Egypt ? Africa

Cairo Travel Guide

Ancient sites, markets, and Nile views.

Best time: October to April.

Quick highlights

Pyramids
Egyptian Museum
Khan el-Khalili

Before you go

Arriving in Cairo, plan extra time to reach your accommodation during peak hours. Use the airport transfer option that best matches your schedule and budget.

Reserve key attractions in Cairo ahead of time if you travel in high season, and keep a digital copy of your tickets.

Travel tips

Visit pyramids early
Use ride apps

Cost overview

Budget: $35-55

Mid-range: $70-110

Luxury: $200+

Meals: $4-8 casual

Transport: $3-6 day pass

Lodging: $50-90 mid-range

Great value for food.

Transport

Airport: CAI, 30-45 minutes by taxi.

Local: Metro covers key routes.

Car rental: Not recommended.

Public transport in Cairo is the easiest way to move between neighborhoods. A day pass often saves money if you take multiple rides.

Clothing by season

Winter: Light layers, scarf for evenings.

Spring: Breathable clothes, sun hat.

Summer: Very light clothing, sun protection.

Autumn: Light layers, comfortable shoes.

Pack with Cairo's typical weather in mind and include one extra layer for evenings.

Where to stay

Zamalek
Downtown

For first-time visitors, staying near Zamalek keeps attractions and transit close.

Money and connectivity

Payments: Cards are widely accepted in Cairo, but carry small cash for markets, taxis, or tips.

Connectivity: A local SIM/eSIM keeps navigation reliable in Cairo; download offline maps as backup.

Tipping: Tipping customs vary; check local norms and note that service may be included.

Safety

Use standard big-city precautions in Cairo: keep valuables secure and avoid poorly lit areas late at night.

2-day itinerary

Day 1

Pyramids
Sphinx

Day 2

Museum
Old Cairo

Full travel guide

This guide summarizes the key decisions travelers make before visiting Cairo.

Best time to visit: October to April. Use this as the baseline for weather and crowd levels.

Arrival and first steps: Arriving in Cairo, plan extra time to reach your accommodation during peak hours. Use the airport transfer option that best matches your schedule and budget. Reserve key attractions in Cairo ahead of time if you travel in high season, and keep a digital copy of your tickets.

Getting around: Metro covers key routes. Public transport in Cairo is the easiest way to move between neighborhoods. A day pass often saves money if you take multiple rides.

Where to stay: For first-time visitors, staying near Zamalek keeps attractions and transit close. Neighborhoods to consider include Zamalek, Downtown.

Budget reality: expect $35-55 for budget travel and $70-110 for mid-range. Meals are typically $4-8 casual and lodging is $50-90 mid-range.

Clothing by season: Winter ? Light layers, scarf for evenings. Spring ? Breathable clothes, sun hat. Summer ? Very light clothing, sun protection. Autumn ? Light layers, comfortable shoes..

Money and connectivity: Cards are widely accepted in Cairo, but carry small cash for markets, taxis, or tips. A local SIM/eSIM keeps navigation reliable in Cairo; download offline maps as backup. Tipping: Tipping customs vary; check local norms and note that service may be included.

Safety: Use standard big-city precautions in Cairo: keep valuables secure and avoid poorly lit areas late at night.

If you only have two days, follow the itinerary above and keep attractions clustered by area to reduce transit time.