Cairo Travel Guide 2026: Pyramids, Hotels, Costs & FAQ

Last verified: August 2026

Cairo: The Last Standing Wonder of the Ancient World

Cairo is the only city on Earth where you can have breakfast in a chaotic, honking metropolis of 20 million people and be standing in front of a 4,500-year-old pyramid within the hour. This guide includes the actual current Cairo Metro fares (raised in March 2026) and a specific warning about a taxi scam that operates right at the Giza Metro station, since it catches even prepared visitors.

4-Day Cairo Itinerary

Day 1: The Pyramids of Giza

• Morning: Great Pyramid of Giza, Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure
• Afternoon: The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple
• Evening: Sound and light show at the pyramids

Day 2: Ancient Treasures

• Morning: The Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the full Tutankhamun collection
• Afternoon: Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid, Egypt's oldest large stone structure
• Evening: Dinner in Giza with pyramid views

Day 3: Islamic & Coptic Cairo

• Morning: Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
• Afternoon: Khan el-Khalili bazaar for shopping and mint tea
• Evening: Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church

Day 4: The Nile & Departure

• Morning: Felucca sailboat ride on the Nile
• Afternoon: Cairo Tower for panoramic city views
• Evening: Departure

Where to Eat in Cairo

• Abou El Sid – A beautifully decorated restaurant serving traditional Egyptian home cooking.
• Koshary Abou Tarek – A local institution for koshary, Egypt's beloved rice, lentil, and pasta street food dish.
• Khan el-Khalili cafes – Sip mint tea and try Egyptian sweets in the historic bazaar.
• Sequoia – A relaxed Nile-side restaurant popular for shisha and Mediterranean dishes.
• Felfela – A long-running, affordable spot for classic Egyptian dishes near Downtown Cairo.
• Street ful and taameya stands – Try Egypt's take on falafel (taameya, made with fava beans) for a cheap, authentic breakfast.

Best Hotels in Cairo

• Budget: Dahab Hostel Cairo, Pyramids Loft, Cairo Downtown Hostel
• Mid-range: Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, Barcelo Cairo Pyramids, Le Passage Cairo Hotel
• Luxury: Marriott Mena House (with pyramid views), Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza, Kempinski Nile Hotel

Staying in Giza puts you within walking distance of the pyramids, while Downtown Cairo or Zamalek offer easier access to museums and Nile-side dining.

How Much Does a Trip to Cairo Cost?

Costs vary by travel style, but here's a grounded daily budget per person:

• Budget traveler: $35–55/day (hostel, metro and local transport, koshary and street food)
• Mid-range traveler: $90–150/day (4-star hotel, taxis or rideshare, sit-down restaurants, guided tours)
• Luxury traveler: $250+/day (5-star hotel with pyramid views, private guides, fine dining)

Cairo Metro fares (updated March 2026) and the Giza taxi trap

The Cairo Metro raised fares in March 2026 and now runs a four-tier distance system: EGP 10 for trips up to 9 stations, EGP 12 for 10–16 stations, EGP 15 for 17–23 stations, and EGP 20 for 24+ stations. Buy a paper ticket at the station window for a single trip, or get a rechargeable contactless metro card if you'll be riding more than a couple of times — both use the same fare tiers.

The Metro doesn't reach the Giza plateau itself, and this is where a specific, well-known scam operates: at Giza station and around its exit, touts will try to sell you the "final leg" taxi to the pyramids at a wildly inflated price, sometimes claiming the real entrance is somewhere else. The simplest fix is to skip this connection entirely — book Uber or Careem directly from Downtown to the pyramids (around EGP 60–120, 30–60 minutes depending on traffic) rather than mixing Metro and taxi. For general city trips, a short ride within one neighborhood runs EGP 20–40, a medium cross-town ride EGP 40–80, and a longer trip toward Giza or the airport EGP 100–200 — useful numbers to know even if you're using an app, since drivers sometimes propose a flat rate before starting the meter.

Other things to budget for: Great Pyramid complex entry (around $11, with extra fees to enter inside a pyramid), the Grand Egyptian Museum (around $30–40), and a licensed Egyptology guide (highly recommended, around $40–60/day). Most nationalities can get an e-visa online before arrival or a visa on arrival.

Practical Tips for Visiting Cairo

• Best time to visit: October–April for comfortable temperatures, avoiding the intense summer heat.
• Hire a licensed Egyptologist guide at the pyramids — it transforms the visit and helps you avoid unofficial "guides" looking for tips.
• Book Uber or Careem directly to the pyramids rather than combining the Metro with a taxi from Giza station — the touts there are persistent and well-practiced.
• Dress modestly, particularly when visiting mosques and religious sites.
• Bargaining is expected at Khan el-Khalili and similar markets — it's part of the experience, not rude.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Cairo

How many days do you need in Cairo?

4 days covers the pyramids, major museums, and Islamic Cairo without rushing.

How much does the Cairo Metro cost in 2026?

Fares were raised in March 2026 to a four-tier system: EGP 10 for up to 9 stations, EGP 12 for 10-16, EGP 15 for 17-23, and EGP 20 for 24 or more stations.

Is Cairo safe for tourists?

Cairo is generally safe for visitors who take normal precautions — use licensed guides and Uber/Careem rather than unofficial taxis, particularly around Giza station, where a well-known taxi-tout scam targets tourists arriving by Metro.

What is the best time of year to visit Cairo?

October through April offers the most comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summer (June-August) is extremely hot, often exceeding 40°C (104°F).