A horse ride at the Pyramids of Giza can be the best two hours of your trip to Egypt, or the most stressful. The difference is almost always decided before you get on the horse: who you book with, what the price includes, and whether it was agreed clearly. This guide covers what rides cost in 2026, what a fair price should include and the tricks to avoid.
How much does a horse ride at the Pyramids cost?
Prices vary with the length of the ride, the route and what's included. As a rough guide for 2026:
- Short street rides near the plateau are offered for a few dollars, but the price you hear first is rarely the price you pay (see the tricks below).
- Organized one-hour rides booked online typically start around $30 per person (Viator, GetYourGuide).
- Longer guided rides from a stable, with a matched horse, a guide the whole way and time for photos, cost more, and are worth it if you want an actual experience rather than a quick loop.
Whatever you choose, compare what's included, not only the headline price.
What a fair price should include
Before you pay, you should know the answer to each of these:
- Per person or per group? And is it for the whole ride, there and back?
- How long is the ride and where does it go?
- Is a guide riding with you the whole time?
- Is the plateau entrance fee included, or extra?
- Photos: included, optional, or "free" and then charged?
- Tips: expected, and how much?
What's included with iRide Egypt
On our rides, the price you see online is the price you pay, in US dollars, per person:
| The Great Pyramids Ride | The Saqqara Ride | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | from $79 per person | from $59 per person |
| Guide with you the whole ride | Included | Included |
| Horse matched to your experience | Included | Included |
| Helmet | Free | Free |
| Upgrade to an Arabian horse | +$40 | +$20 |
| Professional photography | +$50 | +$50 |
| Professional video | +$50 | +$50 |
| Giza plateau entrance fee | +$15 | Not needed |
| Hotel pick-up | Price confirmed on WhatsApp | Price confirmed on WhatsApp |
You reserve with a 50% deposit and can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the ride. Prices on this page are those shown on our booking pages in September 2026; the booking page always has the current price.
The tricks to watch out for
Most people who offer rides at Giza are honest, but a few tricks come up again and again in travelers' stories (Pyramids of Giza guide, Baffled Time Travel):
- The half-way stop. You agree a price for a "full tour," then the ride stops in the middle of the desert and you're asked for more money to continue or to go back.
- The price switch. The agreed price turns out to be "per person," "one way only," or in a different currency than you thought.
- The fake official. Someone by the road says cars can't go further, the entrance is closed or you must take a horse or carriage. Since 2026, the plateau's main entrance is the new visitor center on the Fayoum Highway, and a free electric shuttle runs inside.
- The "gift." A scarf, a photo or a souvenir put into your hands for free, and then a demand for money.
- The surprise photographer. Someone takes pictures with your phone and asks for payment to give it back.
How to book a fair ride
- Book with a stable, in advance, at a price shown in writing. Pre-booked rides skip most of the pressure at the gates.
- If you do agree a price on the spot, agree the total for your whole group, for the whole ride and the return, and repeat it back before you mount.
- Look at the horse before you get on. Rounded body, shiny coat, no sores at the mouth or under the saddle, and shade and water where the horses wait.
- Keep your phone in your hand and decide yourself who takes your photos.
- A polite "la, shukran" (no, thank you) and walking on is enough to end any offer you don't want.
How much to tip
Tipping is part of daily life in Egypt. For a short ride or experience, around 10–15% of the price is a thoughtful tip for your guide. Egyptian pounds are the most convenient for them.
Quick answers
Is it cheaper to book on the spot?
The first price can be lower, but the final price often isn't. A pre-booked ride has a fixed price and a clear route.
Do I pay in dollars or Egyptian pounds?
With iRide Egypt you pay online in US dollars, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Plateau tickets are paid by card in Egyptian pounds.
Is a longer ride worth it?
If it's your first time on a horse, a calm ride with time to get comfortable and stop for photos is far more enjoyable than a rushed loop.
Before you go, read what changed at the Pyramids in 2026 and the best time to ride.
