Transportation in Cairo
Split into two by the colossal River Nile, Cairo is a sprawling city. Most places of interest, including the oldest monuments, are on the eastern side.The huge size of the city, combined with its crowded streets and traffic jams, makes getting around all part of the Cairo experience.Central Cairo, just east of the Nile, is the noisy Downtown area and plush Garden City. Further east are Islamic Cairo's medieval market streets, and the imposing Citadel. South is peaceful Coptic Cairo. The river's island has affluent districts Zamalek and Gezira, and west is residential Doqqi and Mohandiseen. Further southwest are the mammoth pyramids at Giza.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Taxi
The city's favoured mode of transport, taxis are everywhere but too few for the huge number of people. The newer Cairo Cabs and City Cabs, operating since 2006, are yellow air-conditioned metered taxis. Be prepared to step into the old black-and-white taxis, which are cheaper but unmetered. Forget haggling: find out from locals the correct price for your journey and hand over exact cash to the driver at the end.
Metro
Cairo's underground metro system is Africa's first. Constantly developing, the two lines stretch from north to south, and northeast to southwest. Cheap and efficient, important stops include Attaba (Khan el-Khalili), Sadat (intersection, and Midan Tahrir) and Opera (Zamalek); look for the huge red ‘M' at street level. The front two carriages are women-only.
Foot
Walking is the best way to explore the city, especially the medieval streets of the Islamic quarter. Driving is crazy and roads packed, so crossing a road can be challenging. Stand close to a local, step out confidently and don't turn back or hesitate in the middle.
Bus
Cairo's large buses are chaotic and overcrowded, but private microbuses are faster and it's easier to get a seat. Routes are not clearly signed, so go in the direction of your destination, and shout it when one comes past.
Boat
A felucca down the Nile is a relaxing Cairo experience, rather than a means of public transport. These can be picked up on the Corniche at Garden City, just opposite the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Haggle an hourly rate with the owner. A limited service on a river bus travels from Maspero, near the TV and Radio Building, to Doqqi, and to Giza. This is slow and mainly for commuters.
Rent your car
Coping with Cairo’s traffic and tangle of roads is a real feat, and with tight parking spaces, double and even triple parking, scratch-free cars are a rarity. Moves are being made to improve the roads, including the recent addition of a ring road, new flyovers and bridges.
Transportation Tips
The metro gets horrendously crowded during rush-hour (7am-9am and 2pm-5pm), when traffic also clogs the streets. Women may feel more comfortable in the women-only carriages, although these are also crowded. Watch all valuables on public transport. Keep plenty of change for the taxi drivers to pay the correct fare at the end of the journey.
