Saqqara and Dahshur at a glance
Saqqara is a vast burial ground about 40 km southwest of Cairo. Its landmark is the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, built in his reign of about 2686 to 2667 BCE. Dahshur lies further south and holds two pyramids of Snofru, the first king of the 4th Dynasty: the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.
Most visitors do both places on one day trip from Cairo or Giza, often together with Memphis, the old capital. The sites are quieter than the Giza Plateau, and you can see how pyramid building changed from one king to the next.
Our picks: Saqqara and Dahshur
Our take: the private day with all entries and lunch is the most relaxed. The five-hour group tour is cheaper, and the full day adds Giza if you have only one day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis in one day
- Hotel transfer in Cairo or Giza
- Egyptologist guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Eight hours with an Egyptologist that combine Giza with the older sites. Entries and lunch depend on the option.
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Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids
- Basic entries at the sites
- Air-conditioned transfers
- Guide
The three older sites south of Giza in five hours, with basic entries included.
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Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur with lunch
- Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur entries
- Private guide and transport
- Lunch
A private day with all three entries and lunch included.
Check availability →Saqqara and Dahshur tours from Cairo
Day trips to the Step Pyramid, Memphis and the Dahshur pyramids, with live prices and availability.
What you see at Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis
The three stops of a typical day trip.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser
The stone step pyramid is the centre of the Saqqara site. You walk in through a covered colonnade into the Djoser enclosure. The interior of the pyramid has its own ticket, and so does the South Tomb inside the complex.
Tombs and the Serapeum
The noble tombs and the New Kingdom tombs are sold as one ticket, and the Tomb of Mereruka has its own. The Serapeum is the underground burial gallery of the Apis bulls, also a separate ticket.
The Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur
Both pyramids go back to Snofru. The Bent Pyramid changes its angle halfway up and still keeps much of its original limestone casing. The Red Pyramid is the second Snofru pyramid at Dahshur.
Memphis
Memphis is an open-air stop with a colossus of Ramesses II. The entry fee is EGP 200 for foreign adults and EGP 100 for students, with entry from 08:00 and the last admission at 16:00. During Ramadan the entry window is 09:00–15:00.
Entry fees for Saqqara and Dahshur in 2026
Prices for foreign adults and students. Carry a bank card and some cash for parking and tips. The Inclusive Ticket covers the grounds, the Imhotep Museum, the noble tombs, the New Kingdom tombs, Mereruka and Mehu. Ask at the ticket office whether the Serapeum, the Djoser interior and the South Tomb are also included on the day you go.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Saqqara area | EGP 600 | EGP 300 |
| Noble tombs and New Kingdom tombs | EGP 400 | EGP 200 |
| Serapeum | EGP 340 | EGP 170 |
| Mereruka | EGP 200 | EGP 100 |
| Djoser Pyramid interior | EGP 280 | EGP 140 |
| South Tomb in the Djoser complex | EGP 300 | EGP 150 |
| Inclusive Ticket | EGP 1,400 | EGP 700 |
| Dahshur | EGP 200 | EGP 100 |
| Memphis | EGP 200 | EGP 100 |
If you arrive with your own car or a taxi, parking at Saqqara costs EGP 25 for a car or taxi, EGP 50 for a minibus, EGP 75 for a coaster and EGP 100 for a bus.
Which way to go: guided day trip or on your own
What the options include.
| Option | Time | What is included | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided day trip, Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur | About 8 hours | Driver, air-conditioned car, guide, hotel pickup. Entry fees, meals and tips are extra. | $100 to $120 for two people together (group price) |
| Own taxi or hired driver | Your own pace | Transport only. You buy tickets and arrange a guide yourself. | Agree the total price before you start |
| Giza only, no Saqqara | About 4 hours | See the Cairo day tour page | – |
For most travelers, a guided day trip is the simplest choice. A guide handles the three sites in a sensible order, and you add the entry tickets you want on the spot. If you hire a driver instead, name the stops, the waiting time and the total price in advance. The Dahshur and Saqqara interiors are not guaranteed to be open every day, so ask on arrival rather than planning around one chamber.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pair the day trip with the other sites around Cairo.
Giza pyramids tours
Half-day and full-day trips to the plateau, with and without the museum.
Cairo day tour
Old Cairo, the museums and Khan el-Khalili next to the pyramids.
History of the pyramids
The kings and dates from Djoser to Menkaure.
Best time to visit
Heat and crowds by month.
Saqqara and Dahshur: frequently asked questions
How far are Saqqara and Dahshur from Cairo?
Saqqara lies about 40 km southwest of Cairo. Dahshur is further south. Travel time depends on traffic, so ask your driver or tour provider for the pickup time and plan a full day.
What are the opening hours?
Saqqara is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00. Dahshur is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Memphis starts at 08:00 with the last entry at 16:00. Check the current hours before you go, especially around Ramadan.
Can I go inside the pyramids?
At Saqqara, the Djoser Pyramid interior has its own ticket at EGP 280 for foreign adults. At Dahshur, the entry fee is EGP 200 and no separate inside fee is shown. Whether an interior is open can change, so ask at the gate on the day.
Is the Inclusive Ticket worth it?
It costs EGP 1,400 for adults and EGP 700 for students. It covers the grounds, the Imhotep Museum and several tombs. If you only want the Step Pyramid and one or two tombs, single tickets can cost less. Add the prices up before you buy.
Can I combine Saqqara with Giza on one day?
Saqqara with Dahshur fills most of a day, and so does the Giza Plateau. Plan them on separate days.