We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Jenell, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Jenell lives in Canada, and submitted the following report about Giza. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Arabic, English
Camel ride through the desert, Pyramids of Giza in the background.
Reasons to go to Giza
In the fall of 2014, I ventured out solo to Istanbul and on the way back to Canada, I spent a couple of days in Egypt. Seeing the famed pyramids has always been one of my lifelong dreams.
Arriving at the Cairo airport in the middle of the night, immigration was slow yet painless. At the time, you could purchase a visa on arrival (recent policy change – this is no longer the case) for around $20. I had pre-arranged a guide to meet me there along with a driver for a ride to the guesthouse in Giza. Otherwise, there were plenty of taxis, with English-speaking drivers, that were waiting outside the airport.
The ride to Giza at 11:00 pm was traffic-free and I got a mini tour of modern-day Cairo. Most of the buildings and houses were of yellow-gold color and they have plenty of modern malls and stores – even an Ikea!
The following day, I was able to venture out to Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses a huge collection of antiquities, including the treasures of King Tut's tomb as well as a few royal mummies. I also visited a few local shops such as a perfume-making shop, a papyrus-making shop, and a store full of Egyptian cotton clothing.
The highlight of my mini-trip was, of course, the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Camel rides on the edges of the Sahara desert were available, about $20 for a half hour ride, and there were plenty of vendors selling pyramid-related souvenirs all over the Giza Necropolis.
The locals were friendly and helpful when I had questions, the food was delicious, and the history – unforgettable.
The streets of Cairo.
View from the guesthouse rooftop in Giza.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 2 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
