Sure the pyramids of Giza have a majestic exterior but what intrigues the tourists is can you go inside the pyramids? And if you can, what is inside those massive pyramids that the ancient Egyptians built thousands of years ago?
If you are a pyramid geek and you are looking for answers, or, if you are planning on visiting Egypt for your next vacation, you will be sure to have lots and lots of questions.
Here are the answers to some of your questions and a bounty of tips on enjoying a visit too.
Pyramids of Egypt
One of the 7 amazing wonders, the pyramid complex is located at Giza, the third-largest city in Egypt. It is located on the western bank of the River Nile, and about ten miles from Cairo.
You can enjoy staying in a hotel in Giza and admire the nighttime view of the pyramids, or you can stay in Cairo, from where Giza is about an hour’s journey by taxi.
The King’s Chamber and the granite sarcophagus are just waiting for your exploration. With its intricate architecture and planning, its inside grandeur just brings out the hint of adventure and mystery.
Can You Climb The Pyramids Of Giza?
If your first question was, can you go inside the pyramids of Giza, your second question must be, can you climb them? Because, why not? Well, it is disappointing, but officially you are not allowed to climb the pyramids.
In the past, people could freely climb the pyramids of Giza, but now it is illegal and they do not issue permits. However, sometimes the officials there approach you nicely, or sometimes you may tip the guards to allow you to climb the pyramids.
In general, if you start climbing up without permission, you will get yelled at and might even get arrested.
The Best Time To Visit Egyptian Pyramids
Depending on what time of year you are travelling to Egypt, the optimal time of day to explore the Giza Plateau changes.
When touring Egypt in December or January, it’s typical for the dawn sky to be misty over the pyramids. It normally disappears between 10 and 12. Due to the potential for cloudy skies throughout these months, it is therefore ideal to go to the pyramids in the daytime and late afternoon.
It is recommended to visit the Giza Pyramids during the morning to avoid the heat as well as the crowds (most tourists visit during the afternoon).
Nonetheless, if you want to travel to Egypt during March and October, be prepared for warm weather. Also, Fridays and Saturdays are typically busier compared to other weekdays because schools are out for the weekend.
Many Egyptian families take the weekend opportunity to visit the pyramids of Giza.
Ticket Price of Giza Pyramids
You were also wondering can you go inside the pyramids, well, of course, you can, but it might cost extra.
Out of the three pyramids of the Queens of Cheops, the price of entering the middle one might already be included in your ticket (check while purchasing).
Other than that, the entrance fee for going inside the pyramids might be around 100 EGP, 400 EGP, or 500 EGP, depending on which pyramid you want to enter.
Approximate Price List For The Giza Plateau
- Entrance ticket for the Giza Plateau for Students: 200 EGP per adult and 100 EGP
- Entrance ticket for the Great Pyramid: 400 EGP
- Entrance ticket for the pyramid of Khafre: 100 EGP
- Entrance ticket for the pyramid of Menkaure: 100 EGP
- Solar Boat Museum: 100 EGP
- Combo ticket (Giza Plateau, Solar Boat, and Great Pyramid): 600 EGP
- Tripod: 20 EGP
How To Get To The Giza Pyramid Complex?
You can spend the night at a nearby hotel with a view of the pyramids (like Panorama Pyramids Inn), and simply walk up to the main entrance to the site.
Yet, it’s only a quick 18 kilometres to get to the Giza Pyramid Complex from the center of Cairo. Although Cairo is a heavily trafficked city, you can take one of the public transports to reach the pyramids from downtown Cairo.
1. Reach Through Taxi
The alternative that requires the least amount of work is by far getting a cab to the pyramids. You can flag down a cab on the main street everywhere in central Cairo and request that they drive you to the Haram (the local term for pyramids). It might take you about 30 minutes to an hour to reach the pyramids of Giza, depending on the traffic.
There are three kinds of taxi services in Cairo:
- Black taxis – They do not have a meter of air conditioning.
- White taxis – They have air conditioning and a fare meter.
- Yellow taxis – They are the most expensive, are professionally serviced, and can be pre-booked.
If you can bargain for a good rate, white taxis might be your best bet. In Downtown Cairo, you may be required to pay roughly 40 LE (Egyptian Pounds).
It is also possible to pay extra and have a taxi wait for you while you are visiting the pyramids of Giza, and then take you back to your hotel once you are done. When you wish to get to the distant scenic viewpoint, this could be useful.
However, the pyramid complex is huge and between your excitement with the pyramids, and the Egyptian Museum, and, your affirmative answer to can you go inside the pyramids, you might end up spending the whole day there.
So you do not necessarily need to pay extra to keep a taxi waiting for you for the whole day. There are also numerous taxi services on both sides of the complex – the main entrance and the exit close to the Sphinx.
2. Take Uber
Uber might be the best and most convenient option which is still cheap because you will not have to bargain for a fair price. Expect to pay around 60 LE for the pyramids.
3. Enjoy Public Buses
Public buses are a cheaper way, they are comfortable and have AC. The tickets cost around 2.50 LE.
By getting on buses 355 and 357 from the main road behind the Egyptian Museum you will get to the Giza Pyramids.
4. Travel Through Metro
Cairo’s Metro Network does not cover the entire city, but if you are a visitor, it will be quite efficient as it covers all the major tourist attractions. Also, it is inexpensive because, regardless of distance, all single-trip tickets are LE 2.00.
The 4 metro stations are each represented by a huge red “M” within a blue star. From the time the metro system opens at roughly 6 am until 11:30 late, trains operate per 5 minutes.
Avoid these peak hours from 7-9 AM and 3-6 PM, you can plan your journey by using www.cairometro.gov.eg.
You can ask a friendly passenger to alert you when your stop arrives as the driver may forget to tell you where to get off in the chaos.
Time Taken To Get To The Pyramids Of Giza
If you are travelling by road, the journey can last between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the traffic as Cairo is a very crowded city and could cause multiple delays. This could take you about 45 minutes if you’re taking the bus or the metro.
Distance of The Pyramids From Cairo Airport
The Giza Complex is located about an hour away from the Cairo airport (without considering traffic). During rush hour times, a taxi driver might require around two hours.
Time Taken To Visit The Pyramid Complex
As you already know, the answer to the question “Can you get inside the pyramids?” is “Yes,” and once you’re within the structure, time goes by fairly quickly. Thereby it is advisable to not rush your time there because it might be a lifetime experience for you.
Take a camel ride, visit the panoramic lookout point, visit the solar boat museums, and the list goes on. In all, soak up the essence of the ancient world and ancient Egypt and keep aside a day or two for the experience of this old kingdom.
Prominent Things to look for
- See the Khufu’s pyramid, the pyramids of Khafre, and those of Menkaure.
- Go inside the pyramids because you have got the answer to can you go inside the pyramids.
- Visit the panoramic point.
- Admire the great Sphinx.
- Go on a camel ride.
- Gaze at the majestic light and sound show.
Can You Go Inside The Pyramids?
You probably have already guessed by now, and yes you can go inside them.
Now, the question is how can you go inside? You will most probably need an extra fee depending on which pyramid you wish to go inside. Most people, including your tour guide, will discourage you from going inside, saying that it is not worth paying 300 LE for.
Therefore, the question greater than “can you go inside the pyramids?” is “are you interested in going inside the pyramids?”
The ascending passage inside the pyramids gets narrower and narrower, and some segments are around 1.5 meters in height and width. To facilitate the passage of tourists, non-slip wooden boards, handrails, and lighting lamps have been added to the passage.
In these narrow passages, visitors will need to bend over and climb all the time. About 20 minutes ahead of the passage is the permissible endpoint, the King’s chamber. The last endpoint segment of the passage is the lowest and narrowest section with a height and width of fewer than 1.2 meters.
The King’s chamber is located at the centre of the Pyramid of Khufu and has an empty sarcophagus waiting to add to the mystery. The insides have intricate designs and the brilliance of the architecture is that it seems like it is more from the modern world than from ancient Egypt.
The experience of walking through the 9 meters (30 ft height) Great Gallery and seeing the inner works of the architecture might make the difficult journey worth it. However, the Great Gallery might make you feel claustrophobic due to its narrowness, so you might reconsider your decision if you suffer from claustrophobia.
It takes around 30 to 40 minutes to visit. Cameras and phones are not allowed inside, so you may leave them with the guards at the entrance. They will give you a ticket with which you can exchange your items after you return from the visit.
It will also be good to keep in mind that the insides of the pyramid are very hot and humid, so you might want to carry handkerchiefs and tissues.
Therefore, not only can you go inside the pyramids, but you can also stay there for a short amount of time to admire the intricacies and beauty of ancient Egyptian architecture!
Camel Rides
You can enjoy a camel ride here as well. Do make sure, however, that you are not manipulated into paying higher rates. Signs have been put up with set prices for camel rides to stop scamming tourists.
Camel rides for half an hour would be around 50 Egyptian Pounds.
If you are an animal enthusiast, you might like to be warned that camels and the horses at the pyramids are malnourished and treated harshly.
Explore the Solar Boat Museum
Do not forget to visit the boat which was buried at the foot of the Great Pyramid. It is unknown if Pharaoh Khufu’s remains were transported from Memphis to his tomb and interred there in preparation for his ascent to heaven on what is also known as the Khufu ship. It might have also been placed for the sun god’s own use.
It took 14 years for experts to put together the 1200 pieces of the impressive full-size ancient Egyptian Boat.
What to Wear while Exploring these Pyramids?
The most important thing is choosing suitable footwear for your visit to the pyramids of Giza. You will be walking a lot through sand and dirt in the hot weather, so breathable closed-toe footwear might be good for you.
Other than that, Egypt is a conservative country, so it is recommended that you keep your shoulders covered and avoid short shorts. Other than that, there is no restriction. You may consider comfortable and breathable material like linen so that you do not have to cover your whole body with sunscreen.
Hats are a must. Without hats, you might get sunburnt and your head might remain sore and tender for a few days. You may also carry a cooling bandana if you get hot and sweaty easily.
What Should You Pack?
Apply sunscreen, wear hats, and sunglasses and carry an umbrella in case you need shade (because there is none at the pyramid complex).
It can get really hot, dry, and dusty, and due to the dry heat, it might not be obvious how much fluid you are losing, so carrying 3 litres of water per person is recommended. You can keep it in a thermal bottle so that the water remains cool and drink it from time to time.
Can you Buy Food at the Pyramid?
There is one great place to eat inside the Giza Pyramid complex. This is an outdoor buffet place right near the Sphinx and offers a beautiful view.
Don’t forget to grab some ice-cream from the vendor next to the restaurant. One of the finest ice creams you’ll likely ever try during your vacation is offered there.
You can also go to the top level of the Pizza Hut restaurant that is situated facing the Sphinx after leaving the Pyramid Complex. Grab a bite of your favourite pizza while watching the sun set over the pyramid.
Where To Stay While Exploring the Famous Pyramids?
If you can’t get enough of the pyramids of Giza, start your day and end it at night with a view of the pyramids. Stay at one of the hotels in Giza for mesmerizing views.
Marriott Mena House offers a thrilling view of the Great Pyramid from the balcony. You can also enjoy an amazing breakfast with its endless choice of foods.
Pyramids View Inn is a small hotel that offers an amazing view of the Sphinx and the pyramids. The rooftop terrace is beautiful and a great place to watch the sound and light show without the hassle of crowds. The Great Pyramid Inn is another hotel that boasts an amazing view of the pyramids of Giza.
Final Practical Tips For Visiting Egypt
Egypt holds one of the greatest ancient mysteries of the world. How old are the pyramids of Giza? How did the ancient Egyptians build them? What purpose did they serve? What is inside them?
These are the intriguing questions that you probably asked first. However, Giza is beautiful chaos. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the world and unless you are well prepared, you will be hassled.
From the very beginning like getting the answer to your questions like how can you go inside the pyramids or when can you go inside the pyramids or how to get a tour guide to camel rides, souvenir shops and many more, you will be lost in the hustle and bustle of the chaos unless you are well prepared.
Following are the things to keep in mind while visiting the Pyramids of Giza:
- The first step to being prepared is getting a Visa for Egypt.
- Do not forget travel insurance as it is quite easy to fall ill while in Egypt because of its climate.
- Egypt is an Islamic country and is hence orthodox. It is recommended to pack clothes keeping this in mind for both men and women.
- Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound currency. Cards are accepted at most hotels, but you might need to use cash for shopping and attractions. If you are familiar with cryptocurrency and find an opportunity to use it, be free to do so too.
- To book an Uber, you will need a local sim which you can grab at a nearby Vodafone kiosk.
Enjoy Your Visit to the Egyptian Pyramids
To fellow geeks and tourists, is it not impressive? Not only can you go inside the pyramids of Giza for the enchanting feeling of being inside one, but you can also see the King’s chamber, the sarcophagus, and the intricacies of the architecture, and take yourself back in time!
Hopefully, your adventurous questions on where are the pyramid complex, whether can you go inside the pyramids, how to get to the pyramids, and what to do before you go to visit Egypt, have been answered and your curiosity quenched for the time being.
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Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by somya909
