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Favorite thing: Non rip-off bank kiosks inside the aiport.
There are bank kiosks just before the immigration at Cairo International Airport. They offer quite competitive rates. I got 1620 EGP for 1000 AED against 1635 as quoted on the internet, which means 1% transaction cost; a fair deal indeed.
USD, EUR, GBP, AED, etc were equally in demand.
In the downtown, we saw quite a few money exchange shops offering competitive rates.
While shopping in Khan El Khalili, at a big local shop (Auf) mostly selling garments, I got out of local currency. Only then I realized that they themselves exchange the currency, for the purpose of shopping only. I had to insist a bit to raise the bid from 5.95 to 6 EGP for 1 USD! They also refused to take the 20$ bill and only accepted the 50$ one.
Last night, when it was too late for the currency shop, we again got out of the local cash. But the reception guy at the hotel gave us a favour this time and gave us the required sum against foreign notes so that we could buy a few kilos of the Halawa!
So based on this experience, I can say that Egypt is not too difficult for the purpose of currency exchange with the airport option being the preferred one.
Updated Jan 4, 2012
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Favorite thing: Below are a number of books I recommend reading prior to a trip to Cairo:
Paris Along The Nile - Architecture in Cairo from the Belle Epoque, by Cynthia Myntti
Egypt's Belle Epoque - Cairo and the Age of the Hedonists, by Trevor Mostyn
Islamic Monuments in Cairo - The Practical Guide, by Caroline Williams
Alexandrie 1860-1960 - Un modèle éphémère de convivialité: communautés et identité cosmopolite (Éditions Autrements - Séries Mémoires)
Le Caire, par André Raymond (Also in English: Cairo, by André Raymond)
The Yacoubian Building, by Alaa Al-Aswany
Egyptian Art, by Jaromir Malek (Phaidon Press)
Cairo Illustrated, by Michael Haag
Égypte - Guides Bleus by Hachette. This is the best guidebook on Egypt, if you read French.
Updated Mar 25, 2011
Favorite thing: It's almost impossible to select only one activity or site in Cairo (or the rest of Egypt as well) because so much is awe inspiring. It was my experience that the best way to get around and know what it is you are seeing is to hire a guide and driver. The additional cost to your trip is more than offset by the ability to see and do more because you are saving time and the frustrations of having to navigate an unfamiliar culture and language. In addition, you get the benefit of learning the history and mythology the treasures you see represent. We used guides hired from Mr. Mostafa of GoTravelEgypt.Com; both guides we hired spoke perfect English and held Master's Degrees in Egyptology. Without their guidance, knowledge and expertise our trip would not have been anywhere near the perfect trip we were lucky enough to take.
Fondest memory: The people I encountered make up my best memories. The Egyption sense of humor is very playful and teasing. Where ever we went we found people to be gracious and friendly.
Written Oct 9, 2010
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Favorite thing: Operate like your in a casino.Make things perfectly clear.When I was at the airport I got my entry visa,then I went to get my US dollars exchanged for egyptian pounds.I gave the teller 200 usd.It was not till later that I noticed he cheated me.I later looked at the receipt he gave me,and he recorded it as 100 usd.Im sure he pocketed it. Also when you negotiate anything write it on a piece of paper,then if anyone tries to change the deal you can show them the paper and hopefuly they will stick to the agreed deal. For example if you deal for a cab write how much and for how many people and show it to the driver.
Written Mar 30, 2010
Favorite thing: Train is better than Taxi and much cheaper working daily on the root from Cairo to Alexandria but there are different types of trains .
For example you can take a train and stay 3 hours and you can take another train which is the direct one which will be just 2 Hours
IF you want the time of the Direct train from Cairo To Alexandria just let me know .
But take care That you might not find a place in the train as it might be fully booked so i recommend have your tickets in Advance.
You/I can arrange a Cheap private Taxi for you with a driver to wait you in the airport and get you here to Alexandria.
By the way i live in Alexandria since I was born so if you want anything while in Alexandria just say Karim ;)
Fondest memory: The Pyramids
Cairo Tower
Mohamed Ali Citadel
Azahar Park
Khan EL Khalili
City Ctars (The biggest mall in Egypt)
Written Oct 25, 2008
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Favorite thing: Advice from an ex-pat starting her 4th year in Cairo: Dress like a tourist and you will be treated like a tourist. Women: tops not too low, mid-calf length capris or skirts are good options, bare upper arms are considered sexy, so cover up! Bermuda shorts for a man is OK at the pyramids since you will be considered a tourist anyway. One correction: the bank windows for purchasing visas ($15 US or equivalent in pounds or Euros) are beyond the baggage collection and duty free shop, on the left just before the Immigration/passport booths. The lineup is generally short. No trouble with pickpockets, but I wouldn't want to tempt them, either. Just use common sense: be careful in crowded streets, wear your purse across your chest, no wallets in back pockets! One suggestion: it helps if you learn a few words of Arabic, and joke with them (using gestures and facial expression--they have a wonderful sense of humour! Act confident, like you're friends (not timid or intimidated). One Egyptian man in the Khan (market area) told me he knew I wasn't a tourist because I didn't act frightened...
Written Sep 3, 2008
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Favorite thing: I just returned from a great trip in Egypt. Fortunately, I had read about Mohamed Bahaa on Virtual Traveler!
He my arrangements for all the hotels, flights guided tours and transportation. In addition, Bahaa made several trips to the pharmacy to make sure I had the medical supplies I needed. The hotel rooms were great. I have read horror stories about others who stayed in undesirable places. I previously had taken those bus tours . Remember hearing the bus guide point out “ look on the right side” and you were on the left side and missed the photo shot. That doesn’t happen with Bahaa. Best off all, the cost is about the same as the bus day or half day tour. I was in Egypt for about 11 days. Thanks Bahaa Tours!
email m.bahaa2@usa.net
Fondest memory: The people are friendly. You will amazed at what awaits you in the Cairo Museum. Take a trip outside of Cairo and see the farms and rural Egyptian lifestyle. Then go to Luxor, WOW!
Written Aug 12, 2008
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Favorite thing: I just returned from a great trip in Egypt. Fortunately, I had read about Mohamed Bahaa on Virtual Traveler!
He my arrangements for all the hotels, flights guided tours and transportation. In addition, Bahaa made several trips to the pharmacy to make sure I had the medical supplies I needed. The hotel rooms were great. I have read horror stories about others who stayed in undesirable places. I previously had taken those bus tours . Remember hearing the bus guide point out “ look on the right side” and you were on the left side and missed the photo shot. That doesn’t happen with Bahaa. Best off all, the cost is about the same as the bus day or half day tour. I was in Egypt for about 11 days. Thanks Bahaa!
Fondest memory: The people are friendly. You will amazed at what awaits you in the Cairo Museum. Take a trip outside of Cairo and see the farms and rural Egyptian lifestyle. Then go to Luxor, WOW!
Written Aug 12, 2008
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Favorite thing: The best time to go November - April (occasionally experiences dust storms brought by the sirocco hot winds in April)
There are two seasons: a very hot summer between May and October, and a mild winter from November to April.
Cairo is very dry, receiving on average only about a centimeter of rain a year, but it does have high humidity levels in summer.
Written Oct 10, 2007
Favorite thing: Simply email me to be connected with a wonderfully personable, independent, licensed tour guide with a Master's Degree in Egyptology, who is one of the few tour guides in Egypt who speaks both fluent English and German without a heavy accent. He is well versed in all aspects of ancient and modern Egyptian history and provides superior tours at very reasonable prices.
Satisfied clients have said:
"I think the most significant statement I can make is that if Ibrahim says he will do something, he will do it! He was on time, every time."
"Ibrahim speaks multiple languages, and he speaks English fluently, knowing many words and phrases that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the language. His vocabulary was outstanding, and his pronunciation was impeccable! The depth of his knowledge on a multitude of subjects was quite impressive. This was no ordinary guide, or even just a good one! We have traveled independently and frequently for many years. We hire private guides and drivers when we are in an area where we do not want to drive and public transportation is inadequate, or when we feel the history of the destination is significant and we want to know more about it. We have used private guides in Greece, Morocco, Turkey, Malta, Thailand, Philippines, etc. Ibrahim was the best all round guide we have ever used."
Fondest memory: "Whether you have an idea of what you want to see, or you just want to leave it up to Ibrahim to plan your visit, you will not be disappointed. For example, I took a tour of Coptic Cairo with a different guide. When I took a tour of Coptic Cairo with Ibrahim, I was amazed at the difference -- I learned so much more. Ibrahim never rushes, and you can ask him anything. He also knows good places for lunch -- just let him know if you want to be served or go through a buffet line. His service is all about helping you get the most out of your visit."
"Ibrahim emphasized on multiple occasions that this was our vacation and our money! He asked for feedback frequently, such as are we going too fast, too slow, too much or not enough detail, speaking loudly enough, and summarizing at the end of the day with “what should I have done differently”?"
"I only have the highest praise for Ibrahim. He accompanied my partner and I on a recent trip on the Nile and around Cairo and it was a fantastic experience. His knowledge of everything is superb and everything went smoothly ... as we said afterwards, it was absolutely "hassle free. Safety was also a concern for us and we felt very taken care of in that respect as well."
"We found his fees to be reasonable and he exceeded our expectations in his flexibility to work with us on what we wanted to see and where we wanted to go. We found more than a guide in Abe, we found a wonderful friend that we still periodically stay in touch with. I'm sure you will find a friend in him too!!"
"Our family will always have wonderful memories of our Egyptian adventure, and I know we have Ibrahim to thank for making it so personal and so meaningful, as well as so hassle-free. Without him we would have had to do a lot more coping, and I know the trip would have been much less enjoyable."
Many more references available.
gsimington@gmail.com
Written Jul 1, 2007
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Write a ReviewSimply email me to be connected with a wonderfully personable, independent, licensed tour guide with a Master's Degree in Egyptology, who is one of the few tour...
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Cairo is a city of many cities. Throughout its many millennia and several names, Memphis, Babylon, Fustat, or Cairo, Africa's largest city has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations,...
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The first thing that struck me when I arrived in Cairo was the chaos. The airport itself, depending on whether you arrive at the old or new terminals, has nothing to welcome you. If there is a health...
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Without a doubt my visit to Cairo was unforgettable. Months passed since my return home and I'm still thinking of the beautiful moments spent there, wishing to be back and explore more. When I wrote...
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