Major city · Egypt
Fayumالفيوم
Spend 2 days in Fayum to see the lakes, ancient sites and local crafts; travel from Cairo by microbus (≈2 h) or slow train.
Fayum lies 90 km southwest of Cairo in Lower Egypt. Its main draws are Lake Qaroun, the ancient Crocodile City sites and pottery villages. A short stay lets you sample the lakeside scenery, visit a few archaeological parks and stay in an eco‑lodge without a rushed schedule.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (very hot)
- Airport
- CAI
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Fayum122 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fayum, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E).Egypt-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckVodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.Egypt-wide
- Tap waterTap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.Egypt-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).Egypt-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Egypt-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; keep valuables hidden, watch for pickpockets in markets, and avoid walking alone after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20.Egypt-wide
- Emergency numbers122 police · 123 ambulance · 126 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the weekend day (with Saturday for offices); sites open daily, some close earlier in Ramadan.Egypt-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCAI Cairo International Airport (≈2 h by microbus to Fayum).
- Getting aroundMicrobuses run from Ramses Square (Cairo) and El‑Remaya (Giza) to Fayum every hour; slow trains also connect.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféEGP 5–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km)EGP 80–120
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to a museum/siteEGP 10–30
- Budget bedEco‑lodge double room, a night, per roomEGP 500
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomEGP 900
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomEGP 1,300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 300 · Mid EGP 500 · High EGP 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CAI Cairo International Airport (≈2 h by microbus to Fayum)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Aug
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Sep
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Mar (3 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fayum: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Jul
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
1 rd
Aug
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
1 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Microbuses run from Ramses Square (Cairo) and El‑Remaya (Giza) to Fayum every hour; slow trains also connect. Within the oasis use taxis or rented bicycles. Most sites are 10–30 km from the city centre, so allow 15‑30 min travel each.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Qaroun
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Taxi or local bus, 15 min from Fayum centre
Ideal for sunrise walk and birdwatching.
Medinet Madi Archaeological Park
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Taxi, 20 km (12 mi) north, ~30 minTaxi, 12 mi (20 km) north, ~30 min
Well‑preserved Roman temple complex.
Karanis Site Museum
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 20 min
Taxi, 30 km (19 mi) east, ~40 minTaxi, 19 mi (30 km) east, ~40 min
Shows papyri from the Ptolemaic period.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Honey Day Hotel
Central Fayum, easy access to bus station
Helnan Auberge Fayoum
Eco‑lodge near As Saeedeyah, good for pottery village trips
Oasis Resort and Hotel
Lake Qaroun, water slides, family‑friendly
Zad Al‑Mosafer
Tunis Village, close to pottery workshops
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EGP 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 500–800 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 2 nights × EGP 900 | EGP 1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × EGP 500 | EGP 2,000 |
| Microbus Cairo‑Fayum (round‑trip)2 × EGP 120 · check | EGP 240 |
| Taxi to Lake Qaroun (round‑trip)2 × EGP 80 · check | EGP 160 |
| eSIM, 7 days data2 × EGP 250 · check | EGP 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 470 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 1,293 per person per day, bed included | EGP 5,170 |
2026 estimate in EGP; flights and Cairo‑to‑Fayum transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | EGP 5–10 |
| Koshary plate | EGP 15–30 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | EGP 5–8 |
| Taxi 5 km | EGP 80–120 |
| Entry to a museum/site | EGP 10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures often exceed 40 °C (104 °F); carry water and sun protection.Summer temperatures often exceed 104 °F (40 °C); carry water and sun protection.
- Public transport schedules may change on holidays; confirm times in Cairo.
- Some remote sites (Meidum, Wadi Rayan) have limited facilities; arrange a taxi or guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Fayumالفيوم
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
Embassy
US consulate in Cairo; other embassies in Cairo and the New Administrative Capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Fayum microbus: about EGP 120 one‑way, 2 h (check)
- Taxi Lake Qaroun round‑trip: about EGP 80 per person (check)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is this? (bikam hādhā?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
- الفاتورة من فضلك — Can I have the bill? (al‑fātūra min faḍlik)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fayum. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (very hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in a desert eco‑lodge (e.g., Zowara) for a nature‑focused itinerary.
- Combine Fayum with a day trip to the UNESCO Wadi El‑Hitan (Whale Valley) for fossil enthusiasts.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Fayum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fayum, revision 5230632 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Fayum
Loading…