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Cairo In 3 Days – The Perfect Itinerary for 2026

If you’re planning a trip to Cairo and have limited time, don’t worry – three days is enough to explore the highlights of this vibrant city. From iconic ancient wonders to bustling markets and delicious cuisine, Cairo offers a rich cultural experience that will leave you awestruck. In this article, we have crafted the perfect Cairo in a 3-day itinerary for you, ensuring that you make the most of your time in Egypt’s bustling capital. Get ready to immerse yourself in history, soak up the local atmosphere, and create unforgettable memories in Cairo.

Check out our 8, 15 and 21-day Egyptian itinerary here

Check out our YouTube Video of our 2 Week Cairo Itinerary

2 week Egypt itinerary

 

 

How To Plan a Trip To Cairo – Group Tour, Individual Tour or DIY Tour

One of our frequently asked questions is how many days in Cairo do you need to see the major sites? 3 days in Cairo will enable you to see all the popular sites.

There are three options to plan your Cairo itinerary.

Option One: Join a group tour of Egypt

Option Two: Book a private tour for the three days, which includes a driver and an Egyptologist. This was our preferred way of visiting Cairo and Egypt. We used the services of Egyptian Edu Travel.  By using them, we could plan our itinerary and stay as long or as short as we wanted on each day. We could start early or late and finish early or late.

We can offer you a 5% discount using Egyptian Edu Travel. Use our promo code TTT2024 and contact email: [email protected]

Option Three: Book individual tours and local transport. Uber is available in Egypt, but ensure that payment is through the Uber app and not by paying cash to the driver.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).

Check out our YouTube Video – Cairo Street Vibe here

Youtube video Street Vibe Cairo

3 Days Cairo Itinerary – Summary

Day One in Cairo 

Citadel of Saladin
Citadel of Saladin

Visit the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the Egyptian Museum. In the evening, visit the Cairo Tower.

Day Two in Cairo

Visit the Old Coptic and Islamic Cairo, including the Hanging Church, the Holy Family Cave Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, Ibn Tulun Mosque, the Gayer Anderson Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar and El Moez Street.

Day Three in Cairo

Memphis, Saqqara – the oldest pyramid in the world, GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum), Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

Day 3 is quite a long day, but doable if you have a private driver and a very early start. 

The option is to leave out Memphis and Saqqara and visit the GEM, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This will cut out the long travel day and early start.

Where To Stay in Cairo

Our personal recommendation is the Steigenberger El Tahrir. You can read our review of our stay here.

Book here

Day One Cairo Itinerary

Citadel of Saladin

The Citadel of Saladin is located in the Mokattam Hills area of Islamic Cairo.  The Citadel, aka Citadel of the Mountain  (Qala’a Al-Jabal), started construction in 1176 by order of Saladin during his reign. Saladin built the Citadel on the highest point in Cairo to protect Cairo against Crusader attacks. He did not see the Citadel finished in 1183, as at that time the current ruler was Al Malek, El Kamel.

The Citadel is a popular tourist attraction. The Saladin Citadel contains:

  • 4 entrance gates
  • 13 towers
  • 4 palaces
  • 4 Mosques
  • 2 Museums which are open to the public – the National Police Museum and the National Military Museum

The walls of the Citadel are 10 m high and have a thickness of approximately 3m.

Mosque of Mohammed Ali (aka Alabaster Mosque)

Alabaster Mosque in the Citadel of Saladin
Alabaster Mosque in the Citadel of Saladin

Constructed in the mid-19th century (1830 – 1848) in the Ottoman style, the Mosque is made up of the great central dome, which stands at 52 m high and 21 m in diameter. Two minarets stand on the Western side and rise to 82 metres.

The impressive chandelier was a gift from the French King Louis Philippe 1. 

The prayer hall is an impressive 1600 sqm.  We arrived just as the prayer carpets were being laid out for Friday worship between 12.30 and 1.30 pm.

During your visit, you can see the tomb of King Mohammed Ali made from the finest Italian Carrara marble. He died in 1849, and his body was brought to the Mosque in 1857.

Why is it also known as the Alabaster Mosque? The lower half of the Mosque and the forecourt are made of alabaster, whilst the rest of the building is constructed with limestone.

Want the best view of Cairo?

The best view of Cairo can be seen from the Grand Terrace in front of the Mosque.  On a clear day, you can see the Giza Pyramids. In front of you and below you can see the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan and old Islamic Cairo.

Mosque of an-Nasr Mohammed

The mosque was built in the 14th century and houses two unique minarets shaped like fluted bulbous domes, and are made of stone. One minaret called the prayer to the officers and soldiers, the other minaret to the Sultan’s Palaces.

Police Museum

The Police Museum houses uniforms, weapons and small rows of cells that were used until 1983. The assassins of President Sadat were held here in 1981, awaiting their trial. The Museum shows the history of the Egyptian police over the years.

Military Museum

Military exhibits from the Pharaohs to the present times.

Good to know: Journey time from the centre of Cairo to the Citadel is 20 – 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

Shoes are to be removed before entering the mosque.

Head scarves for the ladies.

Shoulders and knees to be covered by all.

Opening hours of the Citadel: 9 am to 4.00 pm in winter

Summer 9 am to 5 pm.

We visited on a Friday, and it was busy with school students wanting to take selfies with us.  Our guide was allowing only a few selfies; otherwise, we would have been there all day. Fridays are popular for locals to visit.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1976.

 

Egyptian Museum

The first Egyptian Museum was opened in 1863, but quickly outgrew its premises twice until it relocated to its current location in 1902.

There are two floors with over 170,000 artefacts. If you spent 1 minute looking at each artefact, it would take you 3 months.

Good to know: it is hot and quite dusty inside, so wear comfortable walking shoes and take plenty of water.

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (last admission 4 pm)

Some of the many highlights that we enjoyed seeing in the Cairo Museum:

3100 BC, the Narmer Palette is considered to be the first historical document in the world and contains some very important hieroglyphic inscriptions. Located at Gallery 43, ground floor.

The gold mask of Tutankhamun in the Cairo Museum
The gold mask of Tutankhamun

The gold mask of Tutankhamun is located in a small room on the 2nd floor with many other important artefacts from the inner coffin of Tutankhamun. There can be queues to enter, and photographs are not allowed. Located: Room 3, upper floor.

The seated statue of King Djoser was found in 1925 in a sealed chamber, and it is believed to be the oldest known life-size Egyptian statue. The blue tiles are turquoise from the Sinai, and the statue is made from limestone.  King Djoser was responsible for the construction of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. Ground floor.

The Rosetta Stone is a copy in the Cairo Museum. The original is in the British Museum. It was claimed by the British in 1801 under the Treaty of Capitulation following the defeat of Napoleon’s forces in Egypt. It has been permanently displayed in the British Museum in London ever since. The Rosetta Stone is famous as it allowed experts to learn how to read hieroglyphs.  Three scripts on the stone showed a) the hieroglyphs, b) the language of the local people known as demotic and c) Ancient Greek.

Wooden Throne and Sandals of King Tutankhamun

The Golden Wooden Throne 1336 – 1327 BC was made from wood, gold, glass and carnelian.

The sandals are made of leather and are said to be symbolic of the King to tread on his enemies when he wore them.

King Amenophis III and his wife Queen Tyi

The colossal statue of King Amenophis III and his wife Queen Tiye is made of limestone and stands 7 m high.  The statue was originally standing in Medinet Habu.

Ground floor.

Statue of Mentohotep Nebheptre

Stands 138 cm tall. He was the King who unified Upper and Lower Egypt for the second time after King Narmer.

Located: Ground floor gallery 26.

The Painted Limestone Head of Queen Hatshepsut

From the El-Deir-El Bahari Temple Thebes.

Address: Midan Tahrir

Prepurchase your Entrance Ticket here (option to visit the Khan-el-Khalili market)

(Option pick up and drop off at your hotel if selected when ordering)

 

Evening Activity in Cairo

Cairo Tower

Standing 615 feet (187 meters) above Cairo, the Cairo Tower’s distinctive latticed structure makes it one of the city’s most visible landmarks, with sweeping views across the city, the Nile, and even the Giza Pyramids.

A good time to visit is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. This is a popular time of the day, and the queues could be quite long. It does not take long for the lifts to transport you all to the top.

Purchase your ticket here with hotel pick up and drop off available

Dinner Recommendation: 

Felfela – 15 Hoda Shaarawy, Bab Al Louq, قسم, Cairo Governorate 4280121, Egypt

 

Suggested Tours

 

 

Day Two Cairo Itinerary

Coptic area of Cairo Map
The Coptic Area of Old Cairo

The oldest part of Cairo is now known as Coptic Cairo. Coptic Cairo is home to Egypt’s Christian community.

How to get to Coptic Cairo

You can visit by a tour or with a private driver and guide.

If you are visiting on your own it is recommended to go via the metro. Coptic Cairo has it’s own Metro stop – Mar Girgis.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

Coptic Museum – 9 am to 5 pm. 100 EGP for non-Egyptians + 20 EGP for an audio guide (optional)

During Ramadan opening hours for the Coptic Museum is from 9 am to 3 pm.

Coptic Churches – 8 am to 4 pm. Entrance is free.

When to visit the Coptic Cairo area

Our recommendation is to visit first thing in the morning. Expect to see the local Tourism police at the main entrance where you are dropped off. The pedestrian zone starts from the drop-off point, there are a few cafes and souvenir shops here as well.

Babylon Fortress

The Babylon Fortress
The Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo

On your left, as you enter is the impressive Babylon Fortress that was constructed in 100 AD by the Romans on the East Bank of the Nile. It was constructed by Emperor Trajan as a fortress to protect the city of Cairo and to control the trade routes from its canal on the Nile to the Red Sea.

The Hanging Church

Why is it called The Hanging Church? It was built on top of the water gate of the Babylon Fortress. The mosaics on the walls in the garden that lead up to the stairs into the Church are impressive. There are 110 icons in the church.

On our visit, there was a service taking place. Services are held on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.

It is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm and is free to enter. We recommend to cover your shoulders and knees on entry.

Ben Ezra Synagogue

The Synagogue was originally a church built during the 8th century. The church was destroyed 300 years later and during the 12th century, it was purchased by the rabbi of Jerusalem Abraham Ben Ezra. Over 250,000 documents known as the Geniza documents were uncovered depicting the life of the Jewish community in the 11th and 13th centuries. The church is now funded by the Jewish community from Israel.

Good to know: you are not allowed to take photos of the inside of the church

Cavern Church – Saints Sergius & Bacchus Church

The church is believed to be the oldest in Egypt and also the place where Joseph sheltered here with Mary and Jesus when they escaped persecution from King Herod.  Where they rested was 10 metres underground and today it is the crypt which can be reached by stairs by the altar.

We left Coptic Cairo and headed to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.

Built-in the 9th century the Ibn Tulun Mosque sits on 6.5 acres and has 40 doors. It is one of the oldest Mosques in Egypt and the largest. The rare minaret design has a spiral staircase on its exterior which you can climb. It is worth the climb for the views! The pulpit is also rare made from cedar and ivory from India.

Ibn Tulun was from Iraq and was a son of a slave. He was the founder of the Tulunid Dynasty.

Good to know: shoes are not allowed to be worn. A tip is recommended of 20 LE.

Address: Ahmed Ibn Tolon Sq., Tolon, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo Governorate

Opening hours: 8 am to 4 pm

Combined Entrance Ticket: To the Mosque and the Gayer Anderson Museum  60 LE

Gayer Anderson Museum

View from Gayer Anderson Museum to the IbnTulun Mosque
View from Gayer Anderson Museum to the IbnTulun Mosque

Gayer Anderson was a British Officer and the private physician to King Farouk serving in Egypt in the 1930s.

The Gayer Anderson Museum is located next to the Ibn Tulun Mosque.  The two houses that Gayer Anderson purchased dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries and belonged to wealthy families in Cairo.  The Government was going to destroy the buildings before Anderson purchased them. The interiors are full of beautiful antique furniture, carpets and artworks.

Parts of the James Bond Movie – The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed in the Gayer Anderson Museum.

Opening hours: 9 am to 4 pm

Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Khan el Khalili Bazaar

Cairo’s famous bazaar and souq Khan El Khalili is vibrant, busy, colourful and touristy, but a must if you are visiting Cairo. The heady aromas from the spices hits your senses as you wander throughout the market. Listen, and you may learn some new bartering techniques too from the busiest stalls.

If you are not a shopper, visit and enjoy coffee in one of the many coffee shops and watch the world go by. You can buy anything you want here; they may be cheaper outside in smaller markets, but then you may miss the vibe. Ceramics, water pipes, tea sets, clothing, glassware, spices, jewellery and more.

It was founded in 1382 as the trading hub for Egypt and travellers from around the world.  It is a maze, and you could easily get lost. Luckily, our guide was a regular to the souq, who also knew the best place for coffee and a snack – Oum Kalthoum.

Oum Kalthoum was a famous local singer. The cafe plays her music and is home to memorabilia about her.  We enjoyed coffee, mint tea and cake whilst soaking up the vibe of the cafe and the goings on of the bazaar around us.

El Moez Street

The pedestrian street is home to many Islamic Mosques from different areas and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 as part of Old Cairo. Originally, El Moez Street was the main street that ran through Old Cairo. Today, not only is it home to mosques, you can also enjoy a range of shops selling spices, souvenirs, computer parts, lights and more.

It is located next to Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

We enjoyed drinks and entertainment on the rooftop of Saheb El Sahada Restaurant and Cafe.

Address: next to Imam Barquq Mosque in El Moez Street (the street is also known as Al Moez Ldin Allah Street).

Suggested Tours

 

 

Day Three Cairo Itinerary

If you want to stay in Giza instead of Cairo, we have written a review of our stay at the Marriott Mena House in Giza overlooking the pyramids.

A long day visiting Memphis, Saqqara, the GEM, the Giza and the Sphinx. A suggestion would be to forgo visiting Memphis and Saqqara, and concentrate on visiting the GEM, Giza and the Sphinx, less travelling and less rushed. You can do it all in one day, but it will be an early start and a late finish, with lots of travel by car and traffic.

Memphis

Memphis is located  20 km south of Cairo, about a 40-minute drive. The Museum is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and it is worth getting there as it opens.

Memphis was once the ancient capital of Egypt and dates back to 3100 BC when it was founded by King Menes. The open-air museum at Memphis is located in the village of Mit Rahina. In the gardens surrounding the museum are many statues and objects, and the largest is the 18th-century sphinx weighing in at 80 tonnes.

Ramses II at Memphis
Ramses II at Memphis

Inside the museum is the 10 m statue of Ramses II lying on its back, discovered by the Italian archaeologist Caviglia. The statue is presented lying down as the base and legs from the knees have been broken off.

Estimated viewing time at Memphis: 45 minutes

Cost: EGP20 for adults

Saqqara

The driving time from Mit Rahina to Saqqara is 15 minutes. It is located 24 km southwest of Cairo.

Saqqara was developed as the ancient burial ground for Memphis’s Egyptian royalty and is the largest archaeological site within Egypt, measuring around 7 km.

Entrance fee: EGP600 for adults

Funerary of King Teti

The complex is made up of:

  • the pyramid
  • the mortuary temple
  • ascending passageway
  • Valley Temple

It was discovered in 1881 by Gaston Maspero. On entry, he located the burial chamber where he found the hieroglyphic writings known as the ‘pyramid texts’ on the walls.

 

Tomb of Kagemni

Inside the Tomb of Kagemi
Inside the Tomb of Kagemi

Kagemni was the vizier to King Teti. He held a powerful position overseeing the day-to-day running of the government. Viziers are appointed by the Pharaohs and are the most important people after the King himself.  The tomb chambers are decorated with scenes of dancing, hunting and farming, and one scene depicts the carriage of the seven sacred oils, which were used in rituals.

Serapeum

If you have time, it is worth visiting the Serapeum; it should only take approx 20 minutes to walk through the catacombs of the sacred bull Apis. You will marvel at how the sarcophagi, all 25 of them weighing around 70 tonnes each, were constructed.  One is still intact; the others have been opened and ransacked.

From the reign of Amenhotep III (1390 – 1352 BC), the bulls were mummified as it was seen that they were the incarnation of Ptah, the God of Memphis, up until 30 BC.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

The Step Pyramid was constructed 4,700 years ago. In 2650 BC, Imhotep, Djoser’s chief architect, was asked to construct the pyramid in stone.

It is the first pyramid to be constructed; before its construction, royal burial chambers were underground, covered in mud bricks known as mastabas. There are six layers above ground made of stone reaching 60 metres high and there are 3.5 km of tunnels underneath.

Entrance fee: EGP 280

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

Entrance to the GEM
Entrance to the GEM

Our visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum lasted just one hour — and even that felt like barely dipping a toe into what is going to be one of the great museums of the world. With the full opening still ahead of us, we were limited to the entrance area, but that alone set the tone perfectly. The statue of Ramses II, over 3,200 years old, greets you in the main foyer with an almost overwhelming sense of scale and history. The GEM fully opened on November 4 2025, and now houses 100,000 artefacts across 120 acres, including thousands of pieces from Tutankhamun’s tomb.  Put it on your list now, but book well in advance of your travel dates.

Prepurchase your tickets here.

Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza

You can’t come to Cairo without visiting the Pyramids of Giza. Such an incredible sight, you may even be able to see them as you fly into Cairo.  You will be in awe and wonder how on earth they managed to build the three within 100 years over 4,500 years ago.

It is one of the busiest sites in Cairo, and you will need to plan your journey either first thing in the morning or late afternoon.  Tourist buses start to arrive before the site opens.

Opening hours April to September 7 am to 6 pm

October to March 8 am to 4 pm.

Pyramids of Giza – Egypt attractions entrance fees

Location: Giza, near Cairo
Entrance Fee:

  • General Entry: EGP 700 (USD 14.5)
  • Khufu Pyramid: EGP 1500 (USD 30)
  • Menkaure Pyramid: EGP 280 (USD 6)
  • Mars Ankh Tomb: EGP 200 (USD 4)
  • Labor Tombs Minimum 5 Tickets: EGP 700 (USD 14.5)
  • Purchase tickets from the government site here

There is a light and sound show every evening for 55 minutes, in different languages and at different times during winter and summer.

Prepurchase your tickets here

Facts about the Pyramids of Giza

  1.  The Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu) stands 147m high and is made up of 2.3m stone blocks weighing from 2 tonnes to 7 tonnes. It weighs 5.7 million tonnes. It is the oldest of the 3 pyramids. The site is the last of the Seven Wonders of the World and an important UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khufu was the 2nd Pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty.
  2. The second pyramid, Khafre, stands 143m high. Khafre was the son of Khufu and #4 in the 8 kings of the 4th dynasty.
  3. The third pyramid of Menkaure stands at 66 m high. Menkaure was the 5th king of the 4th dynasty.
  4. All three pyramids have been plundered. They were constructed from limestone and granite.
  5. You can enter the Great Pyramid; it is a separate ticket. There is not much to see compared to other sites with their colourful artwork and interiors. If it is the only Pyramid you plan to enter on your visit, then purchase the ticket. You will experience going up and down steep staircases and low passageways.  If you are claustrophobic, you may want to consider.
  6.  You can enter the other two – they rotate daily. Khafre is cheaper to enter, and you will find it is busier than Khufu’s.

Good to know: We found that if you are with a guide, you are less hassled around the Pyramids and elsewhere that we visited during our 3 days.

The Sphinx

The Sphinx at Giza
The Sphinx at Giza

The Sphinx stands guard down the hill from the Pyramid of Khafre. The Sphinx dates back over 2500 BC and stands 20 m tall. It is 73 m in length and  6 m wide.

The Sphinx faces to the east and has the body of an animal and the head of a Pharaoh.

Suggested Tours

 

More Tours Around Cairo

 

Want to add Alexandria to your itinerary?

2 Days in Alexandria Egypt Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions on Visiting Cairo

What Does It Cost to Visit Cairo? – A Budget Guide

One of the great surprises about visiting Cairo is just how affordable the entrance fees are for what you’re getting — ancient wonders that took thousands of years to build, accessible for the price of a café lunch back home. Here’s a rough guide to the major sites in this itinerary, with USD and AUD equivalents (note that EGP prices can shift with currency fluctuations, so always confirm on arrival):

Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx — EGP 540 / approx. USD $18 / AUD $27

Great Pyramid interior (optional add-on) — EGP 600 / approx. USD $20 / AUD $30

Egyptian Museum — EGP 450 / approx. USD $15 / AUD $23

Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Mohammed Ali — EGP 300 / approx. USD $10 / AUD $15

Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church and churches) — Free to EGP 100 / USD $3 / AUD $5

Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids — EGP 300+ / approx. USD $10 / AUD $15 

Saqqara — entry covers the Step Pyramid complex and several tombs, at EGP 200–400 / approx. USD $7–$13 / AUD $11–$20. 

Good to know — the Cairo Pass: The Cairo Pass costs USD $130 and is valid for five days, covering free entry to the Giza Plateau, Saladin Citadel, Saqqara, the Coptic Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, and Historic Cairo sites. Note that it does not currently include the Grand Egyptian Museum. If you’re visiting all three days’ worth of sites in this itinerary, the pass is worth doing the maths on — it can represent solid savings, particularly if you plan to enter one of the individual pyramids. 

Budget vs Splurge:

For a budget-conscious 3 days, sticking to entrance fees only and using Uber for transport, you could comfortably see everything in this itinerary for under USD $100 / AUD $155 per person in admission costs alone — remarkable value.

For a splurge experience, add a private Egyptologist guide (typically USD $150–$250 per day for a private tour), Great Pyramid interior access, and a mid-range Cairo hotel near the pyramids, which runs roughly USD $80–$150 per night. The full premium experience across three days might run USD $600–$900 per person all-in, excluding flights — still exceptional value by international standards. 

Important: Most Egyptian attractions now only accept credit or debit cards — cash is no longer accepted at the majority of sites. Many tickets can also be booked online in advance. This is worth knowing before you arrive, as it catches many visitors off guard. 

Is Cairo safe for tourists?

Cairo is generally safe for tourists, especially in major tourist districts like Giza, Zamalek, and central Cairo. The Egyptian government recognises tourism as a major economic driver, so maintaining safety for visitors is a national priority. The Giza Plateau is one of the most protected tourist zones in Egypt, with security checkpoints and tourism police throughout. As with any major city, keep bags zipped in crowded markets like Khan el-Khalili and use Uber or Careem rather than hailing unmarked taxis. 

Do I need a visa to visit Egypt?

Most travellers need a tourist visa to enter Egypt. You can apply for an e-visa online before your trip or get a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport. The visa allows you to stay for up to 30 days. Check the visa requirements for your specific nationality before you go. We purchased ours online through the Egyptian Government portal — the fee was USD $25, and it arrived within two days.

What is the best time of year to visit Cairo?

October through April is generally the most comfortable time to visit, with cooler temperatures ideal for sightseeing. May through September can be extremely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C — though this period does bring lower hotel prices and fewer crowds at the major sites.

What should I wear when visiting Cairo?

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country with conservative social norms. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites — long pants and covered shoulders for everyone, headscarves for women in mosques. Comfortable, breathable clothing is recommended year-round, and sturdy walking shoes are essential, given the amount of ground covered across sites like Saqqara and the Giza Plateau. 

How much should I tip in Cairo?

Tipping (known as baksheesh) is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture and is expected at most sites and services. A small tip of EGP 20–50 is appropriate for guides at individual sites, bathroom attendants, and anyone who assists you. If you’re using a private guide for the full day, a tip of USD $10–$20 per day per person is customary and genuinely appreciated. Your guide will assist you in knowing when to tip and when not to! Some bathrooms did not require tipping.

Are meals and food expensive in Cairo?

Restaurant meals range from EGP 30–50 at local establishments to EGP 200–500 at upscale restaurants — meaning you can eat extremely well for very little. Rooftop restaurants tend to be a little more pricier but worth it for the views.

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Flights to Cairo

There are flights available to Cairo from major cities around the world.

Internal flights are recommended to be booked in advance.

For the latest flight deals click here

Hotel Accommodation

During our time in Cairo, we stayed at the Steigenberger Hotel on El Tahir Square and for our time in Giza, we transferred to the Marriott Mena House in Giza.

You can read our review of the Steigenberger El Tahrir Hotel Cairo here

You can reaad our review of the Marriott Mena House in Giza here

For more hotel accommodations click here

You can see our YouTube videos here 

Steigenberger El Tahrir

Marriott Mena House YouTube

Airport Transfers

 

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We Travel With The Wise Card (you can too!)

I thought I would share a service that I use that I couldn’t live without, not just for running my business but for travelling too.

Wise is an online bank and foreign currency transfer service ( formerly Transferwise) that allows you to have money in 50+ currencies, and convert between them at the real exchange rate whenever you need. It’s free to sign up, and there are no monthly fees.

It comes with an immediate Visa debit card that allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies (you get an electronic card immediately and a real card about a week later in the mail). There are lots of great reviews about this.

I use the Visa to make all my travel bookings and for spending, and I use the account to move currency between US, EU, and AU, at much lower rates than any other service I know of. You can also use the card to access cash at ATMs just like any card.

This is my affiliate link if you want to sign up.

https://wise.com/invite/u/janed143

My Favourite App of all time – GPSMyCity

Now, if you want to explore a local city or town, there is an app called GPSMyCity. This is one of my favourite apps of all time. Why?

I can download city guides and maps for offline use, saving my mobile data, unreliable WiFi, and not having to carry a heavy guidebook around with me.

GPSMyCity has thousands of self-guided tours and travel articles in over 1500 locations.

As I arrive at a new location, I check out their self-guided walking tours and travel articles, download the article for my offline use and off I head – my own personal travel guide.

I now have access to local sights, restaurants, hidden gems and historical walking routes which I can enjoy at my own pace.

For a small fee, you can access its GPS navigation. This is such a cool feature, and it has saved me from getting lost many times.

This is one invaluable tool in my toolkit of travel apps.

This article is now featured on GPSMyCity.
To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours in Cairo

GPSMyCity Travel App

Visas

There are two ways of obtaining Egyptian visas – online and on arrival.

We purchased our Egyptian visas online through the Egyptian Government portal.

The fee was USD25 and took two days.  You will need to check your entry requirements depending on what passport you hold.

Travel Insurance

Travel is full of unforgettable moments — but sometimes the unexpected happens too. That’s why we always recommend travelling with insurance. Ekta Travel Insurance offers flexible coverage options to help protect your trip, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure ahead.

To Travel Too Travel Shop

Travel smarter and safer with products from our To Travel Too Travel Shop.  If you are looking for the latest luggage, guidebooks or travel accessories, we have you covered with over 800 travel products to choose from.

Where to next?

4-day itinerary to Luxor

2-day itinerary to Alexandria

Things to do in Hurghada

 

Pinterest

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3 days in Cairo itinerary

 

3 days in cairo itinerary

 

 

3 days in cairo itinerary

 

In conclusion, experiencing Cairo in just three days is an exhilarating adventure that offers a taste of the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks. From exploring ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum to immersing oneself in the bustling streets of Khan el-Khalili market and savouring traditional cuisine, Cairo has something to offer every traveller. We have fond memories of everywhere we visited, the kindness of the local people, and the aromas of Egyptian cuisine as we wandered past restaurants around the Khan el Kahlili market. Our choice was to hire a private Egyptologist and driver, and it was the best thing we ever did in Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel.  It was affordable, and the knowledge that we gained from our guides surpassed anything we would have got in a general coach tour.  Egyptian Edu Travel, who we used (see our 5% discount in the first part of the article if you are thinking of doing the same as us) looked after us so well, our drivers were safe and reliable, and our guides were caring and knowledgeable.  There is a lot to see in Egypt, and your days can be exhausting, but it is worth the visit.

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Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

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