Cairo

Cairo (pronounced KY-roh; Arabic: القاهرة al-Qāhirah) is the capital of Egypt and, with a total population of Greater Cairo metropolitan area in excess of 16 million people, one of the largest city's in both Africa and the Middle East (the regions which it conveniently straddles). It is also the 19th largest city in the world and among the world's most densely populated city's. On the Nile river, Cairo is famous for its own history, preserved in the fabulous medieval Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Islamic city and Coptic sites in Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo — with historic Cairo inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cairo/Midan Tahrir|Egyptian Museum in the downtown is a must see, with its countless Ancient Egyptian artefacts, as is shopping at the Khan al-Khalili bazaar. No trip to Cairo would be complete without a visit to the Cairo/Giza|Giza Pyramids and to the nearby Saqqara|Saqqara Pyramid Complex, where visitors will see Egypt's first step pyramid built by the architect Imhotep for the third dynasty pharaoh Djoser. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society. The Cairo/Midan Tahrir|Midan Tahrir area situated in downtown Cairo, built in the 19th century under the rule of Khedive Ismail, has strived to be a "Paris on the Nile". There also are a number of more modern suburbs including Cairo/Ma'adi|Ma'adi and Cairo/Heliopolis|Heliopolis, while Zamalek is a quiet area on Cairo/Gezira|Gezira Island, with upmarket shopping. Cairo is best in the fall or spring, when the weather isn't so hot. A felucca ride on the Nile is a good way to escape from the busy city, as is a visit to Al-Azhar Park.

Districts

Greater Cairo is vast; with more than 17 million people, it's the largest metropolitan area in Africa and the Middle East. {{Regionlist| regionmap=Map-cairo-wikivoyage.svg | regiontext=Districts by color, subdivisions outlined & labeled | regionmapsize=600px | region1name=Cairo/Downtown|Downtown | region1color=#0071FE | region1items= | region1description=The modern downtown. Midan Tahrir (meaning "Liberation Plaza") was the scene of the massive 2011 protests that ousted President Mubarak and big (sometimes violent) rallies and protests still occur here. Just north of the square is the Egyptian Museum and many big hotels are nearby. The Downtown area stretches east 2 kilometers to Midan Ramses, which contains Cairo's main train station and a burgeoning retail and lodging zone. | region2name=Cairo/Garden City|Garden City| region2color=#FF5500| region2items= | region2description=A neighborhood close to the downtown and the Corniche el-Nil, an excellent option for central lodging. | region3name=Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo| region3color=#D6C29D| region3items= | region3description=Located south of downtown, includes Coptic Cairo, Fustat (Cairo's historical kernel) and Rhoda Island. | region4name=Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Islamic Cairo| region4color=#FFD380| region4items= | region4description=Located east of downtown, this was the centre of historic Cairo beginning in the 10th century. Contains the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili (the main bazaar or souq), historic masjids and medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths (hammams). | region5name=Cairo/Dokki and Mohandiseen|Dokki and Mohandeseen (Giza)| region5color=#7AB6F5| region5items= | region5description=Located on the west bank of the Nile, with upscale restaurants, shopping and lodging. | region6name=Cairo/Gezira|Gezira Island | region6color=#E7E600| region6items=| region6description=Upmarket neighborhood on a large island in the Nile. The Cairo Tower and the Opera House, Zamalek neighborhood and some nice shopping, restaurants, cafés and lodging are located here. | region7name=Cairo/Giza|Giza| region7color=#F57B7A| region7items= | region7description=Everything west of the Nile's east bank is actually in Giza city rather than Cairo city. So it's a sprawling conurbation in its own right, including the Nile islands of Gezira and Roda and the riverside neighborhoods of Dokki and Mohandeseen. But above all it's famous for the pyramids, at Giza's Western edge: this area has been known as the Haram (pyramid) neighborhood. The Grand Egyptian Museum opens here in summer 2022. | region8name=Cairo/Ma'adi|Ma'adi| region8color=#B4D79D| region8items= | region8description=A quiet upmarket residential neighborhood south of the centre, catering to many foreign expatriates. | region9name=Cairo/East|Eastern neighborhoods| region9color=#78D67E| region9items= | region9description=A series of planned communities which have been built away from the congestion of historic Cairo. From oldest to newest and they include Heliopolis, Nasr City and New Cairo. These areas are mostly upper-class and commercial centers. Cairo's airport is also located here. | region10name=Cairo/North|Northern neighborhoods | region10color=#FF70DD| region10items=| region10description=A vast area of mostly low-income, unplanned neighborhoods.

Cairo Halal Travel Guide

Cairo is on the Nile and has ancient origins in the vicinity of the Pharaonic city of Memphis (Egypt) | Memphis. The city started to take its present form in 641 CE, when the Arab general Amr Ibn Al-Ase conquered Egypt for Islam and founded a new capital called Misr Al-Fustat, "the City of the Tents". (The legend is that Al-Ase, on the day he was leaving to conquer Alexandria, found two doves nesting in his tent. Not wanting to disturb them, he left the tent. Upon returning victorious, he called his soldiers to pitch their tents around his and this became the site of the new city in what is now Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo.) The name may have been a pun - Misr/Masr is the Arabic word for city, but it is also the Arabic name of the entire country of Egypt. The Tunisian Fatimid dynasty captured the city in 969 CE and founded a new city, Al-Qahira ("The Victorious") just north of Al-Fustat. Al-Qahira gave the city its English name, Cairo, but the local residents still call it MàSr (مصر), which is also the Arabic name of the entire country of Egypt (similar to Mexico City in Mexico).

How is the Climate in Cairo

See also: Egypt#Climate

The best time to visit Cairo is during the winter from November to March, when daytime highs mostly stay below 26°C (79°F), with night time lows around 10°C (50°F) with occasional rain showers clearing the air, but still, you do not need an umbrella, even the rainiest months of the year rarely top 10 mm (0.4 in). If visiting during winter, be aware that not all buildings are equipped with heaters, including some hotels and hostels. Visitors should always pack a few warm jumpers (sweaters) and a warm jacket for evening wear. In Cairo, in indoor buildings without air-conditioning, temperatures are about 15°C (59°F) in the coldest winter days and about 34°C (93°F) in the hottest summer days. The brief spring from March to May can be pleasant as long as there are no sand storms, but summer temperatures, on the other hand, can reach a searing 38°C (100°F). In September and October and the period of late summer and early autumn, farmers burn Rice husks to ash after sunset near Greater Cairo and this makes the air smokey.

Orientation

Today's Greater Cairo is a city with at least 17 million inhabitants, where skyscrapers and fast food restaurants nestle up to world legacy monuments. Cairo used to be the designated name of the city on the eastern bank of the Nile and this is where you'll find both the modern Cairo/Downtown|Downtown, built under influence of French architecture, today the centre of commerce and popular life, as well as historical Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Islamic and Cairo/Old Cairo|Coptic sights. Outside the core on the eastern bank, you'll find the modern, more affluent suburbs of Cairo/Heliopolis|Heliopolis and Cairo/Nasr City|Nasr City near the airport and Cairo/Ma'adi|Ma'adi to the south. In the middle of the Nile is the island of Cairo/Gezira|Gezira and Zamalek, where many embassies exist. On the Western bank is lots of modern concrete and business, but also the great Cairo/Giza|Giza pyramids and, further to the south, Memphis (Egypt) | Memphis and Saqqara. The city might seem like a lot to handle, but give it a try and you will find that it has a lot to offer for any traveller.

How to travel to Cairo

Fly to Cairo

• Cairo International Airport IATA Flight Code: CAI - The second busiest airport in Africa with more than 16 million passengers a year. It has frequent Flights to other Egyptian city's and the Gulf states and Levant and daily Flights to the European and North African capitals. There are direct connecting Flights to New York and Bangkok, but travel to the Far East or North America will involve a change.
  The main operator is EgyptAir (the national carrier) and its Star Alliance partners Singapore-Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and LOT. Sky Team is represented by Air France, KLM-Airline and Alitalia; Oneworld by British Airways. Gulf Carriers include Emirates, Etihad, Oman Air, Qatar-Airways. There are also budget carriers TUI-fly and Jet-Air-Fly.

Arrival

Do exchange some money in the airport - best to do this before going through customs. Get some change in the process (smaller than the usual LE200 notes), as taxi drivers and others will always claim to be unable to give change. ATMs for all major cards are available in the arrival halls. Visas are available before immigration, for US$25. When arriving at terminal 3, everybody instantly starts queuing to buy visas from one of the bank counter on the left side. It seems these banks often don't accept cards or even Egypt#Money|Egyptian pounds (LE), which is problematic if you arrive with limited foreign currency. There's an ATM at the other side of the area in this case, as well as an exchange office that also sells visas and accept Egyptian pounds as currency. So just go there to buy the visa, ignoring the bank counters and avoiding the queues. The airport offers “Exclusive Services” that picks you up at the gate, does all immigration procedures for you and picks up your luggage while you wait in a comfortable arrival lounge for USD80, not including the visa fees. It can be pre-booked via ☎ +202 16708 Visitors are allowed to buy duty free articles on arrival. At the checkout, a customs official will check your passport and give approval for the purchase. The airport has three terminals. EgyptAir and all Star Alliance members operate all Flights to and from Terminal 3, which is integrated with Terminal 2 ( British Airways, Air France) through an air bridge. Most other airlines arrive at Terminal 1. An automated shuttle train runs between the Terminal 1 and the Terminals 2/3 airbridge. A free shuttle bus runs to the bus station every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. Taxi drivers trying to lure you at the airport will try to tell you otherwise regarding the shuttle bus, but if you go outside the terminal, you will find the free shuttle bus. At Terminal 3 it is located at the arrival level at the end of the bus lane (turn right after the exit), officially. However, in training it might stop on the second lane instead. Look around for where the local residents are waiting. At Terminal 1 the Shuttle Bus stops are at Hall 3 in front of the AirMall and at Hall 1 at the curb side. Unfortunately the bus stops are not marked. Sometimes you have to switch buses at the bus station due to the driver's Coffee break. The automated people mover (APM) shuttle train is free, clean and fast. Stations are not inside the terminals. If you are at Terminal 3, you have to leave it through the front door and turn right. Walk to the end of the building and turn right again. Then you might need to ascend or descend a ramp, depending on the level you are at (departure or arrival). At the end of the ramp you turn left and you'll get to the station some 50 m ahead, on your left. Signs are not clear at this point, but the APM is working and is very convenient to transit between terminals. At Terminal 1 you need to leave through the main exit and turn left to get to the station. The airport is on the north-eastern outskirts of the city at Cairo/Heliopolis|Heliopolis. If you want to spend the night at the airport and there are three hotels available:

• io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6658&&Novotel+Cairo+Airport&hotelId=275793&&.Zz9159271a40a54556a641652-206204 Novotel Cairo Airport | Want to take a rest and explore the city? Hotel «Novotel Cairo Airport» is located in Cairo. This hotel is located in 17 kilometers from the downtown. You can take a walk and explore the neighbourhood area of the hotel — City Stars, Al-Azhar University and Museum of Islamic Art.At the hotel Spend an evening in a nice atmosphere of the café. Taste the local cuisine and have a rest in the restaurant. If you can’t live without Coffee, drop by the cafe. Want to be always on-line? Wi-Fi is available. Specially for tourists who travel by vehicle and there’s a parking zone. The beauty and wellness services: a massage room, a sauna, a steam bath and a spa center. Guests who love doing sports will be able to enjoy a fitness center, a gym and a table tennis area. You won’t be bored as at the hotel you will find a ping-pong area and a barbeque area. Tourists who can’t live without swimming will appreciate a swimming swimmingpool and an outdoor pool. For participants of business meetings and there is a conference hall. To book an excursion, consult the tour assistance desk of the hotel. The staff of the hotel will order a transfer for you. Accessible for guests with disabilities: the elevator helps them to go to the highest floors. There are other services available for the guests of the hotel. For example, a laundry, dry cleaning, an ATM, private check-in and check-out, ironing, press, vehicle rental, a safe-deposit box and a concierge. The staff of the hotel will be happy to talk to you in English, Italian and French.Room amenities The room is warmly decorated and has everything you need to have a rest after a long eventful day. There is an alarm clock, a TV, a mini-bar, a bathrobe and slippers. Please note that the listed services may not be available in all the rooms.
• io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6658&&Le+Passage+Cairo+Hotel+%26+Casino&hotelId=308467&&.Zz66e30e244af743d09e88a0e-206204 Le Passage - formerly Iberotel
• io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6658&&Le+Meridien+Cairo+Airport&hotelId=6271295&&.Zze94d48bd31054573b3ae3bf-206204 Le Meridien Cairo Airport | Stop at Le Meridien Cairo Airport to discover the wonders of Cairo. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep. In some of the rooms, guests can find television LCD/plasma screen, air conditioning, wake-up service, desk, mini café. To enhance guests' stay and the hotel offers recreational facilities such as fitness center, golf course (within 3 kilometers), outdoor pool. Le Meridien Cairo Airport is an excellent choice from which to explore Cairo or to simply relax and rejuvenate.

There are other lodging options in nearby Heliopolis.

Public transportation in Cairo

The metro green line extension to the airport is due to open in 2020; until then, getting to downtown Cairo will often be a pain. Since the revolution, white meter taxis are available at the Terminals. The basic fee is LE2.50 plus LE1.25 per kilometre. Do insist on using the meter. Do not accept a fixed price as this tends to be double the fare by meter. Report taxi drivers who refuse to use the meter to Airport Security or Tourist Police. Refuse to pay the "ticket" (LE10 airport parking fee) for the driver. If you are going to downtown Cairo, you may be able to share a taxi with other tourists or backpackers. Another option is to use transportation arranged by your hotel or hostel, though this service is often not complimentary. The most convenient way, however, is by one of the numerous "limousine services". Pick-up points are in front of the terminals (curb side). The prices are fixed depending on the destination and the vehicle category. Category A are luxury limousines (Mercedes-Benz E-Class), Category B are Micro Buses for up to 7 passengers and Category C are midsized cars (e.g. Mitsubishi Lancer). London Taxis are available from Sixt as a new Category D. Price list (2023):

Micro buses and London taxis can be booked:

• Micro Bus - Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus | ☎ +202 19970

For the adventurous, catch a public bus to Cairo/Midan Tahrir|Midan Tahrir (read its warnings) or Cairo/Midan Ramses|Midan Ramses from the airport bus station, which is connected to the terminals by the free Shuttle Bus. The services definitely running in 2018 are the 356 (use the table below to learn what that looks like in Arabic) and 111 (direction Shobra, passes by Midan Ramses, LE8). These run every 30 min and take 60-90 min depending on traffic. Buses 27 and 400 may also run. Try asking at the station (by explaining where you want to go), but avoid the notorious (non-A/C) green buses. Buses from downtown to the airport run from the bus terminal just north of the Egyptian Museum (under the highway bridge). If the stop's not obvious, ask for the airport or in Arabic the word is "matar" (مطار). Scheduled buses no longer run direct from the airport to Alexandria or other delta city's. Either negotiate a taxi transfer, or go downtown for onward transport.

Departure

When returning to the airport from downtown, allow at least two hours to get here and 3 hours from Giza, as the roads can be very congested. The new airport road connects the airport with the intersection of the Ring Road and Suez Road and has no traffic jams. If you depart on Friday morning or mid-day and the trip to the airport will be quick, as roads are deserted while people go to the mosque for Friday prayers. Egyptair and all Star Alliance airlines (Lufthansa Group, Singapore-Airlines, LOT, etc.) leave from Terminal 3. (If you're taking a domestic Egyptair flight, your checked baggage allowance is a single 23-kg bag, unlike the double allowance on their international flights.) Saudi Arabian Airlines leave from Terminal 1 Hall 2. Other airlines (Sky Team, Oneworld, Emirates, Etihad) leave from Terminal 1 Hall 1. British Airways, Air France leave from Terminal 2. Upon arriving, you need to pass through a security checkpoint before you can access the ticketing & check-in area. You'll need a printout of your itinerary or ticket to show the security staff here. After checking-in you will pass through a second checkpoint (including passport control) to get airside and then there's a third just before boarding your aircraft - only then can you restock on water. Allow plenty of time for all this, as lines can be long. There is no left-luggage room at the airport. You can avoid the queues by using the Exclusive Service, which will do all the check-in and emigration formalities for you while you wait in a comfortable lounge and then fast-tracks you through the first two checks. It can be pre-booked ☎ +202 16708. Both terminals offer a reasonable variety of duty-free shops and restaurants. In Terminal 1 there are some duty-free shops opposite the gates, with more shops on the first floor. The lounges, McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) and Coffee shops such as Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) are on the second floor. Terminal 3 has a central market place and food court, plus some shops and cafes along the concourses. There's not much open seating, as most seating is in the gate lounges which only open an hour before departure. This is okay when flights leave on time, but when there are delays the concourse becomes congested while lots of empty seats lie inaccessible beyond the lounge plate-glass.

Travel by train to Cairo

Almost all mainline trains from Cairo run from the main train station

• Ramses Station - Mahattat Ramses - GPS 30.0636, 31.2472 on Midan Ramses (Ramses Plaza), next to Shohadaa (Martyrs) Metro Station

There are two exceptions:

• Sleeper trains 82 and 84 to Luxor and Aswan, operated by El Watania, run fromGiza Railway Station next to Giza Metro Station. However in early 2023 these services are not running, for lack of demand. Other trains for Luxor and Aswan are still running from the main station, stopping at Giza, which may be more convenient if your lodging is there. To transfer between the two stations use metro line 2, direction El Moneib towards Giza and direction Shubra towards downtown and main station, about 20 min.
• Trains to Suez depart from Cairo Ain Shams station; but buses are much quicker. This station is on metro line 1, direction El Marg coming from downtown, direction Helwan heading downtown and main station, about 20 min.

Learn Egyptian Arabic phrasebook#Numbers|Eastern Arabic numerals, instead of Arabic-Hindu numerals as used in the west, are used to indicate train numbers, departure times, seat numbers and other key information. So even if you can't read Arabic letters, you should be able to find your platform and coach. You'll also be able to check that the total on bills corresponds with what you're being asked to pay. Arabicnumerals - For trains to Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, buy tickets in advance from Egyptian National Railways (ENR) or (for the sleepers) from Watania. This assures your seat and avoids hassle at stations or booking agencies - see "Egypt#Get around by train" for practicalities. In particular, in 2017 / 2018 the ticket desks at Cairo Ramses station have often refused to sell Luxor/Aswan daytime tickets to tourists, claiming they're only allowed on the overnight train. This is bunkum and easily circumvented by buying online. "Ordinary" 3rd class trains to delta towns, Suez but even Luxor cannot be booked online, so you'll have to buy your ticket at the station—or just jump aboard and pay on the train. Ramses Station has multiple windows for different classes and destinations, so check that you are in the correct line. Departure and arrival boards in the main concourse and on platforms scroll between Arabic and English, rather slowly. There is no left luggage facility. Allow time to get through the multiple security queues. Alexandria is served by about 30 departures through the day. Best of these are the "Specials", running non-stop and taking 2 hours 40 min to Alexandria; almost as good are the "Express" services taking around 3 hours. These trains are clean and comfortable, air-conditioned and with Snacks available. These fast trains are sometimes variously called Spanish, French or Turbo because of their rolling stock. The best trains up the Nile Valley to Luxor and Aswan leave Cairo at 8AM, noon and 8:15PM, which takes around 10 hours to Luxor and another 4 to Aswan. However and there are many—check the railway website. First-class one-way from Cairo to Luxor (as of February 2022) is LE120-200 for a seat, or US$80 per person for a two-person sleeping cabin. The ordinary trains (some of which commence in Alexandria) are not much slower, but less comfortable, with hard seats and squalid toilets. The lights stay on all night and you'll probably be woken several times for ticket checks.

Travel on a Bus in Cairo

Buses connect Cairo with the entire country. The two main stations are Midan Ramses and Cairo Gateway GPS 30.05892,31.23756, (formerly known as Turgoman), but vehicles also sometimes stop at other stations, notably Abbasiya. From Midan Ramses and Cairo Gateway it's a quick LE5 taxi cab ride to downtown, LE7-10 to Zamalek. Cairo Gateway is a new, modern indoor station located roughly 500 m from the Orabi Metro Station, within the new Cairo Gateway Plaza. Destinations:

• Port Said, Ismailia and Suez - hourly services from Cairo Gateway (2 hr, LE20-30)
• Sharm el-Sheikh - East Delta buses take roughly 8 hours (LE80) while Super-jet buses take 6 hr. Some East Delta services continue to Dahab. When taking the bus to Sharm, keep your bus ticket and passport handy, as you will pass through a number of checkpoints, which require passengers to present identification and ticket. A cheaper option to get to Sharm by bus is to take a bus, a train, or a shuttle van to Suez (LE10) and from the main bus station there, take the 11AM or the 1:20PM bus to Sharm for only LE31.
• Taba and Nuweiba - Buses leave Cairo Gateway four times daily (6AM, 9:30AM, 10PM and 11PM) with prices LE70 for the morning buses and LE80 for the overnight ones. It takes around 6 hours to get to Nuweiba.
• Siwa - Direct buses leave Cairo Gateway Sunday and Wednesday nights at 7:45PM (LE60).

Uncomfortable, but cheap, micro-buses leave from Cairo to a large number of destinations. The main garages are Midan Ramsis (for Alexandria, LE22 and to the delta valley) and Al-Marg metro station (for the north-east and Sinai). They are faster and might as such be an option for shorter trips, but have a terrible toll of accidents. There are also other places these buses leave from depending on your destination, ask local residents. At least for the Sinai, foreigners are prohibited to use the micro-bus system.

• High Jet Bus Station (to/from Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh) GPS 30.06505, 31.24694 right behind/north of the Ramses Railway Station. This is one of several High Jet stations around Cairo, but probably the one most suitably located. It covers travel to/from Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh (6-7 hr). It allows for affordable and convenient onward travel after getting off the train. Reserving tickets is barely necessary, considering the frequency of the buses. The buses are not that comfortable and they have loud and annoying soap operas running in the bus the whole journey. So, it is probably not a good idea to take a night bus.
• To Hurghada: every 2 hours between 8AM Monday - 2:30AM. From Hurghada: every 2 hours between 7AM Monday - 3AM. Mostly LE110 but sometimes LE150.
• To Sharm el-Sheikh: 1PM, 11:30PM, 2 AM. From Sharm el-Sheikh: 1PM, 10:30PM, 2AM. LE110.
• Go Bus Office/Station GPS 30.05045, 31.23313
• Super-jet bus to Alexandria, Hurghada and Sinai, ☎ +202 2266-0212.
• East Delta bus to Sharm el-Sheikh, Arish and Rafah, ☎ +202 2576-2293.

How to travel to Cairo by car

Driving in Cairo is not recommended or necessary. The traffic is, at the least, overwhelming for the common traveler. The driving has a consistency, but not in any official way. Road signs, lanes, right-of-ways, etc. are not adhered to and there are a large number of junctions and flyovers. Traffic signals exist in only a few locations and are routinely ignored. However, sometimes police officers are directing traffic at busy intersections. In downtown Cairo, drivers will sometimes bump other cars that are blocking their way. Also, do not be upset if your side-view mirror gets hit. At night, many drivers do not use headlights, so use extra caution or avoid driving at night. In Egypt, vehicles travel on the right side of the road. Instead of making a left turn, you will often need to make a U-turn and backtrack, or you can make three right turns. Parking houses or official parking spots are rare. Cars may be parked two or three deep on the side of the road and will often be left unlocked and out-of-gear, so they can be moved. In many places, people work to look after parked cars. A small tip is expected for this service. You can also use valet parking. To get to Alexandria and the North Coast and the Delta and the Western Desert drivers should take the Cairo - Alexandria Desert Road from the Mewhwar Road- 26 July corridor from Downtown Cairo. To get to Beni Sueif, Fayoum, Assyut, Luxor and Aswan, drivers from Downtown should take the Sixth Of October-Fayoum exit at the Remaya Roundabout beside the Giza Pyramids at Le Meridien Hotel, to the Fayoum turn off at the Fayoum - Sixth Of October junction, 6 kilometers from Remaya Roundabout. To get to Suez, Port Said and Ismailia, drivers from Downtown should take the Ring Road to the Suez Road junction for Suez and the Ismailia junction off the Ring Road for Ismailia and Port Said. To get to Hurghada and Ain Sukhna, drivers from Downtown, should take the Ring Road to the New Ain Sukhna Toll Road at Kattamaya. To get to Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Ras Sidr, Al-Arish and Rafah on the Sinai Peninsula, drivers from Downtown, should take the Ring Road to the Suez Road junction at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, through the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel, on to the Sinai Peninsula.

How to get around in Cairo

You will find that it's useful to have several maps handy if you are looking to get around Cairo on your own. Spellings of street and place names can vary from map to map and from map to actual location and not every street will appear on every map.

By metro

Cairo_Metro_map.svg|Cairo metro system Cairo is home to Africa's first and most expansive metro system. While Cairo's metro system is modern and sleek and the three lines are all too limited in scope. As of 2022, a single trip ticket ranges from LE3-7, depending on the amount of stations covered:

• LE3: 9 stations
• LE5: 16 stations
• LE7: more than 16 stations

It is the most crowded subway in the world, as measured by passengers per track length. If you can deal with the crowding (be extra careful to avoid pickpocketing), it is the best way of avoiding traffic jams while traveling. The key interchanges are Shohadaa (Martyrs) (formerly Mubarak) at Cairo/Midan Ramses|Midan Ramses, Sadat at Cairo/Midan Tahrir|Midan Tahrir (occasionally closed) and Attaba (Ataba; عتبة). You'll need to be assertive (but not stroppy) when trying to buy tickets - Egyptians don't queue. First get your small change ready in a quiet area, so you're not fumbling with wallet and big notes and dropping your passport amidst the crowd. Then steadily press through the crowd to the ticket window, as they are doing. If you intend to make a return or future trip, buy multiple tickets, so you only have to scrummage once. The Cairo Metro has stations in Dokki and Maadi, among other places. To reach the Giza Pyramids, take the metro to Giza town then pick up a bus or taxi for "Al-Haram". You can also reach Cairo/Heliopolis|Heliopolis (Masr el-Gedida) using line 3, at the stations: Al Ahram (Korba) and Koleyet El Banat (Merghani). The extension of this line to the airport is due in 2020. Two cars in the middle section of each train are reserved for women. One of them is for women only till 9PM, while the other is for women all the time. The metro stops running at around 12:20AM and starts up again around 5:15AM. There are no timetables for lines 1 and 2, but departures are very frequent. Line 3 runs every 8 minutes.

Travel on a Bus in Cairo

The large red, white and blue public buses cover the entire city and are much cheaper, costing LE1, but are crowded and slow. However and there are the similar air-conditioned buses that charge LE2 or LE2.5. They can be found in the main squares in Cairo. Also found in main squares are the smaller mini-buses that are orange and white or red, white and blue. Because of problems with sexual harassment women travellers are advised only to take the small micro-buses and buses which prohibit standing. On micro-buses and the fare starts at LE0.5 and goes up to LE2.5. Apart from the main bus stations, buses can be hailed from street-level. Buses are seldom marked with destination, instead passengers shout out (or use a number of sign-language like hand codes) their destinations and if the bus goes this place it will stop. Travellers unfamiliar with Cairo can ask bus drivers or passengers to let them know where there stop is. Simply politely blurt out the name of your destination to the bus driver or a friendly looking passenger and they will take care of you. Late night bus riders: bus frequency, length of route and in some cases, fees can vary during the late evening hours onward. In some cases, a route may terminate, without notice, short of your destination. When this takes place, local residents rely upon private citizens hoping to make some additional money, to get them to their final destination. As always, use caution, if you should choose to accept private transportation. Since many mini-buses will not depart until the bus is nearly full, you should be prepared for a lengthy period of time, while the driver waits for enough people to board. There are a number of major bus stations (mawqaf موقف, pl. mawaqif مواقف) throughout the city. One of the largest is conveniently located behind the Egyptian Museum in Midan Tahrir. There are actually two stations - the main bus station for the city buses and the micro-bus station behind it. Travellers who want to visit the Pyramids, for example, can catch a seat in a micro-bus for roughly LE2. Visitors wishing to go to the pyramids and see a bus or micro-bus driver shouting Hàràm, should always before boarding make a pyramid triangle with your hands to ensure that the driver is driving to the actual pyramids themselves and not just to the neighborhood of Haram, which although is fairly close to the pyramids, can terminate a fair distance from the pyramid entrance. There are also bus stations in Midan Ramses, under the overpass. Buses run from Ramses to Heliopolis, City Stars Mall and other destinations not covered by the Tahrir bus station.

Best way to travel in Cairo by a Taxi

It's preferable to use Careem or Uber rather than regular cabs. Locals consider Careem and Uber cheaper and safer (especially for women). Just get a local SIM card and you'll be fine. You can also find the Careem or Uber price, get a screen shot and use that to negotiate with cabs. Solid-white taxis: These are modern sedans equipped with meters that are used, sometimes with AC and run on natural gas. Most tourists will pay less using these taxis than they'll be able to negotiate with their non-metered brethren. They can be hailed from the street and are common enough to be used perhaps exclusively (given a little patience) by any traveler. Compared to the black and white taxis, all tourists will find them more comfortable and most - less expensive. Bright yellow taxis: Becoming rarer. Typically available by reservation only, but sometimes try to pick up fares while en route. Similar to the solid-white taxis and the meter starts at LE2.50, LE1/km after that. The drivers are not allowed to smoke in the cars. Referred to as "City Cabs" or "Cairo Cabs". From within Cairo, call 0104343438-19155. Older black-and-white taxis: Increasingly becoming rarer. Communication can be difficult as these have the oldest of drivers and the meters are extremely outdated and are not used. Prices are, however, not erratic for natives and any Cairene knows what to pay depending on time and distance. It is highly recommended that you have exact change before you enter, as drivers are reluctant to give change. Taxis expect more money (LE2-3) for ferrying more people. If you decide not to negotiate the price beforehand (this is the better method) be ready to jump ship and/or bargain hard if the cabbie brings up the fare after you are in the car. They rarely accept more than 4 people to a taxi. Also add LE5-7 driving late at night, mostly for the older taxis without counters.

Cope in Cairo

Do not let the taxi driver choose you. You choose him and always look confident as if you use them regularly. Flag one down, hop in and always sit in the back of the cab. To avoid any confrontation regarding price, choose a cab from the new yellow, or white with black ones with meters. Then add a few pounds tip if you so choose. Taxi drivers may try to pressure you into taking an expensive tour with them instead of a affordable ride.

Stay Safe

Never continue travelling in any vehicle which you deem to be unsafe or the driver to be driving recklessly, especially in the dark on unlit roads, or in single track highways where overtaking is challenging. If you feel unsafe simply tell the driver to slow down, if he does not do this instantly ask him to stop and simply get out and walk away, but be careful not to end up at a remote place which would be dangerous and difficult to find another thing to ride.

Disabled access

Access in Cairo is patchy. Anyone with moderate to serious mobility issues should expect to spend a lot of time in taxis. Many buildings have step-only access. Pavements are variable, even around the popular tourism attractions. There is often an incredibly steep drop from the curbs and where there are ramps they are better suited to pushchairs than wheelchairs. Expect potholes, gulleys, poorly cordoned-off building works and street works and cars parked across the pavement, where there is a pavement at all. The white stick is recognised and help is often offered. The help that is offered can be a little misguided at times but it's well intentioned. Although more expensive by far, it is probably best to arrange taxis for major trips (such as visiting the pyramids) via your hotel. Picking up a taxi on the street can be hit and miss. Do not expect to be dropped off at the exact spot that you asked for; you will often be taken to somewhere nearby. Always fix a price before you get into a taxi. Concessions on tickets cannot be taken for granted. For example and the Egyptian Museum offers a 50% concession for disabled patrons (and students) whereas the Cairo Tower doesn't offer concessions at all. A visit to the pyramids is a must. How one does it is either through one of the many stables around the site who will charge anywhere between LE350 and LE650 for a horse/camel ride around the site, or taking a taxi to the Sphinx entrance and attempting to walk. The site is amazingly up and down. A good level of mobility would be required to attempt it by foot. If you opt for a horse/camel ride, make sure that you haggle hard. (July is the quiet season, when it may be feasible to get a 2-hour camel ride for LE100 each, albeit when you're with someone who knows the owner of the stables). If you are visually impaired or in any other way disabled it may be feasible to gain permission to touch the pyramids. The outside of the pyramids are off limits to tourists and surrounded by a cordon. To arrange permission to touch a pyramid, approach one of the many tourist police dotted around the site. (Since the revolution with decreased tourism it is a lot easier to do things like climb on the pyramids, go inside the Sphinx fence or inside the pyramids - for a charge!)

What to see in Cairo

All Gizah Pyramids - The Cairo/Giza|Great Pyramids of Giza File:Mosque Amr ibn Al-As Entrance - Mosque Amr ibn Al-As Entrance in the UNESCO-listed Old Cairo Cairo has an overwhelming array of attractions, listed under their individual neighborhoods along with transport and other practicalities. Some highlights:

• Cairo/Giza|Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the nation's most famous tourism attraction. See it now before the hordes return.
• Egyptian Museum - Located in the Cairo/Midan Tahrir|Midan Tahrir area and officially named Museum of Egyptian Antiquities but known by all as the Egyptian Museum, it hosts the world's premier collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts. This museum may close in May 2018 when the new Grand Egyptian Museum opens.
• Citadel and Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha, in Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Islamic Cairo. A grand castle built by Salah Al-Din. Also parts of the water pipes (Majra Al-Oyouon) are still there and these pipes used to carry the water from the Nile River to the fortress. Mohamed Ali is considered to be the founder of modern Egypt and the ancestor of the last King of Egypt, King Farouk.
• Al-Azhar Mosque. One of the pillars of Islamic thought and home to the world's oldest university.
• Ibn Tulun - مسجد أحمد بن طولون - Arguably the oldest mosque in Cairo, built between 868-884.
• The Coptic Quarter, in Cairo/Old Cairo|Coptic Cairo, notably the museum and the "Hanging Church" (Church of the Virgin Mary)
• Cairo Tower (185 meters./610 ft.) on Cairo/Gezira|Gezira Island offers a 360-degree view of Cairo, along with the Giza Pyramids off in the distance to the West.
• Al-Azhar Park - A landscaped garden overlooking the Citadel
• Khan El Khalily - Cairo's souk area where visitors will find many merchants selling perfume, spices, Gold, Egyptian handicrafts.
• Abdeen Palace - About 1 kilometers east of Midan El-Tahrir, it was the royal residence until the Egyptian monarchy was deposed in 1952.
• Pharaonic Village - Welcome to Egyptland! Especially if you've kids in tow, this showground and retail park will give you an instant Egypt-in-miniature. In Giza about 20 minutes trip from Downtown.

Further afield

• Dahshur|Dahshur Pyramids For a contrast to tourist Pyramids of Giza, head south to the oldest known pyramid and the Red Pyramid. The neglected Dahshur Pyramids are interesting and worth a visit, considering its history and the hassle-free atmosphere. Also, see the weird Bent Pyramid there and hike around the area to the Black Pyramid. The Red Pyramid has an entrance to the inside, which you can climb down.
• Also and the pyramids of Saqqara and Memphis (Egypt) | Memphis offer an easy day trip out of Cairo.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Cairo

Coffee and shisha

Have a Coffee, mint Tea or Cola at El Fishawy's Coffee shop in Khan El-Khalili. Smoke a shisha water pipe (try the "double apple" flavor) and watch the world go by. Great affordable entertainment.

Felucca

Ride a felucca along the Nile River. A great way to relax and enjoy a night under the stars in Cairo. Feluccas are available across from the Four Seasons Hotel in Garden City. To charter your own, negotiate a fair price of no more than LE20-30 for about a half hour for the boat, or LE50 for an hour, no matter how many Muslim are on it. Pay after your ride, or you may get much less than you bargained for.

Parks

Cairo has a shortage of parks, but a few of them exist.

• The most famous is the Giza Zoo, located right in front of the io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6665&&Four+Seasons+Cairo+At+The+First+Residence&hotelId=275892&&.Zz0de79c8075d34220a351892-206204 Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo/Giza|Giza. This is one of the oldest zoos in the world, built roughly 100 years ago.
• Hadiqat Al Orman (English: Al Orman Gardens), Cairo/Giza|Giza. This is a fairly large park located near the Giza zoo. It can be enterred by paying a daily ticket at the gate. It contains a variety of trees and flowers and is a nice place to escape the noise and traffic of the city. However, it may be very crowded with local residents, especially on weekends and public holidays like Eid.
• Hadiqat Al Azbakiya (English: Al Azbakieya Gardens). Another nice park to enjoy the greenery and scenery of trees and gardens, while remaining inside the city. It is located in the Azbakiya area of Cairo and the best option is to take a taxi.
• Genenet El Asmak (English: Garden of the Fish), Cairo/Gezira|Zamalek. A nice park, which also includes several large caves containing water aquariums, where you can see different species of fish and underwater life through glass windows. Like other parks, a very affordable ticket enables you to enter and enjoy the day there.
• Merryland (Arabic: Genenet El Merryland), located in Heliopolis neighborhood near Roxy Cinema. Again, another park with trees and gardens and nice scenery and a number of Halal restaurants and cafes have also opened up inside the park, which means it is now a place where people can eat, drink and enjoy the park all together.
• El Hadiqa El Dawliya (English: the International Garden), located in Nasr City neighborhood. It is one of the more parks, built when Nasr City neighborhood was built. Sections of the park contain copies of famous buildings from around the world (i.e. the Paris/7th arrondissement|Eiffel Tower of Paris, Great Wall of China and the windmills of Holland). The copies are much smaller of course, similar to small statues. Interesting to see.
• Al-Azhar Park - probably the newest and most recent park to open in Cairo, also with restaurants and entertainment available. It has a good vantage point of Islamic Cairo and the city skyline.
• You can also take a stroll along the Corniche el-Nil and there is a river promenade on Gezira Island.
• Desert Park. Wadi Digla Protected Area is a 60-km² environmentally protected park near Ma'adi, that offers opportunity for taking a trek, jogging, rock climbing and cycling. Wadi Degla is also a good spot for bird watching and viewing the various reptile species, plants and deer that reside there. You can take a cab from Ma'adi to the entrance at Wadi Delga. Cab drivers in Ma'adi should know where to go.

Recreation

Other options for relaxation include visiting the Giza Zoo the Cairo Botanical Gardens, or watching horse racing at the Cairo/Gezira|Gezira Club in Zamalek, or, when you need a break from city life, try a round of golf on the famous Mena House Golf Course overlooking the Cairo/Giza|Pyramids, or The Hilton Pyramids Hotel tournament golf course and nearby Sixth Of October City, Ten minutes trip from Giza Pyramids. Or if the family and especially children are fed up looking at monuments and museums, a 10-minutes trip from the Giza Pyramids by micro-bus, taxi, or car, will take you to two of the biggest and best theme parks in Cairo, Dream-park and Magic land, both in nearby Sixth Of October City. Magic land is also part of The Media Production City complex, including The Mövenpick Hotel, where visitors can take a tour of the Egyptian TV and drama sets and studios which house many of the Egyptian and other Arabic TV stations.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Cairo

Citystars is Egypt's premier shopping mall and is quite comparable to a foreign mall. It offers most international brands and most international food chains. It offers a cinema and amusement park. Mall of Arabia is a brand new spacious shopping mall in the suburb of 6 October City. It is Cairo's other premier shopping destination, featuring many of the same American and European clothiers as Citystars.

Horseback riding

Go horseback riding in the desert from one of the Nazlet El-Samaan stables such as FB Stables (contact Karim +20 (0)106 507 0288 in Giza. Ride in the shadow of the Great Pyramids or further afield to Saqqara or Abu Sir or camp out over night with a barbecue and fire. Popular with expats who keep their horses at livery, FB Stables is also great for a 'tourist' type ride to view the Pyramids from the desert. Longer rides to Saqqara and Abu Seer can be arranged in advance, as can sunrise, sunset and full moon rides. Other than the horses and good company, one of the best things about FB is their amazing rooftop terrace (with BBQ) with unrivaled views over the Pyramids - a great place to relax with a drink whilst watching the Sound and Light show.

Music and culture

• Sufi dancing - The Al Tanura Troupe offers free performances every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday night at 8:30PM (7:30PM during winter) at the Al-Ghouri Mausoleum. This picturesque place is located nearby the Khan el Khalili souk, on a narrow street between the Al Azhar and Al Ghouri masjids.
• The Culture Wheel - الساقية Al-Saqia | The largest independent cultural centre in Cairo, offers concerts almost every night.
• The Garden Theater - In Al-Azhar Park offers a range of musical performances. The venue is also a great place for an evening stroll.
• Cairo Opera House - It hosted the Cairo International Film Festival in 2012 and screened some international films with very affordable subsidized ticket prices.
• Egyptian Centre for Culture & Art (MAKAN) ☎ +20 2 2 576 80 86
• Housaper theater (مسرح الهوسابير). Mostly erroneously known and spelled as HosaColas. A small theater which hosts cultural plays and concerts for independent artists. - El Galaa St, Kulali, near Ahmed Oraby Metro Station, behind the hospital of Egypt railway.

Study as a Muslim in Cairo

• The International Language Institute (ILI), in Mohandesin offers courses in Arabic phrasebook|Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Arabic phrasebook|Egyptian dialect up to an intermediate-advanced level in an international student environment. Teachers are professional and prices relatively low.
• Kalimat Language and Cultural Centre, 22, Mohamed Mahmoud Shaaban St., Mohandessin, Giza, +202 761 8136 / 337 5814. This is a great language school with a lot of friendly teachers and students from around the world.

Shopping in Cairo

Talaat harb at night by tinou bao - Midan Talaat Harb ATMs are found in various places throughout Cairo/Downtown|downtown. A more secure option are the ATMs in the five star hotels. There also are numerous places that handle currency exchange, or you can try any major bank such as HSBC or Commercial International Bank for currency exchanges or redeeming travellers cheques. There also are a number of Citibank branches in Cairo. Foreign currencies can also be exchanged for Egyptian pound in all the Egyptian banks like Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt, Banque de Caire, Arab African Bank and the United Bank, or the large branches of Bureau de Change.

• The Khan El-Khalili bazaar is a giant souq in Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Islamic Cairo. The merchants here are ravenous and skilled, so don't fall for the hard sell and be prepared to negotiate. This is a great place to buy rustic glassware and perfume bottles. Be choosy.
• Cairo/Gezira|Zamalek has a number of small, but high-end shops, along with shops selling crafts, jewelry and other items. Fair Trade Cairo in Cairo/Gezira|Zamalek is a great shop selling high quality crafts made by local artisans. Nefertari, also in Zamalek, has wonderful organic cotton linens, skin care products and the like. There is also Nomad, that has a small, charming second floor showroom in Zamalek, as well as Nagada and Khan Misr Taloun. Diwan, in Zamalek, is a very nice primarily English-language bookstore.
• Midan Talaat Harb and surrounding streets, including Talaat Harb Street, are home to countless shops, selling everything from shoes and Books to sweets.
• The Midan Ataba area in Cairo/Downtown|Downtown Cairo is home to large bookseller markets, where you can find affordable books, as well as electronics and clothing markets, but be aware of the over crowding, as it is easier to pickpocket.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Cairo

Cairo has an enormous number of Halal restaurants, catering to most needs. Ironically though, one may want to avoid any restaurants listed in popular guidebooks. Egyptian restaurants have a habit of after being listed, cooking up a special English menu with vastly inflated prices. That said, good quality food can be found everywhere in street restaurants and Snacks stalls. The top notch restaurants are often, but not always, found in hotels and Nile boats. The borders between restaurants and cafes are not crystal-clear in the Egyptian capital.

In general, Cairo/Downtown|downtown is good for budget eating, while for higher quality eating you should head to Cairo/Zamalek|Zamalek, Cairo/Dokki and Mohandiseen|Mohandiseen or any of the other more affluent parts of town.

Egyptian and middle eastern food

feTīr is a pie, shown here with honey. It can be eaten as a meal or Snacks, with sweet ingredients like jam or honey, or salty toppings like Cheese, Meat and vegetables which make it more like a Pizzas. Traditional Egyptian staples are available almost everywhere. In stalls and street restaurants you will find traditional dishes like fūl (bean paste), falāfel, moussaka, koshari (rice, macaroni, lentils, chick peas and tomato sauce), feTīr (pancakes with different fillings) and shawarma (an import from Lebanon and Syria — pieces of roasted Meat wrapped in bread). Cheaper places will only serve up vegetables and maybe beef Hot Dogs or corned beef. Eggs, fried potatoes and salads are also available. Hygiene varies wildly and the best advice is to go for the most visited places. Avoid empty restaurants as the food will be less fresh. Especially downtown, you can find many good koshari shops, including many outlets of the excellent Koshari Tahrir chain. Delicious and affordable fūl, falāfel and shawarma sandwiches can be purchased at the many outlets of popular Gad fast food chain dotted around Cairo. The average price for a tub of takeaway koshari is LE3-5, fūl or falāfel sandwiches is LE1-1.5 and shawarma sandwiches are LE4-8. In the medium and upper price range your choice of traditional Egyptian Halal food will be more limited. Although the situation is improving, traditionally Egyptian gastronomical experiences are still mostly restricted to private homes. Quality chain restaurants like Felfela (several outlets), Abou El Sid (Zamalek, Maadi and Dokki), Cairo Kitchen (Zamalek and Maadi) and Abou Shakra offer authentic Egyptian Halal food. Otherwise oriental or Middle Eastern restaurants tend to mix styles or completely go for more Lebanese-style eating, considered more stylish by rich Cairenes. The good side of this is that Cairo is blessed with many quality Lebanese outfits, from chains like Dar Al-Qamar to stylish restaurant establishments. Additionally, Turkish Halal Food and restaurants catering to Gulf visitors can be found.

Self-catering

The Metro chain and Alfa Market dotted around Cairo are convenient Halal supermarkets. They often stock Gulf brands. Otherwise vegetables and fruit are plentiful and affordable. Bakeries such as The Bakery chain sell Middle Eastern style bread and pastries. Organic food from the local ISIS brand is available at the supermarkets Metro and [ Carrefour and the Sekem Shop in Ahmed Sabri Street (شارع احمد صبر), Cairo/Zamalek|Zamalek. By far the cheapest and most satisfying option, buying from souks and outdoor markets makes for a crash course in Arabic and haggling, not to mention that the produce is often superb! Bread can be found on nearly every corner and comes in two types - whole wheat aysh baladi and white flour aysh shami. Both are baked fresh daily and delivered by thousands of kids on bicycles to every corner of the city. Every neighborhood has a few streets dedicated to produce and other goods. Always wash fruit thoroughly before eating. Eating a fresh Roma tomato in the heat of Summer straight from a market seller after being washed is a delight, hard to match. The fruits and vegetables in Egypt may not conform to EU or US standards of size, but their taste is far superior. Small bakeries (furne) sell every kind of baked good imaginable - ranging from Italian style bread sticks with nigella and sesame seeds to croissants, donuts and anything with dates in it. Fresh goods from these bakeries offers a nice alternative to the standard Egyptian breakfast of beans, beans and beans, as well as the fact that this bread is very cheap. Flickr - Daveness 98 - Meat market in central Cairo - Meat market in central Cairo Cairo has a wide range of soft-drinking options from the very traditional to fashionable and modern. At the other end of the scale, almost any street in Cairo has a traditional Coffee house, ´ahwa, a traditionally male institution of social life tracing many hundreds of years back in history. Besides that you'll find everything from fruit stalls to patisseriés and bakeries and modern cafés whipping up all varieties of modern European Coffee. In addition to the traditional Turkish Coffee and shai tea, virtually everywhere you'll find drinks like hibiscus Tea kerkedeeh, served warm or cold depending on season, sahleb, a milk-based drink served in winter, fakhfakhenna (a kind of fruit salad), sugarcane juice, mango and tamarind juice, Tamr hindi.

Traditional Coffee houses

Cairo remains one of the best city's in the world to sample the traditional Coffee house culture of the region. They are called maqhâ in Standard Arabic, but in the local dialect this is turned into ´ahwa. The Turkish Coffee remains an invariable ingredient in any Cairene Coffee house and water pipe (sheesha) and Tea is even more popular. While considered "old fashioned" for a time and these places are again turning fashionable among younger crowds and even smoking a water-pipe is no longer a male-only pastime. Places vary from just a small affair—plastic chairs and tables put out on the street—to more elaborate cafes especially in upscale and tourist areas. For many and the sheesha or water pipe, is the main attraction of any visit to a Cairene Coffee house. It is available in at least two varieties, mu´assal, pure tobacco and tofâh, apple-flavored. Other fruit varieties are sometimes available. Coffee houses range from the more elaborately decorated to a simple counter and some plastic chairs and tables spread out in the street. Foreign Muslims are invariably made welcome, although women might feel uncomfortable visiting Coffee houses in traditional, poor areas of the city. However, in downtown and the tourist areas of Islamic Cairo single or women-only groups should not expect anything more than the ordinary hassle. Turkish Coffee (´ahwe turki) is served either sweet (helwa), medium sweet (masbout), with little sugar (sukr khafeef) or no sugar (sâda). Sweet means very sweet. Tea (shai) is served either as traditional loose Tea (kûshari, not to be confused with the Cairo macaroni-rice stample kushari), known as dust Tea in English, or in a Tea bag. Most Coffee shops offer fresh mint leaves to put in your tea, upon request. A range of soft drinks are available. Most typically you will find hibiscus Tea (karkadee), served warm in the winter season and cold during the warmer parts of the year.

Fruit juice stalls

During the hot Cairo summer, fruit juice stalls selling fresh juice (and occasionally fruit salads and other soft drinks) are a delight not to be missed. Basically these places sell fresh-pressed juice of whatever is in season. Typical choices include orange (borto'ân), lemon (lamūn), mango (manga) and strawberry (farawla), guava (gawafa), pomegranate (Rommân). Prices and quality depend on season and availability. These places are spread out around the town and available at almost all the places tourists typically visit and in all local residential neighborhoods. Traditional Coffee houses or fruit juice stalls might sell all or some of these drinks.

Modern cafes and pastry shops

Modern cafes and patisseries are spread out around the town. Typically they serve light food like sandwiches and salad in addition to espresso-based coffees and pastries. Many of these places are chains, like Cilantro, Beanos, Cinnabon, Orangette and the Bakery and Coffee Roastery. Most of these places, including all the chains mentioned above, offer wireless internet connection as well. International chains such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) are also widely available throughout Cairo.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Cairo

Cairo - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Cairo, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Cairo. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Cairo and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Cairo. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Cairo. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Cairo: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Cairo. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Cairo: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Cairo, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Cairo. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Cairo, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Cairo, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Cairo and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Cairo, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Cairo, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Cairo without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Cairo is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Cairo. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Cairo is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Cairo, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Cairo Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Cairo

eHalal Group Cairo is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Cairo. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Cairo. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Cairo ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Cairo. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Cairo, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Cairo are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan 2024 Celebrations in Cairo

Ramadan 2025 in Cairo

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Cairo

Cairo has a tremendous io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6658&&Cairo&&.Zza7cdbe32c2cf485a9a17c99-206204 range of lodging, from low-rent hotels Cairo/Downtown|downtown to five-star palaces along the Nile. See individual Cairo#Districts|neighborhood eHalal Guide's for hotel listings.

Tourist information

The Egyptian Tourist Authority has offices in Cairo City Center, 5 Adly Street, phone: 3913454, Pyramids, Pyramids Street, phone: 3838823, fax: 3838823, Rameses Railway Station, phone: 5790767, Giza Railway Station, phone: 5702233, El Manial, Manial Palace, phone: 5315587, Airport, phone: 2654760, fax: 4157475, New Airport, phone: 2652223, fax: 4164195 and Cairo International, Airport' phone: 2914255 ext.2223.

Stay Safe

Crossing streets is another major challenge in Cairo. Traffic lights, which only exist in a few locations, are routinely disregarded. In downtown Cairo, police officers may be controlling traffic at key intersections at busy times. Crossing the street is like playing the video game "Frogger", hurrying across the street one lane at a time, when there is a small break in traffic. One way to cross a street that proved to be effective is to place yourself next to an Egyptian who wants to cross the street and follow. Also, when riding in a taxi and the driver may go quite fast and drive erratically. If at any time you feel unsafe, tell the driver to stop and get out.

Emergency services

• Police ☎ 122
• Ambulance ☎ 123
• Fire ☎ 180

Medical Issues in Cairo

Stomach upsets

As elsewhere in Egypt, be careful with what you eat. Raw leafy vegetables, egg-based dressings like mayonnaise and minced Meat are particularly risky. Avoid cold salads and puddings from buffets even in the 5-star hotels just to be on the safe side. Opinions on tap water vary, but most visitors choose to stick to the bottled stuff. Large bottles of water can be purchased for LE2-3. Avoid ice in drinks and only eat fruit with a skin you can wash or peel. You may find that stomach medications you bring from home simply don't work. All visitors would do well to buy from any pharmacy Egyptian brand drugs. The best and most common being Entocid and Antinal. Diarrhea and vomiting can almost always be stopped by taking 2 of these tablets with a glass of water in a few hours. If symptoms persist, it is wise to consult a doctor as dehydration in Summer can come on quickly. Smog can reach extreme levels, especially in late summer and fall before the rains. This, coupled with the summer heat, can make spending time outdoors in the summer quite unpleasant.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are in some parts of Egypt so you might face them. They are active from dusk till dawn and then find a dark sheltered place to sleep during the heat of the day. They love humidity and wet environments where they breed. They also love leafy green gardens and hedging. Sitting around lakes, pools, or in a garden at night can be suicide. Only the female bites and one female in a bedroom can cause much discomfort by morning, so it is always wise to kill any before sleeping. A fly swatter is best as they move due to air pressure, swatting with a newspaper will not work. Mosquito repellent sprays are of little value either. Most io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&6658&&Cairo&&.Zza7cdbe32c2cf485a9a17c99-206204 hotels will have smoke sprays at dusk to quieten them down but they will revive and attack later. The best defense is to kill any in hotel rooms. Wear long sleeves and long trousers when out at night. When outside, sit in a breeze or in front of a fan as they do not like moving air. The mosquito tablets and burners merely make them sleepy and they do not kill them. It is better to spend a few minutes going round the hotel room killing any you see than suffer days of itching and painful bites.

Muslim Friendly Hospitals

For medical care, hotels have a house doctor on call. Any major operations are best performed outside Egypt, but the following hospitals are considered the best in Cairo:

• Cleopatra Hospital Heliopolis - ☎ +20 2 2414-3931
• Dar El Fouad Hospital 6th of October City - ☎ +20 2 3835-6030

Visitors will see doctors' offices dotted all around Cairo on board signs. They are speciality specific. Just look for one and then inquire. Most surgeries open after 5PM and run late till sometimes midnight. A consultation fee will give you a consultation and one follow up appointment. Travellers can also visit private hospitals like El Salam, Dar Al Fouad,6 October University Hospital, Ain Shams University Hospital,Kasr El-Eney during the day. Each has an outpatient clinic with various specialists on duty. Usually no appointment is necessary and you will be seen depending on how early you arrive. The fee for the outpatient clinic of 6 October University Hospital for a consultation and follow up is LE100.

Cope in Cairo

Embassies & Consulates in Cairo

Brazil - Nile City - North Tower C – 18th Floor Cairo Egypt, 2005 Nile Corniche, Boulaq Num.4, Boulaq, Cairo Governorate - ☎ +202 24619837 China 14 Bahgat Aly Street, Zarmalek ☎ +20 2 7361219 India - 5 Aziz Abaza St., Zamalek, Cairo ☎ +20 2 2736-3051, +20 2 2735-6053, +20 2 2736-0052 Indonesia - 13 Aesha Al Taymorya, Qasr an Nile, Cairo Governorate 1661, Cairo ☎ (+20-2) 2794-7200  (+20-2) 2794-7209

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Cairo

• The Japanese Gardens in Helwan are a 20-min trip from Downtown or by Metro. They're a good spot for an afternoon picnic away from the city.
• Alexandria can be done as a day-trip, though it deserves longer. Top sights are the new library and the national museum and Qaitbey fortress; then enjoy a fish dinner on the Corniche and maybe a Coffee. The train takes about 2½ hours, see section on "Get in by train" above for times and fares.
• Ain al-Sukhna is the closest Red Sea resort to Cairo and easily reached on a day trip. This place is growing rapidly to become the getaway for Cairo's moneyed elite. To get here, hire a taxi for the day for about LE200-300.
• Fayoum is another popular place for Egyptians to picnic. While the city offers little in itself and the Qaroon lake and Wadi Al-Rayyan both offer scenic spots for relaxing and the area also contains some of the first pyramids in history. Get there by bus and then get a taxi to drive you around for the day at roughly LE100 or get a taxi from Cairo at LE200-300. It's feasible to stay overnight at the scenic Tunis village for LE30.
• Siwa and Bahariyya are oases in the desert, far from the city hubbub.
• The other major centres in Egypt, needing several days to visit, are Luxor and Aswan for antiquities and the Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

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Destinations in Cairo	A (Luxury)	B (Micro Bus)	C (Midsize)	D (London Cab)