About Cairo

The famous city of Cairo is situated in Egypt. Cairo offers a range of affordable attractions ideal for backpacking tours.

Cairo Budget Travel

Below is a list of Cairo's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Cairo Antiquities Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx

View all activities in Cairo

Airports

Cairo airports include:
• Cairo International Airport

Birdlife

Cairo birdlife is surprisingly rich for such a busy city, and there are a number of key birding areas to be explored. The zoo offers a diverse range of species in its cages as well as within its gardens, and many species can be found on the rooftops throughout the city, including Senegal thick-knees. There is also a rich abundance of birds around the sewage works near the airport.

Conservation

Cairo conservation is essential to protect the country’s endangered and vulnerable species of plant, birds and wildlife. Many species which are extinct in the wild can be found at the Giza Zoo, which is one of the largest and most beautiful zoos in the world, offering large and natural enclosures and an array of threatened species.

Culture

Cairo cultures include the following:
• Art plays a key role in ancient and modern cultures
• Food and drink is an important ritual and social pastime
• Architecture and design is a very ancient aspect of culture
• Performing arts is rising in popularity
• Music plays a key role in many cultures

Customs

Cairo customs allowances include the following, regardless of age:
• 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• Reasonable quantity of perfume and 1 liter of Eau de Cologne
• Non-commercial articles up to a value of EGP 100
• Personal effects, including electric appliances such as razor or hairdryer

Health

Cairo health facilities are not as poor as many other African countries, however Egypt is still a third world country, so it is essential to follow basic precautions to ensure healthy and happy trip. Avoid tap water, and stick to bottled water which is available everywhere. Pack some vitamins and a basic first aid kit with headache, nausea and diarrhea pills.

AIDS

The Cairo HIV/AIDS rate is very low, however it is best to follow basic precautions including the following:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing

Vaccinations

Cairo inoculations include the following:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Polio

Languages

Cairo languages include the following:
• Egyptian Arabic (national language)
• Sa'idi Arabic
• Bedouin Arabic
• Sudanese Arabic
• English

Malaria

Cairo malaria info include the following:
• Cairo and the rest of Egypt is malaria-free
• Unless you are on route to a malaria-zone country, you do not need to take anti-malaria medication
• Taking medication unnecessarily is dangerous and poses a health risk

Money

Cairo money and banking info is as follows:
• Credit cards are accepted in major tourist areas, shops and restaurants but not everywhere
• Money can be exchanged fairly easily at banks, hotel or the airport
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some places, at cost however
• Banking hours are Sunday to Thursday from 08h30 to 14h00
• ATMs can be found almost everywhere across the city

People

Cairo people include the following groups:
• Egyptian 95%
• Other 5%

Phrase

Cairo local phrases include the following:
• Hello - Ahlan wa sahlan
• Good bye - Salam
• Peace be with you (common greeting) - Salam alekum
• No thank you - La shukran
• Do you speak English? - Bititkalimy Englizee?

Vaccinations

Cairo inoculations include the following:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Polio

Plants

With a number of gardens and reserves throughout the city, Cairo plants are rich and diverse. Many visitors are surprised at the number of beautiful flowers which can be found across the city in spring, and a walk through the gardens reveals a paradise of palms, flowering plants, cacti and many other tree and plant species.

Religion

Cairo religion groups include the following:
• Islam 90%
• Christianity 9%
• Bahá'í 0.003%
• Judaism 0.0003%

Safety Tips

• Terrorist attacks have been known to occur in high tourist focused areas
• Crime is otherwise low, but valuables should be kept safe and out of site regardless as a precaution
• Roads are hazardous and driving is very chaotic ' be careful crossing roads
• Avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations which may turn violent
• Have respect at all times and follow local customs to avoid being targeted

Transport

Cairo local transport options include the following:
• Car
• Bus
• Taxi
• Foot

Travel Books

Cairo recommended travel books include:
• Globetrotter: The Best Of Cairo and Luxor by Robin Gauldie
• Egypt Eyewitness Travel Guide by DK Publishing
• Lonely Planet Cairo Guide by Andrew Humphreys
• Cairo: The Practical Guide by Claire E. Francy and Lesley Lababidi
• Lonely Planet Istanbul to Cairo on a Shoestring by Andrew Humphreys and Jeff Williams

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Egypt

What To Buy

• Cairo guide book and language guide, plus a bird or wildlife guide
• Good sturdy backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Plug adapter or electricity converter
• Snorkel gear for beaches
• First aid box with basic supplies and medicines

What To Pack

• Loose, lightweight cotton clothing with long sleeves
• Comfortable shoes, plus sandals and smart shoes
• Warm clothes, raincoat plus evening wear for going out
• First aid kit with basic supplies, plus toiletries
• Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen

When To Go

• Peak tourist runs from mid October to May, in winter to late spring
• May to October is the hottest time but is quieter and cheaper to visit
• August is one of the hottest months and is also the most humid month
• Spring offers the best weather and runs between March and April
• The Khamsin wind season runs for 5 days in spring

Wildlife

Cairo wildlife is fairly varied, with a number of wildlife reserves, zoos and parks within the city and surrounds. Some of the species to be found within the area includes deer, hares, red foxes, reptiles and Egyptian turtles, while zoos may also have wildlife not typical of Egypt but nonetheless interesting. A range of domestic animals including horses and camels can also be found.