Giza

Giza Pyramids Tour Tickets and Getting Around the Plateau

General admission to the Giza plateau costs EGP 700 (about £14) for adults and EGP 350 (about £7) for students, at 2026 prices. Gates open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM (8 AM to 4 PM during Ramadan), and every ticket is now paid by card — cash is no longer accepted at the gates. A free electric shuttle, included with admission, is the only way to move between the three pyramid complexes; private cars and tour buses are barred from the plateau itself, and climbing any of the pyramids is prohibited.

Entry inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu costs an extra EGP 1,500 (about £30) and is capped at roughly 150 visitors a day, so tickets often sell out by mid-morning. Menkaure's smaller interior costs EGP 280 (about £6), and the nearby Tomb of Meresankh III — discovered in 1927 and built for a granddaughter of Khufu — adds EGP 200. Skipping the interiors still leaves Khufu's exterior height of roughly 454 feet, down from an original 481 feet, to take in from the plateau.

Getting from Cairo to the Giza Pyramids

The plateau sits 12–15 km from central Cairo, a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic. An Uber from downtown costs roughly £3–5; from Cairo International Airport, expect £6–9. Ride-hailing is the simplest option now that tour buses can no longer drive onto the site itself.

Pair the visit with the Grand Egyptian Museum, roughly five minutes away by Uber (about £3–5), to turn a half-day at the pyramids into a full day covering both ancient and modern Egypt without extra transport planning.

Best Time to Visit the Giza Pyramids

October to April is the most comfortable window: summer temperatures on the open plateau reach 37–39°C, while winter days sit at a manageable 19–21°C. November and March are the sweet spot, combining cooler weather with lighter crowds than the December–January peak.

A camel ride around the pyramids is a common add-on, priced at roughly EGP 1,000 (about £20) for 30 minutes — agree the price before you set off, since it is not included in plateau admission.

Many first-time visitors pair a Giza pyramids tour with a longer Egypt itinerary that includes a multi-day Western Desert tour covering the White Desert and desert camping.

Visa and Safety for UK Visitors

UK passport holders need six months of validity beyond their arrival date and one blank page. From 1 August 2026, Cairo Airport's self-service kiosks issue a digital visa for $36 (about £28) by card, alongside the traditional $30 (about £24) cash visa on arrival — both valid for up to 30 days.

The FCDO advises against travel to North Sinai and the area near the Egypt–Libya border — Giza Governorate falls outside every restricted zone and carries no separate travel advisory of its own.

Why Visit the Giza Pyramids

The Giza plateau is the only place on earth where three intact ancient pyramids and the Great Sphinx still stand together, built around 2560 BC and originally rising 481 feet — a height no human structure surpassed for millennia. That combination of scale and completeness is why the plateau anchors most first-time Egypt itineraries rather than being a side trip from Cairo.

FAQ

How much does it cost to visit the Giza Pyramids in 2026?

General admission is EGP 700 (about £14) for adults and EGP 350 (about £7) for students. Entering the Great Pyramid of Khufu costs an extra EGP 1,500 (about £30); Menkaure's interior is EGP 280 (about £6). All tickets are paid by card only, and the plateau's shuttle bus is included free of charge.

Can you go inside the pyramids at Giza?

Yes, for an extra fee. Khufu's interior costs EGP 1,500 (about £30) and is capped at roughly 150 visitors a day, so it can sell out by mid-morning; Menkaure's smaller interior costs EGP 280 (about £6). Climbing the outside of any pyramid is prohibited.

Do UK visitors need a visa to enter Egypt?

Yes. From 1 August 2026, UK passport holders can buy a $36 (about £28) digital visa by card at Cairo Airport's self-service kiosks, or a traditional $30 (about £24) cash visa on arrival — both valid for up to 30 days. Your passport needs six months of validity beyond arrival and one blank page.

What is the best time of year to visit the Giza Pyramids?

October to April, when temperatures stay comfortable. Summer heat on the open plateau reaches 37–39°C, while November and March combine comfortable 19–21°C days with lighter crowds than the December–January peak.

How do you get from Cairo city centre to the Giza plateau?

By car or Uber — the plateau is 12–15 km from central Cairo, a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic. An Uber from downtown costs roughly £3–5; from Cairo International Airport, budget £6–9. Tour buses can no longer drive onto the plateau itself.

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