Cairo Travel Tips

Business hours: Sunday to Thursday, 09:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00
Banks: 8:00 to 14:00
Museums: times and days vary; check with individual museum
Post Offices: 08:00 to 14:00, Sunday to Thursday
Shops: 09:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 22:00, Monday to Saturday

Cairo, like most major cities, suffers from petty criminals who target tourists. During peak season, Cairo gets very busy, especially around the popular attractions. This, unfortunately, is an invitation for pickpockets. Always keep a tight hold of your belongings and be alert when out shopping and using public transportation.

Cairo can be intimidating for women, especially those women who are travelling alone or without a male companion. The majority of men in Cairo are respectful of the opposite sex, but there are some who will go out of their way to hassle western women and show you little respect. If you feel someone is threatening you, walk away quickly, and if they follow you, threaten to call the police - they will soon stop.

As a tourist, regardless of what sex you are, you are guaranteed to get hassled at the tourist hotspots such as the Pyramids and the Citadel. Fake tour guides will constantly be offering their services and will rarely take ‘no’ for an answer, and street sellers will be relentless in trying to sell you souvenirs. If you are really not interested, the best thing to do without fear of insulting anyone is to sternly say ‘no thank you’ and walk away.

It is important to take care when you are crossing roads in the city, as many vehicles simply do not stop for pedestrians and will force you to walk around them, possibly into the path of an oncoming vehicle; make sure you use your common sense.

Egyptian currency is known as the Egyptian pound (EGP) and is divided into 100 piastres. Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pounds, while coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 25 piastres.

It is possible to exchange money when you arrive at Cairo International Airport, as there is a bank, several ATMs and a 24 hour bureaux de change. Banks can be found throughout the city and ATMs are in abundance. Credit cards are accepted by most large businesses.

On arrival at Cairo International Airport, some visitors may be required to fill out a customs declaration form. People are chosen at random to complete the form. If you are asked to complete the form, all money, travellers’ cheques, jewellery, cameras and electronic devices must be declared.

Visitors travelling to Cairo are allowed to import up to 200g of tobacco, 1 litre of alcoholic beverages and 1 litre of eau de cologne. If you are bringing in gifts or goods for personal use, these must not exceed the value of 100 Egyptian pounds. Pornographic books, movies and printed material are all banned, as are explosives and devices that could be used for illegal activities.

Import permits may be required for some items. If you are unsure, more information can be gained at an Egyptian consulate.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

Conduct throughout the city is dominated by the influence of Islamic beliefs. Egyptians are renowned for being very friendly and open. This should be reciprocated by visitors, who should also respect the Islamic culture here. While other religions are accepted, they should not be prominently displayed

Handshakes between males are the accepted way of greeting both strangers and acquaintances, and it is not unusual for males to hold hands. This gesture is simply regarded to be a sign of friendship. Personal space is not as important to Egyptians as in many other cultures, so you may feel crowded at times, as people tend to stand very close when they are talking to you. Public scenes of affection between couples can insult locals, so try to avoid such displays.

If you are invited to somebody’s house, shoes should always be removed before entering and you should dress conservatively. You should compliment your host on their house, as this is considered polite, and try to remember everybody’s name.

The Egyptians are a conservative group of people. Despite being accepting of other cultures and customs, it is advisable to dress like a local and cover up. Women in particular should cover their bodies, especially when entering religious buildings.

During the month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public should be avoided or at the very least be done discreetly, as these activities are forbidden by Muslim culture at this time.

If you have been invited out for a meal, you should always wait for the host to tell you where to sit. Only eat with your right hand and always show appreciation for the meal. Putting salt on your food is considered an insult, whereas to take a second helping is considered to be very complementary. If you are full, always leave a small amount on your plate, otherwise it will be assumed that you want another helping

It is recommended that you have vaccinations against typhoid, hepatitis A and polio. Dehydration and sun stroke are a high risk in Cairo, as the heat and sun are both intense. You should make sure that you have plenty of drinking water and try to avoid being out in the heat of the day for too long. Always wear sun block to avoid sunburn. The drinking water in Cairo is chlorinated, but can taste of chemicals, so it is advisable to drink bottled water. Never bathe in the waters of the Nile, as they are contaminated.

Medical insurance is a must if you are travelling to Cairo, as medical treatment can be very expensive here. Standards of care vary greatly, although there are many western-trained medical professionals working in Cairo. Pharmacies are open 24 hours and they can deliver to your hotel. If assistance is needed, ask at your hotel reception. 

Emergency: 126

Misr International Hospital: +20 760 8261

AI-Salam International Hospital: +20 524 0250

The official language in Egypt is Standard Arabic. Egyptian Arabic is however the national and spoken language, but is only occasionally written. English and French are both spoken throughout Cairo and used frequently in business.

The Egyptian language is a mix of Egyptian and Coptic, and was among one of the first ever languages to be written. It was originally written using hieroglyphics on sheets of papyrus.

Tourist visas are necessary for those travelling from any country other than Arab nations. A passport valid for at least six months is required to obtain a tourist visa, which can be supplied by any Egyptian consulate around the world. The price of a visa depends on your country of origin. Multiple entry visas allow up to three visits in one trip to Egypt.

All visitors entering Egypt are required to register with police authorities within a week of arrival. Hotels and tour operators can usually take care of this, though it is recommended that you double-check or you will face a fine if you have not registered

Cairo’s main tourist information office can be found at: 5 Sharia Adly, Midan Opera. You can find out more information by visiting their website at: www.touregypt.net, or by phoning: +202 391 3454. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 20:00 daily.

You will also find offices at Cairo International Airport, the Pyramids at Giza and the Railway Station.