1 day in Cairo: What to know before visiting

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This article tells you what to know before spending your hectic 1 day in Cairo. This city is famous for the Pyramids of Giza, which are only 13 km away from the capital. But also for its big chaos, traffic jams, loud sounds, and smog.
Cairo has a lot to offer but there are also many things good to know before visiting.

Cairo is the metropolis of Africa and the capital of Egypt is located along the Nile River. More than 20 million people live in the city and its suburbs. It is part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East.

Tip: Read our other article from Africa. How to ride Iron Ore Train in Mauritania.

Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Cairo

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE VISITING

Visa

You can apply for an online e-visa or get a visa on arrival for 23€ (25$) at the border control after arrival at international airports in Egypt if you are from:
-Japan
-New Zealand
-UK
-USA
-Schengen countries

Both visas are valid for up to 30 days for a single entry.

Note: If you are planning to visit Egypt by land you have to get a visa before!
Here you can apply for an Egypt e-visa.

Drinking water in Egypt

Drinking tap water in Egypt is not recommended. Just as if you are considering having a drink with ice on the street or in a bar, washing vegetables or fruits with tap water can also be a risk. If you don’t want to spend your 1 day in Cairo with stomach problems, buy water safely in the supermarket.

Drones are not allowed

The import, production, and use of drones are prohibited in Egypt unless you have a permit from the Egyptian Ministry of Defense in advance. Without a document, your drone will be confiscated at the airport. If you transit only, it is unlikely that the drone will be confiscated, but the risk is still there.

Scammers are everywhere

You can’t avoid scammers even at the pyramids in Giza, where you want to enjoy the magical monuments and you don’t feel like a camel ride, they will chase you around the entire complex. Some will pretend to be guides and show you around the pyramids for free.
Such things can make your 1 day in Cairo very unpleasant, so try to avoid them.

Unfortunately, Egypt is notorious for its scammers.
Taxi drivers turn off the taximeters, and although you agreed on a set amount before the ride, at the end of the ride they ask for more money.
Sellers from souvenir shops to pharmacies (our experience) drastically higher the prices because they know you are a tourist.

SIM card Egypt

You should definitely get a local SIM card after you arrive in Egypt. It is another thing to know before traveling to Egypt because wifi in hotels or restaurants many times does not work and you will need it to order Uber to avoid scammy taxi drivers.
You can get one at Cairo International Airport, where you pick up your luggage, but kiosks are in many places in the city too.
It’s an easy process. You will need just a passport. The process takes only a couple of minutes. We used Vodafone and it worked well.

Vodafone price: 10 GB-8€ ($9), 30 GB-16€ ($18)

Another option is to get an online e-sim card, if you want to avoid buying a sim card in the shops, and also you have an internet connection right away after you arrive in the city. It’s also a good option for the beginning of the trip. Airalo e-sim starts from 7$ for 1GB.

The biggest mobile operators are:
-Vodaphone
-Orange
-Etisalat
-We

Bring a phone with a good quality camera

Big cameras are not allowed in many places, even on the street if someone sees you taking a picture they can make you a problem and you end up with a deleted SD card! So many people had to deal with the police because of taking classic tourist pictures.
However, somewhere you can pay extra cash to use your camera, which for us is another scam rule, so the best way is to use your phone with a good-quality camera.

HOW TO GET AROUND CAIRO

Getting from Cairo Airport (CAI)

By Taxi
The journey from the international airport takes approximately 18 minutes, it is less than 20 kilometers to the center of Cairo. At the airport, you can find taxis easily at the exit of the terminal, where you will find a large parking lot. Most taxi drivers do not speak English, and communication with them can be frustrating, especially when negotiating the price.

By Uber
The fastest and easiest transport from the airport for your 1 day in Cairo. The driver has all the information about your trip in the application, the payment is made electronically and you can comfortably get where you need to go.

By Bus and Metro
Another option for transportation from the airport is to use the local transfer bus 111.
The ticket price is low at 10 EGP (€0.20) and the journey to Ramses Railway Station takes 50 minutes, but during peak times it can take up to 75 minutes.

The capital of Egypt has a metro system consisting of three metro lines, the blue M1, the red M2, and the green M3. Cairo metro line 3 will be extended to the airport, this connection will start operating in 2025.

However, if you plan to enrich your visit with a metro ride, you can do so already on the way from the airport by bus 111, get off at the Cairo International Fair stop, where you will also find the Fair Zone metro station just a few meters away from the bus stop.
Ticket prices range from €0.20 and more.

Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Cairo

Getting around Egypt by train, bus

The best way to see the landscape of Egypt is to travel by train or bus. So if you decide to spend more than 1 day in Cairo travel by train is an option for you.

Trains are mostly late of course. Our train from Cairo to Alexandria was 2 hours late, be prepared. The air-conditioning is freezing cold inside, so don’t forget to have warm clothes near you.
You can choose the Express train with air-conditioning in 1st class or 2nd class or sleeping cars (Cairo-Luxor) price starts at 23€/25USD (Cairo-Aswan) price starts at 27€/30USD.

Other trains can be with or without air-conditioning and 2nd class or 3rd class and of course more slow.
You can use Egyptian railways between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Port Said, and Suez.

Tickets from Cairo to Alexandria can be bought on the day of travel at the station, there are always tickets available, if not on the exact train you want, just check for another time or another class.

From Cairo to Luxor and Aswan is better to buy tickets a few days before your travel.
Train tickets can also be bought online but this can be complicated as some websites are in Arabic or don’t work at all.

Note: Waiting in line to get tickets can get busy and chaotic.

Bus from Cairo to Hurghada takes about 7 hours with some delays and costs from 6-14€ / 7-16USD.
Bus from Cairo to Sharm El-Shiekh takes about 8 hours and costs from 8-16€ / 9-18USD.

You can use bus companies such as Go-bus, Highjet or Bluebus.
Buses have mostly air-conditioning and some even have wifi!
And don’t forget about the cold air-conditioning again.

THINGS TO SEE IN 1 DAY IN CAIRO

Giza pyramid complex

The most important thing to see during your 1 day in Cairo is the pyramid complex in Giza. The last of The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
It is located about 13 km southwest of the capital city of Cairo.
In the Pyramid Complex, otherwise known as the Giza Necropolis, there are three pyramids: the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx.

Find your best tour in the Great Pyramid of Giza

Tip: The pyramid complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and was visited by more than 14 million visitors last year.

Entrance to the complex is 10.50€/11USD. Entrances to individual pyramids differ and each one is paid separately. You can visit the pyramids with a guide, but it can also be done on your own.
We visited the Pyramid of King Khafre.
The price of the ticket was 100EGP/ 2€/2USD.

You can get to the complex through two entrances, one is near the Great Pyramid of Khufu and another one closer to the Great Sphinx.

Our journey to visit the Pyramid was interesting. The driver got lost somewhere on the highway, and the lanes of the highway were separated by large concrete panels.
After wandering for a long time, he decided to get out of the car and move the concrete panels so that he could change the direction of travel.
Other drivers from both directions also got out to help him. In the end, everything went well and we managed to visit the Pyramids.

Cairo Tower

The tower was built in 1961 and has the shape of the famous lotus plant, which the ancient Egyptians used to produce papyrus. It is built on Zamalek Island near the Opera metro station (900m by walk).
The entrance fee ranges from 70EGP, which is approximately 1€/1USD, however, the waiting time for the elevator that takes you to the 360° view can be up to 2 hours on a nice clear day.

We recommend you buy an express ticket for 25OEGP, which is less than 5€/5.50USD. Especially if you have only 1 day in Cairo.
The price of the ticket includes a drink in the restaurant located on the upper floor.
This tower is for sure worth a visit, it offers a 360° view of the whole city and on clear days without smog and sand, you can see all the way to the pyramids.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

A huge museum with an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts from the period of 5000 years, including Tutankhamun’s treasures, mummies, and sarcophagi. You can go through the entire museum by yourself or with a guide. The museum is really big and viewing all the exhibits can take several hours.
The entrance fee for tourists is 300EGP which is 5.50€/6.50USD.

The Khan el-Khalili market

Khan El Khalili isn’t just a market; it’s an essential Cairo experience that immerses you in the heart of Egyptian culture.
You can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, clothes, spices, and fresh fruit here.
There are many restaurants and cafes around the bazaar, the prices of which can be higher because of its location.

Cruise on the Nile River

Some cruises offer a guide or are often combined with dinner on the boat at sunset.
A boat cruise is an interesting way to spend your 1 day in Cairo from a completely different perspective.
Prices for Nile cruises range from 10€/11USD.

Find your best Nile river cruise in Cairo

Note: During Ramadan opening hours of restaurants, attractions, and services can be different.

WHERE TO STAY IN CAIRO

Cairo is a huge city, and this metropolis of Africa has many faces. From luxury neighborhoods with 5-star hotels to the infamous “Garbage City” Manshiyat Naser.
The slum, located on the outskirts of Cairo, was founded in 1976 to store waste from the city.

There are many accommodation options, from hostels to luxury hotels. Among the most famous locations are Zamalek Island, Downtown Cairo, Al Maadi, and the surroundings of the Giza complex.

We stayed near the pyramids in Giza, in a small hostel with a view of the pyramids from the roof of the building. Observing the pyramids with a majestic sunset will be one of the highlights of your 1 day in Cairo.

In Cairo, we stayed in the Safir Hotel Cairo. It was a great hotel in a good location with a gym, balconies, and a perfect outdoor swimming pool which we used every day.

Check all available hotels in Cairo on Booking.com. It’s our favorite booking platform.
If you are more budget traveler you can check Hostelworld where you find cheaper options with shared facilities.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CAIRO

The best time to spend 1 day in Cairo is between October and April when temperatures are comfortable for walking and days are mostly sunny.
The good thing is that you can visit Egypt all year round. However, during the winter months, the nights are cold.

May-August
These are the hottest months when the temperature can go up to about 40°C (104°F) so don’t forget your sunglasses and SPF cream protection. Especially while visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza because there is no shadow.

October-February
To avoid the heat, this is the best time to visit many monuments in Egypt. Slightly cool weather during the day and especially at night.
Don’t forget to pack a light jacket with you.

Tip: Read also our article about how to spend 1 day in Belgrade.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is 1 day enough for Cairo?
1 day in Cairo is definitely not enough to explore the city. Traffic in the city tends to be hectic and unpredictable. If you manage your time correctly, you will be able to have at least a small taste, which may inspire you for your next visit to Cairo.

Is Cairo worth visiting?
Cairo and Egypt in general are definitely worth visiting, but if you are looking for a peaceful vacation, you should move from the metropolis to Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, which are famous for their resorts suitable for tourists.

Is Cairo a walkable city?
In Cairo, you will find walkable parts, for example, Zamalek “island” where the Tower of Cairo is. Nice area with lots of cafes and hotels around. However, Cairo is too big to be walkable, and the weather in season is too hot to walk around for hours.
A good option is to use the metro or Uber instead of walking if you have only 1 day in Cairo.

What is Cairo best known for?
The capital city is best known for the Pyramid complex in Giza, which is one of the seven wonders of the world and part of the Unesco World Heritage Site. In the city, you will also find the Egyptian Museum, the largest museum of ancient Egyptian monuments and small artifacts.

Do I need cash for Cairo?
The local currency is the Egyptian pound. More and more businesses and services have the possibility to pay by card. However, it is still good to have cash with you as tipping culture is widespread in Egypt.

Can tourists go inside the pyramids?
The interiors of all three pyramids in Giza are accessible to the public. However, entrance to each of them separately is charged. Climbing the pyramids is prohibited and punishable by three years in prison.

Can female tourists wear shorts in Egypt?
In resorts and seaside towns like Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada, it is quite normal for tourists to wear beachwear. Outside the seaside and especially when it comes to visiting monuments, it is recommended to cover your shoulders and wear appropriate clothing. For your overall comfort and if you do not want to attract unnecessary attention, it is always a good idea to wear a scarf to cover up and not to wear too short skirts or shorts above the knees.

Can you drink tap water in Egypt?
Drinking tap water is not recommended. Also, avoid ice in drinks.

Is alcohol available in Cairo?
Since Egypt is mostly a Muslim country, local residents are mostly completely abstinent from alcohol. However, most hotels and resorts serve alcohol. In cities, you can also find liquor stores or bars where alcohol is served.

OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.

Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.

Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.

All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.

Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!

Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!

Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.

Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!

E-sim card: The best way how avoid all the stress of searching for local SIM cards or wifi signals and save time after you arrive in your new country is to get Airalo e-sim. Download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions!