What it actually costs
When to go
42°C+ heat. The Pyramids have zero shade. Heatstroke is a genuine risk walking the Giza plateau.
Pyramids: arrive at 7am opening. By 9am tour buses from every hotel in Cairo have arrived. The Sphinx faces east — best light is morning.
What locals know
The Pyramids are 20 min from downtown Cairo. They are not in the desert middle of nowhere — there is a Pizza Hut across the road.
Koshari is the national street food — a carb bomb of rice, pasta, lentils, and tomato sauce for EGP 20-40.
Khan el-Khalili bazaar: bargain hard (start at 30% of asking). Walk away — they will chase you with a better price.
Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (old museum) is chaotic but incredible. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Pyramids is now open and world-class.
Honest warnings
Scams at the Pyramids are relentless — camel rides "for free" that demand £500, "guides" who lead you to overpriced shops, people handing you things then demanding payment.
Traffic in Cairo is genuinely the worst in the world. Uber is cheap ($2-5 most rides) and the only sane option.
Women travelling alone: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) significantly reduces harassment. It's still common regardless.
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