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Cairo is the largest city in the Arab world and the political, cultural, and economic heart of Egypt. It sprawls along both banks of the Nile River, stretching east into desert and west toward the Pyramids of Giza on the Giza Plateau. Greater Cairo is home to roughly 22 million people, making it Africa's most populous metropolitan area.
The city blends 5,000 years of layered history. Pharaonic monuments at Giza and Saqqara sit alongside Coptic churches in Old Cairo, the medieval Islamic quarter around Khan el-Khalili, and the 19th-century downtown laid out under Khedive Ismail. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Africa's second-busiest, and the new Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza opened fully in 2025.
Country
Egypt
Region
Cairo Governorate, Lower Egypt
Population
~10.2 million (city), ~22 million (metro)
Elevation
23 m above sea level
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2)
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Language
Arabic (English in tourist areas)
Nearest Airport
Cairo International (CAI)
Airport to City Centre
22 km, 30-60 min by taxi or shuttle bus
Typical Cost Level
Budget
Transport Pass
Cairo Metro single ride (EGP 5-10), no city pass
Spring (Mar-May)
18-30°C, occasional khamsin sandstorms
Summer (Jun-Aug)
25-38°C, very dry
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
20-32°C, ideal sightseeing
Winter (Dec-Feb)
10-22°C, peak tourism season
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
October through April is the best window. Daytime temperatures hover at 18-28°C, the air is clearer than during summer, and sightseeing at the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and Coptic Cairo is comfortable. Avoid the khamsin sandstorm season in March and April if possible, and skip July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 38°C.
The simplest option is a ride-hailing app such as Uber or Careem. Cairo International (CAI) sits 22 km northeast of downtown, with rides costing roughly EGP 200-400 and taking 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Airport shuttle buses run to Tahrir Square for around EGP 50, while taxis from the rank should always use the meter or a fixed price agreed upfront.
Three to four full days is the sweet spot. Day 1 covers the Giza Plateau and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Day 2 handles Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, and the Citadel. Day 3 takes in Coptic Cairo and downtown sights. Add a day for Saqqara and Memphis if your itinerary allows.
Use Uber or Careem for most journeys. Cairo's traffic is intense and the metro is fast on its three lines but does not reach Giza directly. Walking is fine inside Khan el-Khalili and Coptic Cairo, but for longer hops between districts a ride-hailing app is faster, safer, and cheaper than taxis.
Yes, central Cairo and the major tourist sites are safe with sensible precautions. Tourist police patrol the Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili, and Coptic Cairo. Stay alert for pickpockets in crowded markets, agree taxi fares before riding, and dress modestly in religious sites.
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