Before you go: the short list
Buy the plateau ticket first, then add the extras you want. The ticket for foreign adults costs EGP 700 and EGP 350 for students, and the inside of the Great Pyramid and the other pyramids costs extra. Carry a working bank card and do not count on paying cash.
Hours are 08:00–16:00 daily for the plateau and 07:00–17:00 for the Great Pyramid and Menkaure. Plan to arrive at the start of the day, when it is cooler and quieter. A guide can take care of tickets and the entrance for you, which is why many visitors book guided Giza pyramids tours.
Our pick: a private tour with your own guide
With your own guide and car you deal with fewer touts on the plateau.
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.
Guided tours at the Giza pyramids
Half-day and full-day trips with a guide and transfer, with live prices and availability.
Touts and common situations
Calm, practical answers. Most people you meet are simply working, and only a few push hard.
Help or photos you did not ask for
A friendly helper may offer to take your photo, show you a viewpoint or guide you a few steps and then ask for money. A short, clear "no, thank you" and keeping your pace is enough. Accept only what you are ready to pay for.
Prices that change
Ride prices can change during the conversation. Agree the total price in EGP, the route, the time and the return before you start, and ask for it in writing if you can.
"That gate is closed"
The main entrance moved in 2025 to the Fayoum highway side, south of the pyramids, so the old route no longer leads in. A claim that a gate is closed is not always a trick. Ask at the entrance control instead of following a stranger.
Camels and horses
There is no fixed rate for rides. Fix the total for the number of people and animals, the duration, photos and tips before you sit. Animal welfare groups have criticized the treatment of ride animals, and you decide whether to ride. An electric shuttle takes you to the monuments, so you do not need an animal to get around.
Camel ride guide →Heat and timing
Summer is hot on the plateau, with average daily highs around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius from June to August. Winter is mild at about 19 to 20 degrees in December and January. These are long-term monthly averages, not forecasts. Bring water, sun protection and a hat, and plan breaks in the shade.
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19.0 °C | 9.7 °C |
| April | 28.2 °C | 15.4 °C |
| July | 34.8 °C | 22.9 °C |
| October | 29.7 °C | 19.0 °C |
| December | 20.4 °C | 11.0 °C |
Ramadan is expected to begin on 9 February 2027 and Eid al-Fitr on 10 March 2027. These dates are provisional, and opening times can change in that month. Check the current times before you go. See the best time to visit for more.
Rules on the plateau
What to know before you pack.
Drones
Bringing a drone into Egypt requires permission from the Egyptian civil aviation authority in advance. Without it, a drone can be confiscated and you can be prosecuted. Leave it at home unless you have the permit.
Climbing
Climbing the outside of the pyramids is not allowed. The paid walk inside the Great Pyramid is something different. It has narrow passages and steep sections.
Inside the Great Pyramid →Getting around
Private cars and tour buses do not drive across the plateau. Visitors and guides use electric vehicles, and the shuttle is included in the plateau ticket.
How to get to the pyramids →Inside the other pyramids
Access to individual pyramid interiors can change. Since September 2026 the Menkaure pyramid interior has been temporarily closed and the Khafre interior has reopened, with no date set for Menkaure. Ask at the gate which interiors are open.
Entry and travel advice for Egypt
Status as shown by the issuing governments. Check your own government's advice before you book.
Visa
The e-Visa costs $30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries, and your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. For German travelers the visa on arrival is $30. At Cairo airport, QR codes replaced the sticker from 1 September 2026, and the QR route has a $6 processing fee when you apply in advance or $36 at the bank counter. This can mean a longer queue on arrival.
Travel advice
The German Foreign Office has a partial travel warning for certain Sinai, border and Sahara areas, and a general note on terrorism risk and possible flight restrictions because of the regional crisis (status 29 September 2026). The US State Department lists Egypt at Level 2, "exercise increased caution", issued 15 July 2025, with exclusion areas in North and Central Sinai, border areas and the Western Desert.
Plan the rest of your trip
More guides for your visit.
Tips for visiting the pyramids: frequently asked questions
How do I avoid being hassled at the pyramids?
Say a short, polite "no, thank you" and keep walking. Do not accept photos, rides or "help" you do not want to pay for. Agree any price before you start.
Can I pay in cash at the gate?
Bring a working bank card. Paying by card is the usual way at the gates, so do not rely on cash.
What time should I arrive?
Arrive at the start of the day. Hours are published as 08:00–16:00 for the plateau and 07:00–17:00 for some pyramids, so check the current times. Mornings are cooler and quieter.
Can I take a drone to the pyramids?
Only with prior permission from the Egyptian civil aviation authority. Without it, the drone can be confiscated and you can face prosecution.
Can I climb the Great Pyramid?
No, climbing the outside is not allowed. You can enter the Great Pyramid with an extra ticket. The passages are narrow and steep in places.
Is this the official website of the pyramids?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Supreme Council of Antiquities or the Grand Egyptian Museum.