on a bus even if you do not speak Arabic. During my whole stay in El Cairo people were incredibly kind and I even once got a bus driver to ride me two stops in the center for free, as I was carrying two heavy suitcases and did not have change. We did not speak the same language but there is always a way to communicate with people.

Of course Egypt is famous for how tourists are scammed but that was not my experience. Be aware but do not close down to experience open and honest communication with local people.

You can save some money by using public transport but it will take much longer as they will stop all along the way. So, still my preferred option to move around El Cairo is using Uber.

CAIRO METRO

The best way to move around El Cairo and avoid traffic jams is to use el Cairo Metro. The Metro is very cheap and comfortable but the closest stop to the Giza Pyramids is 10 Km away, so once you will get there you will have to take a bus or taxi, which I do not recommend.

There is a direct bus from El Cairo to the Giza Pyramids so if you have enough time in El Cairo and you would like to save some money you can still use this option.

There is always a car in El Cairo metro dedicated to women only and the rest are for man and woman. You can just jump in the women only car for the safety purposes.

WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

My recommendation is to stay in Giza, as you will have enough time to visit the pyramids and you will be able to watch the light show in the night. There plenty of accommodation options in the area. From budget to high end. Find here my recommended places to stay.

BUDGET

Pyramids Lights: This very affordable place is situated 500 meters away from the Great Sphinx and it features a terrace with Pyramids views. The hotel has air conditioned and free WiFi included in the price.

Pyramids Express View Inn: This lovely and very affordable hotel with terrace and pyramids view offers a delicious breakfast served daily, featuring a variety of continental, American, and Asian options.

MID RANGE

Blue Pyramids Eyes Hotel: This hotel just 1.3 kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, Blue Pyramids Eyes Hotel offers comfortable accommodation surrounded by a garden and provides free private parking. Guests can also enjoy access to a shared lounge and a restaurant on-site.

Shadow Pyramids Palace, Sphinx Giza: Shadow Pyramids Palace, Sphinx Giza, boasting a terrace, presents comfortable accommodations in Cairo, conveniently located just 500 meters from the Great Sphinx and 5 kilometers from the Giza Pyramids. This 3-star hostel provides essential amenities including an ATM and a concierge service. Guests also benefit from a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service, and complimentary WiFi accessible throughout the property.

HIGH END

Mariott Mena hotel: This hotel is a dream with beautiful gardens overlooking the pyramids. Nestled within 40 acres of lush green gardens, this establishment features a spa, fitness center, and a pool for guests to enjoy. Each room is adorned with meticulously crafted handcrafted furniture, adding a touch of elegance to the accommodation.

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SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR THROUGH THE PYRAMIDS

The most important reason why you might want to walk inside the Pyramids of Giza independently is having the freedom of experiencing them at your own pace.

The great Pyramid of Giza is the last remaining of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World and I highly recommend taking your time exploring the area. There are still many mysteries surrounding the Pyramids that still keep archeologists very busy and I invite you to take a close loop to some little details you will not want to miss.

I breakdown here in a few steps that will help you walking the Pyramids on your own:

CHOSE THE RIGHT ENTRANCE

There are two entrances to the Pyramids.

Great Pyramid Entrance

This entrance is located on the North side near the Great Pyramid, off Al Haram Road, near the Marriott Mena house hotel. This entrance mostly used by tour buses or for people arriving by taxis. It is closer to the panoramic view point than the other entrance.

Sphinx Entrance

This is the entrance in front of the Sphinx, the one that I used and recommend. You need to search for the Pizza Hut. Yes, the entrance is in front of a Pizza Hut. It is a walk of 3 Km to walk uphill to get to the Great Pyramid and the panoramic viewpoint but it is well worth it as you will get some interested angles of the Sphinx and the Pyramids for photography. This entrance is also usually less crowded and waiting times are shorter.

DECIDE BEFOREHAND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO INSIDE THE PYRAMIDS

Tickets can only be bought at the counters at the entrance and you can buy a ticket to enter the complex valid for the whole day that will allow you to walk around the Pyramids and explore all the monuments from the outside. However if you are planning to enter one of the Pyramids you need to purchase a separate ticket.

As the ticket counter is quite a walk from the Pyramids entrance you need to plan this in advance, otherwise you will have go back to the counter and waste some precious time.

Some people think that entering the Pyramids is not worth as you will only go to an empty chamber but I know people paying as high as 3000 dollars to experience 15 minutes inside the Pyramids on their own.

It is up to you and how you would like to experience the Pyramids whether you decide to enter or not.

BE OPEN FEEL THE ENERGY OF THE PLACE

There are so many mysteries and theories around the Pyramids. The Pyramids are dated around 4500 years ago, using references on engravings belonging to the Khufu dynasty and to Carbon radio dating. But still these methods could be inaccurate and some speculate that the Pyramids are much olde than most archeologists think. Give yourself the space to feel the place, open up your imagination and recreate in your mind how the Pyramids and life around them might have looked thousands of years ago.

The Pyramids used to be covered in a white limestone rock and had a golden cap at the top called pyramidions.

Enjoy, the place is simply impressive. A day inside the Pyramids will for sure leave you tired but absolutely recharged.

LOOK AROUND FOR FOSSILS AND HIEROGLYPHS

Some recent studies have found that the are hundreds thousands of fossils in the walls that form Pyramids. Their structure and location represents a the bottom like structure of the sea floor. Some archeologists attribute this fact to the Pyramids being built with natural stone while others suggest that the structures were once under the water, dating the building of the Pyramids much earlier in Pre-history.

I am not an expert in the field but it is fascinating to just look around the walls of these giants and search for fossils.

Most tour guides will not tell you about this. I learnt about his fact when I was walking around the complex as I met an Egyptologist who was doing his ph-D at El Cairo university.

They are discovering new hieroglyphs all the time in the area, so look around you might discover a new one.

WALK TO THE PANORAMIC VIEW POINT

Once you enter the complex I advise you to take the left path to the panoramic view point where you have a good view of the Pyramids. It can get very hot in the morning to do this walk later in the day. Remember the Pyramids are located in a deserted area. I took a horse to do this part, so I that I did not have to spend so much time walking on the sand. Most people do it by camel, but I thought it was cooler to do it by horse.

You can also do it walking but it will take you quite a long time, you might want to better spend visiting the complex.

You can take some very nice photos on from the panoramic view point. Come equipped with some good wide angle lenses.

GET TO THE QUEENS PYRAMIDS

The Queens Pyramids are three smaller structures that were built for Kufhu’s wives and sisters. They are closer to the viewpoint that the bigger ones and I advise you to visit them first so that you can make the best of your time.

Walk around and enjoy the space and get some nice photos.

WALK TO THE MAIN PYRAMIDS

The Main Giza Pyramids are called Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure. Take your time and walk around them and enjoy the space. There are several tombs around the Pyramids that you will be able to access with your ticket. There are guards with access keys to these tombs. Some of them are accessible to most tourists. Some of them you need to tip the guardian to be allowed inside.

VISIT THE SPHINX

To conclude your visit head to the Sphinx. You can enter the area crossing the temple of Amenhotep II, that has been largely restored nowadays and head to admire the Sphinx and take some great pictures.

It can be pretty crowded around the Sphinx, so some people advice heading to the Sphinx first thing in the morning. Despite the crowds you can always manage a good picture and it is better to start the tour by the panorama view point.

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA TOURS

Visiting the Pyramids of Giza without a guide is a very nice way to do but I recommend you to do some research before hand about the history an research done on the Pyramids. If you do it at your own pace it can take a whole day to visit the Pyramids. I stayed myself 8 hours inside the Pyramids and I feel I owe them a second visit once I will be in El Cairo, as I like to look for small details.

However if you are in a tight schedule and you would like someone to be guiding you through the historical context of the Pyramids, you might want to consider taking a tour. There are tours that combine a couple of sites on one days, specially tailored for those people who do not have those many days in Egypt.

Find here my recommended tours:

HOW TO GET FROM THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA TO CAIRO

My advice if you need to return to El Cairo is used Uber. As I mentioned in the previous sections, it is the best mode of transport in El Cairo.

However, I do not advice you return to El Cairo after visiting the Pyramids of Giza. The best thing you can do is stay in Giza itself. There are plenty of nice accommodation around the Pyramids and some very good roof terraces from where you can enjoy some nice Pyramids views in the evening.

There is a light and sound festival every evening in the Pyramids. You can either purchase a ticket and enter the complex again or you can just watch it from one of the many roof terraces in the area.

MY EXPERIENCE VISITING THE PYRAMIDS INDEPENDENTLY

My experience visiting the Pyramids of Giza was fantastic. When I landed at El Cairo airport, I had not booked a tour and my thought was of going to the Pyramids by myself but the hotel where I stayed insisted many times that I should get a guide to get into the Pyramids and that a couple of hours was enough to see everything.

As a newbie traveling Egypt I agreed on a two hours tour that would bring me inside the Pyramids for a couple of hours riding a horse, for which I paid 40 $.

My experience was really disappointing as the guide who was really nice a great horse rider did not know anything about the history and he even got me into trouble when he told me to climb a Pyramid and later I knew it was not allowed.

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So when the couple of hours were finished I told him I would stay inside and started my self guided tour through the Pyramids of Giza.

Of course when you are alone inside you will get many people offering you all kind of services such as camel rides and tours, but if you answer with a firm and polite “No, sokram” they will leave you alone.

The six hours I spent going around the complex on my own were really worth it. I was lucky to talk to some people who knew a lot about the history and got a bit of a context.

Visiting the Pyramids without a guide can be a very rewarding experience but you need do some research before hand about the place.

TIPS & FAQs

DO I NEED A GUIDE FOR GIZA?

No, you do not need a guide for Giza. However if you are going to visit the Pyramids on your own I recommend to first visit the Egyptian museum to get acquainted with the Pyramids and the historical context, so that you can make the best of your visit.

ARE THERE GUIDES AT THE PYRAMIDS?

Yes, there are guides at the Pyramids and many of them will offer you a camel ride around the Pyramids. While there are a lot of honest tour guides that you can trust there are several scammers inside the Giza Pyramids, as in every other tourist attraction in the world. You must be aware.

CAN ANYONE VISIT THE PYRAMIDS?

The interior of the three main Pyramids is open to the public. You must purchase a separate ticket to enter each Pyramid. You have to do this at the ticket counter at the Pyramid’s complex entrance.

IS IT WORTH GOING INSIDE THE PYRAMIDS?

It depends on you. Some people skip it and they are just fine. I met a lady at the Pyramids who had paid 3000 $ to get a special permit and stay for a period of time on the interior of the big Pyramid on her own. She told me that she believe could connect with past lives, doing so. It is up to you but it is pretty expensive.

IS IT BETTER TO STAY IN GIZA OR EL CAIRO?

If you have time enough I would recommend to split your time between El Cairo and Giza. El Cairo has wonderful attractions but it can get busy and noisy. The Pyramids area in Giza is really relaxed and has some very nice accommodation with nice roof terraces.