Dubbed “Umm El Dinya” (Mother of the World) by Egyptians and Arabs, Cairo is one of the most brash and chaotic cities in the world. Yet in 2007 ten million tourists, a million of whom were British, booked flights to Cairo to discover one of the world’s great ancient civilizations.
The hustle and bustle of modern Cairo’s busy streets teeming with hordes of people and honking cars is perfectly juxtaposed by the serene felucca boats sailing along the Nile and horses galloping amid the gargantuan pyramids. And while most tourists who book flights to Cairo do so to visit the Great Pyramid of Giza – the last surviving wonder of the ancient world – there’s a lot more to see and do in this exhilarating metropolis.
600-year old Khan al-Khalili is one of the first stops on any tourist’s must-see list. This labyrinthine bazaar offers bargain hunters the chance to haggle for hours while magpies can pick up everything from silver and precious stones to waterpipes and spices. After all that shopping recharge your batteries at the famous Feshawi’s coffeehouse and enjoy some strong Turkish coffee or an icy karkadey (hibiscus juice).
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Peak Season:
The best time to book flights to Cairo is during the cooler season, roughly November through March. When you are inside, though, it may be chilly. Cairo buildings are designed to keep the heat out, so bring a jacket or sweater to wear indoors.
If you have allergies, you will probably want to leave the city before the sandstorms start in March.
Off Season:
The heat and pollution of summers are so oppressive that most Cairenes leave the city. Although the low humidity does make the heat a bit more bearable, cheap flights to Cairo can be found during the summer months.
During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting (approximately mid-September to mid-October), many museums and tourist sites close early and many restaurants open only after sundown.
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There are taxis outside the main arrivals hall; the journey to central Cairo takes around 45 minutes. An Airport Shuttle bus is a convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Cairo and along the Pyramids Road in Giza. Public buses and air-conditioned coaches also leave regularly from Terminal 1.
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Cairo’s metro is efficient and inexpensive. Most visitors do not use the local buses, but they are the cheapest mode of transport. The Cairo Transport Authority operates convenient and affordable air-conditioned buses. The microbuses or service taxis are privately owned and go just about anywhere. Private microbuses are a popular mode of transport, but you need to learn their routes as the buses do not display their destination. Boats provide transport to Manial, Rhoda, Giza, and Old Cairo.
Taxis are easily hailed and cheap for short distances. Meters are rarely used, so bargain down the price before getting in any cab parked in front of a hotel. Fares vary depending on the time you are in the taxi and distance covered, and fares are higher in the early morning and late evening.
Directions use landmarks and places as points of reference. When taking a taxi, tell the driver the landmark nearest your destination. As you approach the landmark, start giving specific instructions on getting to the destination.
Driving in Cairo is an extreme adventure — Egypt has one of the highest rates of traffic fatalities per mile driven in the world. Parking in Cairo is also a challenge.
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- If you’re a woman travelling alone, it's always easy to catch the Metro: the first carriage of every train is reserved for women only. The city’s underground system is very efficient and often quicker than taxi.
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing in the city. Shoulders should always be covered, and the longer the sleeves the better. Shorts or skirts should always be knee-length. Loose, long-sleeved shirts with trousers are the best garments for both men and women, and will mean you receive less unwanted attention.
- Cairo is busy, noisy and full of bustle. It’s exhilarating, but it can be tiring. If you feel you need to get away from it all for a while there are a number of options for some (relative) solitude. Visit Zamalek, a district on the Gezira island, head to the courtyard of a local mosque, or just take a felucca ride along the Nile – a traditional wooden boat specific to the area which can hold about ten passengers only. If all else fails, head to an upmarket hotel and relax by the pool for a few hours.
- The “city of the dead” is the name given to two cemeteries in Cairo. However, the cemeteries are still very much cities of the living. Many homeless and poor people have taken residence in the tombs and schools and trade continue in the walled cities. Mausoleums become houses and there is even a post office within the tombs.
- An easy day trip from the city is the Birqash Camel Market – the largest in the country. Arrive early and choose a spot to watch the show unfold.
- When visiting the Pyramids at Giza, don’t be alarmed by the extremely aggressive camel touts. It can seem almost impossible to refuse a camel ride (so many tourists do it that the touts may well assume everyone wants to) but simply say “no” firmly and then continue walking. Always maintain good humour.
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