Questions about visiting the Pyramids and the Giza Plateau

Hi there, I’m making a quick trip to Cairo and plan to visit the pyramids... and I’ve got a few practical questions for those who’ve been before: - Can you buy tickets online before arriving? If so, what’s the official website? - If buying on-site, can you pay in euros? Or by credit card? Or do you absolutely need local currency? - Which entrance is best? The one up top, near the Great Pyramid of Khufu, or the one down by the Sphinx—probably less crowded but seems a bit "jumbled" from a video I saw? - During Ramadan, I think the site is open from 8 AM to 4 PM. Not keen on sharing the pyramids with busloads of tourists... Would you recommend arriving at 8 AM? What about the morning haze at that time? - Coming from the "New Cairo" area, is Uber the best way to get to the pyramids? I read there’s a metro not too far from the pyramids, but I have no idea if it goes to New Cairo. - How much do vendors hassle you on-site? Is it just at the entrance or also inside the site itself? Thanks so much in advance for your tips and experiences! !

Hi Bullus, No, buy your tickets on-site—there’s a separate line for foreigners anyway, and now you have to pay by card in €. Once you pass the ticket window (the lower one facing the Habou Shakhra restaurant), you enter the site and head left. Follow the others, and you’ll reach the lower temple of Khephren, then skirt the Sphinx on the left before continuing to the pyramids. If you go inside the pyramids, you don’t need a special photo ticket—you can take pictures without flash or tripods. The temple facing the Sphinx is never open except for specific, paid requests. During Ramadan, avoid Fridays—it’s a day off for Muslims. The best time to visit is very early or around noon, when tourists usually head back for lunch (big buses). To get there, use Uber or the metro. Check the map online. By car, it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. By metro, there’s some walking before and after, so allow about 2 hours 15 minutes total. The nearest Cairo metro station is Masraweya. For harassment—like vendors—just ignore them and stay polite. Higher up, you might be approached by camel owners. Avoid the carriages on-site; the horses aren’t always treated well (we’ve seen it firsthand). Vendors of all kinds are right after the toilets, and the camels are further up past the Sphinx. Always stay respectful, even if the harassment gets annoying. Thoutmosis