Welcome to Cairo
Like most tourist meccas, Cairo offers plenty of opportunities to pay top dollar for things that won't necessarily enhance your trip. Here are some smart ways to enjoy Cairo on a budget.
When to Visit:
Avoid Cairo in the summer, when it can be oppressively hot and dry-and the city's notorious air pollution is at its worst. It's also the most expensive season, when lodgings and attractions are in high demand. If you can travel between November and March, you'll be rewarded with milder weather, lower rates and fewer crowds. (However, rates soar again during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.) Note that between March and May, khamseem winds can kick up sandstorms. Find flights to Cairo
Where to Eat:
You can eat well in Cairo without spending a fortune, and the array of ethnic cuisines is dazzling, although Middle Eastern classics such as mezze (a selection of small dishes), hummus and kebabs are the prevailing offerings. Water pollution is a chronic problem in Cairo, so opt for bottled water and be sure to avoid ice cubes.
Where to Stay:
Your search for rooms could turn up many midrange international hotel chains in Cairo, such as Sheraton, Marriott and Hilton, where rooms range from $130 to $150 double per night. Travelers looking for a true budget choice should consider backpacker accommodations, such as the King Tut Hostel in downtown Cairo, with shared-bath doubles for $16 per night and en-suite doubles for $22 per night.
Getting Around:
The streets of Cairo are crowded and chaotic: Some 18 million people live in the greater metropolitan area, and newcomers are pouring in every day. You can get around the downtown commercial area on foot, but the cheapest, fastest and most efficient way to move around Cairo is by Metro (subway). Two cars are set aside for women only (but women can ride in the other cars as well). Taxis are cheap and easy to find; look for the black-and-white cars. A relatively new fleet of yellow cabs is also on the streets; these are slightly more expensive, but are air-conditioned and have more reliable meters.
The Pyramids:
Cairo is home to the phenomenal Pyramids of Giza, 5,000-year-old relics of the great civilization of the Pharaohs. Giza is about a 30 minute ride from central Cairo. Here in the desert sand are three main pyramids-including the Great Pyramid of Cheops, 450 feet tall-and the Sphinx, a limestone lion with a human head (said to be the head of a pharaoh). Come as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the midday heat.
Other Cairo Attractions:
With its first-rate collection of Egyptian antiquities, the Egyptian Museum holds the main treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamen (including the 24-pound solid-gold death mask) and 27 royal mummies. The Grand Egyptian Museum, an ambitious new museum being constructed in the desert plateau between Cairo and the Giza Pyramids, is expected to be completed in 2012 and will house many of the treasures of the museum in Cairo.
Beyond Cairo:
The Valley of the Kings, a World Heritage Site along the Nile Valley south of Cairo, is the ancient burial place for pharaohs who ruled Egypt from the 16th to 11th century BC; the tomb of King Tut is one of many in the valley. Although most tombs are not open to the public, many travelers visit the site on cruises down the Nile.
More Cairo Tips:
- Be conscious of Muslim Holy Days. During the various Muslim holy days and festivals, tourist attractions and businesses may have shortened opening hours. During the month-long Ramadan, alcohol is rarely served outside of hotel bars and restaurants.
- Modesty is key in dress and behavior. Cairo is 94% Muslim, and travelers should respect local customs and take a conservative approach to dressing (for women, that means no short skirts or revealing clothing) and conduct.
- Haggle away! Egyptian outdoor markets and bazaars are great places to shop, and visitors are expected to play the haggle game. Be sure to visit the Khan al-Khalili, a bustling and chaotic street bazaar where the art of haggling is practiced in narrow alleyways crammed with goods, among them silver and gold pieces. Expect to be wooed by the vendors as you make your way along the stalls. Skip the area where tour buses drop off their loads of tourists; you can get better prices by venturing to the less-trafficked stalls.
