1. Before You Go

Topic What You Need to Know Best Months October – April (15–28 °C). December–January offer the clearest skies but also the busiest crowds. Visa E-visa (~$30) or visa-on-arrival ($25 cash). Insurance Make sure your plan covers camel/horse rides and medical evacuation. Money Bring at least $200 in clean $50/$100 bills to exchange at official kiosks. Book Early Prices rise fast. Lock in flexible rates on Expedia—most hotels include free cancellation.

2. Arrival & Getting Around

• Airport taxis: Pre-book or use official counters. Expect ~300–400 EGP to Downtown.

• Uber/Careem: Reliable, cheaper, and safer than hailing street cabs.

• Metro: Fast and cheap (5–10 EGP), but crowded during rush hour.

• Walking: Fine in Downtown and Zamalek; less practical elsewhere.

3. Where to Stay

Each Cairo neighborhood has a different vibe:

Area Vibe Budget Mid-Range Splurge Giza Pyramids view, quieter evenings Pyramids Temple Guesthouse (~$15) Marriott Mena House The St. Regis Cairo Downtown Near the Egyptian Museum, cafés, nightlife Wake-Up Hostel (~$20) Steigenberger El-Tahrir Kempinski Nile Zamalek Leafy, trendy, art galleries Dahab Hostel Hilton Zamalek Residences Four Seasons Nile Plaza

Quick tip:

• Choose Downtown if you want monuments + nightlife.

• Pick Giza if photography or pyramid views are your priority.

4. Top Things to Do (3-Day Plan)

Day 1: Ancient Wonders

• Visit the Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx.

• Solar Boat Museum.

• Sunset camel ride.

Day 2: Downtown & Museum Highlights

• Egyptian Museum (Tutankhamun treasures).

• Tahrir Square.

• Nile dinner cruise.

Day 3: Beyond the Center

• Islamic Cairo: Khan El Khalili bazaar & Al-Azhar Mosque.

• Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church & Synagogue.

• Evening in Zamalek for galleries and cafés.

5. Eating Like a Local

• Koshary Abou Tarek: Classic Egyptian comfort food.

• Felfela: Traditional mezze & grills.

• Zooba: Modern Egyptian street food.

• Street snacks: falafel, fresh juice, and sugarcane drinks.

6. Culture & Etiquette

• Dress modestly in mosques (cover shoulders/knees).

• Friday is the main prayer day—expect closures.

• Tipping (“baksheesh”) is customary: 10–15% in restaurants, small coins for porters.

7. Money & Budget

• Budget traveler: $25–40/day (hostels, street food, public transport).

• Mid-range: $60–120/day (3–4 star hotels, restaurants, Uber).

• Luxury: $200+/day (5-star hotels, private guides, Nile dinners).

8. Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

• “Official guide” at pyramids: Use only licensed guides.

• Taxi overcharging: Confirm price before entering or use Uber/Careem.

• Papyrus/jewelry shops: Expect inflated prices—negotiate or walk away.

9. Health & Safety

• Drink bottled water only.

• Avoid raw street salads.

• Use sunscreen and a hat—sun is intense even in winter.

• Keep valuables in hotel safes; use copies of passport for daily carry.

10. Useful Hotlines

• Tourist Police: 126

• Ambulance: 123

• Fire Department: 180

• Airport Info: +20 2 2265 5000

Final Tip

Cairo is an unforgettable mix of ancient history and modern chaos. To make your trip smoother, compare flights and hotels in one place on