8 Best Tours to the Pyramids of Giza

As you can imagine, visiting and enjoying the Pyramids of Giza is one of the most popular experiences for tourists visiting the beautiful city of Cairo. The reason is simple: Giza, with its imposing historical monuments, is located a short distance from the capital, making transport to this area quick and easy.

The best way to see the Pyramids is, without a doubt, by hiring the services of an expert guide, but did you know that there are many different excursions, tours and combinations available? Let me tell you about each and every one of them.

The traditional short tour includes a half-day visit to the main attraction in the area: the Pyramids of Giza. It is an affordable adventure designed to be completed in just a few hours, avoiding the inconveniences of planning the trip on your own. If you are only in the city for a day or two, this can be a great alternative.

What these excursions usually include

The companies that organise these excursions provide travellers with an expert guide in Egyptology who can communicate in the language you request; Spanish, French, German and English are the most popular. The guide picks up the traveller at their hotel and takes them by private transport to Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo.

In Giza, the tour includes visiting the three great pyramids: Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure; and visiting the beautiful Sphinx of Cheops, located just a few minutes away. Depending on the company you choose, a camel ride through the desert or refreshments may be included without significantly increasing the budget.

Useful information

• Price: The approximate price for this experience is around €16 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: These are half-day excursions, so you should set aside between 4 and 5 hours for the experience.
• Recommended if... Your stay in Cairo is rather short and you don't want to miss the experience of the Pyramids of Giza under any circumstances. This excursion will allow you to make the most of your time and spend the rest of your trip getting to know the highlights of Cairo.

One of the most highly rated experiences for travellers visiting Cairo for the first time. You will find many companies offering similar packages, adding one or more attractions depending on the itinerary and budget; however, the classic visits to the most popular tourist sites are always included, such as the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Museum and the Cairo Bazaar.

What these excursions usually include

The companies that offer this type of excursion provide travellers with an expert guide in their native language, usually Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Chinese and others. Fast-track tickets to the attractions are usually included in the price, as well as a snack or lunch.

Pick-up from the hotel is usually first thing in the morning to make the most of the day. The adventure begins with a tour of the Pyramids of Giza: Cheops, Kefren and Micerinos. Here you will have approximately three hours to explore, visit the interior of the tombs and take photographs.

You will then return to Cairo where you will have approximately one hour to visit and explore the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, known as the largest and most important market in the city. You will have approximately three hours to visit the iconic Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.

Useful information

• Price: Including admission to the attractions, the price for the experience is usually around €60 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: This is a full-day itinerary, which can take 8 to 10 hours to complete.
• Recommended yes... A recommended experience for all travellers, even if you only have one day in Cairo, this package encapsulates the most outstanding experiences so you can make the most of your day.

For the more curious adventurers who want to explore beyond the Pyramids of Giza and Cairo, this type of experience takes you through other pyramids and monuments of ancient Egypt located southwest of Cairo. Would you like to see the Fallen Statue of Pharaoh Ramses II or visit what was once the capital city of Ancient Egypt?

What these excursions usually include

Although it may vary slightly depending on the company you hire, this type of experience usually includes many amenities, starting with an expert guide in Egyptology who speaks your language (they usually speak English, Spanish, French, German and others); round-trip transportation to your hotel in Cairo is included, as well as tickets to all or most of the attractions. I recommend reading the itineraries carefully before making your payment.

In general, the adventure through Egypt begins with a visit to the Giza Plateau, located about 30 minutes from Cairo. Here you will have the opportunity to see the most famous pyramids built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom: Cheops, Chephren, and Menkaure. A short distance from the pyramids, standing guard, is the famous and imposing giant sculpture of the Sphinx of Cheops.

After spending a few hours exploring Giza, the next stop on the tour is usually the city of Memphis, located about 27 km southwest of Cairo, which was once the capital of the Old Egyptian Empire. Here you can visit important historical monuments such as the famous Step Pyramid of Sakkara and the impressive Fallen Statue of Ramses II. Finally, on a visit to the Dashur necropolis, you can see the Red Pyramid, also known as the Dashur Pyramid.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience usually costs around €70 per traveller.
• Duration of the excursion: This is a full-day tour, so you should set aside 9 to 10 hours for the experience.
• Recommended if... you are planning a visit to Cairo lasting several days and want to explore a little beyond the capital of Egypt and its surroundings.

A very enjoyable adventure that combines the experience of visiting the traditional Pyramids of Giza with a motor vehicle tour to explore the wonders of the Sahara Desert. Unlike other tours such as camel or horse riding, quad biking is much more comfortable and allows you to cover large areas of land in a short time.

What these excursions usually include

Although it may vary slightly depending on the company you hire, most companies start the adventure by picking up travellers from their hotel, either in Cairo or Giza. Keep in mind that the quad bike adventure may be private or shared in small groups, depending on the tour company.

Upon arrival at the Giza Plateau, you will have the opportunity to explore the interior of the famous Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren and Micerinos; you will also visit the Sphinx of Cheops, which rests vigilantly a few metres from the pyramid. Once the traditional tour is over, the quad bike adventure begins, taking you on a leisurely ride through the desert sand, following the instructions of the guide in charge of the experience.

All companies that provide this service include vehicle rental and the necessary protective equipment for the adventure in the price; most will also cover the ticket for the tour of the pyramids, perhaps some refreshments and a guide in your language or at least in English.

Useful information

• Price: The average price for this experience is €38 per traveller.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow an average of 3 to 4 hours for this experience.
• Recommended if... you are a traveller with an adventurous spirit and have some experience driving this type of vehicle or similar vehicles.

Faluca is the name given to the wooden sailing boats used in the Middle East; in Egypt, faluca rides on the calm waters of the Nile have been a tradition for centuries. This adventure combines two very different experiences: the chance to see the traditional pyramids and the opportunity to take a boat trip on one of the most famous and beautiful rivers in the world.

What these excursions usually include

Usually, this type of adventure begins with an expert Egyptology guide picking you up at your hotel. The guide will take you to the city of Giza, located on the outskirts of Cairo, where you can explore the plateau, the famous Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. On most excursions, the entrance ticket to the attractions is usually included in the price, as is a snack at some point during the trip.

Once the exploration of the Giza plateau is complete, you will usually be taken back to Cairo, where the trip down the Nile in a wooden felucca begins; the trip usually lasts one hour. Once the time is up, tourists are taken back to the starting point.

Useful information

• Price: The price per traveller is approximately €35.
• Duration of the excursion: Minimum 5 hours and maximum 7 hours, which may vary slightly depending on the company you choose and the itinerary.
• Recommended if... You have an itinerary that includes several days in Cairo and you want to combine two of the most beautiful activities you can do in the city into one experience.

Combine the traditional excursion to the Pyramids of Giza with one of the most enjoyable luxury experiences in Cairo: a night cruise on the Nile. The experience can be especially enjoyable if you are travelling to Cairo in the summer or very romantic if you are travelling to Egypt to celebrate your anniversary with your partner.

What these excursions usually include

Many companies offer combined experiences, so the itinerary and facilities may vary slightly from one to another. Practically all of them offer hotel pick-up and an expert guide in your language. An important tip is to read the description of the experience carefully, as some companies offer cheaper versions but do not include tickets to the pyramids.

The first part of the adventure usually ends with a tour of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo. Here you can explore the plateau and the important monuments that lie there, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. You will have time to explore the interior and take beautiful photos before returning to your hotel in Cairo. At the appointed time, you will be picked up again and taken to the meeting point for the cruise, where you will enjoy a live show, a buffet-style dinner and a peaceful evening cruise.

Useful information

• Price: From €45 per traveller.
• Duration of the excursion: Approximately 6 hours in total.
• Recommended if... you are interested in doing both activities and are looking for a way to save money on your next holiday.

One of the most interesting experiences in modern Egypt is the combination of the architectural gems of the Giza Plateau with an unprecedented night show that takes travellers on a journey through the history and tradition of the Egyptian people. Another way to experience Giza that I am sure you will not regret.

What these excursions usually include

This type of experience usually begins in the late afternoon with the collection of travellers from their hotels. Depending on the company you hire, transport can be completely private or shared in small groups (10 people or less). An expert guide, in your language, will take you to the Giza Plateau where, before watching the show, you can see the Pyramids and the Sphinx up close.

You will then take your seats to begin the Sounds and Lights show. Some companies combine the night-time experience with a dinner cruise on the Nile, slightly increasing the price of the experience.

Useful information

• Price: The sound and light experience at the Pyramids is available from approximately €50 per traveller.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow about two hours for the experience; if combined with a Nile cruise, it will take five hours in total.
• Recommended if... you can combine the experience with other excursions to the pyramids from the many presented in this post. Although the light show is incredible, you should not substitute it for the experience of seeing the pyramids on an interior tour.

If you want to enjoy an intense and immersive experience, with the most interesting things to see and do in Cairo, seriously consider booking this type of experience. The organisers of this type of tour strive to include the most tourist-friendly experiences and the best local advice in a busy but effective itinerary. You will visit monuments, learn about history, enjoy amazing landscapes, eat traditional food, and many other unique experiences.

What these excursions usually include

Please note that the itinerary, the order of activities, and their duration may vary slightly depending on the company you hire. However, some of the activities you can expect to include are:

Visit the Giza Plateau to see the Sphinx and the famous three Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure. You will visit the cities southwest of Cairo to see Memphis and Dashur, with their important monuments and pyramids. You will visit the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, as well as the city's most important market: Khan Al-Khalili.

Some excursions may include activities such as a camel ride in the Sahara Desert or a trip to the Giza Plateau to watch the Sound & Light Egypt show. Finally, on one of the evenings, you will enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile, where belly dancing shows are usually performed on board.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience costs around €150 per traveller.
• Duration of the excursion: Two full days are required, from morning to night, to enjoy the experience.
• Recommended if... you want to experience Cairo to the fullest and don't want to or don't have time to plan itineraries. With this type of tour, you will have at least two days entirely organised, with the only requirement being to show up at the meeting point at the agreed time.