Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & Views

3 hours, from €36, entrance included. 4.4 out of 266 reviews. What the provider OceanAir Travel promises, what it leaves open, and what is added to the price on the day

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Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & Views

★ 4.3(246 Reviews)
  • Plateau area ticket included
  • Tour in German indicated
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
  • Duration per provider: 3 hours

Walking Tour of the Giza Plateau

OceanAir Travel takes you from Giza for three hours across the Giza Plateau. You'll see the three pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the viewpoints between the structures. The Pyramid of Khafre is the middle one and still has its casing at the top; the Pyramid of Menkaure has granite from Aswan in its lower courses. The Sphinx is carved from the bedrock, and you'll stand on the terrace above it during the visit. The provider advertises the tour as "skip the line"; a live guide accompanies you, leading in English, French, Italian, Spanish, or German. If you're looking for a walk focused on the plateau that includes the paths between the pyramids, you'll get a clear time frame here.

Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & ViewsGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & ViewsGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & ViewsGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & ViewsGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & Views

Photos from the provider OceanAir Travel. They show the offer, not your day.

Provider
OceanAir Travel
Duration
3 hours
Start location
Giza
Group type
Group
Guide
Live guide
German-speaking
Yes
Hotel pickup
Not specified
Price
From €36
Rating
4.4 out of 266 reviews
Quality threshold
Passed

What's included, what's not, and what the provider doesn't say

The catalog distinguishes three states, and the third is the most important: no information does not mean excluded, but unclarified.

ServiceStatusWhat that means for you
Plateau area ticketIncludedIncluded in the price, nothing more to pay.
Interior of a pyramidAs an add-onExplicitly included.
Hotel pickupAs an add-onIncluded, meeting point is your accommodation.
LunchNot specifiedNot indicated.
Burial chambers and mastabasNowhere in the catalogIn the entire reviewed catalog, no offer sells access to a tomb on the plateau.
CancellationFree up to 24 hours beforeProvider's statement in the catalog.
Plateau area ticket
Status
Included
What that means for you
Included in the price, nothing more to pay.
Interior of a pyramid
Status
As an add-on
What that means for you
Explicitly included.
Hotel pickup
Status
As an add-on
What that means for you
Included, meeting point is your accommodation.
Lunch
Status
Not specified
What that means for you
Not indicated.
Burial chambers and mastabas
Status
Nowhere in the catalog
What that means for you
In the entire reviewed catalog, no offer sells access to a tomb on the plateau.
Cancellation
Status
Free up to 24 hours before
What that means for you
Provider's statement in the catalog.

What the entry price covers

The entry price starts at 36 euros. Included is the area ticket for the Giza Plateau. It officially costs 700 Egyptian pounds; at 59.14 EGP per euro, that's about 11 euros. Exactly this amount is covered by the provider; it won't be added on the day. The area ticket is valid for the grounds, not for interiors. The interior of the Great Pyramid of Khufu can be booked as an add-on, at the official price of 1,000 EGP, roughly 16 euros. Hotel pickup is also only available as an add-on; OceanAir doesn't state a price for it. Whether lunch is included or can be added is not mentioned by the provider. The booking can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start.

The price in comparison

Entry price of this tour against the four best-documented offers in the same category. The highlighted bar is this tour.

Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Li…36 €
Giza: Guided Pyramid Tour at Sun…40 €
Giza: Pyramid, Memphis, Sakkara with …31 €
Pyramids of Giza: Quad Desert Safari…34 €
Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx: Half-Day…25 €

Price alone says little. Read it together with the "Area ticket" row in the comparison table: An offer without entrance is not cheaper, but calculated differently.

Figures in this chart as a table
RowGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Li…Giza: Guided Pyramid Tour at Sun…Giza: Pyramid, Memphis, Sakkara with …Pyramids of Giza: Quad Desert Safari…Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx: Half-Day…
Entry price36 €40 €31 €34 €25 €

This tour against four comparable ones

All five come from the category "Tours from Giza". The column for this tour is highlighted; the other four are the best-documented in the category.

Gizeh-Pyramiden Wandertour: Ohne Anstehen, Sphinx & …Gizeh: Geführte Pyramiden-Tour bei Sonnenaufgang …Gizeh: Pyramide, Memphis, Sakkara mit optional …Pyramiden von Gizeh: Quad-Wüstensafari und …Pyramiden von Gizeh und Sphinx: Halbtägige private …
ProviderOceanAir TravelEgypt Excursions OnlineEgypt Excursions OnlineEmo Tours EgyptEmo Tours Egypt
Pricefrom 36 €from 40 €from 31 €from 34 €from 25 €
Duration3 hours5 hours3 to 8 hours1 to 2 hours4 hours
Group typegroupgroupgroupprivateprivate
German-speakingyesnoyesyesno
Area ticketincludedAdd-onincludedAdd-onincluded
Pickupnot specifiedyesyesyesnot specified
Rating (reviews)4.4 (266)4.7 (928)4.8 (388)4.5 (1,167)4.4 (1,607)
Quality thresholdpassedpassedpassedpassedpassed
Free cancellation until24 h24 h24 h24 h24 h
Gizeh-Pyramiden Wandertour: Ohne Anstehen, Sphinx & Aussichten
Provider
OceanAir Travel
Price
from 36 €
Duration
3 hours
Group type
group
German-speaking
yes
Area ticket
included
Pickup
not specified
Rating (reviews)
4.4 (266)
Quality threshold
passed
Free cancellation until
24 h
Gizeh: Geführte Pyramiden-Tour bei Sonnenaufgang mit Kamelritt und Frühstück
Provider
Egypt Excursions Online
Price
from 40 €
Duration
5 hours
Group type
group
German-speaking
no
Area ticket
Add-on
Pickup
yes
Rating (reviews)
4.7 (928)
Quality threshold
passed
Free cancellation until
24 h
Gizeh: Pyramide, Memphis, Sakkara mit optional Dahschur und Feluke-Tour
Provider
Egypt Excursions Online
Price
from 31 €
Duration
3 to 8 hours
Group type
group
German-speaking
yes
Area ticket
included
Pickup
yes
Rating (reviews)
4.8 (388)
Quality threshold
passed
Free cancellation until
24 h
Pyramiden von Gizeh: Quad-Wüstensafari und optionaler Kamelritt
Provider
Emo Tours Egypt
Price
from 34 €
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Group type
private
German-speaking
yes
Area ticket
Add-on
Pickup
yes
Rating (reviews)
4.5 (1,167)
Quality threshold
passed
Free cancellation until
24 h
Pyramiden von Gizeh und Sphinx: Halbtägige private oder Gruppen-Tour
Provider
Emo Tours Egypt
Price
from 25 €
Duration
4 hours
Group type
private
German-speaking
no
Area ticket
included
Pickup
not specified
Rating (reviews)
4.4 (1,607)
Quality threshold
passed
Free cancellation until
24 h

The order follows the documentation, not the commission. All values come from the same catalog fields so that the columns are comparable.

How many people have judged?

Number of reviews per offer, with the rating in parentheses. A rating without its sample size is not information.

Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Ski… (4.4)266 Reviews
Giza: Guided Pyramid Tour… (4.7)928 Reviews
Giza: Pyramid, Memphis, Sakk… (4.8)388 Reviews
Pyramids of Giza: Quad Desert… (4.5)1.167 Reviews
Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx… (4.4)1.607 Reviews

The quality threshold for this page is ten reviews. Anything below that is not a judgment but a coincidence.

Figures in this chart as a table
RowGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Ski… (4.4)Giza: Guided Pyramid Tour… (4.7)Giza: Pyramid, Memphis, Sakk… (4.8)Pyramids of Giza: Quad Desert… (4.5)Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx… (4.4)
Reviews266 Reviews928 Reviews388 Reviews1,167 Reviews1,607 Reviews

What the rating 4.4 is worth

The rating 4.4 is based on 266 reviews. By number of reviews, the tour ranks 6th in its group of 43 offers. In the category list, it ranks 7th; the order there is based on evidence strength, not on the rating alone. Of the four comparison offers, three score better (4.5, 4.7, and 4.8) but have more reviews; one is tied at 4.4 with 1,607 votes. The 4.4 thus stands on a solid basis, but not as broad as the most-reviewed tours in this group.

The day, stop by stop

The order follows the usual sequence. Each stop tells you what to expect there and the documented figures; everything else is in the data sheet.

  1. Meeting point

    You make your own way to the meeting point; the duration counts from there.

  2. Giza Plateau

    The site itself: the three pyramids, the Sphinx, and the viewpoints in between. Private vehicles are not allowed up; you travel by electric shuttle or on foot.

  3. Great Sphinx

    Carved from the bedrock, not built. The public stands on the terrace above, not beside the paws.

  4. Great Pyramid of Khufu

    The largest of the three, from the outside. The interior is a separate ticket and not included in almost any offer.

  5. Pyramid of Khafre

    The middle one, still with casing at the top. Its Valley Temple is included in the area ticket and is the shadiest spot on the site.

  6. Pyramid of Menkaure

    The smallest of the three, clad in granite from Aswan on its lower courses.

  7. Back to the starting point

    The return trip is included in the stated duration. In Cairo traffic, it is the most unpredictable part of the day.

A place in this list is a stop, not a promise about the duration of the stop.

Temperatures in Cairo over the year

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures per month. Two series, one axis; the points mark the hottest and coldest months. Giza (city) has no official station of its own; measurements are taken in Cairo.

Daily maximumDaily minimum
715233038Daily maximum, Jul: 35,0 °C35Daily maximum, Jan: 18,9 °C19Daily minimum, Aug: 24,3 °C24Daily minimum, Jan: 10,1 °C10JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

There is hardly any shade on the site itself; the values are normal outdoor values and not a forecast.

Figures in this chart as a table
RowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Daily maximum18.9 °C20.5 °C23.8 °C28.1 °C32.2 °C34.6 °C35 °C34.9 °C33.4 °C30 °C24.9 °C20.5 °C
Daily minimum10.1 °C11 °C13.2 °C15.9 °C19.3 °C22.2 °C23.8 °C24.3 °C22.7 °C20 °C15.6 °C11.7 °C

Monthly temperatures and choosing the time of day

The chart above this section shows the monthly temperatures of the nearest official station, because no measurements are available for the city of Giza itself. June to August are the hottest months: highs reach 35 degrees, lows between 22 and 24 degrees. From May to September, lows remain between 19 and 24 degrees, and there is hardly any shade on the site. These are normal outdoor values, not a forecast. From November to February, highs only reach 19 to 25 degrees; then you can also plan the walk for the middle of the day. The provider does not specify a fixed time of day. In the warm half of the year, starting in the morning is the choice with less heat stress.

The complete data sheet

Every piece of information that this project has documented about this tour, the places in its program, and the area covered by your ticket: 201 rows, each with its source. Collapsed because this is not a reading page, but fully present.

Download full table as CSV · 201 Rows

Show all 201 entries
ItemValueSource
The offer30
Provider's titleGiza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & ViewsGetYourGuide catalog
ProviderOceanAir TravelGetYourGuide catalog
Product number1108773GetYourGuide catalog
Start locationGizaGetYourGuide catalog
Duration3 hoursGetYourGuide catalog
Multi-daynoGetYourGuide catalog
Starting price36 €GetYourGuide, live retrieval
Starting price in local currencyapprox. 2,129 EGPExchange rate 59.14 EGP per euro
Rating4.4 starsGetYourGuide, live retrieval
Number of reviews266GetYourGuide, live retrieval
Project quality thresholdpassedOwn rule: at least 4.0 with at least 10 reviews
Rank in category7 out of 43 in "Tours from Giza"Own evaluation, score weighted by number of reviews
Plateau area ticketincludedGetYourGuide catalog
Interior of a pyramidas an add-onGetYourGuide catalog
Access to a tombno offer in the catalog sells thisOwn evaluation of all 252 offers
Hotel pickupnot specifiedGetYourGuide catalog
Lunchnot specifiedGetYourGuide catalog
Type of guidelive guided tourGetYourGuide catalog
Guide languagesFrench, Italian, Spanish, English, GermanGetYourGuide catalog
German-speaking guideyesGetYourGuide catalog
Private booking possiblenoGetYourGuide catalog
Small groupnoGetYourGuide catalog
Group format according to providernot specifiedGetYourGuide catalog
Preferred entryyesGetYourGuide catalog
Wheelchair accessiblenoGetYourGuide catalog
Free cancellationyesGetYourGuide catalog
Cancellation deadline24 hours before startGetYourGuide catalog
Giza reference in cataloghighOwn check of catalog fields
Provider images5 photosGetYourGuide catalog
Data status2026-09-03Own retrieval
Giza Plateau22
Area ticket for foreigners (adults)EGP 700 · Students EGP 350; Egyptians EGP 60/30. Does NOT cover the interiorsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities
Site ticket for students (foreigners)EGP 350Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Opening hours (official website)08:00–16:00 · Official sources contradict each other (PDF from 2020: 07:00–17:00); ticket office closes one hour before closingMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities
Ticket office closes before the gates close1 hourAntiquities administration (standard practice)
Payment at the ticket officecard only, no cash · Cashless sales since 2023; cash is still needed for tips and small purchasesDaily News Egypt
Main entrance since 2025Great Gate on the Cairo–Fayoum desert road (southwest) · Replaces the old gate at Mena House; Sphinx Gate is open but has no ticket officeRESEARCH-BASE
Private vehicles on the plateaubanned since the 2025 reorganisationRESEARCH-BASE
Electric shuttleincluded in the entrance fee, hop-on/hop-off · Confirmed stops: Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, Panorama Point, SphinxRESEARCH-BASE
Visitor operationsOrascom Pyramids Entertainment (OPE), 15-year contract since 2018 · Ticket revenue remains entirely with the state, plus 50% of project profitEgyptian Streets
Visitors per year (operator's figure)3,500,000 · Figure from 5 Jan 2026; target 5 million; no official per-site figure publishedMiddle East Observer
Visitors per day (derived)9,600 · Calculated from 3.5 million/yearMiddle East Observer
UNESCO World Heritage since1979 · Part of 'Memphis and its Necropolis', No. 86UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Area of the World Heritage site16,358.52 haUNESCO / Wikidata
Length of the pyramid field (Abu Roash to Dahshur)30 km · Over two dozen pyramids depending on counting methodUNESCO World Heritage Centre
Great Pyramid of Khufu closed at midday12:00–13:00RESEARCH-BASE (site visit 2026-08-31)
Interior of the Great Pyramid (circulating figures)EGP 400–1,500 · Three orders of magnitude circulate; daily quota ~300 in two windows (Hawass regulation after 1998)RESEARCH-BASE (multiple sources, disputed)
Entry for under-16s on Fri/Sat/holidaysonly with ID or accompanied · Regulation from June 2022; current application unverifiedEgypt Independent
Major concerts on the plateau since1978 · About 15 confirmed major performances in five decades, almost yearly since 2021The National
First professional boxing match on the plateau2026-05-23 · Usyk vs Verhoeven, TKO round 11Saudi Press Agency
Private photography at sitesfree, also with system/SLR cameras · Permit required: photo umbrellas, artificial light, equipment that blocks the wayMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities
Milky Way over the plateaunot visible (brightest night sky in the world in the Nile Delta) · Starry-sky photos over the pyramids are montagesFalchi et al., Science Advances 2016
Air purification system in the King's Chamber sinceSeptember 2025 · Plasmacluster; aim: reduce humidity, protect wallsEgyptian Streets
Great Sphinx23
Length73 mWikipedia (en): Great Sphinx of Giza
Height20 mWikipedia (en): Great Sphinx of Giza
Width19 mWikipedia (en): Great Sphinx of Giza
Materialcarved directly from the bedrock · Not a built structure, but a sculpture in the natural limestoneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Date of creation4th Dynasty, c. 2613–2494 BC · Thus the oldest of the Egyptian colossal statuesMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
AttributionReign of Khafre, c. 2558–2532 BC · The official wording is 'the evidence points to' – supported but not provenMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Iconographic ideathe king with a lion's body, as a sign of his powerMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Sphinx Templeimmediately in front of it, next to the Valley Temple of KhafreMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Construction sequencethe Valley Temple was finished before work on the Sphinx began · Result of archaeological analysis, not of traditionMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Facial featuresstriking resemblance to the statues of KhafreMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Interpretation in the New Kingdommanifestation of the sun god, called Horemakhet ('Horus in the Horizon') · 18th Dynasty, c. 1550–1295 BCMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Temple of Amenhotep IIbuilt next to the Sphinx, dedicated to this god · Amenhotep II, c. 1427–1400 BCMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Dream Steleerected by Thutmose IV between the front paws · Thutmose IV, c. 1400–1390 BC; the research figure given by NOVA is 1401–1391 BCMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Content of the Dream SteleThe young prince rests at noon in the shadow of the Sphinx; the god promises him kingship in a dream if he removes the sandKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
Purpose of the stelelegitimisation of the succession and fulfilment of the king's core duty to maintain sacred buildingsKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
Condition in the New Kingdomlargely sand-covered, probably only the head visibleKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
The plateau in the New Kingdomrecreation ground for the court: hunting, chariot driving, archery, resting places in the shadeKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
Dream Stele: material and sizegranite, just under four metres high, several tons · Only secondarily attested; according to a widespread interpretation, a reused lintel from the mortuary temple of KhafreKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
Dream Stele: Conditionabout half of the text is missing, crack from the twelfth line · Uncovered in 1817 by Giovanni Battista Caviglia; thereafter accelerated weatheringKasia Szpakowska in conversation with NOVA (PBS)
Public accessfrom the east through the Valley Temple of Khafre up to the viewing terrace · There is no walkable circular path on the north side of the pit; the minimum distance is on the order of 30 to 50 mMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Giza Plateau)
Access at paw levelofficial category “The Sphinx (Private Visits only + Site Opening Fee)” · Private booking outside opening hours with additional opening fee – not an invention of providers, but also not a normal ticketMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Sphinx)
Claim of a second, buried Sphinxnot substantiated · Presentation from June 2026 from the same group whose foundational work was withdrawn in August 2026Remote Sensing (MDPI), retraction notice 10.08.2026
UNESCO World Heritage since1979UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Great Pyramid of Khufu25
Original height146.6 m · 280 cubits; the official site says 146.5 mWikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Current height138.5 m · The missing eight meters are the removed casing and the tipWikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Base length230.33 m · 440 cubitsWikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Volume2,600,000 m³Wikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Inclination angle51°50'40" · Corresponds to a seked of 5 1/2 palmsWikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Materiallimestone, mortar, graniteWikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza
Origin of the casingTurah, south of Maadi, delivered by ship · The structure was once completely clad in high-quality limestoneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
BuilderKing Khufu (Cheops), c. 2589–2566 BCMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Estimated construction time10 to 20 years · Official figure; exactly how it was built remains unresolved to this dayMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Tallest building in the worldfor 3,800 yearsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Seven Wonders of the Worldthe only surviving one of the ancient Seven WondersMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Chambers3 chambers · One in the bedrock, two in the masonry – according to the ministry, no other pyramid has thisMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Sarcophagusin the King's Chamber, still in place todayMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Grand Gallerycorbelled ascent to the King's ChamberMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Boat pits on the south side2 ships · Found dismantled; the first boat is now in the Grand Egyptian MuseumMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Interior visit foreigners (adults)EGP 1,000 · Official amount; the site ticket is also required. In circulation are also 400 to 1,500 EGP – the ministry's figure is the reliable oneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Interior visit studentsEGP 500Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Opening hours (monument side)07:00–17:00 · Seven days; the site side of the same ministry says 08:00–16:00. The contradiction is official and unresolvedMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (The Great Pyramid)
Midday closure12:00–13:00 · Only the Great Pyramid; documented in the project's research baseMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Giza Plateau)
Temporary closureApril 1, 1998 · Humidity inside had risen to 80 percent due to visitorsZahi Hawass, Restoring the Great Pyramid
Water emission per visitor20 g · Through breath and sweat; the moisture carries salts into the plaster and justifies the limited daily quotaZahi Hawass, Restoring the Great Pyramid
Air purification systemsince September 2025 in the King's Chamber and the chamber below · Plasmacluster technology; the unit is in the chambers, not in the Grand GalleryEgyptian Streets / Ahram Online, September 2025
ScanPyramids: Big Voidat least 30 m above the Grand Gallery · Muon radiography, published 2017Nature 2017 (ScanPyramids)
ScanPyramids: North Face Corridorconfirmed behind the chevron stones on the north side · Confirmed in 2025 by ground-penetrating radar, ultrasound, and resistivity measurementScientific Reports 2025 (North Face Corridor)
UNESCO World Heritage since1979 · As part of “Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur”UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Pyramid of Khafre23
Original height143.5 m · Only slightly lower than the Great PyramidMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Current height136.4 m · 274 cubitsWikipedia (en): Pyramid of Khafre
Base length215.25 mWikipedia (en): Pyramid of Khafre
Volume2,211,096 m³Wikipedia (en): Pyramid of Khafre
Inclination angle53°10' · Steeper than the Great Pyramid, which partially compensates for the height lossWikipedia (en): Pyramid of Khafre
BuilderKing Khafre (Chephren), c. 2558–2532 BC · A son of KhufuMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Locationbuilt on slightly higher bedrock · That is why it appears as tall as his father's – the official text explicitly calls this an intentionMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Remaining casingpolished limestone blocks at the top · The only one of the three that still has casing at the topMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Origin of the casingTurah, south of Maadi, by shipMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Core masonryBlocks of local limestoneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Mortuary and valley templeslarger than those of all earlier pyramids · and among the best-preserved structures of the Old KingdomMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Valley temple: constructionmassive limestone blocks with granite facing, alabaster floors, monolithic granite pillarsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Valley temple: statue nichessymmetrically arranged, once filled with royal statuesMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Most famous statueGranodiorite seated figure with Horus falcon at the back of the head · considered one of the masterpieces of ancient Egyptian artMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
The Great Sphinxofficially part of the Khafre complex · literally listed as a “colossal statue next to his valley temple”Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Statue discoveries1860 by Auguste Mariette, some from a shaft in the templeGiza Project, Harvard University
Current location of the statuesdocumented inconsistently · The official site names the Egyptian Museum, while the Harvard find catalogue lists most pieces with GEM inventory numbersGiza Project, Harvard University
North-south axis relative to Khufuabout 0.5 arc minutes difference · total station survey by Nell and Ruggles, December 2006Nell & Ruggles, Archaeoastronomy 25 (2012)
Right angles of the sidesmore precise than the Great Pyramid of Khufu · same survey; the east-west axis is closer to true cardinal direction than the north-south axis for bothNell & Ruggles, Archaeoastronomy 25 (2012)
Valley temple in the site ticketincluded · thus the nearest accessible interior space at the Sphinx and the shadiest spot on the open siteMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Giza Plateau)
Interior visitnot officially listed · the monument page does not include a ticket block; circulating figures range from 130 to 280 EGP. Do not treat as a priceMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Khafre)
Claimed structures beneath the pyramidnot substantiated · the March 2025 press conference relied on a method whose foundational work was retracted on 10 August 2026; the authors dispute the retractionRemote Sensing (MDPI), retraction notice 10.08.2026
UNESCO World Heritage since1979UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Pyramid of Menkaure20
Original height65 m · 125 cubitsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Base area102.2 × 104.6 m · 200 cubitsWikipedia (en): Pyramid of Menkaure
Construction volume235,183 m³ · about one tenth of the Great Pyramid of KhufuWikipedia (en): Pyramid of Menkaure
Inclination angle51°20'25"Wikipedia (en): Pyramid of Menkaure
BuilderKing Menkaure, c. 2532–2503 BC · probably son of Khafre and grandson of KhufuMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Base area in comparisonless than a quarter of the other two · the ministry cites, among other reasons, the limited space on the plateauMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Casing materialred granite from Aswan instead of limestone · over 800 km transport, and a much harder stone than limestoneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Granite portion of the casingonly the lower quarter · the rest is limestoneMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Condition at the end of his reignunfinished · Menkaure died before completion; many granite blocks were never smoothedMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Mortuary and valley templesplanned as limestone with granite facing, executed in whitewashed mudbrickMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Funerary cult after his deathpractised for about 300 more yearsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Queen's pyramids3 pyramidsMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Satellite pyramidnone found · it is suspected that the largest of the three queen's pyramids originally had this roleMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Interior visit foreigners (adults)280 EGP · official amount, site ticket required additionallyMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Interior visit students140 EGPMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Opening hours (monument page)07:00–17:00 · seven daysMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities (Pyramid Complex of Menkaure)
Announced casing projectJanuary 2024, estimated at three years · the granite blocks lying on the ground were to be reattachedState Information Service (Review Committee Menkaure)
Decision of the review committeeunanimous rejection · reason: the original position of no single block can be determinedState Information Service (Review Committee Menkaure)
Instead recommendedsurveying, ordering the fallen blocks, excavation in the rubble slope, making the site accessible to visitors · the construction project became a research and interpretation project – the current state remainsState Information Service (Review Committee Menkaure)
UNESCO World Heritage since1979UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Giza (city) and the climate17
Inhabitants4,458,135 inhabitants · as of 2023; third largest city in EgyptWikipedia (en): Giza
City area98.4 km²Wikipedia (en): Giza
Elevation above sea level30 mWikipedia (en): Giza
Latitude29.99 degreesWikipedia (en): Giza
Longitude31.21 degreesWikipedia (en): Giza
Founded642 ADWikipedia (en): Giza
Administrative seatCapital of Giza GovernorateWikipedia (en): Giza
Visitors 202514,700,000 people · According to the article, this makes it Egypt's most visited destinationWikipedia (en): Giza
Road to Giza Plateau12.2 km · From Giza city center; the plateau lies on the western edge of the cityOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
Driving time to Giza Plateau15 min · Free-flow time without traffic; in Greater Cairo, realistically much longerOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
Distance to Memphis (Mit Rahina)under 30 km southWikipedia (en): Giza
International airportCAI IATA · According to the article, 45 km from Giza via the Cairo-Alexandria desert roadWikipedia (en): Giza
Second airport: Sphinx International (SPX)Opened 2018 · Explicitly built to serve the plateau and the Grand Egyptian MuseumWikipedia (en): Sphinx International Airport
Sphinx Airport to Giza Plateau36.8 kmOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
Cairo University on site since1924 · The campus is in Giza, not CairoWikipedia (en): Giza
Public transportCairo Metro, shared network with CairoWikipedia (en): Giza
Nearest official climate stationCairo Airport (NOAA normals 1991-2020) · According to the article, the climate matches that of Cairo; no separate official normals exist for GizaWikipedia (en): Giza
Cairo: Normals from the nearest station41
Population (city)9,801,536 inhabitants · As of 2023Wikipedia (en): Cairo
Population (Greater Cairo)22,200,000 inhabitantsWikipedia (en): Cairo
City area606 km2Wikipedia (en): Cairo
Greater area2,744 km2Wikipedia (en): Cairo
Elevation above sea level23 mWikipedia (en): Cairo
Latitude30.04 degreesWikipedia (en): Cairo
Longitude31.24 degreesWikipedia (en): Cairo
Founding of the Fatimid city969 AD · Earlier predecessor settlements (Babylon, Fustat) are significantly olderWikipedia (en): Cairo
Nearest airportCAI IATAWikipedia (en): Cairo International Airport
Airport to city center20.7 kmOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
Road to Giza Plateau16.5 kmOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
Driving time to Giza Plateau18 min · Free-flow time without traffic; in Greater Cairo, realistically much longerOSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data
January daily high18.9°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
January daily low10.1°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
February daily high20.5°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
February daily low11°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
March daily high23.8°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
March daily low13.2°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
April daily high28.1°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
April daily low15.9°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
May daily high32.2°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
May daily low19.3°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
June daily high34.6°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
June daily low22.2°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
July daily high35°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
July daily low23.8°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
August daily high34.9°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
August daily low24.3°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
September daily high33.4°C · Station Cairo Airport (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
September daily low22.7°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
October daily high30°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
October daily low20°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
November daily high24.9°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
November daily low15.6°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
December daily high20.5°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
December daily low11.7°C · Cairo Airport station (CAI)NOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
Annual precipitation24.8 mmNOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
Annual mean of daily highs28.1°CNOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
Annual mean of daily lows17.5°CNOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
Highest recorded value47.8°CNOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia
Lowest recorded value1.2°CNOAA climate normals 1991-2020 via Wikipedia

At the Gate: Tickets, Cards, and Access

The ticket office closes one hour before the gate closes; payment is by card only, cash is not accepted. The official website lists the site hours as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; an older official source says 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., so the information is contradictory. Since 2025, private vehicles are banned from the plateau. The electric shuttle serves stops at the three pyramids, the panorama point, and the Sphinx. The main entrance has been the Great Gate on the desert road between Cairo and Fayoum since 2025. The Sphinx Gate is open but has no ticket counter.

Who This Walking Tour Is For

This tour is right for you if you want to explore the plateau on foot, see the three pyramids and the Sphinx from the outside, and have a German-speaking guide. It is not suitable for travelers who want to book a private tour or a small group; neither is bookable. If you're looking for a private option, you'll find it in the tour “Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx: Half-Day Private or Group Tour”; that one lasts four hours, costs from €25, and is not listed as a German-speaking tour. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users; the provider states it is not wheelchair accessible.

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Six options that a reader of this page might actually be weighing: same departure point first, then same destinations, then similar duration. Each card leads to the page with the same data sheet, not directly to the provider, so you can compare before booking.

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  6. Gizeh: Weiblich geführte Pyramiden- und Ägyptisches Museum Tour

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The order follows proximity to this tour, not commission. Reviews, prices and availability according to GetYourGuide, retrieved on 2026-09-03. Prices in euros; "from" is the provider's lowest entry price.

Frequently asked questions

Is the entrance to the plateau included in this offer?

Yes. The site ticket of about €11 (700 Egyptian pounds) is included in the price.

How long does the tour actually take?

The catalog says 3 hours. This time is counted from the meeting point or hotel, not from the gate; in Cairo traffic, a good half hour to a full hour each way goes to that.

Is there a German-speaking guide?

Yes, the provider lists German as the guiding language. That is a promise from the provider, not a verified trait of the person on site.

Will this get me inside a pyramid?

Only as an add-on. The interior of the Great Pyramid of Khufu officially costs around €16 (1,000 Egyptian pounds).

Is the rating for this offer meaningful?

Yes. 4.4 stars from 266 reviews is above the threshold of 4.0 with at least ten votes that this site uses.

Where can I find all the data for this tour?

In the data sheet on this page. It lists every detail about the tour, each destination, and the climate of the starting city, each with its source, and can be downloaded as a CSV.

GetYourGuide

Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip the Line, Sphinx & Views

Dates, availability, and the latest version of the services are with the provider. This page reflects the catalog status, not this morning's status.

from 36 €
View

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from one of these sources. The main text doesn't cite them to keep it readable; the data sheet lists the source in every row.

  1. 1
    GetYourGuide: Gizeh-Pyramiden Wandertour: Ohne Anstehen, Sphinx & Aussichten abgerufen 2026-09-03Title, duration, services, languages, cancellation policy, stars, number of reviews, and starting price.
  2. 2
    Kursdatensatz des Projekts, partners/fx.json abgerufen 2026-09-03Conversion of Egyptian pounds to euros, 59.14 EGP per euro. Amounts are rounded down because “from” indicates a lower limit.
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    Daily News Egypt abgerufen 2026-08-31
  6. 6
    RESEARCH-BASE abgerufen 2026-08-31
  7. 7
    Egyptian Streets abgerufen 2026-08-31
  8. 8
    Middle East Observer abgerufen 2026-08-31
  9. 9
    UNESCO World Heritage Centre abgerufen 2026-08-31
  10. 10
    UNESCO / Wikidata abgerufen 2026-08-31
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    Egypt Independent abgerufen 2026-08-31
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    The National abgerufen 2026-08-31
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    Saudi Press Agency abgerufen 2026-08-31
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    Egyptian Streets abgerufen 2026-08-31
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    Wikipedia (en): Great Sphinx of Giza abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Wikipedia (en): Great Pyramid of Giza abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Nature 2017 (ScanPyramids) abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Wikipedia (en): Pyramid of Khafre abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Wikipedia (en): Pyramid of Menkaure abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Wikipedia (en): Giza abgerufen 2026-09-03
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    Wikipedia (en): Sphinx International Airport abgerufen 2026-09-03
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  41. 41
    RESEARCH-BASE abgerufen 2026-08-31
  42. 42
    UNESCO World Heritage Centre abgerufen 2026-09-04
  43. 43
    Egypt Independent abgerufen 2026-08-31
  44. 44
    Wikipedia (en): Cairo abgerufen 2026-09-03
  45. 45
    Wikipedia (en): Cairo International Airport abgerufen 2026-09-03
  46. 46
    NOAA-Klimanormalen 1991-2020 via Wikipedia abgerufen 2026-09-03