Giza is Egypt's most iconic governorate, home to the world-famous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx — some of humanity's greatest architectural achievements. Situated on the west bank of the Nile directly opposite Cairo, Giza blends ancient wonders with a bustling modern city of nearly 9 million people. The governorate is the gateway to ancient Egyptian civilization and one of the most visited destinations on Earth.
Local currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Giza.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $8-15/night (dorm bed at The Pyramids Hostel)
- Budget
- $15-35/night (family guesthouses in Nazlet El-Semman)
- Midrange
- $50-120/night (mid-range hotels on Pyramids Road)
- Luxury
- $200-600+/night (Marriott Mena House, Four Seasons)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (koshary, foul sandwich, hawawshi)
- Local
- $4-8 (local Egyptian restaurant full meal)
- Midrange
- $15-25 (sit-down restaurant with service)
- Fine
- $50-100+ (hotel restaurants, Zeeyara, Zitouni)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.05-0.20 per ride (local bus)
- Taxi
- $2-8 per ride (Uber/Careem within Giza)
- Airport
- $15-25 (taxi from Cairo Airport to Giza)
- Daytrip
- $30-80 (organized day tour to Saqqara, Memphis)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-35 (Grand Egyptian Museum full experience)
- Sites
- $23 (Giza Plateau combo ticket)
- Tour
- $30-80 (licensed guide for half day at pyramids)
- Excursion
- $50-100 (organized day trip including transport)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Giza costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$175 for 7 days (staying in hostel, eating street food, using public transport)
Midrange traveller
$560 for 7 days (mid-range hotel, restaurant meals, Uber)
Luxury traveller
$2,450+ for 7 days (Marriott Mena House, fine dining, private guides)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Giza Plateau combo ticket (700 EGP) instead of individual tickets — it saves money if visiting multiple sites
Visit between April and June or September to October for lower hotel rates (20-40% cheaper than peak December-February)
Eat at local Egyptian restaurants and street food stalls rather than tourist-facing restaurants near the pyramids
Use Uber or Careem rather than street taxis — the meter is more reliable and prices are transparent
The Metro Line 3 connects Giza to central Cairo for just $0.15 — far cheaper than any taxi
Book accommodation in Nazlet El-Semman village for lower prices and proximity to the pyramids
Many attractions offer student/youth discounts with a valid student ID — always ask
Organized group tours to Saqqara and Memphis are much cheaper than hiring a private taxi for the same trip
Bring your own water bottles and refill at your hotel — bottled water at tourist sites is 3-4x the regular price
The Grand Egyptian Museum is included in some package deals — check whether your hotel offers complimentary tickets
Sound and Light Show tickets bought at the gate are the same price as online — no need to pre-book outside peak season
Camel and horse ride prices are negotiable — the opening ask is always 2-3x the fair price; counter at 30-40% of the ask
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Giza Corniche Walk
Walk along the Nile riverfront promenade in Giza for beautiful sunset views
Orman Garden Entry
One of Cairo-Giza's most beautiful botanical gardens costs only $1
Giza Zoo
Africa's oldest zoo is only $1 entry — a pleasant half-day for budget travelers
Wissa Wassef Art Center
Free entry to this world-famous tapestry art community in Harrania
Giza Plateau Exterior View
The exterior panoramic view of the pyramids is visible from outside the paid zone
Al Haram Street Walk
Wandering the streets of the pyramid neighborhood is a cultural experience in itself
Giza Sunset Viewing
Watching the sun set behind the pyramids from the neighborhood streets is free
Local Market Exploration
The Al Haram daily market is free to walk through and full of local color
Nazlet El-Semman Village Walk
Exploring the ancient village at the foot of the pyramids costs nothing
Felucca Watching from Corniche
Watching felucca sailing boats on the Nile from the Corniche promenade is free