Travel Guide to Cairo, Egypt

Ra's Travel Guide to Cairo

The capital of Egypt and home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; a complete travel guide to Cairo.

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One of the largest cities in Africa and the capital of Egypt, Cairo is steeped in ancient and modern history. From the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Cairo, the Sphinx, the Nile, and more, Cairo captivates millions of visitors annually as a bucket list destination. Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of the city and prepare to embark on a journey in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Utilize this travel guide to Cairo to ensure you make the most of your unforgettable adventure.

Getting to Cairo, Egypt: Transportation Options and Travel Tips

The most popular method for people to travel to Cairo is by plane to the large international airport. Many flights from major airports around the world offer direct flights to this city since it is a popular destination. This was the method I used to reach Cairo, in which my tour guide met us directly at the airport. Once at the airport, there are many direct shuttles through tour and excursion agencies to take you directly to your hotel. This is usually the safest and most effective way to reach your accommodation, especially if you don’t speak Arabic and don’t want to deal with the stress of the local public transportation or the taxis that try to take advantage of foreigners.

However, if you’re visiting from within Egypt or nearby countries, it may be possible to reach Egypt by bus, car, train, or ferry. These options will need to be booked in advance and may require for you to secure your entry visa in advance, since they may not be able to be purchased at these border crossings. Be sure to purchase your travel tickets in advance.

For efficient route planning, cost evaluation, and consideration of various transportation methods, I often rely on Rome2rio. This invaluable tool provides comprehensive information, offering insights into possible route combinations and suggestions for strategic stops along the way, ensuring a tailored and well-informed travel experience. Link to Rome2rio

Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt?

Cairo is a large city with hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, of people, both locals and tourists. Given its status as a major tourist destination, you'll find a plethora of accommodations ranging from budget-friendly hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels to luxurious resorts, perfect for unwinding and escaping the heat. When choosing where to stay in Cairo, consider the following areas:

Midan Tahrir - Ideal for First-Time Visitors Situated in the heart of modern Cairo between the Nile River and downtown, this neighborhood offers a quieter atmosphere while still being close to major attractions.

Downtown - Perfect for Budget Travelers Located in the city center, Downtown provides easy access to public transportation, making it a convenient and affordable option for exploring Cairo.

6th of October - Great for Celebrations Located outside the city center, this area boasts Beverly Hills-style hotels and resorts, making it ideal for events and celebrations.

Zamalek - Best for Nightlife and Unique Accommodations Situated on the island of Gezira, Zamalek offers a European ambiance with its array of restaurants, historical sites, and shopping destinations, making it a vibrant choice for nightlife enthusiasts.

Giza - Ideal for Families Part of the expanding Cairo, Giza offers stunning views of the pyramids and provides a family-friendly environment.

During my visit to Cairo, I was part of a guided tour of Egypt, and all accommodations were arranged by the tour group. I stayed in a resort hotel in the 6th of October area, which offered excellent security and a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. Our tour guide ensured seamless transportation to and from the hotel each day.

Guides to Egypt

Best Places to Visit in Egypt

Authentic Egyptian Souvenirs

Getting Around Cairo, Egypt

Car

I highly don’t recommend renting a car to drive yourself through Cairo or Egypt. In Cairo, the traffic is crazily congested with people weaving in and out between cars and mopeds because there are often no road lines. If you’re still not convinced, the drivers in Cairo are extremely aggressive, and Egypt has one of the highest fatalities per mile in the world. Please opt for one of the other options below to get around Cairo.

Bus

This is my second least recommended method of getting around the city. While usually buses are a great way to travel and to save money, the bus system in Cairo is super confusing, and congested, with the buses often unmarked and no one speaking English. Within the city, there are three types of buses: local privately-owned buses, orange minibusses, and Cairo Transit Authority. If you have to take a bus, I recommend the last option since they’re usually the cleanest, most consistent, and travel between the main tourist hubs which means you’re more likely to catch someone who speaks English. Watch out for pickpockets!

Metro

Avoid the busy streets and opt for one of the best methods to get around the city below, the metro. Three lines cover the entire city which takes people to the main tourist sites. Eventually, the third line will connect directly to Cairo’s International Airport. The trains operate from 5 AM to 1 AM daily, until 2 AM during Ramadan, with ticket booths located in each station. A ticket is required to enter and leave the metro station. For women traveling in groups or solo, board one of the middle cars which are reserved for women only.

Taxi

One of the most common ways to travel around tourists is by taxi or Uber since the metro doesn’t cover all of the sites. In Cairo there are two types of cabs the traditional yellow cabs and the black and white ones that are older, don’t have air conditioning all the time, and set the fares based on haggling. If you don’t want the stress of haggling, ask your hotel or local guide to call the cab for you or ask how much a cab to your destination should usually cost. Make sure that in the yellow cabs, the meter is turned on and you agree on an expected price because some may try to add additional rates to foreigners for air conditioning or traffic congestion.

Guided Tour

This is my most recommended way to travel around the city because the transportation and destinations are arranged in advance for you and with a set price. Additionally, you will have a tour guide to watch out for you and to tell you about all the sites you visit. When booking, check to ensure that the entrance fees to the sites you’re visiting are included in your tour guide package. This is also the safest option because you will be with a local guide who speaks the local language and knows the area, as well as pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

Walking

While the entire city of Cairo isn’t walkable, many neighborhoods are which is a great way to explore parts of the city. Just be careful of cars and bikes since pedestrians aren’t always given the right way. Note that you will need to combine this method of transport with one or more of the ones above.

What to Do in Cairo, Egypt?

The Pyramids of Giza & The Sphinx

No trip to Cairo or Egypt would be complete without a visit to the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza and the legendary Sphinx. As the most renowned attraction and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these ancient marvels offer an awe-inspiring experience. For an additional fee, visitors can explore the interiors of the pyramids, although without the presence of mummies or jewels. Beware of scammers selling overpriced or counterfeit tickets outside the site, as well as aggressive vendors hawking tourist trinkets within. Horse and camel rides are available for cash payments. Note that the site closes at 4 PM in winter and 5 PM in summer.

Coptic Cairo

Also known as Mogamaa Al-Adya in Arabic, this area holds significant religious importance, encompassing sites of worship for three major monotheistic traditions. Visitors can explore the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, the oldest mosque in Egypt dating back to 642 AD, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which stands as the oldest continually maintained synagogue in the Middle East. The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, believed to have provided shelter to the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, said to be built near the spot where baby Moses was found in the reeds, are among the highlights. Presently, Copts represent up to 10 percent of Egypt’s religious population.

Manyal Palace

After extensive restoration efforts, the Manyal Palace has reopened its doors to the public. Constructed in the early 20th century, this architectural gem boasts several stunning buildings reflecting a blend of Arabic and European influences. Visitors should not miss the opulent Thorne Palace adorned in gold, as well as the exquisite Reception and Residential Palaces featuring intricate artwork and architectural details.

Saqqara & Dahshur

Located 30 miles south of Cairo is this necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis and Egypt’s largest ongoing archaeological site containing the pyramids: the Pyramid of Djoser, the Step Pyramid (the world’s oldest pyramid), and the Mastaba of Ti tomb. Then 6 miles away is Dahshur the location of the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid. Be sure not to miss the Serapeum, where the mummies of the sacred Apis bulls were buried, and the colorful and detailed walls of Mastaba of Ti. If you were to opt for only one guided tour during your visit to Cairo, this should be it otherwise you will miss a lot of information.

Al-Azhar Mosque

One of Cairo’s earliest surviving mosques, built in 972 CE, Al-Azhar Mosque is now one of the world's oldest universities and a leading theological center of the Islamic world. Visitors must remove their shoes upon entry and women are required to wear a scarf. Inside the courtyard, the El-Taibarsiya Medrese boasts a prayer niche dating back to 1309, while the main prayer hall awaits across the courtyard.

Khan El-Khalili Bazaar

The largest bazaar in Cairo that contains anything and everything you could possibly want to buy related to ancient and modern Egyptian culture, as well as traditional food… but get ready to haggle. The bazaar established the shopping labyrinthine in 1400 CE and was the center hub for local artisans to conduct trade. If you’re looking for a place to try traditional food or to get your souvenir shopping done, this is it. Some important information, the easiest entry to the Khan el-Khalili area is from Al-Azhar Street, directly across the road from Al-Azhar Mosque and the main souq road is Al-Muski Street (called Gawhar al-Qaid Street at its eastern end).

Museums

Cairo is a large city with a lot of history, which means it has a lot of museums. It is also the location of some of the most famous museums in the country such as the newest massive museum The Grand Egyptian Museum, the original Egyptian Museum, The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Despite the completion of The Grand Egyptian Museum, The Egyptian Museum will remain open and the location of many famous artifacts including several mummies. The main exhibit of Tutankhamun's funerary mask and collection have been moved to The Grand Egyptian Museum which is close to the Pyramids of Giza and is now the world’s largest archaeological museum containing over 50,000 artifacts, including two Khufu solar boats and the full Tutankhamun collection which consists of about 5,300 pieces.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization displays the mummies of 18 kings and 4 queens. It also showcases parts of Egypt’s history spanning the Pharaonic up to the Coptic and Islamic eras and the golden coffin of priest Nedjemankh, which was repatriated from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York when an investigation revealed it had been taken out of Egypt illegally.

Lastly, the Museum of Islamic Art has one of the most important collections of Middle Eastern artistry in the world. Inside are Ottoman tile work, Ayyubid ceramics, frescoes, patterned wood-inlay, coinage, carved marble tombstones, jewel-toned carpets, and more.

Muhammad Ali Mosque

Nicknamed the "Alabaster Mosque," the most is a part of Egypt’s iconic skyline and is also the final resting place for Ali, one of the founders of modern Egypt. The mosque was constructed in the Ottoman style and is decorated with gold, hanging lamps, and many stained glass windows. Nearby is El-Nasir Mosque and several museums: the Police Museum, National Military Museum, and Carriage Museum. Be sure to visit the Gawhara Terrace for a beautiful panoramic view of Cairo.

Sultan Hassan Mosque

An exquisite example of Mamluk architecture, Sultan Hassan Mosque showcases intricate Islamic artistry and is renowned for its soaring minaret, the tallest in Cairo at 81.5 meters. Visitors can explore the mosque’s main prayer hall and the Sultan’s mausoleum, which houses remnants of the original dome and the sultan's sarcophagus. Across from the mosque lies El-Rifai Mosque, home to the tomb of Khedive Ismail.

Felucca Ride

Escape the city hustle and enjoy a leisurely cruise along the historic Nile River aboard a traditional felucca. These wooden sailing boats, equipped with a single sail, offer a refreshing experience amidst Cairo’s bustling streets. While shorter hour-long cruises are widely available for around USD 7, larger companies may offer extended cruises paired with onboard meals, ideal for larger groups.

Cairo provides a mesmerizing blend of ancient wonders, vibrant culture, and rich history, making it a captivating destination for travelers worldwide. With its iconic landmarks, bustling bazaars, and diverse culinary scene, Cairo promises an unforgettable experience for every visitor. Whether you're exploring the majestic Pyramids of Giza, wandering through the historic streets of Coptic Cairo, or immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, this dynamic city never fails to enchant you. With this comprehensive travel guide to Cairo, you're well-equipped to embark on a memorable journey filled with exploration, discovery, and cultural immersion.