Traffic, Cairo

Crossing roads in Cairo can be a serious threat to your health! The best advice I can offer is follow locals and cross when they cross, act confident, and above all, once you've started, don't stop! On the bigger roads and intersections there are sometimes traffic police - if there are, wait for them to stop the traffic, they do at intervals to let the crowds cross.

Well, parking space will not be a problem if you are not driving by yourself in Cairo which of course I cannot recommend you do drive.

This warning applies to any foreigner or tourist who have the guts to drive in this crazy road of Cairo. Though it looks normal to locals, but to a tourist, you will be shocked. If you survive the road, then the more you can survive parking.

A day before my trip to Alexandria, I requested my hired driver to help me get train tickets for next morning departure. When we arrived at the Ramses train station in Cairo and after passing thru a very narrow space between cars, we lined up in a queau of cars waiting for a space in the parking lot. It was full, and it was at nightfall. It was not a problem though as my driver is an Egyptian. He asked the dispatcher to ask the car driver in front of us to give a bit of space and so he did. It took us more than 15 minutes to get the train ticket in the station and then went back to the parking area. Our car was still there and nobody touch or move it, lol. Now I realize what a local can do!

I guess I have said a lot about the roads, the local drivers, traffic signs, and now the traffic itself. You have to be warned especially if it is your first time in Egypt, especially in Cairo. This is about the traffic congestion.

There is a possibility that you miss your flight if you are flying out of Cairo or your train departure if you have a reserved seat going elsewhere. Although I did not miss my departure time which is 6:30AM from Cairo to Alexandria, I can figure out it would happen if my departure is later in the morning. There is too much traffic, I am telling you. Leave early from your hotel. Give ample time as allowance for the traffic. I do not want you to miss anything and spoil your holidays.

Pictures will be posted at a later date. Unable to upload.

Should you be walking through Khan el-Khalili, and hear a hissing sound behind you, you might want to move as far out of the way as you can - it'll be a heavily laden man, cart, or donkey wanting to get past, most probably at high speed! Watch your toes!

Don`t ever ride a taxi that parked infront of your hotel, this taxi will not move unless you pay big money,instead walk a couple of meters and other taxies will take you for less than half price!

becareful,,some drivers will say that they know the place & address that yo need to visit but then you will find yourself going in circles!

Cairo holds a population on 16.000.000 maybe more as we`re speaking,so you have to imagine the amount of cars all over the street and,yes,unfortunately parked on the side walks.

So if you are planning on walking,take care,because there are not many sidewalks,and if there were they are not in their perfect condition,so it maybe a hassle to walk with high heels and almost impossible with a baby`s stroller,specially in old Cairo area.

before coming to cairo i thought the taxi ride was going to be really crazy and totaly insane!
the way others discribe the taxi rides are as if they are really dangerous.
well, i want to share my view with the world oki doki :)
im usually pretty good with "feeling" if the driver is safe or not, in control or totally out of it straight after the car starts rolling.
and i can say with great confidents that the drivers in cairo are generally really really good. there is no rules on the streets of cairo... still, even in kaos they manage to be in total control. please dont be scared... sit back and enjoy your trip. trust your driver, he knows what he is doing even thoe u might think he dosnt :) offcourse like every were in the world there will be bad drivers but generally...as i said... they are soo good at the art of driving in cairo.. seriously! so dont worry :)
...there is other things to worry about tho, and thats when it comes to the payment.
but just follow the tips of your fellow VT members and u will be Ok.

*always discuss price and location BEFORE entering. when agreed on a price IN EGYPTIAN POUNDS :) and when the driver is pretty sure about location, feel free to enter.
*try to have exact money, if not, always ask for the change before handing them your money. once you have reseved your change, count them, if you have the right change... give him your payment.

PS: no need in egypt to give the driver tips but offcourse if you like the driver and he has been friendly and honest... be genourous, they make very little in waiges, he will be happy.

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In order to understand Cairo traffic, you have to see it. Cairo traffic is never-ending! It can last all day and into the early hours of the morning. You will see the roads shared with cars, tour buses, taxicabs, mopeds or motorbikes, bicycles, local public transportation (VW Vans), and an occasional donkey and cart. Stop lights are rare so procede with caution!

If you must cross the street, do not expect the driver to stop for you. Instead, wait until the car has almost past you and proceed, DO NOT walk into oncoming traffic! Many streets in Cairo have no sidewalks, so you wiil have to walk on the shoulder of the road. When doing this, walk facing the traffic as often as possible, not with your back to it. It is best to watch oncoming traffic. Be Safe!