Advantages: See the wonders of the ancient world
Disadvantages: Cairo is a very busy and noisy city.

...for a sucker, just use common sense, use alot of good humour and always be polite. We went to Egypt last May (7-21 2005) for 15 glorious days travelling with Bales Worldwide on their 'Splendour of Egypt'* escorted group tour - there were twelve of us - (with a tour manager from travelling with you from London and Egyptian guide throughout); 3 nights in Cairo, 1 night at Abu Simbel, 7 night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, back to Aswan for 2 nights and then 1 night in Cairo before flying home. *This year the tour has changed, there are 4 nights in Cairo, 7 night Nile cruise, 2 nights at Aswan and 1 night in Cairo. You are now met at Cairo Airport by your tour manager/guide. CAIRO We arrived in Cairo after a five hour flight and while I was busy dying (I am a poor flyer) my mother had enjoyed herself chatting to a really nice Egyptian man... Read review

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Advantages: Obvious - The Pyramids, The Sphinx and the Cairo museum!
Disadvantages: Very busy and very polluted but don't let that put you off

...and in need of a holiday I began to think about fulfilling my dream and visiting the Pyramids. However, being a single woman, travelling to Egypt without a companion did not seem sensible and as most of my friends have young children finding a travel companion seemed unlikely so I began to dismiss the idea. Then a friend lent me "The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho, a modern fable about following your dreams (I intend writing about the book in an article soon) and it inspired me to find a way. Then a work colleague, also a single woman who loves to travel to out of the way places, introduced me to a travel company called Explore (see my article Lone Traveller - you can see the world) and on 20 November 1999 I was on the plane to Cairo. Arriving in Cairo at midnight and being driven straight to the hotel, my first real sight of the city was early... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing history, sun,
Disadvantages: Very polluted and stuffy at times!

...Once again I went travelling in 2001 as part of a charity group. This meant that I was able to see a little more than the average tourist does of the real Cairo and that area. Although I feel sure we only scratched the surface of life out there this is what I experienced. Attached to Cairo are three 'villages' Mottamdia, Macattum and Helwan. A mixture of badly built brick homes and corrigated iron huts, these places are the homes of the rubbish collectors of Cairo. The majority of the polutaion of these places is coptic. This is a type of orthodox Christian and becuase of their religion these people did not used to be able to work. So they became pig breeders collected the rubbish from the city to feed to their pigs. As things like metals and plastic became part of the rubbish the trade of these people changed. Now they sort... Read review

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Advantages: Must see wonder of the world, Once in a Lifetime experiance
Disadvantages: Poverty, begging, Driving conditions.

...If you get the chance to go to Cairo you must! It is an experiance like no other......Never again........ We booked our day trip to Cairo through a reputable tour operator whilst staying in Hurgahda and I am very glad we did. It is a place I have always wanted to visit but had my reservations for various reasons. Because we booked through a reputable company we were allocated our own personal guide for myself , my husband and my 8 year old son. The guide was fantastic!! The best advice I could give would be to wear comfortable clothing and footwear ,the tour took 19 hours in total including a 50minute flight either way from Hurgahda. Your can wear shorts and T shirt there are no restrictions on dress even though its is in large a muslem city. The men in Cairo are OBSESSED with half dressed women so beware... Read review

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Advantages: See everything in one day.
Disadvantages: Do not go in August as the weather is too humid.

...I went to Egypt for one day by flying from Paphos to Cairo in August 2007. It took one hour to get there. I booked the trip with a travel agent in Paphos and it cost £200 cyprus per person travelling with Louis Travel. The air trip was a good flight and it included food (breakfast). The day was packed with lots of things to do. We arrived at Cairo and was quickly transported to a coach, which took us to our first destination - Citadel of Saladin. The coach drove through Heliopolis, an elite residential suburb of Cairo our professional guide pointed out places of interest and introduced us to the long history and rich culture of Egypt 'en route' to our first highlights, being a mosque called Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. We spent some time here inside the mosque walking around it. Our next stop was the Pyramids... Read review

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Advantages: the atmosphere and strangeness of the place
Disadvantages: don't go if you dislike heat, pollution and stench!

...I visited to Egypt in 1998 and stayed at the Luxor Hilton, travelling to Cairo on the overnight train which cost around £20 return per person at that time. The "sleeper" compartments of the train really just meant large reclining chairs and curtained windows! I remember it being comfortable enough though - one advantage being that you wake at around 8am having slept for most of the journey, and so feel somewhat refreshed - which is lucky because Cairo hits you right between the eyes! The almost suffocating choke of the city's pollution and dust was quite shocking after the relative peace of Luxor, which is still considered a "village" by many! The traffic is incredibly busy and crossing the road is to take your life in your hands! I took a taxi from the train station straight to the Giza Plateau to visit the Pyramids... Read review

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Advantages: Location Location Location
Disadvantages: Breakfast not included

...Sara Inn may be a hostel but it certainly is a great place to stay. It is located very near the Sadat metro station close to the heart of downtown Cairo, near Tahrir Square. Let me begin with the air port pick up service that is offered. As opposed to many other hostels, this service is genuine by Sara Inn. Someone will pick you up and deliver you to Sara Inn for the stated price. Of course it is entirely up to you to give any bakseesh on top of that. You only have to pay once you have checked in at the hostel. The price is usually 50EGP. The driver only gets half of that so I suggest tipping the driver. The hostel itself is on the 7th floor. There is a lift so use it. If you dont take a taxi though, it may a bit difficult to find but I managed to find it. I asked around and there were people who were helpful enough to walk with me... Read review

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Advantages: good location, clean and comfortable
Disadvantages: none

...The Dutch Golden Tulip hotel chain has two hotels in Egypt. One in Cairo and the other is a resort hotel on the Red Sea. On a recent visit to Cairo, I stayed at the Cairo hotel. It is a four star hotel and rooms start at about EUR65 a night. The hotel is located in Zamalek, an island on the Nile in a fairly quiet area (by Egyptian standards) with lots of shaded avenues and 19th century buildings, including many homes of foreign dignitaries. Zamalek is a great location to be in as there are several western chain fast food restaurants nearby (Pizza Hut, McDonalds, etc.) and a supermarket just around the corner. The hotel also has its own bakery with very good pastries and breads. It is an area that is popular with a lot of foreigners, particularly Europeans. There is also an internet café just across the street. While... Read review

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Advantages: Friendly People and relatively cheap
Disadvantages: Heat Dust Smell

...Cairo an exciting city but do you need the hustle an bustle of this metropolis. The sights make up for the dirt and dust and the people although you should keep an eye on them are really very helpfull. Getting there direct is an option but also coming in from Cyprus is another option the next time you have a fortnight there the ferry is quite cheap and the crossing is very pleasant, certainly recommended. If your in Luxor then why not jump on the overnight train, the journey will cost you about £50 return and that includes a tour of the highlights and normally lunch, again recomended. Dont try take in to many sights you'll end up to tired. Cairo is very busy I would recomend you visit Luxor before Cairo and take in Cairo as an extra... Read review

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Advantages: Magnificent views, cultural city, great weather - but not for the faint hearted
Disadvantages: Many people expect tips.

...Cairo is a beautiful and mezmerising city, full of wondrous places to visit and friendly people. However, don't mistake a lot of this so called friendliness. No matter where you go people will hassle you for tips. But can you blame them? There's is a culture of bargaining and many of the people are of limited means. Just be firm and say no. Don't be 'British' and feel that you cannot complain or refuse. Very often the people will get sick of trying to weasle money out of you and will leave you alone. It is hot and dusty, but if you wanted mild temperatures and a non-dusty atmosphere, head to boring Europe like everyone else. It is well worth the sweat and tears [just kidding] as you will see things of such magnificent beauty, that all your troubles will soon be forgotten. The Pyramids are a must. It is even possible to enter them... Read review

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