Major city · Egypt
Tell Bastaتل بسطة
Skip unless you are an Egyptology enthusiast with a private driver: half a day for the ruined temple of Bastet and the cat tombs.
Tell Basta (ancient Bubastis) is the site of the temple of the cat goddess Bastet, a royal residence of the 22nd dynasty. The temple is mostly ruined, but the cat tombs are intact and viewable. The site is next to a military base, so independent visits can be complicated: guards may question you, and you will be escorted by tourist police. A private driver who knows the area is essential.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- CAI
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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 Tell Basta122 ▾
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 Tell Basta, 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
- SafetyThe site is safe but the military presence means you must follow instructions.
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 (About 80 km (50 mi) southwest; 1.5–2 h by car).CAI Cairo International (About 50 mi (80 km) southwest; 1.5–2 h by car).
- Getting aroundOn foot inside the site; a private car or taxi from Zagazig or Cairo is required to reach it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketSite entry ticketEGP 80 (check)
- Budget bedBasic hotel in Zagazig, a night, per roomEGP 400
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel in Zagazig, a night, per roomEGP 600
- High-end bedBasic hotel in Zagazig, a night, per roomEGP 1,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 500 · Mid EGP 1,000 · High EGP 2,000
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 (About 80 km (50 mi) southwest; 1.5–2 h by car)CAI Cairo International (About 50 mi (80 km) southwest; 1.5–2 h by car)
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
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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 (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tell Basta: 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)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 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
On foot inside the site; a private car or taxi from Zagazig or Cairo is required to reach it.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zagazig
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Taxi from Tell Basta, 10 min
Nearest town for a meal or a hotel.
Cairo
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Private car via the desert road, about 1.5–2 h
Return to Cairo after the visit.
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.
Zagazig
Nearest town, 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest; basic hotels, check availability.Nearest town, 3.1 mi (5 km) northwest; basic hotels, check availability.
Cairo
1.5–2 h drive; far more options.
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 500–800 (day trip from Cairo, no overnight)
- Mid
- EGP 1,000–1,500 (private driver + entry)
- High
- EGP 2,000+ (guided tour)
Trip budget
| Basic hotel in Zagazig1 × 1 night × EGP 600 | EGP 600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 1,000 | EGP 2,000 |
| Private driver from Cairo, round trip1 × EGP 1,200 · check | EGP 1,200 |
| Site entry ticket2 × EGP 80 · check | EGP 160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 396 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 2,178 per person per day, bed included | EGP 4,356 |
check availability
2026 estimate in EGP; day trip from Cairo, no overnight.
Prices of common things
| Private driver Cairo–Tell Basta, round tripDepends on car and negotiation. | EGP 800–2,000 (check) |
| Site entry ticket | EGP 80 (check) |
| Bottle of water | EGP 5–10 |
| Simple lunch in Zagazig | EGP 50–100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Military base adjacent: guards may stop you if you arrive independently without a guide or driver.
- Tourist police will follow you inside the site; tip them at the end.
- The temple is in a complete state of ruin — no standing columns or walls.
- Drivers may not know the exact location; rely on locals once in Zagazig.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Tell Bastaتل بسطة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى منطقة تل بسطة الأثرية، من فضلكTo Tell Basta archaeological site, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Cairo; most other embassies are also in Cairo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Tell Basta, private car: about EGP 800–2,000, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Site entry: about EGP 80 (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much? (bi-kam?)
- أنا سائح — I am a tourist (ana sa'ih)
- من فضلك ساعدني — Please help me (min fadlik sa'idni)
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 Tell Basta. 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 (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified opening hours and ticket price.
- Eat page with one or two restaurants in Zagazig.
- Private driver contact list for the Delta.
Sources
Ask about Tell Basta
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