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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Place · Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili

Khan el-Khaliliخان الخليلي

The bazaar: go in the evening when the heat drops; agree every price first and leave bags at the hotel.

go at hour · after 17:00admission: unknownNot field-verified
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Add to a day →

Key facts

Time on site
75–120 min
p95 180 min
Price
free
bring cash
Hours
10:00–22:00
typical, check
Best time
after 17:00
quietest window
28″ bags
No
Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili: forbidden
Getting there
Ride-hailing car to the Al-Hussein side
  • Gold, spice and souvenir lanes
  • Agree every price first
  • Best after 17:00
  • Go after 17:00
  • Bring cash
  • Crowded at peak
  • Hard in a wheelchair

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Cairo traffic is heavy from about 07
  • 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.
  • Cairo and Giza ↗Cross-city rides can take 90 minutes at rush hour; plan one district per half-day.
  • Cairo ↗Cairo traffic is heavy from about 07:30 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 20:00: plan one district per half-day and add 45+ minutes to any cross-city ride.
  • Cairo ↗Agree the price of every taxi, camel, horse, carriage or guide before you start; use ride-hailing where you can, since the fare is fixed on the screen.
  • Cairo ↗From about June to August, be on site at opening, and off the open plateau by 10:00.
Usually 10:00–22:00
Map & directions
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day
Open
Usually 10:00–22:00
Crowds

Go after 17:00

Quietest Mon–Thu · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate

Tickets
  • Adult: free
Time to spend
75–120 min · up to 180 min if you linger
Directions Add to a day →

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

45min

Worthwhile

75min

Typical

120min

p95

180min

Opening hours are not printed until verified; ask your hotel the day before.

How much time do you have?

from the time-on-site figures above

Enough for a typical visit (120 min).

Nothing else in our notes is a short enough walk from here for the time that is left.

Visit times are typical figures, not promises; queues and closing times can change them.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board
Where to buy
  • Buy at the entrance on the day.
  • Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
  • Bring cash; cards may not be taken (check).

Official site ↗

Dress code
  • No formal dress code; modest clothing draws less attention, especially for women.

What to wear: dress-code checker

Bags & lockers
  • Bag checks at some approach points, especially near al-Hussein Mosque.
Photos
  • Fine in the lanes; ask before photographing stallholders or other shoppers up close.
What's closed
  • None fixedThe lanes are open-air and generally accessible any time; individual shops keep their own hours.
  • Ramadan afternoonscheckSome shops close in the late afternoon before iftar and reopen busier at night.

“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

TicketPriceNote
Entry to the bazaarfreeNo ticket; you pay only for what you buy or eat.
Typical bargained souvenirEGP 50–400 (2026 estimate)Highly variable; the opening price is not the real price.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop
Ride-hailing car to the Al-Hussein side
Exit
—
Ticket
on site · official site · bring cash
Stairs
unknown
Shoes
Closed shoes.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock
Busiest on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Sensory load
5/5
Exposure
high

Which month is quietest

desk estimate · not counted
  1. Janheavy
  2. Febheavy
  3. Marbusy
  4. Aprbusy
  5. Maybusy
  6. Junlight
  7. Jullight
  8. Auglight
  9. Sepbusy
  10. Octheavy
  11. Novheavy
  12. Decpacked

Quietest Jun–Aug · busiest Dec.

Estimate: desk reasoning from weekend and season patterns; not counted. Holidays and events move these weeks.

Bailouts

  1. heat

    Nearest AC café or hotel lobby (field-verify)

Nearest rescue anchor: A — Khan centre: café in the bazaar (field-verify)

What to have on you

from the rules and facts on this page
  • CashThe ticket desk is likely to take cash only.
  • Footwear that suits the ruleClosed shoes.
  • A small bagBag checks at some approach points, especially near al-Hussein Mosque.
  • Water, a hat and sun or rain coverRated high exposure: little shelter while you walk.

Rules and prices change: check the official site before you go.

Step-free check

wheelchair: poor
  • Step-free entrance: no · no
  • Accessible toilet: check · check
  • Wheelchair: no · no
  • Stroller: no · nopoor

Narrow, crowded, unevenly paved lanes; not workable for a wheelchair at busy hours and hard going even for a stroller.

Combine with

nearest first
  1. 3 minEl Fishawy café (Khan el-Khalili) · eat
  2. 3 minAl-Hussein Mosque
  3. 5 minAl-Muizz Street (Islamic Cairo's old spine)
  4. 25 minCairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali — Or a short car ride.

Walk the Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Best photo time today

Sun times for today load in your browser.

Red lines

  • Decline unsolicited guides and 'free' shop visits.
More on the groundWith kids

With kids

kids: cautionstroller: poor
with kids
Fun for older children who can hold a hand through a crowd; strollers do not fit the lanes.
child price
n/a (free to enter)

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated
Is it safe to walk through at night?

Yes, the main lanes are busy and lit until late; keep bags zipped and agree prices before you buy.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Do I need to bargain?

Yes, in almost every stall without a printed price. Expect to settle around 40–60% of the first price offered.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources