How to Get from Cairo Airport to the Giza Pyramids

Visiting Cairo for the first time? If you’re like most travelers, the iconic Giza Pyramids are at the top of your list of famous landmarks in Egypt. But navigating your way from Cairo Airport to the Pyramids of Giza can feel a bit overwhelming, especially with Cairo’s chaotic traffic and bustling streets. Don’t worry—I’ve been there, and I’m here to help.

Here’s something you might not know: Cairo Airport is located on the opposite side of the city from Giza, meaning your journey could take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the time of day. Traffic in Cairo is no joke, especially during rush hours, so planning ahead is crucial and there are multiple options including buses, taxis, tours, and more.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to get from the airport to the pyramids, with tips from my visit to the Pyramids in Giza to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Private Tours to the Pyramids of Giza from Cairo Airport

• Private Transfers: Convenient and stress-free; costs around 400–600 EGP with pre-booking essential.

If you're flying into Cairo and want to visit the Pyramids of Giza without stress, I highly recommend booking a private tour from the airport before you arrive.

Not only does this save you from dealing with the potential hassle or scams that can happen with taxis and when you arrive in Giza, but it also gives you an easy experience with a professional guide who will teach you a lot about the pyramids.

Plus, the cost isn’t significantly higher than just a private transfer alone which I'll link below.

A typical private airport-to-pyramids tour includes:

• Pyramid of Khafre
• Valley Temple of Khafre
• Pyramid of Menkaure:
• The Sphinx

Booking Private Transport from Cairo Airport to the Pyramids of Giza

• Private transfers: Costs 200–400 EGP, eliminates airport chaos and tout hassles.

If you don't want to book a tour, I highly recommend arranging a private transfer from the airport to your hotel or directly to the Pyramids of Giza in advance. It’s surprisingly affordable, typically costing 200–400 EGP for the trip, which is about the same as a local taxi or rideshare.

If it's your first time in Egypt, then you should know that it is a little overwhelming and very pushy touts operate at the airport. Prebooking a transfer saves you this hassle and will probably save you money unless you are a master haggler.

Ride-Hailing Apps at Cairo Airport

• Uber & Careem: Safe and reliable, costing ~180–250 EGP.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber & Careem (I prefer Uber), are popular in Cairo and it's possible to hail a driver once you arrive. This is great since you’ll know the price upfront and avoid any unexpected surprises.

I highly recommend downloading and set up the app before you arrive to save time and hassle. Cairo Airport’s free Wi-Fi is very limited and hardly ever works in my experience so getting an eSIM or a local SIM card at the airport so you can hail a driver is a good idea.

Without internet access, this option won’t work.

When booking, the app will guide you to the designated pickup zone. When I landed in Terminal 3 I went straight to the airport parking lot, which was just a short walk from the arrivals area. This is where most ride-hailing drivers will wait. Walk past the touts and show your Uber screen and they'll generally ignore you.

Airport Taxis & Public Transport

If you’re considering taking a taxi from Cairo Airport, be prepared to haggle. The cost should be around 200–300 EGP, but in my experience, drivers often start with much higher quotes, especially for first-time visitors (they'll know). If you’re not comfortable negotiating, this option can quickly become frustrating but it's also a fun introduction to Egypt.

Another thing to know is that taxi drivers at Cairo Airport aren’t always the most reliable—some might try to take longer routes or add hidden charges. If you go this route, agree on a price before getting in and insist they stick to it. Personally, I avoid airport taxis at Cairo and prefer ride-hailing apps or pre-booked private transfers.

Public Transport
Public transport is available from the airport, but it’s not something I recommend for first-time visitors. Cairo’s bus system can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t speak Arabic. The buses are often crowded, and finding the right route to Giza isn’t straightforward at all.

If you’re determined to use public transport, the best option is to take a bus from the airport to Ramses Station (the main hub in Downtown Cairo), then find another bus or microbus heading toward Giza. However, this will take significantly longer than any other option.

Realistic Layover Timing to Visit the Pyramids from the Airport

If you have a layover of 6+ hours and you land before 10 am, then visiting the pyramids is an option.

Booking a private transfer or tour in advance is your best choice for peace of mind and maximizing time without the stress of navigating public transport or negotiating with taxis. Just make sure to leave enough time to get back to the airport for your next flight, factoring in traffic and security checks at the airport (Cairo can be very slow).

II'd suggest planning for at least 6 hours for the round trip, including travel time and exploring the pyramids. This is usually a safe bet with traffic.

That said, while this is doable, it can feel a bit rushed, especially if you’re tired from your flight. Personally, I prefer visiting the pyramids early in the morning when they open at 7 am. This is the best time for photos, avoiding crowds, and beating the midday heat.

Plus, the Giza complex has much more to see than just the Great Pyramid. You'll definitely not want to miss the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Valley Temple, and, of course, the iconic Great Sphinx.

So if you are landing later on, it's a good idea to stay one night in Cairo, preferably in a hotel with pyramid views, and saving the pyramids for the next day. The site closes at 5 pm and traffic in Cairo is awful later in the day, making it impractical to visit the pyramids straight from Cairo airport.

Staying in Cairo: My Favorite Hotels

Planning an entire Cairo itinerary? I highly recommend starting with your accommodation and taking a few days to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, dynamic culture, and world-famous landmarks before visiting the pyramids. To help you plan your stay, here are my top hotel recommendations in Cairo.