It stinks

It was a real experience to see the Pyramids, Sphinx and King Tuts deathmask, but I would never go back. I couldn't really enjoy the Pyramids because the beggars and sellers wouldn't leave you alone for a second. It was noisy, we were followed round by police every where which is a bit scarey and I would never drive a car there. The worst thing for me though was the smell and the constant harrassment. (Oh, and being charged €5 in the museum for about 5 sheets paper when I used the toilet!)

Last Visit: December 2007

18 February 2009 | A Yahoo! User

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cairo is a rip off

upon arrival to cairo airport, they took my luggage off the carousel, snatched the luggage tags off put them on a luggage cart and demanded money from me. Upon departure from the airport, before I could get through the security checkpoint they took my luggage off the x-ray screening table and when I offered them $2 US they demanded $5 US. All for services I did not even ask for. Everyone wants a tip, even for the smallest of services. I asked the hotel maid which way to my room and for pointing me in the right direction, they wanted a tip. Every tour guide has a perfume shop, jewelry shop, linen shop, and papyrus shop where he gets a kick-back from. Your tours will be rushed, but the time spent at these shop can be unlimited. Spent two days there, but should have only spent one day there seeing the pyramids and the museum. I saw the pyramids, and am glad I did, but I will never go back there. The people are very opportunistic and see tourists as only potential victims of their shake-downs. It surprises me that even at the airport, past the security check-points this is still allowed to happen. From a security stand point, I believe anything could pass through Cairo airport, as long as the tip is good. I stayed at the Sheraton Dreamland Hotel in the new city 6th of October. It had a bomb-sniffing dog at the entrance gate. Upon arrival into the hotel luggage had to be x-rayed. I had to go through a metal detector and my bag x-rayed before I could go to my room. It is not a safe place to visit.

Last Visit: February 2009

9 February 2009 | A Yahoo! User

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Worth only for pyramids and temples

Cairo is a dirty city, polluted, noisy and lots of people. Tips are not given but demanded/taken at most tourist places. I planned 5 days but ended up staying a day short because I got fed up. My opinion, do not spend more than 2 days in Cairo. Pyramids, Egyptian museum and Coptic museum are the only places worth seeing in Cairo. Spend 1 day on pyramids and another day on Egyptian and Coptic museum. Khan El Khalili is just a hype and a rip off. I was not very keen on visiting mosques. Hotels are expensive. Hostels are little cheap but again not very clean and is very basic. I stayed in a Hostel. Spend another 2 days in Luxor. I liked Luxor more than Cairo. The sleeping train I took between Cairo and Luxor is filthy dirty and is not worth 120 USD for a return trip. The toilets is in a horrible condition and looks like they never clean them. The breakfast may not be worth even a dollar. The locals pay a much less price for the same train. Above all the train never seems to be on time. So don't plan your day based on that. I did that mistake and actually the train was late by 4 hours and I lost first half of the day. The attendants usually demand 5 EGP per person as tips. If you have more time plan to visit Aswan and Abu Simbel. Alexandria may be worth for its Citadel but again I was not interested in mosques.

Last Visit: December 2008

14 December 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Cairo, a worthwhile experience

Cairo is like no other city on earth. Do not drive; you may not survive. But, take the taxi.. what an experience. No road rules. visit the bazzarr. People are most friendly even if the peddlers are a bit pushy.

Great for: History/Culture

Last Visit: August 2008

20 October 2008 | milkman613

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I really love 'El Kahira' and want to go there often!

I have stayed at Mena House and the Sheraton El Gezirah. I am thrilled by the love of the Egyprian people for strangers. This is helped because I speak Arabic although I am a Candian caucasian. While there on one occasion I was the guest of the Minstry of Agriculture and the Government threw a party for us complete with with a plane flying along the Nile dragging a banner for us.

Great for: History/Culture, Family Holidays

Last Visit: January 2003

28 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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the victorious city

A city like no other, steeped in the past and embracing the present. The people are friendly, and curious. They are proud of their city and the heritage. Khan el Khalili is a fantastic street market, the antiquities museum is a wonder and walk the city, see ordinary life. The hotels are very good value, and service is generaly very good.

Great for: History/Culture, Family Holidays

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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cairo

Cairo is one of the must see cities, forget new york cairo is the real place to be - forget your posh shops and restaurants stroll through markets like khan el khalili and barter for your goods have fun with the locals and stop at a back street schwarma seller for the best chicked schwarma or maybe a falafel. the sites sounds culture and people are like nothing you've ever experienced - and if you survived crossing the road in cairo - theres nothing you will ever fear again. Its the best country in the world especially if you can get away from the tourist hoards at unknown sites and in the western desert. befriend the locals.. but dont get married! have a meal in a families house. just go expect nothing and experience everything

Great for: History/Culture

Last Visit: April 2004

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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been once not again

went to cairo for a day when the ship docked in port said,armed guards all the way,a bit scarey,very dirty and poor place and the begggars would not leave you alone,my mum and i had to be rescued twice,even the tourist police wanted a tip for getting rid of them,the local children were very friendly;the pyrimids were touristy and the nile trip was ok,the city itself was total mayhem,we were glad to get back to the saftey of the ship,been there done the trip got the t-shirt ;not again

Last Visit: November 2007

26 January 2008 | hulsewoof

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Getting Cairo Airport to Pyramids of Giza

As soon as we landed in Cairo airport and stepped out into the area to get our coach, the noise was so apparent. Driving in cairo is suicidal, there might be 4 lanes but theres about 8 lanes of traffic weaving in and out of each other, its bedlam. As for the tooting and beeping of horns, its more like a huge bumper car arena. Drive at your own risk, and when your through to the pyramids keep your money in a locked place, in fact dont take any money with you, its safer that way when children come by you and hassle you. Otherwise take a deep breath and admire the wonders that lay before you, its truly amazing.

Last Visit: December 2007

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Cairo a mixture of old and new

During a recent visit to Hurgharda on the Red Sea we decided to take the early morning plane trip to Cairo to experience life in another capital city.We were well rewarded.We understood that we would only see Cairo through the eyes of a cosseted tourist but this did not matter.We left our hotel at 4.30a.m for 6.00a.m flight ,which took approximately 50mins. We were ushered through customs and into our waiting coach which took the main arterial road from the airport to the city center. Drivers beware,only Egyptian drivers understand the logic of the Cairo road system. We then visited,a Grand Mosque,the Cairo Museum, the Pyramids,the Sphinx,the Cairo Hard Rock Cafe, a papyrus making and embelishing factory and a night market. A young traveller would snear at the way we saw all these wonderful sights but to the older traveller who never in their widest dreams, thought they would touch the pyramids,let alone see the mask of Tutenkhamun,the Egytians have provided us with lasting memories. Thanks to All in Egypt

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife

Last Visit: December 2007

26 January 2008 | dick.pearce

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