Cairo airport is where the trip either starts well or badly. Book a transfer or use Uber, and ignore everyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall.
- Cairo's arrivals hall is the most aggressive environment you will meet in Egypt. Decide what you are doing before you land and it is manageable.
- Arrange a hotel transfer in advance for a first arrival - your driver waits with a sign and the negotiation never happens. Uber and Careem also work and quote a fixed fare.
- Ignore anyone who approaches you offering a taxi, help with bags, or a warning that your hotel is closed. All of it is a sales approach and some of it is a scam.
- Someone in an official-looking shirt offering to help with your visa will buy the sticker from the bank counter and charge you far more. Buy it yourself - it takes two minutes.
- Ask your hotel what the fare should be before you leave the terminal. Knowing the number changes the conversation entirely.
Cairo (CAI)
The arrivals hall is the most aggressive environment you will meet in Egypt, and it sets the tone for people's whole trip. It is manageable if you decide what you are doing before you land.
- Arrange a hotel transfer in advance. For a first arrival this is worth every pound. Your driver waits with a sign and the negotiation never happens.
- Uber and Careem both work at Cairo and quote a fixed fare. This is the cheapest safe option. The pickup point is signed and sometimes a short walk.
- Ignore anyone who approaches you offering a taxi, help with your bags, a hotel, or a warning that your hotel is closed. All of it is a sales approach and some of it is a scam.
- The white official taxis are metered. The black and white older ones are not, and you agree a price first.
- Terminal 3 is the main international terminal. Terminals are far apart and connected by shuttle.
- Expect USD 10 to USD 20 to central Cairo by Uber, more by taxi, and considerably more if you did not agree a price.
The classic arrivals scam
- Someone in an official-looking shirt offers to "help" with the visa or immigration. They buy your USD 30 visa sticker from the bank counter and charge you far more.
- Buy the visa yourself at the bank counter. It is clearly marked and takes two minutes.
- Another version: your driver says your hotel has closed, burned down or overbooked, and takes you to one paying commission. Phone the hotel. It is open.
Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Luxor
- Package transfers are usually included and are much the easiest option.
- Resort taxis have set rates to the hotel zones. Agree the fare before getting in, every time.
- Luxor is small and the airport is 10 minutes from town.
- Ask your hotel what the fare should be before you leave the terminal, by message if necessary. Knowing the number changes the conversation.
Getting into town generally
- Cairo has a metro which is cheap, fast and useful, with women-only carriages. It does not reach the airport usefully.
- Traffic in Cairo is extraordinary. A 10 km journey can take an hour. Build it into every plan.
- Crossing the road in Cairo is a skill. Walk steadily and predictably alongside a local, and do not run or stop.
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