Such a cool evening. Can you see the pyramids from Cairo? - Quora Theres no special permit to climb a Pyramid. The prices and travel time aren't fixed and will depend on traffic and your . Thank you for this! Cotton trousers/capris and a t-shirt, a maxi dress, jumpsuit, or a maxi skirt and top combo would be ideal. Wear comfortable shoes as the surfaces at the Pyramid complex can be uneven. Yes, but its just an empty stone room. Bigger tips should be reserved for tour guides, cruise ship staff, hotel staff, and private drivers. Posted on Last updated: December 10, 2022. Before going there, I had this visuals that I had to travel an hour or two outside Egypt to reach the desert where the Pyramids are built. Just imagine the manpower it took to build something like this. So, you may not be able to see as much by walking. These were built by Pharoah Khafre (who also built the Sphinx) and Pharaoh Menkaure. Unfortunately, the place was well and truly overrun by tourists by 10am, so we really had to crane our neck to get any unobstructed views of the monolith. In this dark, hot room is the empty granite sarcophagus. ( Approx $11.50/ $6) Visiting the Royal Boat of Cheops 60LE/ adult, kids half price (Approx $3.30/$2) Entering one of the 3 Queens' Pyramids. . Sophie x. Check out the Giza light and sound show timings and language days here. Egypt is a desert country and Giza is slap bang in the Sahara! Keep hydrated and seek shade when you see it. You can probably also visit the Pyramids without booking a tour, but I had never booked with Urban Adventures before and was pretty interested in seeing what their tour would offer. Although many places take cards like restaurants, hotels, and Uber(through the app), cash is still very much king. $65 per night Check availability Pyramids Overlook Inn Giza, Cairo (0.4 miles from Giza Pyramids) Pyramids Overlook Inn is set in Giza in front of the Sphinx and the great pyramids and has views of the Sphinx and the Pyramids. Giza, Egyptian Museum, Al-Khalili Bazaar Private Guided Tour 2023 - Cairo My guide Mahmoud was extremely knowledgeable of the area as he had grown up there. What area should I stay to see the most I can? In my mind, if youre arriving late in Cairo for an overnight layover, this is definitely the place you should stay. That being said, booking a tour for our long layover in Cairo was an extremely good decision, and we would recommend it to anyone (and no, our tour wasnt sponsoredjust a great success!). . You think you know them, but there are still new mysteries to uncover Written by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. But, there is a solution. If you are not sure you want to spend the time and money to go inside the Great Pyramid, dont feel bad about skipping it. From the top floor terrace you have an awesome view of the pyramids. Want directions? Many Pharaohs used to scratch off their predecessors cartouche (name) after they took over. A great way to spend one day in Cairo is to visit both the Giza pyramid complex and the Egyptian Museum. Of course, no one told me before we waited. For more outfit ideas, you can check out my ultimate womens packing list for Egypt here. Some will put the meter on, some will refuse, some its like pulling teeth to get a reasonable price! And with EgyptAir flights so accessible using Aeroplan miles, Im sure it wont be long until I come back in the future to do exactly that. Prince of Travel is Canadas leading resource for using frequent flyer miles, credit card points, and loyalty programs to travel the world at a fraction of the price. Experience Cairo's very best on a private, full-day tour that takes in ancient sites, artifacts, and a bustling bazaar. And thankfully none of us Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul, Review: Mystique Santorini, Luxury Collection, Review: Al Maha Desert Resort Dubai, Luxury Collection, Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse B), Review: Emirates 777 New First Class Geneva to Dubai, Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse A), Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Toronto, Half-Day Pyramids Adventure Tour with Urban Adventures, How to Find Any Marriott Hotels Email Address, How Much Are Points Worth? Anything else, Id just watch the clock carefully. Its good to know that the Pyramid complex in Giza is located around an hour away from Cairo International airport. Being from Brazil, this can be a great way to go to Africa and see some family on the way back. The most common theory is that they were built 4,500 years ago in2500BC in the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Keen to see the Great Pyramids during a layover at Cairo Airport? Have fun travelling back in time to ancient Egypt! Oops! Private Day Tour Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara. When people refer to the Pyramids of Giza, typically they are referring to the three large pyramids that are located in the Giza complex. Tour Itinerary Details Cairo Tour from Cairo airport to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur Join our incredible experience tour that starts from Cairo Airport to see the various incredible pyramids of Giza, the sphinx, and the developments of the ancient Egyptians. This is where we stayed and it was fantastic. Mostly to get people to leave you alone, but also to learn about the Pyramids. You can visit the Pyramids on a sunrise or sunset tour in the Sahara desert. . Im claustrophobic and I tried my best to go down but I took a couple of steps in and I started to hyperventilate and freak out! Plus,I got to eat or have a drink while watching. Bossi also kept us in snacks and drinks and was completely open to moving at our pace. in from athens; out to luxor; in from. Make sure you wear lots of suncream, wear a hat, bring sunglasses and a scarf with you. The company is Emo Tours Egypt and as of today, has a picture of a woman kissing the sphinx as its first photo. My biggest tip is to ignore it or learn some of the language. Fridays and Saturdays tend to be more crowded than the other days of the week. trying to determine pickup time. By Taxi: There are three types of taxis in Cairo. The tour consisted of ourselves and another French-speaking couple, whom I assumed were from France, but later learned were actually from French Guiana. So annoying when I had to drink 2 litres of water there just to not feel dehydrated. Third Eye Traveller participates in various affiliate marketing programs. So, make sure you go to the toilet first before you start your tour. So, the Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure ordered them to be built for themselves. A lot of people wonder about here; children, locals, tourists and so its important to watch your things. Required fields are marked *. important things to know before visit Egypt, Where to Get the Best Views of the Pyramids of Giza, 2 Days in Cairo and Giza: 2 Detailed Itineraries, 10 Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, & Abu Simbel. Now, this is the million-dollar question that scientists have fought about for years! How long does it take to get to Cairo from the Airport? We just wanted to get to a hotel and rest ASAP after the flight! Live and learn. This site is for information and entertainment purposes only. Cairo is an enormous, sprawling city, but it is surprisingly easy to navigateespecially when you only have time to head to the most famous attractions. The context that our tour guide was able to provide, from disagreements between Pharaohs to cultural quirks to timelines, enriched the experience of our layover in Cairo immeasurably. How much time should we leave when returning to the airport for an 1pm departure (requisite 3hrs or longer?). I became really good friends with the owners and staff in the end, they felt like family! For taxis, camel rides, tours, souvenirs, you name it its here and people want you to buy. Rickys love for travelling and learning more about the world is unbounded. Since youre allowed to have layovers of up to 24 hours with Aeroplan, I decided to take this opportunity to schedule a 16-hour stop in Cairo and check the Great Pyramids of Giza off my bucket list. You can tell my guide had done this before. I always watched the show for FREE from the rooftops of my hotel or from Pizza Hut. I am planning on going to South African in November, I considering booking a layover on EgyptAir with a 10 hour layover in cairo just so that I can hop of the plane, go see the pyramids and hop back on. I read somewhere that you no longer can see the pyramids light and sound show from the pizza hut. His name was Charlie Brown lol! Khaled once again offered to take some funny photos for us. You will pay 160EGP (7) for entry to the pyramid complex. There are no colourful paintings or hieroglyphicsinside. Youll pay 360EGP to go inside the Great Pyramid, 100EGP each for the 2nd and 3rd. Ticking a world wonder off your list will be an incredible feeling. See the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and ride a camel across the desert, then enjoy a restaurant lunch. The building itself is large and beautiful, dating back to the early 20th century, but it is also a bit rundown, lacks the kinds of upscale amenities (like a/c) that you would expect for a museum of this level of importance, and has shockingly few barriers between patrons and many 5,000-year-old artifacts. You can read my review here. The limestone blocks are massive. Despite the amazingness of the site, visiting the Pyramids isn't made easy for tourists. Always check the weight, Alabaster should be heavy. Let us know in the comment section below. This small hotel offers views of the Sphinx and the pyramids. Pause for lunch before visiting the Egyptian Museum and explore the stunning collection of artifacts, mummies and royal treasures with your guide. Thank you. Papyrus is difficult to tear but obviously, you cant do that in the shop! He explained to our group that we were free to wander around the Pyramids for the next 30 minutes or so, and that we could also enter the interior chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu if we wanted. Another option is to go by horse or horse and carriage (but the horses tend to be abused and overworked so we dont recommend this). Keep this in mind if youre on a tight schedule. Thankfully, the Le Mridien Cairo Airport is connected directly to the airport terminal, and as a Category 2 property, is also bookable at the very low rate of 12,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. It means tip and it will be expected everywhere, for everything. At this time it was cooler and completely empty and I was the only one there! But you never know what goes on behind the scenes and the circumstances may be different when you visit (a busier time of day, a different person attending the animals, etc.). If you click through a link on Our Escape Clause, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Giza Pyramids seen on an approach, from the southwest, to Cairo International Airport. I was a woman travelling alone and I didnt want to attract unwanted attention! But, keep in mind that the complex is massive and its hot. Is it safe to visit Pyramids on a layover in Cairo Airport If you have more time and arent tired of Pyramids, its also worth checking out a day trip to Dashur, Saqqara, and Memphis. I didnt see how long of a layover you had to make this quick trip possible. Cairo - Wikitravel Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. To check dates and rates for the Panorama Pyramids Inn see here. Instead, he simply stopped by a convenience store to get us all a few cans of pop, apologizing profusely for the lack of food options. After presenting our Egypt e-visas to pass through immigration, Jessy and I exited into the arrivals area at Cairo Airport, only to be confronted by about a dozen taxi drivers shouting TAXI! In our faces. For 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid was the tallest building in the world, until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in 1311 AD in England. we have used Uber or Cairos metro system to get around to the major sights, waited in line for tickets ourselves, negotiated prices alone, and successfully seen the highlights of the city? and yes will they stamp in our passport that we have transitted? Plus, you can sit outside and stare up at the Great Pyramid over a cup of coffee. Transfer Options from Cairo Airport to Giza Pyramids If you negotiate with the taxis it should cost you a maximum of around 250EGP (10GBP). Normal taxis in Cairo are a gamble and a headache. Its good to note that I didnt at any point feel unsafe in Giza or in Egypt at all. Once the Grand Egyptian Museum opens (possibly in 2023), you will be able to walk from the Giza Plateau to the museum. We also had the benefit of having her all to ourselves, but groups are reported to stay small with this company regardless of the time of year. The Great Pyramid of Giza is 139 metres high and each block weighs approximately 2.5 tonnes. . You guessed it, that happened to me! No. You will need a Visa for Egypt. The quickest I've experienced (early a.m. & very light traffic) is a 45 min journey. Although you could spend all day wandering around taking pictures and riding camels, I found 2 hours is plenty - especially in the heat. How to Enjoy a One Day Layover in Cairo, Egypt By noon, the lighting is so harsh in the sky, and in the afternoon the sun is behind the pyramids making them appear dark to the camera. Giza Plateau Entrance Ticket: 240 EGP per adult, 120 EGP per student (with valid ID) Entrance Ticket to the Great Pyramid: 440 EGP Entrance Ticket to the Pyramid of Khafre: 100 EGP Entrance Ticket to the Pyramid of Menkaure: 100 EGP Combination Ticket (Giza Plateau, Solar Boat & Great Pyramid): 600 EGP Tripod: 20 EGP, Hours of Operation: 7 am to 4 pm all year. Home to around 120,000 artifacts of ancient Egyptthe bulk of them stunningly well-preservedthis museum caused our jaws to hit the floor more than once. Entering the Great Pyramid costs additional money and will add about 30 minutes to your visit to the Giza necropolis. The pyramids of Giza standing tall and surrounded by sand dunesif theres one image that we all know of Egypt, its this one. I had visited the Pyramids of Giza with my boyfriend during our Egypt trip. How did the Pyramids get there? But, there is a solution. ), 25 Long Haul Flight Essentials + Long Flight Tips, The Ultimate 2 Weeks in South Africa Itinerary, 101 Best Short Travel Quotes (+ Caption Ideas!). If you get an early start and book a tour to keep things simple, you should be able to see the pyramids just fine. Is it safe to travel from Cairo airport to Pyramids. It cant be avoided and so I would make sure you keep change on you. we may add the camel ride which is another hour and just trying to ensure we dont get back too late. There are lots of people selling souvenirs in Giza, but be careful youre buying a genuine product. Pharaohs believed that after death they were heading to the afterlife and so needed an elaborate tomb with all their treasures buried inside with them. For example, when you go up to the famous viewpoint in the Sahara, the police would turn up on their camels and demand a tip. If your answer is no then how much is the fees of transit visa? After 2022, traveling by metro will be possible. Although it's nice to have the 1:1 transfer rate, I question if the card is worth it without the the Hi, did you ever figure out if thats the case with the paid supplementary card holders of the premium cards? On our first two days in Cairo, a haze covered the pyramids, but this typically burned off between 10 am and noon. The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops, is the oldest of the three main pyramids on the Giza plateau. Spain or Portugal: Which Iberian Escape is Right For You? Anyone whos been to Cairo can tell you that the city has notoriously bad traffic, although the highway was still relatively quiet this early in the morning, and we arrived at the King Hotel within the prescribed time. By 9 am, this is when the tour buses and groups will come flooding in. If you have the Uber app and cellular service on your phone, this is a great way to get around Cairo and Giza. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To get there, you can take a 60 minute Cairo airport taxi ride or a 1 hour 50 minute bus ride. The strangest thing was how the security here demand tips from your guide. I kid you not, there are hundreds of tour buses that park up in Gizafor tours of the Pyramids. We didnt witness any of this ourselves. Bucket list item: , A post shared by Ricky Zhang (@princeoftravel) on May 16, 2019 at 1:45pm PDT. Camera tickets are included in your ticket price. There are two entrances at the Pyramids of Giza. Please see my disclosure policy for details. We visited the Giza Plateau twice, in the morning and in the afternoon, shortly before sunset. We are opting for the 18hour layover on our way back to Washington DC from Johannesburg in July 2023 because of your blog!! The metro is supposed to be clean and very simple to use, but with only a short time available for our Cairo layover, we didnt consider using it. Ive created a. Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound as currency and I found it easier to get some out at the ATM. If I was paying more attention to sleep cycles than sarcophaguses, the thought of turning an already exhausting journey from Paris to Johannesburg into a multi-day event in order to spend one day in Cairo and save approximately $100 in flight costs might have seemed a tad ridiculous. Independent Trip to Giza Pyramids from Cairo Airport - TravelChinaGuide The Pyramids complex will close to the public for the visiting entourage. If you go from Cairo airport to pyramids by taxi the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. However, there are some places that you can go, like this restaurant, and you can see the Pyramids from there. Sometimes its German, French, Spanish etc. True, less well-known is that fact that you can see the skyline of Cairo quite clearly from the pyramids and that a Pizza Hut commands one of the most epic views of Giza, but in the age of the internet, even these facts aren't a surprise to as many visitors as they once were. Hope this helps, Sophie x. I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. As we spoke of earlier, the Pyramids were built on theWest bank as the sun sets here symbolising the realm of the dead. Ill explain more below. Nine pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and a collection of smaller tombs sit on this plateau. The 10 best hotels near Giza Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt - Booking.com Between March and October, expect hot temperatures. Always check the weighing scales before buying, Make sure if youre buying a cartouche the name will also be in 18carat gold. The biggest benefit of this card was the companion voucher. Recommended Line 2 Metro, taxi Take the line 2 Metro from Martyrs to Cairo University But it is still a thrill to stand inside of this amazing Ancient Wonder of the World. I fell asleep along the way, and so I was shocked to wake up an hour into the journey only to realize that we were still on the highway! The maximum withdrawal amount is usually around 2,000 Egyptian Pounds. Window Seat: Spot the Pyramids Before Landing in Cairo I have 20 hour layover in Cairo- I am citizen of India travelling to Canada in July,2022. There are a few reasons that we recommend a tour in this situation: Could we have used Uber or Cairos metro system to get around to the major sights, waited in line for tickets ourselves, negotiated prices alone, and successfully seen the highlights of the city? See the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Visiting the Pyramids and The Best View in Cairo Just leave your camera in your bag. Jessy and I grabbed a quick lunch there, before making full use of our late checkout to take a quick nap for the afternoon, and eventually heading back into the airport terminal for our 5pm flight to Amman. Of course, you may or may not be traveling from Cairo to Giza (where the main pyramids are located) by road vehicle. The view from the rooftop terrace is amazing and this is a great place to watch the Sound and Light Show, without joining the crowds. With limited time during our one day Cairo layover and no luggage to tuck things into, we werent interested in making any purchases, but we loved walking around, photographing the beautiful shops and stalls, and of course, stalking all the cats we could find. The yellow taxis are the most expensive. However, I have heard reports of some guards allowing people to climb a short way up if they tip the guard. Tour guides will get a huge commission and the price will go up. Furthermore, the tour includes the price of admission to the Pyramids site, which would otherwise be 250 EGP ($20) per person, so I thought we were getting pretty good value. Pretty much wrapped up everything. Very informative and well written article. And we also have information on how much it costs to visit Egypt. There are so many ways to see the Pyramids, you can go by camel, horse, horse, and carriage or just walk. But as tourism in Egypt has significantly dropped since 2010, this is now a big part of their livelihood. I say steps, these are HUGEmammoth blocks that are hot, dusty, and uneven! Bon Appetit! Better to be safe than sorry. There was even a FREE Dinner with an excellent view of the light and sound show, and an amazing view of the Pyramids from some of the rooms. Love it or hate it, there really is a Pizza Hut that is close to the Pyramids. No one is allowed to take photos from the rooftops (I got shouted at), taxis couldnt enter, security and army are everywhere and it seemed all the locals were there trying to sneak a peek. If youre in Giza, you cant get away from it. We were simply driving along the busy streets of Giza before we turned a corner and lo and behold, there they were. The idea behind getting started early in the morning is to beat most of the crowds, as the site of the ancient wonder really starts to fill up by 9am. Answer (1 of 2): The pyramids are in Cairo, but much of the surrounding residential area is very poor. You will enter the Great Pyramid through a hole on the north face of the pyramid. It is almost a 3 km walk from the Sphinx to Panoramic Point, one way, uphill. After some brief introductions, we got into the van and drove off for the Pyramids. The best time of day to visit the Giza Plateau depends on which season you visit Egypt. First, you will need to take a taxi or private car from wherever you are in Cairo. What is the nearest airport to The Pyramids? As we made our way there, it felt a little surreal that Id finally be casting my gaze upon this ancient place that I had only ever learned about in textbooks and classrooms all those years ago. And frankly, it was but we dont regret it a bit.