There are a bunch of hotels in Giza that are within a 5 minute walk to the main entrance for the pyramids, and they usually have great rooftop views to boot. More on that later.

If you’re ready to visit the pyramids, then just head up to the main ticket office and buy your tickets. The scammers and touts will already be trying to chat you up at this point, but you should ignore them.

As of 2024, the general ticket price is 540 EGP (~$11 USD) and that gives you admission to the sphinx and the whole area surrounding the pyramids.

If you plan to go inside the pyramids themselves, as opposed to just walking around and looking at them on the outside (which is what I did), then you’ll need to buy an extra ticket.
 The price is 50 EGP for going inside the pyramid of Khafre/Menkaure, or 300 EGP for the pyramid of Khufu.
 Personally, I don’t think the extra tickets to go inside are worthwhile. The temperature in there can be stifling hot, and the insides were emptied by grave robbers a long time ago.
 It’s a much better idea to save this money and spend it on a visit to the Egyptian Museum or some of the attractions at Luxor, where you can still see the elaborate tombs and gold artifacts.
 Anyways, at this point you’ve reached the pyramids and bought your tickets. The security checks at the entrance are pretty brief, and the lines don’t take very long.
 Just watch your belongings. One time I had cash stolen from my wallet while it was slowly making its way through one of these x-ray machines in Egypt.

You’ll need to decide whether you want to go see the sphinx first, or the pyramids.
 The sphinx is near the entrance, while the pyramids are a 15-20 minute walk away from the entrance. I’d recommend doing a camel ride to the pyramids, then you can loop back around and stop near the sphinx on your way out.
 Don’t get scammed! Giza is full of scammers and very aggressive touts (sellers), just like all of the tourist areas in Egypt.
 You should prepare to be harassed like crazy by shady people telling you that you can’t walk around the pyramids without a guide (not true), that you are in great need of some service they offer (not true), or that their particular camel rides happen to be the absolute best in the business (okay, maybe).
 I agreed to a camel ride and then the guy tried to put me on a horse instead, saying it was just as good — uhhhh no deal. Just be firm, and tell them you won’t pay unless you get what you’ve agreed to.

Camel Rides At The Egypt Pyramids

If you do go on a horse or camel ride, which I think is a great idea, then be sure to negotiate your price and terms BEFORE hopping on.

It’s common for the touts to try to come up with ridiculous prices after you’re already in the saddle and feeling obliged.

Do not pay before your ride either, handle the payment after your ride — no matter what they say!

As of 2024, the government of Egypt has a fixed price for the camel rides of 500 EGP (~$10 USD) for 1 hour. There’s a sign near the entrance that says so, and you can always point to it if you’re having a hard time getting a fair price from the touts.

You can also ask your guide to take some pictures of you on the camel using your camera, but be prepared to tip for this; adding an extra 50 EGP is probably fine.
 Your guide might demand much more, and may get rude or pushy and aggressive, but that’s how it is with everything in Egypt.
 Just negotiate a price beforehand, and stick with it. Even the most aggressive touts will back down when they see that you won’t. This is a normal part of life and travel in Egypt.