Giza
Giza is the third-largest city in Egypt by area and population, and is also the eighteenth-largest city in Africa by population.
Giza is the third-largest city in Egypt by area and population, and is also the eighteenth-largest city in Africa by population. It is the capital of Giza Governorate with a total population of 4,458,135 as of 2023. It is located on the west bank of the Nile opposite central Cairo, and is a part of the Greater Cairo metropolis. Giza lies less than 30 kilometres north of Memphis, which was the capital city of the unified Egyptian state during the reign of pharaoh Narmer, roughly 3100 BC.
Adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What Wikivoyage says to see
The pyramids and associated sites are on the plateau 8 km west of Giza downtown. You'll see them looming up as you approach along Al-Haram Road. You can enter the complex by the main gate at the western terminus of that road. You'll then progress anti-clockwise through the site, eventually to exit near the Sphinx.
From Wikivoyage: Giza, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Things to do
Before you get on the back of a camel or horse, have a look at how they treat their animals. You might change your mind. If you anyway decide to take the offer of one of the horsemen or camel guys, make sure you discuss the price and where you go first. Ask to confirm it covers two people/two horses. Negotiate the price you want.
From Wikivoyage: Giza, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Where to eat
Western fast food options are located opposite the main ticket gates to the Pyramid enclosure, Pizza Hut and KFC included, so you can munch on a Tower burger and sip on a Coke in air-conditioned comfort whilst gazing on the more than 4,000-year-old Sphinx across the road. Many may prefer a more authentic experience, although the novelty of the situation could be interesting.
- 01El Gizawy
At the pyramids entrance where the homestays are.
- 02Nile Pharaoh Cruising
The boat features Pharonic decor, and offers a buffet with international and Egyptian cuisine, and belly dancing.
- 03Khufu’s Restaurant
Restaurant with traditional Egyptian dishes and a view of the Pyramids.
- 04Khan El Khalili
Has been open for over a century and is far and away the most stylish place for lunch or just a cold beer.
From Wikivoyage: Giza, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Getting to Giza
- Airports
- Cairo (CAI), 23 km · Sphinx (SPX), 33 km · Port Said (PSD), 174 km
- Port Said → Giza174 km · quickest by road, 3h 4m · E£270–360
- Alexandria → Giza181 km · quickest by road, 3h 2m · E£300–400
- El Arish → Giza277 km · quickest by road, 4h 58m · E£435–580
- Plan a tripFrom anywhereThe planner compares every way there from wherever you are.
Road and air are today’s quick answer; timetabled trains, buses and ferries load on the results page from the operators’ feeds.
No local-transport research exists yet for Giza
Our researched notes are written from a sourced entry: every shared taxi, boat and village bus with its operator, its rule, its fare and the year we saw it, and what could not be confirmed. Nobody has done that work for Giza. What is above is what we hold from open sources; nothing here pretends to be more.
- Get inWhen seeking transport, ask for "Haram" and shape your hands like a pyramid by making an upside down Victory sign with your index and middle finger: people, especially minibus drivers will know where you want to go.
- Get inAs of 2025, the metro is being extended towards the pyramids and the entire road is a construction project, so it can be somewhat of a maze to find the buses and minibuses that can take you toward the pyramids.
- Get inInstead just point yourself in the direction of the main east-west road and once you find the road walk west until you see minibuses or people waiting impatiently for one.
From Wikivoyage: Cairo/Giza, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us; that article was last edited 2026-09.
- 01361 km
- 02409 km
- 03412 km
- 04701 km
- 05949 km
If you know how people move in Giza – the stand, the rule, the fare – tell us, and the note gets an entry.
Next door to Giza
Giza is 9 km from Cairo, the nearest large city, whose note carries the wider picture.