Pyramids Sound and Light Show: ticket prices, rules and booking

The Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids is an evening show in which the Sphinx tells the story of the kings who built the pyramids. The operator, Misr Company for Sound, Light and Tourism Development, lists a regular ticket at $20, a child ticket (ages 6 to 12) at $11 and a VIP ticket at $26 on the English version of its official website. The Arabic version of the same site lists the show in Egyptian pounds: EGP 100 regular, EGP 60 for a child and EGP 250 VIP. The site does not say who pays which price.

What the show is

The show is staged at the foot of the pyramids, with the Sphinx as narrator. It tells the history of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the three kings behind the Giza pyramids, with lighting played across the monuments. The company says it is offered in 10 languages. A sound and light show has been held in the Sphinx area since 1960, according to the company's own history, which makes Giza the oldest of its shows.

Ticket prices

On the English site: regular ticket $20, child ticket $11 (from 6 to 12 years), VIP ticket $26.

On the Arabic site: regular ticket EGP 100, child ticket EGP 60 (from 6 to 12 years), VIP ticket EGP 250.

The company does not publish a price for children under 6, a student price for the Giza show, or what the VIP ticket adds. Its show page carries one note: dates are subject to change.

Show times

The show page has sections for a summer, a winter and a Ramadan timetable, but none of them was published when this guide was checked. The company does give one rule for the second show of the evening: it goes ahead only with at least 5 foreign visitors or 5 Arabic tickets, except on Thursday, when it is a full show. Bookings made through the official website, the company says, have priority and run without that minimum. If you want a particular night and language, ask the company before you go.

How to book

The official website lists the show and its prices and invites visitors to book its daily shows; when this guide was checked, the show page did not offer a working booking form. The company answers by email at support@soundandlight.show and by phone on +20 155 311 3161. Its address is Abu Al Hol Square, Nazlet El-Semman, Giza.

Cancelling or changing a ticket

All tickets are non-refundable. A ticket can be moved once to another time or to another of the company's show sites, if you ask at least 24 hours before the original show and there is space. Requests made less than 24 hours before are not accepted. If you do not turn up and have not told the company, the ticket is lost. Tickets are not transferable: they are for the original buyer or the guest named when booking. To change a booking, send your ticket details, the original show time and the date or place you want to the email address or phone number above, and wait for confirmation.

The other shows

The same company runs sound and light shows at Karnak in Luxor (opened 1972), Philae in Aswan (1985), Abu Simbel (2000), Edfu (2010) and the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria. On its English site Karnak, Philae and Abu Simbel are $20 for an adult and $11 for a child, Edfu $15 and $8, and Qaitbay $25 and $14 with a $30 VIP ticket. It also lists a virtual reality version of the Giza show, an immersive headset experience; the price for that one is not published.

Common questions

How much is the Pyramids Sound and Light Show? $20 for an adult on the English site, EGP 100 on the Arabic site.

Is there a child price? Yes, for ages 6 to 12: $11, or EGP 60 on the Arabic site.

Can I get my money back? No. Tickets are non-refundable, but can be moved once if you ask at least 24 hours ahead.

What time does it start? The company has not published this season's times. Ask by email or phone before you go.

Does it run every night? The company says the second show needs at least 5 foreign visitors or 5 Arabic tickets, except on Thursday. It does not publish a list of nights without a show.

For the pyramids by day, see our guide to Giza Pyramids tickets and opening hours.