Major city · United States
Cairo, New YorkCairo
One night, not three: Cairo is a bed-and-bar stop for the northern Catskills. Come for a festival weekend or a ski base, skip it as a sightseeing town.
Cairo is a small Greene County town of about 6,600 people on NY-23, at the foot of the northern Catskills. There is almost no sightseeing in the town itself: the draw is cheap beds, a handful of bars, and the Irish-festival village of East Durham next door. Most travellers use it as a base for Windham and Hunter ski mountains, Kaaterskill Falls and the Hudson Valley, and stay one or two nights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct for hiking and festivals; Jan–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (closed trails, no snow), muddy late March
- Airports
- ALB · SWF · HPN
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cairo, New York911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Cairo, New York, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime, real hazards are the road and the weather: fast traffic on NY-23, unlit shoulders at night, ice on mountain roads from November to April…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportALB Albany International (About 45 min by car via I-87 and NY-23; the usual arrival airport.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to go$3–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$12–18
- BeerDraft beer in a bar$6–9
- Budget bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. 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
- ALB Albany International (About 45 min by car via I-87 and NY-23; the usual arrival airport.) · SWF New York Stewart International (About 1 h 15 min by car; fewer flights.) · HPN Westchester County (About 2 h by car; use only if the fare is much lower.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Care*
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct. Mixed: Mar. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Cairo, New York: 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
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 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
You need a car. There is no useful local bus; NY-23 runs through the town and I-87 (Exit 21) is about 15 min away. Taxis and rideshare are thin outside festival weekends, so book returns in advance. In winter, snow tyres or all-wheel drive help on the mountain roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Windham
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car west on NY-23, about 20 min
Ski mountain in winter, hiking and a small main street in summer.
Kaaterskill Falls
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via NY-23A to the trailhead lots, then walk
Two-tier waterfall; parking fills by mid-morning on weekends, and the rocks are slick after rain.
Hudson
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Car east on NY-23, about 30 min
Antiques, restaurants and an Amtrak station if you are leaving by train.
Albany
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car north on I-87, about 40 min
Fine for a flight or a museum half-day; not worth the drive for a quick look.
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.
Cairo village on NY-23
Motels and inns on the main road; walkable to the bars and the supermarket, but traffic noise on the front rooms.
East Durham
5–10 min east by car; resort-style inns and the Irish pubs, busiest on festival weekends.
Windham and Hunter
20–30 min by car; ski lodges and condos, better for winter and for hiking trailheads.
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
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–190 excl. bed
- High
- $190+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Roadside motel room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Car hire, one day, compact1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of local driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$276 per person per day, bed included | US$552 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | $3–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $12–18 |
| Draft beer in a bar | $6–9 |
| Bar burger or pizza | $14–22 |
| Ski lift ticket, Windham or Huntercheck; cheaper midweek and online | $90–130 |
| Fuel, per galloncheck | $3.20–3.80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No rideshare at 1 am: agree a pickup time with a local taxi before you go out.
- NY-23 has fast through traffic and few crossings; walk to the bars with a light.
- Cell coverage drops in the mountain valleys west of town.
- Festival weekends sell out beds months ahead: book early or sleep in Windham.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Cairo, New YorkCairo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Cairo; your country's embassy or consulate is in New York City or Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Albany airport → Cairo, taxi or rideshare: $60–90, about 45 min (check)
- Cairo → Windham, taxi: $30–45, about 20 min (check)
- Amtrak Hudson → New York Penn: from about $40, about 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Where's the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest petrol station?
- Can you call me a cab to Windham? — Can I get a taxi to Windham?
- Is the trail open today? — Is the trail open today?
- Can we get the check, please? — The bill, please
- Do you take cards? — Do you take card?
- Are the roads clear up the mountain? — Is there snow on the road?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at the bar, 15–20% for taxis.
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 Cairo, New York. 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: Jun–Oct for hiking and festivals; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (closed trails, no snow), muddy late March · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ALB: last sensible arrival time, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for the NY-23 bar strip with a rescue anchor at the supermarket.
- Place pages with verified hours for Kaaterskill Falls, Windham and Hunter, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Festival-weekend and winter-storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.