Egypt

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Cairo

Pyramids, bazaars and the Nile

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Cairo Plan a trip around Egypt

Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Currency: EGP
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Egypt

Photo: Ricardo Liberato, CC BY-SA 2.0

The pyramids on the city's edge, medieval Islamic Cairo and felucca sails on the Nile.

Largest cities

Cairo
Alexandria
Giza
Luxor
Aswan

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Egypt
Capital: Cairo
Province population: 10.3M
Population of Egypt: 107M
Country area: 1,001,450 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) · 1 USD ≈ 52.38 EGP
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +20
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 23 m
Plugs: C / F · 220V
Emergency numbers: 122 · 123
Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	19°	21°	24°	28°	32°	34°	35°	35°	33°	30°	25°	21°
Low	9°	10°	12°	15°	18°	21°	22°	22°	21°	18°	14°	11°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$31
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$85
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$225

Plan a trip to Cairo

Top things to do

≈ $15
Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
The last standing wonder of the ancient world; go at opening time to avoid heat and crowds. Entering a pyramid costs extra.
- Half day
- Giza
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Grand Egyptian Museum
The new museum beside the pyramids, home to Tutankhamun's treasures; book timed tickets online.
- Half day
- Giza
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $10
Egyptian Museum, Tahrir
The historic museum of antiquities, still packed with statues, coffins and papyri.
- Half day
- Downtown and Tahrir
- Indoors
Free
Al-Muizz Street and Khan el-Khalili
Medieval mosques and madrasas along one street, ending in the lanes of the great bazaar.
- Half day
- Historic Cairo
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $12
Citadel of Saladin
The hilltop fortress with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and views across the city.
- Half day
- Historic Cairo
≈ $6
Coptic Cairo
The Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue in the old Roman fortress of Babylon.
- Half day
- Coptic Cairo
- Indoors
≈ $10
Felucca on the Nile
An hour on a traditional sailing boat at sunset; agree the price and duration before boarding.
- Half day
- Nile and Zamalek
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $35
Day trip: Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, the colossal Ramesses II at Memphis and the Bent Pyramid, best by hired car.
- Full day
- Saqqara and Memphis

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors, including British, GCC and Indian citizens, need a visa for Egypt. You can apply in advance for an e-Visa on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports for 30 US dollars (cash only), valid for up to 30 days. Since 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival by card at self-service machines or through the Visa on Arrival portal for 36 US dollars, which includes a 6 US dollar service fee. Use only official channels: agents at airports often charge more than the official fee.

Official website

From the airport

Cairo International Airport is in the north-east of the city. Use a pre-booked transfer or a ride-hailing app; traffic can make the trip long.

Getting around

Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to move around. The metro is cheap and fast for central areas, with carriages reserved for women.

Local tips

Buy monument tickets on the official sites or at the gate; cards are accepted at most major sites.
Dress modestly, especially in historic Cairo and religious sites; women need a headscarf in mosques.
Agree prices before any ride, guide or camel trip, and keep small notes for tips.
Drink bottled water and avoid ice from unknown sources.

Areas worth knowing

Giza
Nile and Zamalek
Coptic Cairo
Historic Cairo
Saqqara and Memphis
Downtown and Tahrir

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK