Cairo
Everything you need for your Cairo trip: where to stay, landmarks, weather, currency, and a ready-to-follow daily plan.
TerhalCairo
https://trhal.app/en/cairo.html
Quick facts
CurrencyEgyptian Pound (ج.م)
Best monthsNovember, December, January, February, March
Suggested trip length4-6 days
Quick conversion
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Power plug
Type Type C
Coming from Saudi Arabia: Needs a shape adapter (from Saudi type G to Type C)
Most modern chargers (phone/laptop) automatically support 220-240V — check the label on the back of the charger before use.
Type Type F
Coming from Saudi Arabia: Needs a shape adapter (from Saudi type G to Type F)
Same note as Type C — check that the charger supports 220-240V before use.
Airports & getting there
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo's main airport, in Heliopolis/El Nozha east of the city, roughly 15-25km from downtown or Giza depending on destination; three terminals (1, 2, 3), with most major international flights using Terminal 3.
Official white taxi or metered taxi from the airport rank — about EGP 150-300 to downtown or Giza depending on traffic, roughly 30-60 minutes
Uber or Careem from designated pickup points inside the airport — price shown upfront in the app, often cheaper than a traditional taxi
Pre-booked private transfer from the hotel — convenient especially at night or with heavy luggage
Public airport bus (Misr for transport line) to some downtown points — the cheapest option but slower and less practical with a lot of luggage
Transit & the transit card
Cairo Metro (3 lines)One of the oldest metro networks in Africa and the Middle East; three lines covering downtown, Giza, Helwan, and Shubra. Very cheap and the fastest way to avoid Cairo's famous traffic at peak hours, with dedicated women-only carriages.
Uber and CareemThe most relied-on option for visitors moving between areas the metro doesn't reach directly (Zamalek, Maadi, Nasr City, the Pyramids); price shown upfront in the app.
Traditional white taxisWidely available, usually needs price negotiation upfront if the meter isn't used; ride-hailing apps are easier and clearer for a first-time visitor.
The Nile river ferry (local boats)A cheap local way to cross the Nile in some areas (like Giza and Old Cairo), and also a tourist experience in its own right at sunset.
Renting a car with a driverA practical option for a full day trip to the Pyramids/Giza area or Saqqara, given how difficult self-driving in Cairo's dense traffic can be for a visitor unused to the local driving style.
Getting between the main areasDowntown to Zamalek: taxi or a walk across one of the bridges, about 10-15 minutes. To the Giza Pyramids area: taxi or Uber, about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. To Nasr City or Heliopolis: taxi or partial metro, about 20-35 minutes. To Maadi: direct metro (Line 1) or taxi, about 25-35 minutes.
Connectivity & eSIM
⚠ Important notice
No officially documented restrictions on internet voice/video calls (WhatsApp and similar) in Egypt were found in the independent sources checked at the time of this review; this is general, non-official information not verified directly from a government source — don't assume any other Gulf country's experience applies here.
Vodafone Egypt (visitor/tourist)
Orange Egypt (visitor/tourist)
International eSIM (Airalo/Holafly/Saily)
Practical recommendation
Cheapest for a short tripOrange's short tourist bundle for a short, budget trip
Best for heavy dataA larger international eSIM or Vodafone's longer-duration bundle
Best for a family (hotspot)Not officially confirmed for any provider — check directly before travel if this matters for your plan
Activate before travelAn international eSIM (Airalo/Holafly/Saily) for instant activation on landing, no registration queue
Recommendation by trip length
3-5 daysOrange or Vodafone's short tourist bundle, or a small international eSIM
7 daysA weekly bundle from Vodafone or Orange if the data allowance suits your needs
10-14 daysA local monthly bundle or a larger international eSIM
More than two weeksA regular local SIM instead of a short visitor bundle, renewed as needed
A traditional local SIM
Buying directly from the official Vodafone or Orange counters inside the airport terminal on arrival is the easiest route for visitors; it requires a passport. EGP-denominated prices change relatively quickly compared to Gulf countries because of the pound's exchange-rate volatility.
Cairo weather month by month, and the best time to travel
January
High/Low19° / 9°
Rainy days1
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsHigh
Seasonal price levelHigh
February
High/Low21° / 10°
Rainy days1
WalkabilityVery high
CrowdsVery high
Seasonal price levelVery high
March
High/Low25° / 13°
Rainy days1
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsMedium
Seasonal price levelMedium
April
High/Low29° / 16°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityMedium
CrowdsMedium
Seasonal price levelMedium
May
High/Low33° / 19°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow to medium
June
High/Low35° / 21°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow
July
High/Low35° / 22°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow
August
High/Low35° / 23°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow
September
High/Low33° / 21°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow to medium
October
High/Low30° / 18°
Rainy days0
WalkabilityMedium
CrowdsMedium
Seasonal price levelMedium
November
High/Low25° / 14°
Rainy days1
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsHigh
Seasonal price levelHigh
December
High/Low20° / 10°
Rainy days1
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsVery high
Seasonal price levelVery high
Best months
For familiesNovember through March — mild daytime temperatures work well for full days outdoors at the Pyramids and Islamic Cairo
For budgetMay through September — the hottest months bring the lowest hotel rates and fewest crowds, but outdoor time needs to be limited to early morning or evening
For the mildest weatherNovember, February, and March specifically — comfortable daytime temperatures without extreme heat
Approximate daily budget
BudgetAbout $32-58/day per person — budget hotel or hostel, metro and ride-hailing apps, cheap local food (koshari, foul, casual restaurants), free or low-cost activities
Mid-rangeAbout $75-135/day per person — 3-4 star hotel, mid-range restaurants in Zamalek or downtown, a mix of metro and Uber, major paid attractions like the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum
LuxuryStarting around $240+/day per person — 5-star hotels with a Nile view or close to the Pyramids, upscale dining, private transport, custom tours
Where to stay
Downtown Cairo — price 2/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Zamalek — price 4/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Garden City — price 4/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Maadi — price 3/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Heliopolis — price 3/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Giza (Pyramids area) — price 3/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Islamic Cairo — price 2/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Nasr City — price 3/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Religious landmarks
Historic & cultural landmarks
Markets & public places
Shopping
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Restaurants & cafes
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Other
Ready-made Cairo itineraries
Hotels in Cairo by area and budget
Giza (Pyramids area)
Marriott Mena House, Giza — 5★Luxury ›
Garden City
Kempinski Nile Hotel, Garden City — 5★Luxury ›
Zamalek
Cairo Marriott Hotel, Zamalek — 5★High ›
Nasr City
Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski, Nasr City — 5★Luxury ›
Heliopolis
Le Méridien Heliopolis, Cairo — 5★High ›
Maadi
Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi — 4★Mid-range ›
Downtown Cairo
Cosmopolitan Hotel, Downtown Cairo — 4★Mid-range ›
Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, Cairo — 4★Mid-range ›