A complete, honest guide to Cairo, Egypt — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Pyramids, pharaohs & the Nile.
Cairo is a highlight of Africa, and Cairo is the gateway to the ancient world — pyramids on the skyline, a teeming medieval core and the Nile running through it. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Cairo
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Cairo
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx and The Egyptian Museum. Break for lunch and try koshari, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Downtown.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Khan el-Khalili and Islamic Cairo, then explore Zamalek at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Saqqara & Memphis (the Step Pyramid and ancient capital) is the easy favourite, or swap in Alexandria (the Mediterranean city and its library).
Ready to book? Turn your Cairo shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Cairo experiences →Cairo on a budget — costs & money tips
Cairo is very affordable by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Cairo
- Accommodation£8–£45 / night
- Food£6–£20 / day
- Local transport£2–£8 / day
- Typical attraction£3–£12 / entry
See how Cairo compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Cairo
- Street food and local markets are both the cheapest and often the best meals — eat where locals queue.
- Trains and shared local transport cost a fraction of taxis; agree fares before you ride where meters aren’t used.
- Many of the best experiences here are low-cost — temples, markets, walking the old quarters.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Cairo at a glance
A quick orientation for Cairo. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Cairo
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Cairo specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Cairo
Cairo is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Downtown
Faded Belle Époque grandeur.
Zamalek
A leafy island of cafés and galleries.
Coptic Cairo
Ancient churches and lanes.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Cairo further down the page.
Food & drink in Cairo
Egyptian comfort food rules — koshari, ful and ta'ameya (falafel), finished with sweet mint tea.
Build your Cairo food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Cairo
The metro is cheap and beats the traffic; ride-hailing apps are the easiest door-to-door option.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Cairo. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Cairo is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Cairo that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Cairo
October–April brings comfortable temperatures; summer is intensely hot. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Cairo.
Day trips from Cairo
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Saqqara & Memphis — the Step Pyramid and ancient capital
- Alexandria — the Mediterranean city and its library
Practical tips for Cairo
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Downtown is a smart base — faded Belle Époque grandeur. If that’s not your style, Zamalek works well too (a leafy island of cafés and galleries).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Cairo without trying koshari, ful medames, ta'ameya or mint tea. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx and The Egyptian Museum. With a spare day, Saqqara & Memphis (the Step Pyramid and ancient capital) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Cairo, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Cairo — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Cairo, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Cairo?
Three to four days is enough for Cairo’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Downtown — with an extra day for a trip to Saqqara & Memphis if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Cairo?
October–April brings comfortable temperatures; summer is intensely hot.
What food is Cairo known for?
Egyptian comfort food rules — koshari, ful and ta'ameya (falafel), finished with sweet mint tea.
Where should I stay in Cairo?
Downtown is a great first-time base (faded Belle Époque grandeur). Zamalek is another good option for a leafy island of cafés and galleries.
What are the best day trips from Cairo?
Two rewarding day trips are Saqqara & Memphis (the Step Pyramid and ancient capital) and Alexandria (the Mediterranean city and its library).
How do you get around Cairo?
The metro is cheap and beats the traffic; ride-hailing apps are the easiest door-to-door option.
