First time in Cairo? What to know before you go

Cairo rewards a short, ordered list rather than a long one. Do the big three first, then add a half day outside the city if you have time. Everything below is a 2026 estimate on price and hours; confirm at the gate.

Giza is the one thing you cannot skip. Go at opening, when the light is soft and the coach groups have not arrived. The Grand Egyptian Museum sits near the pyramids and is best in the afternoon, when the air-conditioning matters. Islamic Cairo and the Coptic quarter fill a second day on foot.

Cairo spreads along the Nile, and the sights sit in three clusters: Giza to the west, downtown and Tahrir in the middle, and Islamic and Coptic Cairo to the east and south. Distances between clusters are real, so group each day around one area rather than criss-crossing the city.

The metro is the fastest way through the centre and cheap; ride-hailing apps cover Giza, Saqqara and the older quarters where the metro does not reach. Traffic is heavy most of the day, so allow more time than the map suggests.

Dress modestly for mosques and churches: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off inside. Women are not required to cover their hair in most mosques, but a scarf helps in the older ones. Expect to tip for small services, and keep small notes for it.

Agree taxi and felucca prices before you set off, or use a ride-hailing app so the fare is fixed. Drink bottled or filtered water, and be careful with raw salads and cut fruit in the first days. Friday is the main prayer day, so some shops and sites open later or close for part of the morning.

If you are travelling with children, the museum and the felucca are the easy wins; the pyramids need hats, water and an early start. On hot or dusty days, keep a museum or the Khan el-Khalili covered lanes as a backup.

October to April is the season for the Nile Valley, and Cairo is at its most comfortable then. December and January are the coolest and busiest, so book hotels and the GEM slot early. March and April can bring khamsin dust winds, which cut visibility and are hard on anyone with breathing problems.

May to September is hot, often above 35 °C, and outdoor sightseeing is best limited to early morning and evening. Ramadan shifts opening hours and restaurant timings across the city; many places stay open later into the night instead. If your trip falls then, plan around it rather than against it.

Cairo International Airport is the main gateway, with terminals for international and domestic flights. The airport sits northeast of the centre; a taxi or ride-hailing car into downtown or Zamalek takes roughly 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Allow extra time for the return leg in the evening rush.

Within the city, the metro is cheap and fast for the central stops, and ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to reach Giza and the older quarters. For Luxor and Aswan, you can fly or take the sleeper train; both leave from Cairo and are covered in the Egypt guide.