Updated in September 2026, this Pyramid of Djoser guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Pyramid, is Egypt’s oldest pyramid, built in Saqqara during the Third Dynasty reign of King Netjerykhet, better known as Djoser, around 2667–2648 BC. Entering the pyramid’s interior burial chamber now costs a separate supplement of EGP 280 for foreign adults, well above the outdated EGP 150 shown on the Ministry’s own website. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that current pricing structure.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 8:00am–5:00pm |
| Ticket prices | General Saqqara site ticket (incl. Djoser exterior) EGP 600 foreign adult; Djoser interior supplement EGP 280 |
| Address | Saqqara Necropolis, ~30km south of central Cairo, Egypt |
| Nearest transport/parking | ~30–45 minutes’ drive from Giza; reached by car, taxi, or organised tour |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Pyramid of Djoser opening hours
The Pyramid of Djoser complex is open daily from 8am to 5pm.
- Hours stay consistent throughout the week, with no separate summer or winter schedule listed by the Ministry.
- The general Saqqara ticket grants access to the pyramid’s exterior and courts; entering the burial chamber itself requires an additional ticket.
Pyramid of Djoser ticket prices
The general Saqqara site ticket costs EGP 600 for foreign adults, and covers the Djoser complex exterior alongside the Pyramid of Unas, the Pyramid of Teti, and various open tombs.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| General Saqqara site ticket (foreign adult) | EGP 600 |
| Djoser interior/burial chamber supplement (foreign adult) | EGP 280 |
Egyptian nationals and students receive substantially discounted rates across both tickets; confirm exact current figures at the ticket office, since concessionary pricing changes frequently.
Opening hours were checked on the official Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website, and pricing was cross-checked on the online booking site, in September 2026. You can check the official listing on the Ministry’s site, though be aware its published prices are known to lag well behind current rates.
The Pyramid of Djoser is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. It falls under Egypt’s own Cairo Pass (around $130 for adults, $70 for students), a multi-day pass covering Saqqara’s general grounds alongside the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum, and the Citadel of Saladin — though the pyramid’s interior supplement may still apply separately even with the pass.
How to get to the Pyramid of Djoser
The Pyramid of Djoser stands within the Saqqara Necropolis, roughly 30km south of central Cairo.
Most visitors arrive by car, taxi, or as part of an organised day tour from Cairo or Giza, since there’s no direct public transport to the site.
Parking at the Pyramid of Djoser
Parking is available at the main Saqqara site entrance, close to the pyramid complex, for EGP 25.
How long to spend at the Pyramid of Djoser
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at the Pyramid of Djoser, exploring the complex’s courts and structures.
Add extra time if you plan to descend into the burial chamber, and if you’re combining your visit with the nearby Tomb of Mereruka and other Saqqara monuments, since a half day is typical for exploring the wider necropolis.
Accessibility at the Pyramid of Djoser
The complex grounds involve sandy, uneven desert terrain, typical of an open-air archaeological site.
Entering the burial chamber requires descending roughly 92 feet via a steep shaft, which is not accessible for visitors with mobility concerns; the exterior complex and courts remain viewable without making that descent.
What to see at the Pyramid of Djoser
Built during the reign of King Netjerykhet, known as Djoser (*c.*2667–2648 BC), the Step Pyramid is not only the first pyramid the ancient Egyptians ever built, but also the oldest known ancient Egyptian stone structure.
Before Djoser’s reign, royalty and elites were buried in mastabas, rectangular funerary structures whose name means “bench” in Arabic. The Step Pyramid is composed of six stacked mastabas, creating its distinctive stepped profile, an innovation likely credited to its architect, Imhotep.
At one end of the complex, the South Tomb is believed to have served as an additional, symbolic tomb for Djoser, possibly reflecting his role as ruler of both Upper and Lower Egypt.
Two courts in front of the pyramid recreate the setting of the Sed Festival, a royal ceremony meant to rejuvenate the king’s power, with stone structures emulating the temporary shrines once used in the real ceremony.
Following a complete restoration between 2006 and 2020 by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, visitors can now descend into the pyramid’s burial chamber, where pharaoh Djoser’s pink granite sarcophagus still rests.
The pyramid complex is enclosed by a massive limestone wall that once surrounded the entire funerary compound, itself considered a significant feat of early monumental architecture.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Entry process | Confirm current ticket prices before you go, since costs have risen well past what’s shown on the official government site. |
| Timing | Budget extra time and a separate ticket for the burial chamber descent, if you want to go inside. |
| Crowds | Combine your visit with the nearby Tomb of Mereruka and other Saqqara mastabas. |
| Layout | Wear sturdy shoes, since the site involves sand, uneven stone, and a steep descent if you enter the interior. |
| On-site logistics | Visit earlier in the day, since the site offers little shade and can get very hot. |
Frequently asked questions about the Pyramid of Djoser
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you go inside the Pyramid of Djoser? | Yes, for a separate supplement beyond the general Saqqara ticket, descending about 92 feet to the burial chamber. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are bought on-site at Saqqara. |
| Is the Pyramid of Djoser included in the Cairo Pass? | The Cairo Pass covers general Saqqara entry, though the interior supplement may still apply separately. |
| Who built the Pyramid of Djoser? | It’s attributed to Djoser’s architect, Imhotep, during the Third Dynasty. |
| Is the Pyramid of Djoser the oldest pyramid in Egypt? | Yes, it’s the first pyramid the ancient Egyptians built and the oldest known Egyptian stone structure. |
Things to do near the Pyramid of Djoser
- The Tomb of Mereruka – one of the largest and most exquisitely decorated Old Kingdom mastabas, a short walk away.
- Pyramid of Unas – a Fifth Dynasty pyramid famous for its Pyramid Texts, a short walk away.
- Pyramid of Teti – a Sixth Dynasty pyramid within the same necropolis, a short walk away.
- Imhotep Museum – a museum covering Saqqara’s history, located at the site entrance.
- Serapeum of Saqqara – underground catacombs of the sacred Apis bulls, within the necropolis.
Alternative attractions
- Giza Necropolis – the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, roughly 30 to 45 minutes’ drive.
- Dahshur – home to the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive.
- Memphis Open-Air Museum – the site of Egypt’s ancient first capital, roughly 15 to 20 minutes’ drive.
- Abu Sir Pyramids – a lesser-visited Fifth Dynasty pyramid field, roughly 15 to 20 minutes’ drive.
- Meidum Pyramid – an early, partially collapsed pyramid further south, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive.
