Nothing prepares you for the scale of the Giza pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built some 4,500 years ago, was the tallest structure on Earth for millennia, and its neighbours, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, line up with it across the plateau above the Sphinx. The site has changed a lot recently. The old entrance by the Mena House is closed to visitors, and the main gate is now a visitor centre on the Cairo to Fayoum road at the southern edge of the plateau. Private cars are banned from the site, and free electric shuttle buses run between stations, including the panoramic viewpoint where all three pyramids fit in one frame. A general ticket covers the plateau and the Sphinx; going inside the Great Pyramid is a separate, capacity-limited ticket.
How it works: the plateau is open daily from early morning to late afternoon, with last entry an hour before closing. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the new Great Gate rather than the old Mena House entrance that older maps still show, then use the shuttle buses to hop between the pyramids, the panorama and the Sphinx.
What to expect: it is big, hot and sandy, with little shade. Camel and horse rides operate in regulated zones; agree the full price before you get on and use licensed handlers. Touts are fewer than before but still persistent, so a polite, firm no works best.
Making the most of it: arrive at opening for cooler air and softer light, book the Great Pyramid interior ahead in the busy October to April season if you want to go in, and pair the plateau with the Grand Egyptian Museum, a few minutes’ drive away.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided or guided visit to the plateau, using the free electric shuttle buses between the pyramids, the panorama and the Sphinx.
Best time
At opening, before the heat and the tour coaches.
How long
Three to five hours, longer if you go inside a pyramid.
Tips
Go to the new gate on the Fayoum road, bring water, sun cover and small cash, and agree any camel price in full first.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Every first-timer: this is the sight that brought you to Egypt.
- Families
- Children love the scale and the camels; the shuttle buses save little legs.
- Couples
- The panoramic viewpoint in the soft early light.
- Pair with
- The Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Where is the entrance to the Giza pyramids now?+
The main gate is the new visitor centre on the Cairo to Fayoum road at the southern edge of the plateau; the old Mena House entrance is closed to visitors.
What are the opening hours?+
The plateau opens daily from 7:00 to 17:00, with last entry around 16:00; hours change during Ramadan.
Can you go inside the Great Pyramid?+
Yes, with a separate ticket on top of general entry. Daily numbers are limited, so book ahead in the busy season.
Can I drive onto the plateau?+
No. Private cars park at the visitor centre and free electric shuttle buses run around the site.
Are camel rides a good idea?+
They can be fun if you use licensed handlers in the designated zones and agree the full price before mounting.
