Egypt will be your most treasured trip and a favorite for long. When my email notification said, ‘Economical flights to Egypt from Stuttgart, Germany’, we booked right away and started the visa process.
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As soon as we landed in Cairo, we rushed to see the world wonder. It was 3.30 am and we can still feel the goosebumps on seeing the huge structures from our home. They were glowing.
Cairo to Giza
Arguably the longest river in the world, Nile separates Cairo and Giza. The buzzing city of Cairo is on one side and Giza on the other side. It takes about 45 mins – 1 hour to reach Giza if you are staying in Cairo. Keep in mind the heavy traffic in the city. Generally, it takes about an hour to travel a few kilometres.
Even though our accommodation was in Giza, the main entrance to the Pyramids was quite far. We hired a 15 mins Uber to reach the entrance. Public transport is not very convenient. So, Uber is safe and affordable.
We have a few tips and tricks to make your travel better. I hope it helps.
Pyramid Tickets
You can find the price list of all the major attractions throughout Egypt on the Eypttailormade link. Don’t forget to carry your student ID card. You can save 50% on all entrance fees throughout Egypt.
Visit Pyramids of Giza early in the morning because there are chances that you will encounter a lesser crowd and jump the queue.
Tip: The national currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Currency exchange rates for 1 USD~16.5 EGP and 1 Euro~18.70 EGP. If you run short of EGP, you can exchange it at Marriott Mena House (Marriott Hotel) which is 200 meters from the Pyramid entrance.
What tickets to buy
- The area ticket – 160 EGP is mandatory. This ticket is required to walk around the entire premises. With this, you can’t enter the Pyramids.
- The Pyramid entry ticket – 360 EGP for the entry inside the Great Pyramid, 100 EGP to enter the 2nd or 3rd Pyramid. It’s up to you to choose.
Tip: If you are a history person and enjoy art, then it makes sense to visit inside the Great Pyramid. If you aren’t, then it’s not worth the money. Since we knew this, we visited only the 2nd Pyramid as we learned that it is better than the Great Pyramid. It’s smaller than the Great Pyramid, but the walk inside is unique and enjoyable.
The Pyramids
There are two entrances to the Pyramids; the Pyramid entrance and the Sphinx entrance. During our visit in the morning (~ 9.30 am), the Sphinx entrance was closed.
Amazing structures
The Pyramids are huge and so fascinating. I was awestruck. This place felt surreal. I had a few poses in mind and didn’t waste a single second. I was so excited and started running around as the whole place is picturesque. It is desert everywhere and we just kept walking along to exploring the place. We spent 4 hours just exploring the desert and the Pyramids. It was an experience beyond words.
As you walk along, you will be approached by many camel and horse riders. Get acquainted with the place well, know where you are supposed to go. Do not blindly take a camel ride as there are high chances that you will be scammed. They approach you promising a panoramic view of the Pyramids for 20-30 EGP and take far into the desert. Finally, you will end up paying 10 times the original price for a return.
We weren’t confident while walking so we were easily approached. We weren’t scammed, neither we experienced something similar, but we weren’t stern enough while denying them. So they kept following us to a certain distance trying to negotiate the price.
Camel ride
While we were walking towards the Sphinx, we met a person from Egyptian tourism who was wearing a white dress with a badge. He guided us to the camel riders and told us not to pay more than 100 EGP.
Try it near the Sphinx
Near the Sphinx, there are camel riders by the Government of Egypt. It is recommended that you take a camel from here as we did. Our total ride lasted 1-1.5 hours and we paid 100 EGP per head. It’s up to your bargaining skills to make the most out of the camel ride. They agreed for 2 panoramic viewpoints of the Pyramids and trust me, it’s worth millions.
This was a perfect place to bring out our photography skills. Spend a few minutes to admire the beauty of Pyramids off the lens as well. This camel ride was the best time we spent in Giza.
If you take a camel ride initially, confirm the locations where he will be taking you. Do not make the payment initially or you will regret later.
Ideally, camel ride prices will vary between 100-150 EGP/person. This price is for 1-1.5 hours. Remember, the prices will vary depending on the duration of the ride.
Laser and Sound show
Other than the camel ride, another interesting activity is the laser show. The ticket price is 15.24 USD per adult and 9.15 USD for children between 6-12 years of age. The show lasts an hour. We didn’t opt for this activity as we were not interested. Where to buy the tickets? Here are the sound and light show link.
Tip: Consult your host if the Pyramid view accommodation gives the best view of the Laser show. You can easily save some bucks.
Souvenirs
Just beside the laser show area, there are many shops to carry memories back home. You must bring out your bargaining skills here. The starting price of all the articles will be more than 100 EGP but start with 20 EGP or even lesser. All types of souvenirs are available throughout Egypt. Don’t settle for a higher price.
Restaurants and WC
There are no restaurants and WC inside the premises. Carry food and lots of water to help you from dehydrating. If you are craving for some food, then Pyramid View Pizza Hut is a must-visit. This is located just opposite to the Sphinx entrance. You can enjoy cheese burst pizzas with the world wonder view from the 26th century BC.
To visualize the entire region, we have a map to help you out. This map is for reference.
The Pyramids are world wonder for a reason and a must-visit to see how gigantic these structures are. It’s once in a lifetime experience. So, when are you visiting Egypt?
Overall experience:
out of 5.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Giza?
January to April is the ideal time.
Is it overhyped?
No, it is worth every penny.
How long can you be inside the complex?
There are no time restrictions.
Why visit Giza?
It is a must-visit destination to see the Pyramids.
Are there scams?
Yes, but they can easily be avoided.
How long is the camel ride?
It lasts between 1-1.5 hours.
Is camel ride worth it?
It is the best thing to do in Giza.
Is it better to visit in the morning or in the evening?
The views are spectacular irrespective of the time of the day.
Is there a shelter of place to sit?
No, it is a complete desert and no shelter.
Can you climb the Pyramids?
No, it is prohibited.
Can you walk around the entire campus?
Once to buy the tickets you are free to move around everywhere.
Time of visit: May 2019
”With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.”– Sandra Lake