Can you visit the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum on the same day?

Yes. They are only about 2 km apart. Do the pyramids at 7 am, have lunch and book a GEM slot for the early afternoon.

Do I need a guide in Cairo?

You do not need one by law, but a licensed Egyptologist guide saves time at the big sites, keeps touts away and explains what you are seeing, especially in Saqqara and Islamic Cairo, where signs are few.

Is it better to exchange money before traveling to Egypt?

No. You will get a better rate from ATMs or banks in Egypt, and leftover pounds are hard to change back at home, so only take out what you need.

What is the best area for first-time visitors to stay in Cairo?

Zamalek offers the best balance of calm and location, with one or two nights in Giza if you want to see the pyramids at sunrise.

First Visit Guide and Key Tips for Traveling to Golden Cairo

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Visit to Cairo

9 min read | Published: Oct 19, 2026 | Updated: Oct 19, 2026 | TRIPS IN EGYPT

Nobody forgets their first drive into Cairo. The airport road fills with traffic that seems to follow no rules, minarets and satellite dishes share the same skyline, and then, somewhere past the ring road, you catch your first glimpse of the pyramids standing at the edge of the city as if they had always been waiting for you.

Cairo is big, loud and wonderful, but it is easier to enjoy if you arrive knowing how it works. In this guide, we cover what to sort out before you fly, how to get from the airport and around the city, where to stay, what to see first and how many days you need, plus the etiquette, food and tipping habits that will save you time and money. Here are all things you need to know before you travel to Cairo, Egypt:

Before You Fly: Visa, Money and What to Pack

Visa and Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter Egypt. Most Western travelers need a tourist visa, and there are three ways to get one:

E-Visa online: USD 30 for a single entry or USD 65 for multiple entry, applied for on the official government portal at least a week before travel.
Visa on arrival, cash: USD 30, paid at the bank window in the arrivals hall before passport control. Bring clean, new dollar notes.
Digital visa at Cairo Airport: USD 36 by card, through a QR code you generate on arrival. It is currently being used at Cairo Airport alongside the older sticker.

Rules change often, so check the official portal before you go. Our Egypt entry visa page explains who needs which visa.

Money and Cards

The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP), at roughly EGP 52 to the US dollar. Most major sites, including the pyramids and the museums, now accept card payments only at the ticket office, so bring at least two cards. Everything else, from taxis and tips to market stalls, still runs on cash.

Use ATMs at bank branches such as the National Bank of Egypt, CIB or Banque Misr, and always choose to be charged in pounds, not your home currency. Ask your hotel to break large notes on your first day, because small notes of EGP 10, 20 and 50 are gold in Cairo.

SIM Card and Packing

Buy a SIM at the Vodafone, Orange or e& (Etisalat) desks in the arrivals hall, or set up an eSIM before you fly. Expect to pay about EGP 300 to 500 for 10 to 15 GB. You will need data for ride apps, maps and translation.

Pack light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, a hat, strong sunscreen and a light scarf. A warm layer is useful in winter, when nights drop to around 10°C. Do not forget good travel insurance for Egypt. For timing, the best time to visit Cairo is October to April, when days are warm rather than hot.

Arriving in Cairo and Getting Around

Cairo International Airport lies about 22 km northeast of the center, and the drive takes 45 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic. A pre-booked transfer is the calmest option after a long flight, because drivers outside the terminal often ask for cash or more than the app fare. Our guide to the airports in Egypt explains the terminals.

In the city, Uber, Careem and inDrive are the easiest way to get around. Prices are fixed in the app, and most rides across central Cairo cost EGP 80 to 200. If a driver asks you to cancel and pay cash, decline politely and book another car.

The Cairo Metro is fast, clean and very cheap, at EGP 10 to 20 per ride. The two middle carriages of every train are reserved for women. It is ideal for Downtown, Coptic Cairo and Tahrir, but it does not reach the pyramids directly, and it gets very crowded at rush hour.

Two habits will help. First, cross roads with a group of locals at a steady pace, because drivers rarely stop. Second, double whatever travel time Google Maps tells you, especially between 4 pm and 7 pm.

Where to Stay on Your First Visit

Zamalek: An island in the Nile, leafy and calm, full of cafés and galleries. The best all-round base for first-timers.
Downtown and Garden City: Central and lively, close to the Egyptian Museum and the metro, with options from budget hotels to Nile-view five-stars.
Giza: Wake up to the pyramids and reach the Grand Egyptian Museum in minutes, but you will spend more time in traffic going into the city.

Many travelers split their stay: two nights near the pyramids, then the rest in Zamalek or Downtown. Areas such as New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed are clean and modern but too far from the sights for a first visit.

What to See in Cairo First, and How Many Days You Need

What to See in Cairo - Trips in Egypt.webp

Cairo has more to see than any first visit can hold, so start with the essentials.

The Giza Pyramids Complex comes first. Go at opening time, 7 am, before the heat and the tour buses, and use the new entrance on the Fayoum road, where electric shuttles run between the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Next door, the Grand Egyptian Museum holds the full Tutankhamun collection. Foreign visitors must book a timed slot online in advance, and you should allow at least three hours.

South of Giza, Saqqara and the Step Pyramid show where pyramid building began, and Dahshur has the Bent and Red Pyramids almost to yourself. In the city, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is home to the royal mummies, the Salah El Din Citadel has the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the best views over Cairo, and the Coptic sites include the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. End a day in Khan el-Khalili and the medieval streets around it, or watch the sunset from Al-Azhar Park.

Ticket Prices to Expect

Site	Foreign adult ticket
Giza Plateau (pyramids and Sphinx)	EGP 700
Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu	EGP 1,500
Grand Egyptian Museum	EGP 1,570, rising to EGP 1,830 from 1 November
Egyptian Museum, Tahrir	About EGP 550
Saqqara	About EGP 450

Students with a valid international card pay about half. Prices are reviewed often, so treat these as a guide.

How Many Days Do You Need in Cairo?

Three full days is the minimum for a first visit, and four is more comfortable:

Day 1: The Giza Pyramids in the morning, the Grand Egyptian Museum after lunch.
Day 2: Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis, leaving before 8 am. This is easiest on a day tour to the pyramids, Saqqara and Dahshur.
Day 3: Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili in the evening.
Day 4 (optional): The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the mummies at the NMEC and a Nile felucca at sunset.

After Cairo, most first-timers head south to Luxor and Aswan by plane, sleeper train or on one of our Nile river cruises. For more ideas, see our list of things to do in Cairo.

Cairo Etiquette, Food and Tipping

Dress. Egypt is conservative. Covering shoulders and knees is the norm in the city, for men as well as women. At mosques, women must cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes. There is no dress code at the pyramids or the museums.

Ramadan. During the holy month, many Egyptians fast from sunrise to sunset, opening hours are shorter and some restaurants close until the evening. The nights, though, are wonderful, with lanterns, late dinners and streets full of life. Avoid eating or drinking openly in the street during the day.

Words that help. "Salam alaykum" (hello), "shukran" (thank you) and "la, shukran" (no, thank you) will take you a long way. The last one is the best answer to touts at the pyramids.

Food. Start with koshary, Cairo's favorite dish of rice, lentils, pasta and fried onions with tomato sauce, for about EGP 40 to 80. Try ful medames and ta'ameya (fava bean falafel) for breakfast, and feteer or om ali for something sweet. Our guide to Egyptian food covers more. Drink bottled water only, and ask for juice without ice.

Tipping and haggling. Baksheesh is part of daily life. Leave about 10% at restaurants unless service is included, give EGP 20 to 50 for small services such as porters or restroom attendants, and tip guides and drivers at the end of each day. Our guide to tipping in Egypt has the details. In the markets, start at about half the asking price, keep smiling and be ready to walk away.

Staying safe. Cairo is generally safe for visitors, with scams and traffic the main issues. Women should expect some unwanted attention and may find our tips for traveling to Egypt as a solo woman useful. For the latest situation, read is it safe to travel to Egypt right now.

Start Your First Visit to Cairo With Trips In Egypt

Cairo has been welcoming travelers for more than a thousand years, and your first visit should feel like an adventure, not a puzzle. Let us take care of the details. We meet you at the airport, arrange private air-conditioned transport and a licensed Egyptologist guide, book your tickets and time slots, and stay in touch throughout your trip. Choose one of our Cairo day tours, pick from our Cairo tour packages or wider Egypt tour packages, or build your own route with our tailor-made tours. Book us now or contact our operation department today and discover the grand beauty of Cairo.