Memphis, Sakkara & Dahshur (including Unas Pyramid)
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
Memphis and Sakkara Sites Entry Ticket is a 1-day attraction ticket covering Memphis, Sakkara, the Unas Pyramid, selected tombs, and the Dahshur pyramid group in Cairo, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Cairo
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo and the desert outskirts are milder and walking conditions are easier. Midday heat can be intense from May to September, so early arrival is often the best option. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening schedules and visitor volume may change, so check hours in advance.
02 Overview
A first look
Visit the necropolis of Memphis, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara, Dahshur's Bent and Red Pyramids, and the Unas Pyramid. Standard site entrance fees are included; optional pyramid interiors or premium tombs are excluded.
Background
The facts
Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt during the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom periods, traditionally linked with Pharaoh Menes. The archaeological area lies south of modern Cairo and is usually visited together with the Sakkara necropolis and the nearby Dahshur pyramid field, creating one of the most important concentrations of Old Kingdom monuments in Egypt.
At Sakkara, the key monument is the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser, built in the 27th century BCE and widely regarded as the earliest large-scale stone monument in Egypt. The site also includes funerary structures, mastaba tombs, and the Pyramid of Unas, whose burial chamber is known for its Pyramid Texts. Dahshur contains the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, both associated with Pharaoh Sneferu and visible as major exterior monuments across the desert plateau.
This admission grants access to the Memphis and Sakkara archaeological sites as stated on the ticket, including the named monuments and selected tombs listed on the site plan. It does not include premium extras, private tomb surcharges, or any services not printed on the ticket. Opening hours vary by season, and last admission can change; visitors should check the official site information before arrival and keep the ticket ready at the entrance gate.
Practical visitor conditions are typical for open-air archaeological sites in Cairo: light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially in warmer months from May to September when daytime temperatures can be high. Photography rules vary by monument and can change without notice, so check at the entrance before taking images. A printed copy is advisable if the venue does not accept mobile display, and access arrangements for wheelchairs or strollers may be limited on uneven ground.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This ticket suits independent travelers, archaeology enthusiasts, and first-time visitors who want access to several adjacent Old Kingdom sites in one purchase. It is also suitable for adults and older children comfortable with outdoor walking, uneven paths, and periodic security checks.
What lingers
- 01 Visit Memphis and its Necropolis – a UNESCO site (Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, 1979).
- 02 See Sakkara's Step Pyramid of Djoser; our Egyptologists explain its 27th‑century BC construction.
- 03 Explore Dahshur's Bent and Red Pyramids – part of the same Pyramid Fields UNESCO listing.
- 04 Enter Unas Pyramid to see original Pyramid Texts – interior access excluded unless explicitly booked.
- 05 Standard site entrance fees included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs excluded unless explicitly requested.
- 06 Unlike large group shuttles, we use a private car for flexibility between Sakkara, Memphis and Dahshur.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Admission ticket to the Memphis and Sakkara archaeological sites as stated on the ticket
Not included
- Transport to/from the site
- Professional commentary services, bookable separately if required
- Meals and personal expenses
- Photography permit or tripod permit, if required by the venue; check at the entrance
- Tickets are delivered by email as a PDF after booking; some venues require a printed copy, so please print your ticket if in doubt
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 Are entrance fees included for Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur?
Standard site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise. Pyramid interiors and selected premium tombs are commonly excluded and may require separate tickets; we will confirm at booking. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and include the regular entry tickets for Memphis, the Step Pyramid complex at Sakkara and the Dahshur Bent and Red pyramids unless noted on your quotation. -
02 How long should I allow for Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur?
Plan three to five hours for a combined visit to Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur. Adding interior visits (for example a pyramid or a tomb) or heavy Cairo traffic can extend this to a half-day. We do not squeeze these three sites into a 90‑minute coach stop; our itineraries allow unhurried time with one of our Egyptologists. -
03 Can I enter the Unas Pyramid interior?
Access to the Unas Pyramid interior is variable and may require a separate ticket when open. The internal chamber has low ceilings and narrow passages; it can be claustrophobic and involves several steep, uneven steps. Our Egyptologists will advise whether we recommend interior access on the day and can arrange the necessary permissions when available. -
04 Is photography allowed at Sakkara and Dahshur?
Photography is generally permitted outdoors; flash and tripods are typically prohibited inside tombs and certain interiors. Drone use is restricted and requires formal permits which we can arrange in advance if necessary. Sometimes small additional fees apply for interior photography–if so we will tell you before you go. -
05 Is the route suitable for people with limited mobility?
Sites have uneven ground, sand, cobbles and steep or low steps; accessibility is limited. Wheelchairs will encounter significant barriers in mastaba areas, the Serapeum approach and many tomb interiors; portable assistance is often required. We can plan a shorter-walk itinerary, provide a private car and arrange local helpers, but full-step-free access is rarely possible. -
06 When is the best time of day to visit Sakkara and Dahshur?
Early morning or late afternoon is best to avoid mid‑day heat and stronger light. Mid‑day brings limited shade, higher temperatures and harsher photography conditions; visiting at opening also reduces crowding. During Ramadan and public holidays opening hours can change; we check and adapt timings for you.
Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: TKT-CAI-577068
You Might Also Like
AswanAbu Simbel Temples, Aswan
Abu Simbel lies about 280 km south of Aswan and is reached by a 40‑minute flight or a 3.5–4 hour road transfer. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private early flights and timed private‑car arrivals so clients avoid coach crowds and the hottest hours. The twin sites are the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, moved to higher ground between 1964 and 1968 during an international relocation campaign and included in the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing. Trade‑offs: a same‑day return requires an early start and either a long road journey or a small‑plane seat; shade is limited on the forecourt.
AswanAbu Simbel Temples – Sun Festival (22 Feb / 22 Oct)
See the twice-yearly solar alignment at Abu Simbel on 22 February or 22 October when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary. The twin rock temples were carved for Ramses II and honour Amun‑Re and Ra. They were moved in 1964–1968 and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae'. Abu Simbel is approximately 280 km south of Aswan (about 3.5 hours by road). We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange timed-entry tickets, private road transfers and an Egyptologist briefing when available. Unlike same-day coach runs, we recommend an overnight in Aswan to avoid very early road departures and rushed visits; expect limited shade at the forecourt and large crowds on festival dates.
CairoAl-Moez Street Entry Ticket
Al-Moez Street is a medieval Cairo thoroughfare lined with Fatimid and Mamluk-era monuments, gates and historic façades. This admission grants access to the pedestrianised street and its visible monuments, including views toward Bab Zuweila and the Mosque of Al-Hakim. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the ticket and send it to you by email as a PDF after booking. Unlike a museum admission, the street is an open historic quarter rather than a single indoor site, so visiting times are flexible but subject to seasonal opening hours and special events.