Visit Sphinx and the Giza Pyramids in Egypt

Which kind of wish list would be complete without a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt? Unbelievably, it is not too difficult to tour the Giza pyramids in one day from Egypt's main city of Cairo.

For 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was constructed in 2560 BC, stood as the highest man-made structure on Earth. Out of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the oldest and the only one that remains intact to this day.

Even if seeing the massive mounds of granite at the Egypt Pyramids is the only thing to do there, it's nevertheless a meaningful and unforgettable experience that every traveler should cross off their list.

Best Day Tours To The Egypt Pyramids

First off, there are choices for traveling in a tour group for convenience or safety if you'd prefer avoid the extra procedures needed in planning your own journey to the pyramids and are on a tight schedule.

For as little as $45 USD, a variety of businesses provide scheduled day tours to the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, which include hotel transportation, an optional camel ride, and a return to Cairo the same day.

The topic of traveling alone and making your own plans is explored next.

How To Get To The Giza Pyramids

• The Great Pyramids are situated in the Egyptian suburb of Giza, which is a suburb of Cairo.

• Many international airlines serve Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is the closest airport. Skyscanner offers flight searches to Cairo.

• Giza may be reached by car in one hour from the Cairo airport. There are several cabs available in the arrivals area, but I personally took Uber, which is far more affordable and perhaps safer.

• If you are unfamiliar with driving in the Middle East, do not rent a car in Egypt! You'll be far better off traveling with a driver who is knowledgeable with the hazardous and chaotic traffic in Arab countries.

Giza Pyramids: What To Expect

• You may simply stroll to the entrance to the pyramids and sphinx after dropping off your bags at your accommodation if you plan to stay at least one night in Giza, which I highly recommend.

• Many hotels in Giza provide fantastic rooftop views and are conveniently located within a 5-minute walk from the pyramids' main gate. Later, more on that.

• Simply purchase your tickets at the main ticket office when you're ready to see the pyramids. At this point, the touts and scammers will want to strike up a conversation with you, but you should ignore them.

Camel Rides at the Pyramids of Egypt

• I think it's an excellent idea to ride a horse or camel, but if you do, make sure to haggle over the terms and pricing before you get on.

• The touts frequently try to upsell you at exorbitant charges after you've already committed and feel obligated.

• Pay for your ride when it has been completed, regardless of what they tell you! Don't pay for it before either!

• The Egyptian government set a fixed charge of 500 EGP (about $10 USD) per hour for camel rides starting in 2024. If you're having trouble negotiating a reasonable price with the touts, you may always point to the sign that says as much, which is located close to the entrance.

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The Giza Great Sphinx

• Remember to make a stop to the Great Sphinx as well.

• The earliest extant sculpture in Egypt depicts this legendary creature, which has the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion.

• You can stroll up to the sphinx by just presenting your ticket at the entry, as it is part of the 120 EGP ticket that you purchased at the pyramids' entrance.

• In addition, there's a fantastic outdoor photo op close to the gate where you can obtain a front-on picture of the Pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx combined (see the image above).

• Unfortunately, there was scaffolding covering the sphinx's body and paws when I went, but I believe this was due to the expectation of US First Lady Melania Trump's arrival the following week.

Accommodations Close to the Egyptian Pyramids

• The main entrance to the pyramids is within a 5-minute walk from a number of charming hotels in Giza, most of which have fantastic rooftop views over the surrounding area.

• Because you may travel at your own pace and make the most of your time in Giza, I would strongly advise spending at least one night there.

• For $32 USD a night, I stayed at the Marvel Stone Hotel, which has a fantastic rooftop terrace with views of the Sphinx and pyramids, replete with comfortable chairs and a pool table.

• One of the best parts of my vacation to Giza was actually being able to relax and take in the pyramids and the distant camels without having to deal with pushy salespeople.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Giza Pyramids?

• Egypt experiences year-round heat and dryness due to its arid climate.

• The best time to see the pyramids is undoubtedly between December and March, when temperatures are at their lowest. However, any month in the spring or fall would be suitable.

• The heat was a problem when I visited Egypt in September, especially in Luxor, but it wasn't too severe in Giza. Compared to neighboring Middle Eastern nations like Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, northern Egypt is not nearly as hot.

• The colors in your pictures of the pyramids will be little masked by the dust, so try to shoot them early in the day. Around noon is the ideal time of day to take pictures of the pyramids because the dust will have cleared and the blue sky will be visible in the background.