Travel Guide > Africa > Egypt > Cairo
Cairo is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours every day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wares and services. And here, the Egyptians are most at home in this powerful, modern and ancient city.
Cairo has an arid climate with little rain throughout the year, averaging only around 30mm a year. Temperatures are warm to hot. From May to October, maximum temperatures are between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius on average during the day, dropping to around 20 degrees at night. Hot winds from the southern Sahara desert can make temperatures rise to 47 degrees Celsius though, especially in May and June. December to March is wintertime, with pleasantly warm conditions of between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius during the day and slightly over 10 degrees at night.
Egypt Air is the national airline of Egypte and flies from Cairo International Airport (CAI). It has international scheduled flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Accra, Addis Ababa, Aleppo, Alexandria, Algiers, Amman, Amsterdam, Asmara, Assiut, Aswan, Athens, Bahrain, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Beirut, Benghazi, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Casablanca, Damascus, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Entebbe, Frankfurt, Geneva, Guangzhou, Hurghada, Istanbul, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Kano, Khartoum, Kuala Lampur, Kuwait, Lagos, Larnaca, Lisbon, London, Luxor, Kuwait, Madrid, Madina, Milan, [[Montréal], Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nairobi, New York-JFK, Osaka, Paphos, Paris, Riyadh, Rome, Sanaa, Sharjah, Tokyo, Tripoli, Tunis and Vienna.
Egypt Air also operates domestic flights between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Sharm El Sheikh, Assiut and Hurghada and most cities are served at least daily.
Egyptian National Railways has trains between Cairo north to Alexandria and south Luxor and Aswan, with a few branches to Port Said and Suez.
There are also several luxury air-conditioned day and night trains with sleeping and restaurant cars from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. If travelling overnight, you can reserve at the Abela Egypt website.
There is a reliable bus system in place in Egypt. You will usually get what you pay for. This might not be the best place to try and save money.
The Nile has been used for transportation in Egypt for thousands of years, and it still is.
Taxis are cheap and easy - make sure you check/agree on the price first. There is little regulation in the taxi industry here, so the quality can change quit a bit too. It is not uncommon for the taxi to have a gerry-can full of petrol in the trunk. So if the smell gives you headaches, always wait for a newer/cleaner looking cab.
The Metro is also a good option. But the stops are not written in English, so you will need to plan it out before hand, and then count stops on the way. If you get on when they are very busy, be prepared to have a crash course in having no personal space.
There are also women only cars. If you are traveling co-ed you will have to make a judgment call about splitting up or not.
There are also "meecro busses" which are small Volkswagen vans that go around on their routes stopping to pick people up. The cost is LE0.75 (75 piaster) per person regardless of how long you ride. Just pass your money up to the driver or a person sitting in front of you after you get in. White people never ride these, so it won't stop for a white person usually. You will get a lot of stares if you ride as a noticeable foreigner.
Don't drive in Cairo. Hire a car or a driver. You should be fine in the rest of the country, just don't drive yourself around here.
In many parts of Cairo there is no real sidewalks. Some businesses may have one and then their neighbor won't. There are also quite often tree stumps and re bar protruding from the sidewalks. It is easier to just walk on the roads and pay attention to traffic. Do not walk on the sidewalks if it is too dark to see your feet very well, or you WILL trip.
There are also not many crosswalks, or walkways. When crossing the roads in groups, line up next to each other and walk out together. Sometimes you will need to cross multiple lanes. If you wait until all the lanes are clear, you will never cross, so also be prepared to cross lane by lane, frogger style. This is VERY frightening and depending on the duration of your stay, you may never get used to it.
You can eat and be full in Cairo for as little as LE 2 a day. As long as you like talmaya, fuul, and kosherie (sp?).
There is an abundance of chain resturants and fast food places such as: Chilis, Pizza hut, Dominoes, Hardys, Mcdonalds, etc.
There is also a new trend toward "cafes". These can range hugely in price, quality and atmosphere. But there are more than a few gems where you can get excellent food for a reasonable price from a waiter that speaks English. It is also not uncommon for the owner to come shake your hand if your white and take 20% off an already fair bill or buy you desert if you promise to come back for breakfast. This is especially common in newer cafes that are starting out and are trying to attract a younger and trendier crowd. You can expect to pay LE 30-40 per person (at least) at these establishments for a meal, beverage and desert. Not including Sheesha.
This is a Muslim country, so the majority of places do not serve alcohol. Of the ones that do, they generally do not have a menu or signs, so it si difficult to know which ones do serve it.
The local beers are actually not that bad. There are unconfirmed rumors that European brewmasters have been brought in.
The hard alcohol is very expensive. Common international brands are rare. Local brands have an edge to them that hints that industrial use would be a better choice for it.
European coffees are becoming more common, popular and accessible. Some cafes are selling their own blends and you can find a barrista that knows how to use a cappuccino machine.
Sheesha is a large water pipe used to smoke tobacco blends in Egypt. It consists of a large bowl, a water filled base and a hose. It is the same principle as a bong or a hookah. Many will also have wind covers and ashtrays attached. There are many different types of designs, features, decorations and sizes.
Generally when you order a sheesha at a restaurant you will be provided with a disposable hose, or a disposable tip for the hose. Insist on one if you are not. Pay attention that it came from a sealed package opened in front of you. The staff should tend the charcoal that is used to keep it burning. If it dies down you can just make eye contact with the staff and indicate your sheesha and whoever tends the sheesha will probably be quick in coming.
If you'll be going to the same place repeatedly for sheesha, it is a good idea to tip the sheesha tender directly when he collects your empty sheesha after you have finished. 1-2 LE is sufficient and you will notice how much better your sheesha is tended compared to most other patrons.
The tobacco you smoke is blended with molasses and various fruits. Many restaurants have a sheesha section on their menu. The fruitier blends actually smell like candy.
It is a very unique way of smoking, the flavor of the fruit is very strong, and it will often last an hour or longer. A worthwhile experience for smokers and non-smokers alike. Ask your server for a Ta-ool (Backgammon) while you smoke and try a very old and traditional Egyptian past time.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| African House Hotel | 15, Emad El-din str. Downtown | Hostel | 95 |
| Ain Shams Obelisk Hostel | 523 Terait El Gabal St, Ain Shams | Hostel | - |
| Akram Inn | 5 Tahrir Square | Hostel | 70 |
| Alexander Hotel | 165 Mohamed Farid St, Down Town, Cairo | Hotel | 82 |
| Arabesque Hotel | 11 Ramses Street | Hostel | 85 |
| Arabian Nights | 10 al aaded st Down Town | Hostel | 87 |
| Bedouin Hotel | 4 Elwy street from Qasr el Nil street Back of the National and Central Bank of Egypt, Do | Hostel | 91 |
| Berlin Hotel | 2 El Shawarby St 4th Floor Off Kasre El Nil Down T | Hotel | 82 |
| Blue Bird | 42 Talaat Harb St Downton Cairo Egypt | Guesthouse | 80 |
| Cairo Center Hotel | 20 Adly Down Town | Hotel | 57 |
| Cairo Inn | 6 Talaat Harb Square, Downtown | Hotel | 80 |
| Canadian Hostel | 5, Talaat Harb St. Down-Town | Hostel | 83 |
| City Plaza Hostel | 13 (26 july street) sixth floor | Hostel | 88 |
| Crown Hotel | 9 Emad El-Din St | Hotel | 80 |
| Dahab Hostel | 26 Mahmoud Bassiouny St. | Hostel | 82 |
| Desert Safary Hostel | 2 Shamplion Street | Hostel | 83 |
| Desert Safary Hotel | 2 shampilion St. Down Town | Hostel | 71 |
| Each Way Hostel | 44 Talaat Harb Street Downtown | Hostel | - |
| El Zahraa Hotel | 11 Ramses St., El Tahrer Square Downtown | Hotel | - |
| Europa Hotel | 300, Ahram str. Giza | Hotel | 67 |
| Golden Tulip Flamenco Cairo | 2 El-Gezira Elwosta Street | Hotel | - |
| GP Hotel | 15 Adbelwahab St. El Kasr El Einy Next to the US Embassy | Hotel | - |
| Gresham Hotel | 20 Talaat Harb Street | Hotel | 20 |
| Havana hotel | 26 Syria St. Mohandeseen Cairo | Hotel | 80 |
| Hostel Brothers | 34 Talaat Harb St Yacoubian Building 4th Floor | Hostel | 97 |
| Hotel Osiris | 49 Nobar Street | Hotel | 88 |
| Hotel Vienna | 26 Mahmoud Bassiouni St., 2nd Floor, | Hotel | 61 |
| Invitation Hotel | 11 Ramsis St. Abdelmonem Riyad sq Down Town | Hostel | 40 |
| Isis Hotel | 33B Ramses St Maarof Tower | Hostel | 81 |
| Juliana Hotel | 8 Ibrahim Nagib - Garden City - Downtown | Hostel | 95 |
| King Hotel | 20, Abdel Rehim Sabri Str. Dokki | Hotel | 68 |
| King Tut Hostel | 37 Taalat Harb street, Down Town 8th Floor | Hostel | 89 |
| Kings Palace Hotel | 3 Ibrahim El Qabbani Str 11511 | Hotel | 82 |
| Let Me Inn | 19 Adly Street | Hostel | 91 |
| Lialy Hostel | 8 Talaat Harb Square | Hostel | 75 |
| Magy Hotel | 122 El Galaa Street Ramses | Hotel | 47 |
| May Fair Hotel | 9 El Aziz Osman - Zamalek | Hotel | 78 |
| Meramees Hostel | 32 Sabri Abou Alam Street | Hostel | 92 |
| New Minerva Hostel | 39, Talaat Harb st. | Hostel | 88 |
| New Palace Hotel | 17, Soliman El Halaby St, From Emad El Din St | Hostel | 91 |
| Nileview Bed and Breakfast | Maadi Star Tower, Block A, Floor 15 Corniche El Nile | Guesthouse | - |
| Nubian Hostel | 4 Elwy Street off Qasr El Nile Street | Hostel | 89 |
| Paris Hotel Cairo | 15 Talaat Harb Street Third Floor | Hostel | 91 |
| Pension Vienna | 26 Mahmoud Bassiouni | Hostel | 79 |
| Pharaoh Egypt Hotel | 11 Ahmed Orabi St., Sphinx Sq., Mohandessin, Giza, | Hotel | 73 |
| Pharaoh's Palace | 26 Kasr El Nil Downtown | Hotel | 87 |
| President Hotel | 22 Taha Hussein Street Zamalek | Hotel | 55 |
| Pyramisa Cairo Hotel & Casino | 60, Giza Street Dokki | Hotel | - |
| Ramses II hotel and hostel | 37 talaat harb st cairo 12 floor down town | Hotel | 85 |
| Regent House Hostel | 2Maruf Street from Talat Harb | Hostel | 78 |
| Richmond | 41 Shereef street. down town.Cairo | Hostel | 82 |
| Rotana Palace | 37-Talaat Harb Street, Downtown, 6th floor Cairo,E | Hostel | 84 |
| Safari Hotel | 4, Souq Eltawfiqia St, 5th Floor | Hostel | 100 |
| Sara Inn Hostel | 21 Yousef Elgendy St.- cnr. Hoda Sharawy St. | Hostel | 87 |
| Select Hotel | 19 Adly St. Down Town | Hostel | 74 |
| Sultan Hotel Cairo | 4, suk el tawfikia | Hostel | 27 |
| Sun Hotel | 2 Talaat Harb Street Tahrir Square | Hostel | 80 |
| Sun Shine Guesthouse | Souq El Rahman street, Shorroq, Cairo | Guesthouse | - |
| The Australian Hostel | 23 Abd El Khalek Tharwat Downtown | Hostel | 89 |
| Venice Hosokawaya | 4 Souk El Tawfiqya Street 4th Floor | Hostel | 93 |
| Venus Hotel | 38 Ramesis St Ramesis Sq | Hotel | 62 |
| Wake UP! Cairo Hostel | 33 A Ramsis st., Marouf Tower. Downtown | Hostel | 93 |
| Windsor Hotel | 19 Alfi Bey | Hotel | 81 |
This is version 34. Last edited at 15:05 on Sep 27, 09 by Hien (-24). 39 articles link to this page.

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