Giza
Home of the Great Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, on Cairo's west bank. Unmissable sights and cheap stays, but touts, traffic, heat and air pollution make it tiring.
At a glance
- Monthly budget$536–956Comfortable, one person · E£28,000–50,000Details
- Best time to goFeb–Mar, Oct–DecWarmest: Jul, 39°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledUse bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$10–23Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash for taxis, markets, tips and street food.Details
Where to stay in Giza
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Pyramids Road and Haram | Pyramid views, budget hotels and hostels close to the plateau |
| Dokki and Mohandessin | Long stays: cafés, shops, metro and local life |
| Zamalek (across the Nile) | Quieter, more upscale base with cafés and restaurants |
Apps that work in Giza
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: App taxis avoid haggling. White taxis rarely use meters; agree the fare first. Avoid drivers who wait at tourist exits.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mostly cash Cash for taxis, markets, tips and street food. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; museum and site tickets can be paid by card.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
Going to Giza solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Giza meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Egyptian Streets: metro fares from 27 March 2026
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.