Bus/Microbus, Cairo

One of the first things you will notice about Cairo is that it is highly disorganized and polluted with too many vehicles.

When on the road, you will hear about the "Cairo Music" scene... which sounds alot like the sound of hundreds of car horns.. 24 hours a day.

The second thing you will hear about is what is called a "Cairo Kiss". Basically this is what happens when you get in a car accident.

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Traffic in Cairo makes strong impression upon disciplined Europeans. Driving by car along Moscow we often observe infringements of road rules, therefore we - Russians are accustomed to such infringements. But what I have seen in Giza and Cairo has almost shaken me. Absence of traffic lights and traffic controllers, lack of road markings! Everyone go and drive simultaneously to all the sides! In such conditions a donkey-carriage or a horse-carriage often overcomes crossroads more quickly, than a car or a bus.

During two days staying in Cairo we crossed it several times by bus. To feel traffic in Cairo you may watch my video-clips from my personal YouTube channel:
3 min 45 sec Egypt Cairo Traveling by bus from Giza 2007
3 min 37 sec Egypt Cairo Traveling by bus 2007
4 min 42 sec Egypt Cairo Traveling by bus across Islamic 2007
2 min 36 sec Egypt Cairo Traveling by bus across Cairo 2007

Here we r. Get ready for the scene that you will not forget. The Cairo Public bus in the rush hours is like a basket full of flowers that r sophicating from depression and lack of roots.
If you are wandering around and find a bus with half of its passengers are hanged on its outside, then welcome to cairo cause this is the OTOBEES. It is cheap as 50-100 pisters (1 sixth of a dollar). It takes from one side to the other part of Cairo. Step inside and if u r lucky then u can find the conductor to pay him the money. Dont panic if you in the middle of such crowd that u can bearly breath and while among all this u find someone who is smoking his local never ending cigarette. All u have to do is smile and greet Cairo.

Ladies, Dont get inside such buses unless u r really sexually oppressed and u know why.
One lady friend of mine have found the best idea to use the bus without her being oppressed or harrased. She used a small needle (pin) and kept it in her hands always when she is on the bus. If someone dares to touch her.....then he will recieve a very painful pinch on his body by the needle. I believe females are very creative.
Have fun people

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I must admit that Cairo or Egypt tourist buses are really good, mostly they are Mercedes tourist buses, fully airconditioned, with toilet, refregerator etc. Egypt roads are surely anytime better than that of India. The buses are very comofrtable with smooth ride and speed.

Our agent provided us very comfortable buses everywhere.

We decided to save money and get the local bus from the airport into Cairo city centre. It's not the easiest thing to find, as there are no signs, but we asked a few people, and got pointed in the right direction. Even when you find the bus station you'll still have to check with someone which is the right bus, but it's worth it - the trip only cost 2LE (about 20p) each, and we weren't even charged extra for our (rather large) rucksacks! Plus, you're travelling with locals, even if it does get a bit crowded and there are frequently people hanging out of the open door while chatting to the driver who is hurtling through the traffic at breakneck speed!

Do u know who r the worse drivers on planet earth in the universe?
I know.
They r the Egyptian Microbus drivers. Dont be surprised if u see such 14 passenger cars stopping in the middle of a bridge or a high way to pick up or drop a passenger.
Dont even panic if you r on such a microbus and before reaching ur destination the driver asks u to leave cause he will not continue the trip to its end.
Dont feel tired if you have to walk have the distance u r reaching cause the driver dropped u 3 miles away after u told him u want to leave the bus here.

It is very cheap such transportation but endure it.

Being a foreigner entitles u for a 200% better service, so he might drop u only half a mile away.

Sometimes i use such microbus to feel how perfect driver I am.

Enjoy and remember me while on board.

for 2 EGP u can take a big white air con bus beside Egyptian Museum direct to Giza Pyramid. Trip will take 30-45 min.

Bus no 355 or 357 written in arabic.(CTA written on the side of the bus)
Every 20 minutes

(Never believe what taxi driver says or to some extent the locals)

If you have a group of 4 or more, ordering a microbus from Garden City Travels in downtown Cairo (or other agencies like it) is a great deal for going into Saqqara and Dashhur. Ours was 250 Egyptian pounds for 4 ppl...but could've easily fit 8 for the same price. It was nicely air-conditioned and the driver knew all the sights. Well worth it. Don't try to hop on public transportation......save time and sanity.

With hettic roads of Cairo and such a huge land to cover, I recommend Coach where it is bookable through your concierge desk of the hotel or contact tour operator for transport to major sight of the city and giza area. It actually save more time, and money 'from giving more baksheeh' and right at your doorstep and also of course evening trip is much more comfortable rather than becoming a bate to predators on the road.

Bus No, Route & Prices

AC Buses:

362- Airport -Elmounib 2 LE
356 -Airport - Tahrir 2 LE
799 - Airport - Shubra - Ramsis 2 LE

Public - Buses :

27 - Airport - Roxi - Tahrir 0.50 LE

949 - Airport - Ramsis - Tahrir - Giza 0.50 LE

400- Airport - Roxi - Ramsis - Tahrir 0.25 LE

970 - Airport - Roxi - Helmia - Shubra 0.25

971- Airport - Shubra - Ramsis 0.25 LE

948 - Airport - Al-Azhar - Attaba 0.25 LE

925 - Airport- Shubra - Ameria 0.25 LE