A camel ride at Giza

Can you still ride a camel at the Giza pyramids in 2026?

Yes. Rides operate from designated zones near the Panorama and the desert side of the plateau. No ban is in force.

In October 2020 the Ministry announced plans to replace animal rides with electric vehicles, and viral posts in June and July 2026 said a ban had come in. It hasn't: handlers are working, and most Giza tours on Viator still sell rides. What did change, in 2025, is where they work. Camel and horse operators were moved away from the entrances to set zones, and they protested at the time.

The result for you: fewer handlers walking alongside you at the Great Pyramid, more of them waiting near the Panorama.

How much does a camel ride at Giza cost?

Typically 500 to 1,000 EGP (about $9 to $18) for 30 minutes to an hour, negotiated. Short 10-minute rides go for 200 to 350 EGP with firm haggling.

There is no official price list you can rely on. Reported 2026 prices:

Prices climb when a crowd arrives and when you look unsure. The best haggling tool is the willingness to walk away; there are plenty of camels.

Where do camel rides at Giza start?

From the designated camel and carriage zones on the desert side, near the Panorama viewpoint. The free shuttle stops at the Panorama.

The best ride heads out from the Panorama into the open sand, where all the pyramids line up behind you. That is the photo you want, and it is not visible from the Great Pyramid end. If you ride from the Sphinx side, check the route goes somewhere worth seeing.

Anyone selling a ride before the ticket office, especially on the street outside the Sphinx gate, is working outside the zones. Buy your plateau ticket first, then choose a camel inside.

What are the common camel ride scams at Giza?

Per-person versus per-camel prices, a cheap ride out and a dear ride back, surprise "photo tips", and fake guards steering you to stables before the ticket office.

• The unit switch: 500 was per camel when agreed, per person when paid.
• The return fare: you are taken out to the dunes, then the price to come back appears.
• The clock: 30 minutes becomes 10, or an hour at a premium.
• The camera: the handler takes your phone for photos, then wants a tip for them.
• The currency: a price in pounds becomes the same number in dollars.

It happens on tours too, after the prepaid part. A guest on the full-day tour was "hounded by my camel driver for more and more tips. He wanted US currency, not Egyptian. I finally gave him $20 so he would leave me alone."

How do you agree a fair camel ride price?

Type the deal into your phone and show it: price in EGP, per camel, how long, where to, and that it includes the ride back. Pay the full amount at the end, never upfront.

1. Decide first. Know the length you want; 20 to 30 minutes is plenty for photos.
2. Agree everything. Price, per camel or per person, minutes, route, the return, photos.
3. Write it. Show the note on your phone and get a nod. Take a photo of the handler with it if you like.
4. Bring exact notes. Small Egyptian notes, so "no change" isn't a tactic.
5. Pay at the end. Once you are back on the ground, not on the camel's back.

Kids ride in front of an adult or on their own camel led by the handler. Getting on and off is the bumpy part: the camel rises back legs first, so lean back and hold on.

A private guide who books the camel for you: the 30-minute ride, lunch and the plateau ticket come in the all-inclusive option.

★ 4.7 · 6 hours · from $14

Explore the private Giza tour with a camel ride → Tour details

Is a camel ride included in Giza tours?

Only in certain options. The VIP full day includes 30 minutes; most half-day tours include a ride only in their higher options.

Which tours include a camel, and in which option:

"Included" doesn't always mean nothing more to pay. On A1 Egypt's tour, one guest said the ride "shouldn't really be listed as included when the camel owner they partner with demands a minimum $5 per person." Ask the operator whether the handler's tip is covered, and carry small notes either way.

Is riding a camel at Giza ethical?

It is a real concern. Animal welfare groups have documented abuse at Giza and ask visitors not to ride. If you do, choose a healthy, shaded animal and keep it short.

PETA has published footage of beaten and underfed animals at the plateau. Egypt launched a welfare programme for working horses and camels at archaeological sites in October 2024, and the 2025 move to set zones gave the animals more order and some shade. Conditions still vary handler to handler.

Look before you agree: a camel that is alert, carrying weight evenly, with no open sores and water nearby, is a good sign. Walk away from a handler who whips his animal. And remember the classic view needs no animal at all: the shuttle stops at the Panorama.

Should you book the camel ride with a tour or on the spot?

With a tour if you hate haggling and want a prepaid, timed ride. On the spot if you are confident negotiating and want to pick your own camel.

The tour route is calmer: the guide picks a handler they know, the ride is part of a prepaid option, and you get someone on your side if the price drifts. You pay for that in the option price, and a tip is still likely. On the spot you can choose the animal and the length, and pay less if you bargain well.

Our view: for a first visit with children or a nervous rider, take the tour option. For a confident pair who'd like 20 minutes and a photo, do it yourself with the written-price routine above. Either way, the full ticket picture is in the tickets and prices guide.

Frequently asked questions