Saqqara Necropolis: A Journey Through Ancient Egypt's History
Explore Saqqara Necropolis: Uncover ancient Egypt's oldest pyramid and elaborate tombs in this vast historical burial ground near Cairo.
Explore Saqqara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located just south of Cairo. Discover the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone building complex in the world, along with numerous tombs and pyramids that span over 3,000 years of Egyptian history.
A brief summary to Saqqara Necropolis
- V698+9PP, Badrshein, Giza Governorate, EG
- Visit website
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and the heat, especially during summer months.
- Hire a local guide to gain deeper insights into the history and significance of the site.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water, as there is limited shade available.
- Check if the Pepi I and Pepi II pyramid areas are open for tourism before your visit.
Getting There
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Taxi/Ride-Sharing
From central Cairo, taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber or Careem offer a direct route to Saqqara Necropolis. The journey typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. A one-way fare ranges from 150 to 300 EGP. Negotiate the fare with the taxi driver before starting the journey or use a metered taxi.
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Public Transport
To reach Saqqara via public transport, take a microbus from Cairo to Giza, departing from locations like Tahrir Square. In Giza, transfer to a local minibus heading to Badrshein, informing the driver of your destination. The ride takes approximately 1-1.5 hours. From Badrshein, a taxi or tuk-tuk can take you to the necropolis, roughly 10-15 minutes away. Expect to pay around 10-20 EGP for the microbus and minibus rides. Alternatively, from El Monib metro station (Line 2), take a microbus to El Badrasheen, then a tuk-tuk to Saqqara. The microbus costs around 10 EGP and the tuk-tuk 70-100 EGP.
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Car
If driving, take the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road (E5) towards Giza, then follow signs for Saqqara. Exit onto the Cairo-Suez Road (E3) and follow signs to Badrshein. The Saqqara Necropolis is located at coordinates V698+9PP. Parking is available near the entrance, with a small parking fee.
Discover more about Saqqara Necropolis
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