Updated in September 2026, this Tomb of Mereruka guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Tomb of Mereruka is an Old Kingdom mastaba tomb in Saqqara, Egypt, built for the vizier Mereruka around 2345–2323 BC. The price shown on the official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website (EGP 100 for foreign adults) reflects a 2019-era rate; current on-the-ground pricing for foreign adults is EGP 200. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that current, cross-verified price, since Egypt’s entrance fees have risen substantially since the official page was last priced.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 8:00am–5:00pm |
| Ticket prices | Foreign adult EGP 200 (official site lists an outdated EGP 100); Egyptian nationals and students pay substantially less |
| Address | Teti Cemetery, Saqqara Necropolis, Egypt |
| Nearest transport/parking | ~30km south of central Cairo, ~30–45 minutes from Giza; reached by car, taxi, or organised tour |
| Typical time needed | 30 to 45 minutes |
Tomb of Mereruka opening hours
The Tomb of Mereruka is open daily from 8am to 5pm.
- Hours stay consistent throughout the week, with no separate summer or winter schedule listed by the Ministry.
- Entry to the tomb requires a separate ticket from the main Saqqara site ticket, so budget it in alongside your general admission.
Tomb of Mereruka ticket prices
As of September 2026, the going rate for foreign adults is EGP 200, though the Ministry’s own website still lists the older EGP 100 figure.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Foreign Adult | EGP 200 (current); official site lists EGP 100 |
| Foreign Student | EGP 140 |
| Egyptian Adult | EGP 20 |
| Egyptian Student | EGP 5 |
Given how quickly Egyptian antiquities pricing has changed in recent years, confirm exact current rates at the ticket office before you go, especially for the concessionary categories.
Opening hours were checked on the official Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website, and pricing was cross-checked against multiple current visitor reports and 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 behind current rates.
The Tomb of Mereruka 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 individual tombs like Mereruka’s may still require a supplemental ticket even with the pass.
How to get to the Tomb of Mereruka
The Tomb of Mereruka sits within the Teti Cemetery at Saqqara, 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 Tomb of Mereruka
Parking is available at the main Saqqara site entrance, a short walk from the tomb itself, and costs EGP 25.
How long to spend at the Tomb of Mereruka
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes at the Tomb of Mereruka.
Add extra time if you’re combining your visit with the nearby Pyramid of Djoser and other Saqqara monuments, which most visitors do on the same trip, since a half day is typical for exploring the wider necropolis.
Accessibility at the Tomb of Mereruka
The tomb’s interior chambers involve uneven stone floors and low doorways, typical of Old Kingdom architecture.
Visitors with mobility concerns should discuss the route with a guide or tour operator in advance, since the terrain isn’t adapted for wheelchairs or walking aids.
What to see at the Tomb of Mereruka
Mereruka served as vizier, the highest-ranking official in the land, during the reign of King Teti (*c.*2345–2323 BC), and was also the husband of one of Teti’s daughters, making him one of the most powerful and wealthy men of his time.
His mastaba contains a total of 30 rooms, including six built for his wife and five for his son, ranking it among the largest tombs in the Teti cemetery.
The walls are covered in exceptionally vivid scenes of daily life during the Old Kingdom, including the herding of cattle, the harpooning of hippopotami, and fishing and fowling.
Look out for scenes of animals being force-fed, including the unusual depiction of hyenas among them, and a unique scene showing personifications of the three seasons of the ancient Egyptian calendar.
The tomb’s focal point is its false-door, in front of which stands a life-size statue of Mereruka, depicted stepping forward as if to receive the offerings once placed on the table before him.
Mereruka held the vizierate during the reigns of the first two rulers of the Sixth Dynasty, a period when the power of Egypt’s elite officials had grown substantially, and the sheer scale of his mastaba reflects that shift in status.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Entry process | Confirm the current ticket price before you go, since the official government page understates it. |
| Timing | Combine your visit with the nearby Pyramid of Djoser, since both are within the same Saqqara necropolis. |
| Layout | Hire a licensed guide or join a tour, since on-site information at the tomb itself can be limited. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a flashlight or use your phone’s torch, since some chambers are dimly lit. |
| Crowds | Visit earlier in the day to avoid the heat and tour-bus crowds. |
Frequently asked questions about the Tomb of Mereruka
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is a separate ticket needed for the Tomb of Mereruka? | Yes, it requires its own ticket beyond the general Saqqara site entry. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are bought on-site at Saqqara. |
| Is the Tomb of Mereruka included in the Cairo Pass? | The Cairo Pass covers Saqqara’s general grounds, but confirm whether Mereruka needs a supplemental ticket even with the pass. |
| How many rooms does the Tomb of Mereruka have? | The mastaba contains around 30 rooms in total. |
| What is the Tomb of Mereruka famous for? | Its exceptionally detailed wall scenes of daily life and its scale, among the largest private tombs of the Old Kingdom. |
Things to do near the Tomb of Mereruka
- The Pyramid of Djoser – Egypt’s oldest pyramid, a short walk away within the same Saqqara necropolis.
- Pyramid of Teti – the pyramid Mereruka’s mastaba was built beside, a short walk away.
- Pyramid of Unas – a Fifth Dynasty pyramid famous for its Pyramid Texts, 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
- Tomb of Ti – another richly decorated Old Kingdom mastaba at Saqqara, a short walk away.
- Giza Necropolis – the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, roughly 30 to 45 minutes’ drive.
- Memphis Open-Air Museum – the site of Egypt’s ancient first capital, roughly 15 to 20 minutes’ drive.
- Dahshur – home to the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive.
- Abu Sir Pyramids – a lesser-visited Fifth Dynasty pyramid field, roughly 15 to 20 minutes’ drive.
