Why visiting the Pyramids of Giza without a guide is a mistake (and how to see them like a VIP).
Imagine finally standing before the mighty Pyramids of Giza… The last remaining wonder of the ancient world.
The sun rises over 4,500-year-old stones. It should be pure magic.
But instead…
😬 Locals shout at you every few steps trying to sell photos or camel rides.
🤷♂️ You can’t figure out which tickets to buy.
🐫 You end up on an overpriced camel ride.
📸 You miss the best photo spots entirely.
After my last solo backpacking trip through Egypt, I can say it honestly: Visiting the pyramids without a guide is the fastest way to ruin a bucket-list dream.
I’ve since returned with a guide…
So here’s my first-hand advice on how to experience Giza like a VIP, without the stress.
Selfie time at the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
Want the best experience at Giza?
👉 Book this top-rated Giza tour with an Egyptologist (hotel pickup, skip-the-lines, all organized).
✅ Often sells out 2–3 weeks ahead in peak season, so if your dates are set, lock it in (don’t risk missing out — guides are limited daily).
✅ Hotel pickup and drop-off.
✅ Camel ride 10 or 30 minutes.
✅ Entry ticket.
✅ Bottle of water.
The best photo spot at the Giza Plateau.
🚩 Why going without a guide can ruin your trip.
The Giza pyramids are a big draw for Egypt and are the first on the list for many people during a trip to Cairo, however, if you don’t plan correctly, you can have an underwhelming experience.
The Giza Plateau is legendary — but also chaotic.
You’ll face:
Persistent hawkers wanting tips for photos, camel rides, or just for pointing at a stone.
No real signage, so you wander around clueless.
Scams & price creep: pay one price, then “extras” keep adding up.
Zero historical context — you’re just staring at giant rocks.
(You don’t fly all the way to Egypt just to be stressed & scammed — protect your bucket-list dream.)
A personal moment.
Within 10 minutes of arriving alone, I was swarmed by locals yelling “Sir!”, “Salah!”, “Amigo!” trying to get my attention. Being polite didn’t help — it just made them follow me longer.
I ended up climbing onto the Great Pyramid itself just to escape the hassle (which, by the way, is technically illegal).
A smile hiding the stress.
⚖️ Guided vs. Unguided: What’s actually better?
I am not understating any of the differences here.
It is unbelievable just how stressful the locals make an unguided visit for foreign tourists:
🧘 Stress Level
❌ Without a guide: Constant hassle, confusing entrances, unclear rules.
✅ With a guide: Zero stress. They handle it all.
📸 Photo Spots.
❌ Without a guide: Hope you stumble on the best angles.
✅ With a guide: Led straight to perfect pyramid & Sphinx shots.
📜 Historical Context.
❌ Without a guide: No stories, just stones.
✅ With a guide: Fascinating legends, pharaoh gossip, and pyramid mysteries.
🚗 Logistics.
❌ Without a guide: Sort Ubers, haggle for camels, line up for tickets — all yourself.
✅ With a guide: Picked up from your hotel, tickets prepped, camel rides arranged fairly.
💰 Cost.
❌ Without a guide: Looks cheap at first, but scams & surprise “tips” add up fast.
✅ With a guide: Fixed price, no surprises, often ends up cheaper.
✅ Verdict: Pay a bit more, avoid the headaches, and unlock the real magic of Giza.
👉 Book your hassle-free Giza tour here
(Most travellers say it was the best money they spent in Egypt.)
Buying my ticket.
🏆 Best tours to consider.
Half-Day Giza Tour with Egyptologist
Perfect if you want just the pyramids & Sphinx with stories that bring them to life.
Full Day Giza, Saqqara & Memphis + Lunch
Adds the world’s oldest pyramid at Saqqara and an authentic meal.
Multi-Day Egypt Highlights
Bundle Cairo, Luxor temples & a Nile cruise — ultimate no-stress way to see it all.
🕒 Personal tip: Egypt’s high season is Oct–April. The best guides get booked weeks in advance.
(Trust me, you don’t want to be the one stuck bargaining in the sun because tours were full.)
Getting closer to the ancient wonders.
In the queue.
🚗 Getting to the pyramids from Cairo (DIY).
Still want to go solo? Here’s you can:
🚘 Uber:
Most reliable. Tell your driver “Giza Pyramids main gate (Mena House)”.
🚕 Taxi:
Have your hotel arrange it to avoid haggling. Get a fixed rate.
🚇 Metro:
Stop at Giza station (line 2), then taxi 8 km to the plateau.
🚌 Bus:
Take 355 or 357 from behind the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
The corner spot is one of the best places to grab a photo.
🎟 Entrance costs & hours (2025).
💵 Ticket prices:
Giza Plateau: 240 EGP (~£4).
Student ticket: 120 EGP (~£3) — bring your ID!
Inside the Great Pyramid (Khufu): 900 EGP (~£23).
Inside Khafre or Menkaure: 220 EGP (~£5.50).
🕰 Opening hours:
April to September: 7am – 6pm.
October to March: 8am – 4pm.
There horses and camels if you can’t handle walking in the heat.
How long do you need at the Giza Pyramids without a guide?
If you’re exploring the pyramids without a guide, plan for around:
🕒 2 to 3 hours to wander the main pyramid sites at a relaxed pace.
This covers walking around the Great Pyramid, snapping photos by the Sphinx, and hitting the panoramic viewpoint.
A few insider notes:
Without a guide, you’ll likely move faster (since there’s no storytelling stops) — but may also miss hidden spots or context that make you linger longer.
Be prepared for a bit more hassle from locals offering camel rides, photo ops, or souvenirs, which can slow you down.
✅ Personal tip:
If you decide to enter one of the pyramids (especially the Great Pyramid), add at least 30–45 extra minutes for lines and the climb inside.
(Without a guide, most people rush through or leave frustrated — a small investment buys you a far richer experience.)
The iconic shot.
🐫 Should you ride a camel?
It’s iconic… but tricky… It was for my unguide trip anyway.
The famous camel rides at Giza don’t come easy, as it is an activity that is notorious for tourist scams and highly inflated prices.
Locals start at 500-700 EGP (£12-£17), though “official rates” hover around 50-100 EGP (£1-£2.50).
Always agree on price, ride length, AND whether photos are included before climbing on.
Or book a tour that includes a camel ride to dodge the stress.
✅ This one includes a camel ride.
👉 Check it out here (and avoid haggling nightmares on your own).
✅ Unguided advice: If riding a camel is on your Egypt bucket list, then try your luck for a cheap price!
A camel and his dog friend.
Riding a camel.
The best photo spots at the pyramids.
You are spoilt for choice for photo opportunities as you explore the Giza Plateau, therefore, I have listed some of my favourite spots for the best photos:
In front of the sphinx.
The Sphinx statue at Giza is mystical and draws intrigue from global visitors seeking ancient Egyptian facts about the fascinating stone structure.
The famous Sphinx Selfie is on most visitors’ bucket list, so make sure you head to the vantage point directly in front of it to capture the ideal picture.
The iconic Sphinx.
The bottom corners of each pyramid.
It is said that the Great Pyramid is nearly perfectly aligned along the cardinal points of North, South, East, and West, which is mind boggling.
I found the best selfie spot to capture the ideal angles was at the corners of each pyramid.
I still can’t get my head around how an ancient civilisation could be capable of such an architectural feat.
Panoramic point.
The panoramic point is the best photography spot at the Giza Plateau, as it captures all three pyramids, alongside the smaller queen pyramids.
You can reach the panoramic point by foot, horse carriage, or camel.
It took around 10/15 minutes from the car park where the third pyramid (Menkaure) is to arrive at the platform.
I travelled by camel though, so I think it would be slightly faster by foot.
This is the place where tourists take funny photos from weird angles etc.
As you can imagine the locals are experts at capturing the perfect shot for you, but it costs!
Near Panoramic Point.
Can you climb the pyramids in Egypt?
I managed to climb onto the third row of rocks on the Great Pyramid before security whistled at me and waved me down!
There were other tourists higher up who didn’t get wrong though, so try and work that one out!
I feel in most places in Egypt, rules are made up on the spot, as are the prices.
It is the law now that tourists are not permitted to climb the pyramids, and offenders can face prison time in Egypt for doing so.
The entrance inside the Great Pyramid requires some climbing though, so as long as you stay below that point, you should be fine.
Walking down the shaft inside the pyramid.
How much is it to go inside the Pyramids of Giza?
As I said above, your entrance fee does not cover entry inside the pyramids..
so here are the costs to enter each pyramid:
Pyramid of Khufu
The Great Pyramid, or Cheops is 481 feet high, and the largest pyramid on site, and costs 900 EGP (£23).
This is the main pyramid, therefore, it gets very busy at times. I found the queues and crowds to be very overwhelming for this pyramid.
Pyramid of Khafre.
There are two entrances into the Pyramid of Khafre, with both leading to the same single burial chamber. While they are less elaborate than those in the Great Pyramid, they are still made out of huge blocks of granite.
You can enter and descend through its passageways to see the Pharaoh's ornate sarcophagus.
This one is significantly cheaper at the cost of 220 EGP (£5.50).
Pyramid of Menkaure.
The third pyramid is the easiest one to enter as it is slightly out of the way of the main entrance, so less crowded.
It also costs 220 EGP (£5.50).
Entry inside the Pyramids of Giza has not always been available to visitors, therefore, you should make the most of the opportunity, in case the site goes back to its previous rules.
The entrance to the third pyramid.
What is inside the Egyptian pyramids?
If you are looking for treasure in the pyramids then you are out of luck… however, if you are looking for a cramped chamber which is sweltering and crowded then you will get your wish!
I didn’t find anything special about the tunnels and chambers within the pyramids, other than my imagination running away with itself, thinking back thousands of years.
You can make your way to the King's Chamber and see the sarcophagus of the ancient king, though it is now empty.
The structure and passageways of the pyramids are impressive in terms of construction.
I would say it is worth entering one of the pyramids to see for yourself, but all three would be a waste of time and money.
I much preferred the Grand Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, or the colourful hieroglyphics on display at Medinet Habu.
Posing in the chambers of the pyramid.
Tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza.
Here are some tips to make sure your dream visit to the last remaining ancient wonder doesn’t turn into a nightmare!
Timing is important.
Pre-planning your trips to the Pyramids is important, as with the main archaeological sites in Luxor, as Egypt gets very hot, which makes it very difficult for some visitors to get around, especially in the open air temples.
Early mornings are your friend, and not just in the Southern cities in Egypt!
If you aim to arrive at the Giza plateau for opening time, you will avoid the crowds which arrive on official bus tours from midday onwards.
The temperatures are also more manageable at this hour.
Two more insider tips for you:
Use Entrance 1 – it's less crowded than the tourist-heavy Entrance 2.
Fridays and Saturdays are prime Egyptian tourist days, so weekdays offer a calmer experience.
Come prepared.
Footwear matters:
Opt for sturdy shoes – you'll be navigating sand and uneven terrain.
Sun protection is key:
Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses – the desert sun is no joke.
Hydration is vital:
Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it regularly. Opt for light, breathable clothing, especially in summer months.
Local currency:
Carry Egyptian pounds for vendors, and tipping. Avoid large bills and change money beforehand.
Get involved with the local culture.
Egypt is very traditional and its culture can be very different to what you may be used to in your home country.
You should find it easier to navigate Pharaoh Land with these tips:
Bargaining etiquette:
Bargaining is part of the culture, but be respectful and decide on your fair price before arriving at Giza.
Tipping:
Tipping is expected for good service, and a small amount shows appreciation (a few Egyptian pounds is sufficient).
I didn’t mind tipping the locals after my camel ride, however, he did become pushy asking for more.
Learn some Arabic:
Basic phrases like "thank you" and "no, thank you" go a long way. I learnt that ‘la, shukran’ saved me some hassle later in my Egypt trip.
More animals working in the heat.
Love pyramids? How about the oldest one in the world at Saqqara?
As much as the Pyramids of Giza were a bucket list activity on my Egypt trip, along with visiting King Tut’s tomb, and the Temple of Philae, I actually preferred the step pyramid at Saqqara.
The oldest Pyramid in the world is over 4000 years old and has a different structure to the pyramids I have been shown since I was a child.
I also found Saqqara to be much quieter and to have fewer locals trying to scam you, although there are still a few chancers!
Cairo to Saqqara is only around 45 minutes by car, so if you get a chance, you should definitely add it to your Egypt itinerary!
You can squeeze it in before you head to Luxor and Aswan on your Egypt adventure.
👉 Book a tour that includes Saqqara so you can relax & see both worlds.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is the oldest pyramid in the world.
Final word: Make your once-in-a-lifetime trip stress-free.
You’ve come all the way to Egypt.
Don’t gamble on turning a bucket-list dream into a stressful day.
👉 Book your skip-the-hassle pyramid tour here — so all you have to do is look up in awe.
(Don’t leave Egypt wishing you’d done it differently.)
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.