For years, visiting the pyramids of Giza without a guide was the travel equivalent of juggling knives in traffic: perfectly possible, but maybe not the best decision someone could make. So when I say that in 2026 you should definitely go without one, it makes sense that your internal alarm bells are going off.

So what changed?

Everything. Egypt quietly overhauled the entire pyramid complex, entrance procedures, and security in July 2025, and it seems like most of the internet missed the memo—including me, which is how I ended up on site with an expensive hired “egyptologist” who was less Indiana Jones and more aggressively opinionated Uber driver with a side hustle. He pushed us through his friend’s souvenir shops, reprimanded a woman for using the bathroom without his permission, and shared basically no history.

Ten minutes in, I realized I’d made a huge mistake—not by coming to the pyramids, but by going with a guide. And this is what most Egypt travel planners (and outdated blog posts) won’t tell you: The version of the pyramids where you have to go in a carefully shepherded group to avoid unrelenting salesmen, scammers, and pickpockets doesn’t exist anymore.

Here’s exactly what changed, what it’s like now, and how to get the most out of your visit to the pyramids without a guide!

Visiting the Pyramids of Giza without a guide

Why you used to need a guide at the pyramids

Let’s rewind for a second, because the pyramids earned their sketchy reputation the hard way.

For decades, the area around the Giza Plateau was basically a free-for-all. Unlicensed vendors everywhere, along with people shaking camel and horse reins in your face and not taking no for an answer. “Security” guards asked for tips, randos offered to take free photos of you that were (gasp) not free.

As a semi-recovered people pleaser, I still have a hard time saying no and get really uncomfortable being pressured, so the idea of this wasn’t just annoying for me—I knew it would genuinely take away from the experience after an expensive and lengthy process of getting to Egypt in the first place. If it was just going to be hours of fending off unwanted trinkets and attention instead of taking in the history, it wasn’t worth going.

Then, guides were less about learning and more like a human shield. They helped navigate who to ignore, which entrances were legit, and how not to get fleeced every five minutes.

What changed at the pyramids (Why 2026 is different)

Egypt didn’t just clean things up a little. They completely restructured how the pyramids are accessed and managed.

As of the 2025 update, there’s a controlled main entrance to the Giza Plateau. There’s security, tickets are checked properly, and only approved vendors and licensed operators are allowed inside. Random sellers and unofficial guides are kept out, and security presence is organized and visible.

Once you’re inside, it feels more like any other protected archaeological site around the world and less like a chaotic street market attached to a world wonder.

Convinced to just go solo? Book your general admission ticket and a skip the line pass here!

I went with a guide (and here’s the truth—I wish I hadn’t)

I didn’t know about any of this before I went, so yes—I booked a guide thinking I was being smart and cautious. I found myself constantly wandering off and nothing sketchy happened: no one harassed me, followed me, or even tried to sell me anything. I wasn’t confused about where to go. I wasn’t overwhelmed. But what I was feeling was rushed.

I wanted to wander at my own pace, sit and stare at the pyramids, take photos if and when I wanted to without moving on to the “next stop.” Instead, I was held to a timeline by an unpleasant person with his own agenda. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring, observing, and letting places breathe, you might feel the same.

When a guide still makes sense at the pyramids

This isn’t an anti-guide manifesto, and there are situations where hiring a guide still makes sense.

If you love deep historical context and storytelling, a guide can add a lot IF YOU book the right one. If you want help navigating specific tomb interiors, have very limited time, or prefer a tightly planned visit, structure can be helpful.

A guide adds information, but what they no longer need to add is protection. And that’s a huge shift from how things used to be!

Why self-guided is actually better for most travelers

If you’re anything like me—and I suspect you are if you’re here—self-guided might be the move. You control the pace, when and where to linger, and you’re free to wander, stop, shop, get a coffee, sit, absorb, and maybe even use the toilet without supervision.

What I really wanted from the guide was a storyteller and an Egyptian history expert- and that’s not what I got. So I recommend popping in an airpod with a History Channel podcast about the pyramids and wandering at your own pace!

Know before you go: Pyramids of Giza for solo female travelers in 2026

Do you need a guide for the pyramids?
Nope, not in 2026! The site updates have mitigated the main reasons guides were once essential. Now, you can check out the pyramids alone without the harassment- yay!

Is it safe to visit the pyramids without a guide?
Yes! The controlled entrance system and security changes have significantly reduced harassment and scams inside the complex.

Are vendors still aggressive?
Not inside the main complex. Unauthorized vendors are no longer allowed past the entrance, and no one followed or bothered me after I politely said “no thank you” to their offers.

Should solo female travelers be concerned?
The pyramids are as manageable and comfortable for solo female travelers as they’ve ever been! I’ve wanted to visit for a while, but the reputation of the place was enough to keep me away. Things have totally changed!

Can you still hire a guide if you want one?
Absolutely. Guides are still available and can enhance the experience if you’re looking for historical depth and hire someone reputable. I didn’t have a great experience with mine, but that doesn’t mean some good ones aren’t out there! Browse tours here.

Looking for more Egypt content? I’ve got you!

Check out my scuba diving Egypt series, with blogs like:

• Where to go scuba diving in Egypt (no liveaboard!): FULL GUIDE to choosing between Marsa Alam, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, & Hurghada
• I went scuba diving in Marsa Alam, Egypt: An HONEST overview for divers