Tourist Guide to Cairo Egypt for First Time Tourists

Updated on Oct 08, 2024 | Egypt e-Visa

Just like a secret, the worthiness of visiting Egypt can be experienced only by the few who have been to the country. Egypt is a middle east African country which is home to famous world wonders. The Arabic term for Cairo is Al-Qahira, which is translated into English as “The Victorious.” The eyes of the visitors never rest gazing at the monuments and landscapes of Egypt’s capital city, Cairo. An international trip to Egypt falls short without exploring Cairo. One will be amazed to explore how much more Cairo holds to stir up the Egypt travel spirit.

Cairo Location in Egypt

The capital of Egypt is situated in the northern parts of Egypt. The approximate population of Cairo is over 22 million. Cairo is home to the Nile River delta, the longest and famous river in Africa. It is the place where the Nile River is split into two branches, namely the Rosetta and Damietta. 

Getting to Cairo Egypt’s International Airport

The capital of Egypt, Cairo, is also nicknamed “the city of a thousand minarets” owing to its beautiful Islamic architecture and stunning mosques located all over the city. Getting to the city is easy, it is home to Egypt’s significant airport, the Cairo International Airport (CIA). The airport is a hub for various Egypt airlines and it has direct flights to many destinations around the world. The airport has all the facilities and transportation services, it only takes 20-30 minutes to reach the city from the airport. You can reach the world-famous Giza Pyramids in 60-70 minutes from the airport.

Essential Requirements and Protocols to Follow

Except for Egypt visa-exempted citizens, the other citizens should have their separate Egypt visa or e-visa to enter Egypt and explore its capital. Eligible nationals can use the official website or trustworthy online platform to apply to an Egypt e-visa. If not, they can get a tourist visa from the Egypt embassy or consulate. The validity of multiple-entry e-visa and single-entry e-visa are 180 and 90 days respectively. Both the Egypt e-visa types allow travellers to stay and explore Egypt for 30 days. The only advantage is that the multiple-entry e-visa permits multiple visits and 30 days of stay for each visit until the validity of the e-visa.

Egypt Visa-On-Arrival at Cairo International Airport

The Cairo International Airport has Egypt visa-on-arrival facilities only for eligible nationals. Ensure to get them from the visa counter at the airport arrival hall before the immigration process. The Egypt visa granted upon arrival is a single-entry visa, and its validity is 30 days.. Credit or debit card payments are not accepted at Cairo International Airport, so have the exact change.

After paying the fee, collect the visa from the counter. Avoid the mistake of sticking the visa in your passport. Take it to passport control and after the immigration process the officer will stamp the visa with the arrival date in your passport.

Applying to Egypt e-visa To Get to Cairo

To get to Cairo Egypt e-visa is a must, if you pass the eligibility criteria, you can apply for an Egypt e-visa online. The eligible citizens applying for an Egypt e-visa can follow the below process.

  • Make a list of necessary documents required for the application process (accommodation proof, travel itinerary, financial proof, a valid passport, return tickets and specific documents, if any) and get them organized.
  • Visit the Egypt e-visa website.
  • Enter all the information in its respective entry fields.
  • Do not forget to upload the necessary documents (photograph and passport copy).
  • Review the application form completely once or twice, check for the accuracy of the information and other details, and ensure the uploaded documents are clear.
  • Pay the visa fee (check the acceptable payment options and fees in advance).

Wait for the application to process. It usually takes between two to four days, so book the travel date and submit the application accordingly. Check the application status online using your passport details and date of birth or the Egypt e-visa application number to keep track of the application status. It is advisable to begin the Egypt journey after the approval of the Egypt e-visa, if not, you will be denied from entering Egypt and should face legal consequences like deportation.

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Egypt has many entry ports and travellers can choose any port of their choice to enter Egypt. It is mandatory that travellers must gather all information and be aware of the entry requirements of their entry port. Find our more at A Guide to Egypt Ports of Entry

Transportation in Cairo

The Cairo International Airport offers a free shuttle bus to get to the airport bus station and tram services to transport to the building within the airport. Transportation will be a lot better by opting for a rental vehicle service or a taxi. Uber and taxis are the best and affordable options to get around in Cairo, and it operates around the clock. Beware of taxi scams in Cairo, particularly in highly crowded areas like airports and famous tourist places. To avoid being scammed, use rental vehicles which are booked in advance, opt for a taxi service like Uber, agree on a charge before getting in it, provide the exact fare or round up the fare. The taxis in Cairo prefer cash over credit or debit cards for their service, while some taxi services accept credit or debit card payments. It is better to save some cash for taxi service and tipping while getting around in Cairo.

Those who are trying to skip bargaining the charge or book a taxi can rather use the metro. The Cairo metro system covers the whole city and it connects directly to the airport in a major part of the city. It is a cost-effective and great transportation option to get to Cairo from the airport. However, the metro has a time limit, it operates from 5.00 AM to 1.00 AM and the metro running hours extend during Ramadan seasons. Remember it might be crowded during the peak hours. The metro charge totally depends on the number of stations, and it ranges between 8 to 20 EGP (Egyptian pounds). The metro also has women-only cars on every train reserved only for women. 

Driving in Cairo

In Egypt, tourists are permitted to drive. However, they should be 18 years old and have the proper driving documents. Do not forget to take the below driving document.

  • Valid Driving license
  • Valid International Driving Permit (IDP is a mandatory requirement)

Driving without these IDs in Egypt is illegal and subject to legal consequences such as penalties. Both documents are crucial for driving in Egypt. Renting a car in Cairo is easy with all the available options. The tough part is to ride along the road with traffic and crowded places. Think twice before opting to drive in Egypt. An important information to note is that, in Egypt, people drive on the right side of the road.

Most importantly, complying with the road rules and regulations is mandatory. Drunk driving is a punishable offense in Egypt. Avoid using mobile phones while driving around Egypt. The seatbelt law in Egypt mandates every passenger to wear a seatbelt while driving, prioritizing the safety of passengers, failing so can result in fines and associated issues. In Egypt, there are specific regulations for driving with children. The car should have child safety seats that are subject to the child’s weight, height and age. Children under age 7 are not allowed to sit and travel in the front seat of the car.

Adhering to the speed limits followed in Egypt is crucial. The speed regulation implemented by the Egyptian Government varies according to the area. The speed limit for build-up areas is 60 km/h, for open way or motorway is 90 km/h, for tourist, industrial and residential areas is 40 km/h, for the desert highway and Alexandria Desert Road it is 100 km/h. Violating the road rules and regulations in Egypt might lead to legal consequences.

Tipping in Egypt

Tipping is known as “baksheesh” in Egypt, is a standard practice and a part of Egyptian culture. Tipping in Egypt is widely seen as a common gesture for appreciating good service. Besides appreciation, tipping is expected in Egypt. Before travelling to Egypt, get to know the scenarios for where you should tip in Egypt. Tipping is a customary gesture in cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, spas, etc. Round up the bill or tip loose change for smaller purchases. Or simply do not ask for change. No standard limits are set on tipping in Egypt, so tip a fair amount.

It is standard to tip 10% of the bill amount in café and restaurants or between 10-20 EGP for hotel or waiting staff.  Rounding up the charges is fair for tipping a taxi driver, if you choose to add a tip, consider giving around 40-50 EGP. Tipping a tour guide relies on the service and duration of the trip. Consider tipping the tour guide around 100-150 EGP for a one-day trip, and reduce the tip respectively for short tours. Give the tip directly to them and it is better to use local currency (Egyptian pound -EGP). Always use cash for tipping and make sure you have enough cash.

Emergency Contact Number

Safety comes first at all times. Whether you are a first-time tourist to Egypt or a frequent traveller, having the emergency contact numbers followed in Egypt is essential. This is also considered a precautionary measure and gives easy access to important contact numbers in case of emergency situations. Take note of the below emergency contact number followed in Egypt.

  • Ambulance – 123
  • Fire Emergency – 180
  • Tourist Police – 126
  • Electricity Emergency – 121
  • Police – 122
  • Gas Emergency – 129
  • Traffic Police – 128

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The Egypt tourist e-visa initiative was launched on 1st December 2017 to simplify and streamline the Egypt visa application process for travellers visiting Egypt. The Egypt e-visa is an electronic visa and travel authorization system that entitles travellers to get an Egypt visa online without the need to visit the consulate or embassy.

Egyptian Wonders to Explore in Cairo

The sky-gazing pyramids, the ancient history well protected within the walls of great museums and the vibrant market street never seem to disappoint the travel spirit of first-time tourists to Cairo. The capital city, Cairo, is a historical place in Egypt. It was founded during the Pharaonic era in 969 CE. Besides the common tourist places and famous monuments, the city offers a lot of stunning sights to explore and enjoy, here’s a few of them.

Citadel of Saladin

The Cairo Citadel or Citadel of Saladin, is the living testimony to Egypt’s majestic architectural style. The 13th century medieval Islamic fort is situated at the highest point in Cairo, the Mokattam Hill. It takes about a 20-25 minute drive to reach the Citadel of Saladin from Downtown Cairo. The renowned historical monument was built by the founder of the Ayyubi dynasty and the first sultan of Egypt, the great Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in 1176. The must-visit spot in Citadel is the Military Museum, which exhibits the military uniforms, weapons and the military history of Egypt.

A few must-visit places in the Citadel of Saladin includes the Mamluk aqueduct, bastions, the Gawhara Palace, the well of Saladin, the cistern of Ya'qub Shah al-Mihmandar, etc. The landscape and top view of Old Cairo are, in fact, breathtaking. Before planning the visit, check for any special events and dress modestly.

The Egyptian Museum

A must-see place in Egypt is the Egyptian Museum which is home to the largest and ancient collection of Egypt’s antiquities. Multiple transportation facilities are available to reach the Egyptian Museum, which is situated in Midan al-Tahrir, Downtown Cairo. The museum has over 170,000 artifacts displayed in more than 100 exhibition galleries. Some of the highlights of The Egyptian Museum are the statue of Khafre seated on a throne, the statue of Rahotep and Nofret, the statue of Ka-aper, the Mask of Tutankhamun (second floor), the Menkaure Triad, the statue of Mentuhotep II, statue of the cow goddess, etc.

The Royal Mummy Room in the museum displays the mummies. To avoid crowds, prefer reaching the museum early or late afternoons. Remember to get the photo and video pass (if required). Follow the rules, do not touch the artifacts. There is a lot to explore, so stick to the time schedule.

Khan el-Khalili

The 14th century bazaar is a shopping paradise for visitors. Besides, it is also home to ancient mosques and monuments. The alleyways and carved gates added during the 16th century add more beauty to the bazaar. The market is famous for copper, silver and brassware such as decors, wall plates, utilities, teapots, lamps, etc. Leather jackets, slippers and handbags are sold throughout the bazaar. The metal lamps and lanterns sold in the market make the place more vibrant. The coloured glass and decorative patterns of the lamps powered with lightbulbs seize the attention of every visitor.

The replica of Egyptian figurines, antiques and pyramids will be a great souvenir. The bazaar has many restaurants and street food for refreshment breaks. Try the spicy ginger drink. Always watch the belongings and use a money belt to keep the cash safe.

Fortress of Babylon

One of the hidden gems in Old Cairo is the Fortress of Babylon. It was built during the 1st century AD by the Roman Emperor Trajan. The fortress was built as an Egyptian military outpost guarding the city. Enjoy the stunning view of Old Cairo from the fortress situated on the hilltop. The fortress also hosts various cultural activities and festivals, such as art exhibitions, music festivals, etc around the year. Check for dates and timing before planning a visit. The fortress is also famous for its churches and woodwork. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking or mountain climbing on the cliff surrounding the Roman monument. Grab a drink and enjoy the sunset.

The most exciting activity in the Fortress of Babylon is the escape room activity. It involves cracking codes and decoding the clues to escape the room before the given time. Visit the fortress during the mid-season (September to March) to enjoy good weather. The fortress is open on all days except Mondays.

Travel Tips to First Time Tourists to Cairo

Insider tips or travel tips are essential to plan a safe and hassle-free trip to Cairo. It helps in saving money, being prepared, prioritizing safety, handling emergencies or threats and much more. Here are a few travel trips to know before travelling to Cairo.

  • Download all the essential apps (such as translator, Uber, etc.)
  • Remember to get the photo or video pass
  • Ask for the price before buying
  • Follow the local rules and regulations
  • Compare the transportation facilities (taxis are affordable in Egypt)
  • Get small locks for the backpack
  • Avoid public display of affection (it is illegal in Egypt)
  • Carry cash, particularly local currency (for tipping and other usage)

Cairo, Egypt, is a safe place to travel. All the Cairo travel-related information will help to plan a trouble-free trip or to be prepared for the uncertainties. Always remember to check the local events or news and be aware of the surroundings. The wonders in Cairo are worth giving a visit.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Egypt Visa. Get answers to the most common questions about the requirements, important information and documents required to travel to Egypt.

Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 4 (four) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including Moldovan citizens, Australian citizens, Dutch citizens, US citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.

 
Apply for Online Egypt Visa