Giza

Timeless Pyramids on Cairo’s Edge

Cairo stands as Egypt’s largest city, home to over twenty million people. The skyline features modern high-rises alongside ancient pyramids and the Sphinx just outside the urban area. The Nile River runs through the center of town, providing a main waterway for transport and daily life. Streets buzz with markets selling spices, textiles and crafts. Cairo’s neighborhoods reflect diverse cultures shaped by centuries of history. Visitors can explore museums displaying artifacts from pharaonic times or enjoy local food in bustling cafes along busy squares.

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City in Egypt

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.7

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at most hotels, major attractions, and by guides, but less so in local shops or with older residents. Most signage at tourist sites is bilingual. A guide or phrasebook is helpful for deeper exploration.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Giza Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-class for ancient pyramids and desert history. Explore monumental pyramids, ride camels across desert sands, visit museums and learn about ancient Egyptian civilization.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Architecture

Historic sites

Ruins

Guided tours

Deserts

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 7

Couples

🛡️ 5

Travel Beginners

Egypt – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Egyptian Pound (EGP) £1 ≈ EGP 74.69
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Egypt, especially in tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and businesses, but cash is still preferred in many places. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Egypt, with a 10-15% tip in restaurants being standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Egypt, and alcohol consumption is limited to licensed establishments like hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is permitted in outdoor public spaces and licensed indoor venues such as cafes and bars, but it is prohibited in public transport and closed areas.

Revolution Day (25 January)	National holiday celebrating the 2011 revolution
Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)	Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 122 (Police), 123 (Ambulance), 180 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Egypt is known for its ancient history, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and numerous archaeological sites. It offers a rich cultural experience combined with desert landscapes and the Nile River.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Giza, Egypt

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Summer highs often reach 35°C or more from May to September, visit the pyramids at opening time

Khamsin dust storms are possible March to May, bringing haze and poor visibility

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Don't miss

🗿 Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient wonders
🦁 Visit the iconic Great Sphinx near the pyramid complex
🏛️ Explore the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum’s treasures
⛏️ Tour Saqqara’s Step Pyramid, oldest stone pyramid
🐪 Experience camel rides around the Giza Plateau
🛍️ Shop and stroll through bustling Khan El Khalili market

You've been here?

Why travel to Giza?

Giza is a must for anyone who’s ever dreamed of standing before the last of the ancient Seven Wonders. The Giza Plateau is home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Sphinx and a host of smaller tombs and temples. You can explore inside the pyramids, marvel at ancient engineering and even ride a camel against a backdrop that hasn’t changed in millennia. Beyond the pyramids, Giza offers lush parks, the Nile’s edge and easy access to Cairo’s museums and markets. Just be ready for crowds, touts and the sometimes chaotic energy that comes with a world-famous site. The desert sun is intense, the distances are bigger than they look and scams or aggressive sales tactics are common – so bring patience, a sense of adventure and a good guide if you want to get the most out of your visit.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Great Pyramid of Giza
2 Grand Egyptian Museum
3 Giza Zoo
4 Qasr El-Nile Bridge (The Nile Castle Bridge)
5 The Great Sphinx
6 Pyramids Walk Compound

🎡Places for activities

1 Pyramids plateau inn
2 Valley Temple of Khafre

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Ahram Plateau Officers Housing
2 Scouts Club on the river, Giza
3 Orman Botanic Garden

🛍️Shopping

1 Anas Jewelry

🎈Events

Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
Egyptian National Day celebrations
Ramadan night markets
Eid festivals
Cultural exhibitions at Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo International Film Festival (nearby)
Spring Flower Festival in Orman Park
Heritage and crafts fairs
Coptic Christmas celebrations
Local music concerts

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Arrive early; midday heat and crowds build fast.
Expect persistent vendors near the pyramids; a firm “no thanks” works best, keep walking.
Carry small Egyptian pound bills for tips, toilets and quick purchases.
For calmer photos, enter at opening and walk toward panoramic viewpoints before visiting the Sphinx area.

How to travel to Giza

Giza is just outside Cairo and easily reached by taxi, Uber or organized tours from the city center (about 40–50 minutes). Cairo International Airport is the main gateway, with airport taxis and transfers available. Trains and buses connect Cairo to Giza, but private transport is more comfortable. Many travelers stay in Cairo and visit Giza as a day trip, but hotels near the pyramids offer sunrise views.

Access summary

From Cairo International Airport (CAI): Taxi or ride-hail, typically 40–60 minutes.
From central Cairo: Metro, bus or taxi to Giza, about 30–60 minutes.
From Sphinx International Airport (SPX): Taxi or transfer to Giza area, around 30–45 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Giza

Giza has a range of accommodation, from luxury hotels with pyramid views to budget guesthouses and hostels. Staying near the pyramids is convenient for early access, but many visitors choose to stay in central Cairo for more dining and nightlife options. Book ahead in high season (winter).

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir

Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah

8.0

InterContinental Cairo Semiramis By IHG

8.1

Pyramisa Cairo Suites & Casino Hotel

6.8

Novotel Cairo El Borg Hotel

8.1

Marriott Mena House, Cairo

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Giza

The Giza Plateau is vast – walking is possible, but expect long distances and lots of sun. Taxis, Uber or private drivers are common for moving between sites and entrances. Camel and horse rides are available but use with caution due to animal welfare concerns. Guided tours can save time and provide valuable context. Local buses and metro connect Giza with Cairo, but are less convenient for tourists. Early morning visits help beat crowds and heat.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-76 %

Daily expenses in Giza are around 76% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-55 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EGP) is 55% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£18	£40	£109
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£21	£53
🍝 Food per day	£10	£18	£52
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£1	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£4
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3
☕ Cappuccino	£1.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.25

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.24
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.28

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£9
🤧 Cold medication	£1.30
💇 Basic haircut	£1.60

Safety information overview

General safety

Giza is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime and scams (especially aggressive sales tactics) are common around the pyramids. Stick with reputable guides, avoid walking alone after dark and keep valuables secure. Solo travelers should be extra cautious.

Health & Medical

Medical care is available in Giza and Cairo, but bring basic medications and travel insurance. Tap water is not safe for drinking — use bottled water. The heat and sun can be intense — stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Accessibility

Most main sites are accessible, but the terrain is sandy, uneven and involves lots of walking and steps. Wheelchair access is limited, especially inside pyramids. Plan ahead and ask about accessibility if needed.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe for drinking. Stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Carry a refillable bottle for purchased water and avoid ice or uncooked foods washed with tap water.