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Looking for Cairo tips for first timers? Lucky you – that means you are probably trying to plan a trip to Cairo in 2024!
After my first 24 hours in Cairo, I was completely overwhelmed by the bustling chaos of Egypt’s capital. You will get what I mean after you experience the persistent street vendors and roads without any rules. So is Cairo worth visiting? Well, I ended up staying in Cairo for over four months and can confidently answer: ‘absolutely’!
Cairo, the sprawling metropolis on the banks of the Nile River, is a city of mesmerizing contrasts. From the timeless grandeur of the pyramids to the bustling energy of its vibrant markets, Pharaonic monuments sit side-by-side with the grand boulevards of the confident and modern Downtown Cairo. I learned about the pharaohs in school, and I always knew Cairo is one of the great cities of our planet.
I refused to let Cairo win this battle and ultimately fell madly in love with Umm al-Dunya, ‘the mother of the world’! You are probably thinking: ‘well I don’t have four months… how many days in Cairo is enough?‘
If I were you, I would really try and spend at least 3 days in Cairo. But more importantly, make sure you closely follow these key tips for visiting Cairo. From getting around Cairo to navigating the street touts like a local, I have you covered!
If it’s your first time in Egypt or you are a seasoned Nile hand, this article is your key to a stress-free Cairo experience. For a smooth and memorable visit, here are my top 5 tips you should know before visiting Cairo!
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Getting to Cairo
Flying into Cairo
As you plan a trip to Cairo, here’s everything you need to know about getting to Egypt’s capital.
Cairo Airport (CAI) is located approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers) northeast of Tahrir Square. American and Canadian travelers will most likely fly directly into Cairo Airport, which is served directly from major North American hubs including New York, Washington, DC, Toronto and Montreal.
For UK and European travelers, the new Sphinx International Airport (SPX) serves Cairo with new up-and-coming cheap flights. At the time of writing, EasyJet and Wizz Air are offering very cheap flights to Cairo Sphinx from London, Milan, Rome and Abu Dhabi, which you can find on Skyscanner with the special widget below.
Local tip: If you are flying into Sphinx Airport, Giza is on your way into Downtown Cairo and Giza is one of our best areas to stay in Cairo. If waking up with the pyramids is on your bucket list, you will not want to miss out on Giza’s hotels.
Getting to your Cairo hotel from Cairo’s airports
As a heads up, Google Maps is often way off – so when planning transport to or from Cairo Airport, always give yourself at least one hour on the road from Tahrir Square.
Taxis
Easily accessible at the airport, I find Cairo’s taxis to be too much headache (hassles, touts, Cairo tour guide offers). If you do decide to travel by taxi, ensure the meter is running or negotiate the fare upfront.
Ride-sharing apps
Embrace Cairo’s traffic with ride-sharing apps like Uber and Careem, which operate at CAI. They offer transparent pricing and can be more efficient than traditional taxis.
Local tip: While Uber and Careem are normally priced about the same, I always recommend first time travelers in Egypt to download Careem, too. Outside of Cairo, Careem is the most popular ride sharing app in Luxor, Hurghada and Aswan.
Hotel shuttle
Some hotels in Cairo offer complimentary Cairo Airport shuttle bus service to and from CAI for their guests. Check with your Cairo accommodation – it always makes me feel just that little bit less anxious when I see someone holding my name at airport arrivals!
Otherwise, you can book a personalised Cairo Airport shuttle for as low as US$25.
Metro
While there’s no direct metro link to Cairo (CAI) airport, you can take Line 3 to the Al Ahram station and then transfer to a taxi or bus for the final leg of your journey.
Cairo’s traffic conditions can be unpredictable, so plan your transportation accordingly, especially if you have tight schedules.
Train into Cairo
If you are traveling to Cairo from Alexandria or Luxor, Cairo’s Ramses Station (the locals call it Misr Station (Misr is the Arabic word for Egypt)) is located around 20 minutes from Tahrir Square. As always in Cairo, give yourself an extra 15 minutes if you are traveling after 4 pm.
Bus into Cairo
Egyptian intercity bus companies use different stations in Cairo. If you are arriving by bus into Cairo, the odds are you will be somewhere in the vicinity of Downtown Cairo and I recommend hopping in an Uber or Careem!
Getting around Cairo
In Cairo’s bustling streets, efficient navigation is key to both saving time and avoiding hassle.
As you plan a trip to Cairo, Egypt, here’s everything you need to know about getting around:
Ride-sharing apps
I have said it before and I’ll stay it again: Uber and Careem are your go-to options in Cairo, sparing you the hassle of bargaining with Cairo’s taxi drivers.
Metro
Cairo’s metro system is both cheap and efficient. While it might not be necessary for all your travels, it’s excellent for reaching distant destinations like the hip suburb of Maadi.
I often get asked: is Cairo safe for women? When my friend and her mother visited Cairo last year, they kept messaging me how impressed they were with Cairo’s female-only carriages on the metro!
5 tips for first timers as you plan a trip to Cairo
Here are my top 5 must-know insights for a seamless Cairo trip.
1. Airport visa
Streamline your arrival by organising your Egyptian e-visa before your arrival. Make sure you are using the correct link (and be careful of scams!)
If you don’t have time to arrange an e-visa, don’t worry. At the time of writing, Egyptian tourist visas can be purchased at the airport for US$25 (don’t forget to bring cash!)
2. Avoid hassle at all costs
Cairo is a magical city, but so many visitors write off their experiences due to the hassles of a huge city.
Sidestep persistent street vendors and touts by blending in and dressing modestly. When approached aggressively, assertively say, “khalas, suk-na hineh” (enough, we live here) to discourage unwelcome solicitations. You might want to look away at that point, in case they realise that you’re trying to fool them!
Once again, save time and money by using Uber and the local favourite, Careem.
If the idea of navigating Cairo alone is too overwhelming, avoid hassle and join the best tour of Cairo’s biggest attractions which, of course, includes the pyramids!
3. Get an Egyptian SIM card
Who needs a Cairo tour guide when you have a local sim?
Generally a local SIM in Cairo will make your life easier in so many ways from quick access to Google Maps to ordering your Careem, and, of course, to pulling up all our tips for visiting Cairo!
I recommend using Orange for fast and reliable internet. You will find stalls at Cairo airport or this shop in downtown Cairo is super helpful (but don’t forget your passport!)
If you would prefer to land with mobile connection ready to go, consider purchasing an eSim with Airalo. I often will pre-purchase even just for a few GB to get me started before I arrange a local SIM.
4. Be a local
Embrace Egyptian customs and act like a local in Cairo!
I have already told you what to tell the street touts, but I also recommend dressing more modestly when you are in more conservative areas. For example, when you are walking around Islamic Cairo, it might be best to ensure you are wearing long pants and no singlets or tank tops.
As you plan a trip to Cairo, Egypt, there is one most important tip to avoid standing out as a tourist. Use the Egyptian word ‘taamiyah‘ instead of ‘falafel’!
5. Don’t forget about traffic!
Unquestionably, Cairo experiences significantly less traffic on Fridays and Saturdays. From Sunday to Thursday, do your best to ensure you aren’t in a car between 4 pm and 9 pm.
Particularly, the Cairo to Giza road often gets quite heavy traffic.
Where to stay in Cairo
As you plan a trip to Cairo, Egypt, you are probably wondering ‘where is the best area to stay in Cairo?’
I generally recommend hotels around Tahrir Square or Downtown Cairo. In the Downtown area, you will find everything from hostels to the best 4 star hotels in Cairo.
And for something extra special, consider taking a Cairo city break and spending overnight at the pyramids at the Marriott Mena House.
The sweet tip
How did I tame Cairo? I avoided the endless tours from Cairo travel agencies and followed the locals.
And where did they lead me? El Abd, for the best ice cream in Cairo!
Local tip: You want to try the Oreo flavour!
El Abd is located in the heart of Downtown Cairo.
There is always more of Cairo to explore, so don’t be afraid to just walk around the city and enjoy all of the sights, sounds and smells.
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