Giza is the non-negotiable bucket-list stop, yet most British visitors see only a sliver of the plateau. A full-day excursion takes in the Great Pyramid (with optional interior access), the Sphinx, the Solar Boat Museum and – with time in hand – the step pyramid at Saqqara and the ruins of ancient Memphis. With a private Egyptologist you skip the worst of the queues and actually understand what you're looking at.
Excursions to the Pyramids of Giza
Giza Pyramids Excursions
The Great Pyramid, Sphinx, Solar Boat Museum, Saqqara & Memphis
LengthFull & half day
From£55 / person
PickupHotel included
GuideEgyptologist
The best excursion in Giza Pyramids is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
What you'll see
Giza Pyramids, in the order that makes sense
A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.
01
The Great Pyramid of Khufu
The last of the Seven Wonders still standing, and the largest pyramid ever built – 2.3 million blocks, aligned to true north by a civilisation 4,500 years ago. Arrive at opening to have the plateau and the panorama point before the coaches. Climbing into the burial chamber is an optional add-on.
02
The Great Sphinx
Carved from a single ridge of limestone, the lion-bodied guardian of the plateau has watched the sun rise over Giza for forty-five centuries. The viewing terrace lines it up with the pyramids behind – the photograph everyone comes for.
03
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Minutes from the pyramids, the largest archaeological museum on earth holds Tutankhamun's complete collection – all 5,398 objects – together for the first time, plus the reassembled Khufu solar boat. Most full days pair it with the plateau.
04
Saqqara & the Step Pyramid
Egypt's very first pyramid – the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the prototype for Giza – half an hour south, alongside painted Old Kingdom tombs. The standout add-on for travellers who want the whole story, in order.
05
Memphis, the first capital
The open-air remains of Egypt's first capital at Mit Rahina – a colossal recumbent Ramesses II and an alabaster sphinx – round out a deep-history day with Saqqara next door.
Every Giza Pyramids excursions
Ways to spend the day
Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.
Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis – Day Tour
Visit the Giza Pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), the Great Sphinx, Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser and the open‑air museum at Memphis in one day. We run this as a private day tour in a chauffeur‑driven car rather than a large coach, which gives flexible time at each site. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists explain inscriptions, funerary architecture and the UNESCO‑listed Memphis and Necropolis complex. Standard site entrances are included; pyramid interior tickets (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs and gratuities are excluded. Expect limited shade on the Giza Plateau and uneven stone underfoot at Saqqara.
On request
Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis & Grand Egyptian Museum
This private full-day tour covers the Giza Plateau (Khufu Pyramid exterior), the Great Sphinx, Saqqara, ancient Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologist accompanies every departure. We offer the Khufu Pyramid interior as an optional extra rather than including it by default. Unlike large coach excursions, we schedule longer stops at Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum for meaningful viewing time. Expect security checks, museum queueing at peak times, crowded viewpoints at the Giza Plateau, and uneven ancient stone underfoot. Hotel pick-up in Cairo is included; travel to Giza is typically 30–45 minutes (20–25 km) depending on traffic.
On request
Pyramids & Sphinx Half‑Day Private Tour (Giza Plateau)
This private half‑day visits the Giza Plateau to view Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids plus the Great Sphinx. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and provide a licensed Egyptologist, a private air‑conditioned car and hotel pickup in Cairo. Typical duration is three to four hours with flexible morning or afternoon starts to avoid heat and crowds. We do not include the Khufu pyramid interior by default; the interior ticket is optional and at extra cost because the crawl inside is narrow and not suitable for everyone. Unlike large coach runs, our private format keeps walking focused and gives you direct return to your hotel. Cons: limited shade, uneven ancient stone and possible peak‑hour traffic.
On request
Saqqara & Memphis Half-Day Tour
This private half-day visits Saqqara's Step Pyramid of Djoser and the open-air museum at Mit Rahina (Memphis), departing from central Cairo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Cairo-based Egyptologists accompany every departure. Typical drive time from central Cairo is 40–60 minutes depending on traffic; we collect from central hotels. Site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded and can be added on request. We run this as a private car tour, not a large-coach excursion, so you set the pace at each site. Note: limited shade and uneven ancient stone mean sensible shoes and sun protection are necessary.
On request
Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum – Full-Day Cairo Tour
Discover Cairo’s most iconic treasures in one day. Visit the Giza Plateau to admire the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx, then explore the state‑of‑the‑art Grand Egyptian Museum with its world‑class Tutankhamun collection and thousands of ancient artifacts. Enjoy expert commentary from a licensed Egyptologist, convenient hotel transfers and a relaxed pace for photos and discovery.
On request
Pyramids Sound & Light Show, Giza Plateau
The Pyramids Sound & Light Show at the Giza Plateau projects narration and lighting onto Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange hotel pickup in a private car, reserved seating and an optional pre-show briefing by one of our Egyptologists. The production runs approximately 60 minutes with Arabic and English narration; additional languages vary by evening. We do not bundle pyramid interior visits with the show because pyramid interiors close earlier in the evening. Expect outdoor stone terraces and limited legroom; late-evening Cairo traffic noise can be audible, and we can reserve seats closer to the commentary speaker on request.
On request
Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum – Cairo Day Tour
See Khufu's Pyramid, the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir on a single, curated day in Cairo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists guide each visit. We don't run group bus tours; unlike typical coach programmes, we keep visits unhurried and arrange private transfers between sites. Standard entry fees are included where applicable; pyramid-interior access (Khufu or Khafre) and premium museum requests are extra. Expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday–good physical mobility and sun protection are essential. We arrange museum-timed entries to avoid the busiest windows when possible.
On request
Know before you go
The practical bits
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.
Tipping
Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.
Heat & water
Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.
Cameras & fees
A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.
Questions we hear most
Giza Pyramids excursions, answered
- Can you go inside the Great Pyramid?
- Yes – interior access to the Great Pyramid (or one of the smaller pyramids) is available as an optional add-on, bought as a separate ticket at the gate. It's a steep, low climb into the core; your guide will tell you what to expect so you can decide on the day.
- Are camel or horse rides at the Pyramids included?
- They're optional rather than included, and prices at the gate are often inflated. Your guide can arrange a fair, pre-agreed rate with a trusted operator if you'd like the classic photo from the panorama point – there's no pressure to take one.
- How much does a Giza Pyramids excursion cost?
- Pricing depends on the itinerary, group size and season – tell us your dates and we'll send an exact, all-in quote. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.
- Are your Giza Pyramids excursions private?
- Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Giza Pyramids hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.
- When is the best time to visit Giza Pyramids?
- October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Giza Pyramids year-round.
- Is it safe, and are families welcome?
- Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.
Plan your day in Giza Pyramids Tell us your dates.
Tell us your dates.
We'll build the day.
Private Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup, clear pricing in GBP. We've arranged Egypt excursions for British travellers since 1988, with 24/7 in-country support from offices.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Excludes trips with pre-issued flight or train tickets.