Capital city, Egypt
Cairo
Huge, loud, fascinating capital with the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo, plus cheap food and a real expat scene. Touts, traffic, pollution and street harassment wear many people down.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$765–1,240Comfortable, one person · E£40,000–65,000Details
- Value for money64/100Better value than 63% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goFeb–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 39°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is chlorinated but visitors should drink bottled or filtered water; avoid ice at street stalls.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$10–29Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards work in malls, hotels and chains; cash for taxis, street food, markets, entrance fees and tips.Details
Where to stay in Cairo
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Zamalek | First-timers and long stays: cafés, galleries, leafy island on the Nile |
| Downtown (Wust El Balad) | Budget travelers: hostels, old cafés, walkable to the museum |
| Maadi | Expats and families: quiet streets, cafés, easy metro |
| Garden City | Quiet riverside hotels near Tahrir |
| New Cairo (Fifth Settlement) | Modern apartments, malls and gyms; far from sights |
Apps that work in Cairo
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: App cars avoid haggling and scams. Street taxis often skip the meter; agree the price first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mostly cash Cards work in malls, hotels and chains; cash for taxis, street food, markets, entrance fees and tips.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
Going to Cairo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cairo meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.