Cairo Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

It can feel chaotic when you are there, but Cairo is an amazing place to visit that should be high on anyone’s bucket list. Visitors can visit the main sites in only a few days, and that is probably long enough for most people. The Great Pyramids of Giza are just on the edge of the city and are easily worth all of the hassle of visiting.

Is Cairo Expensive or Cheap?

Cairo is a great bargain for the budget traveler. It’s one of those places with more or less parallel systems, with luxury travelers having plenty to choose from but backpacker types can also find good hotels and meals at very reasonable prices.

Food is quite cheap by European standards as long as you go to places where locals sometimes go rather than only to tourist joints with English menus. Alcohol isn’t easy to find in most restaurants, though there are small liquor shops in most neighborhoods so getting some cold beers and such to take with you really isn’t too difficult.

Cairo City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Cairo

Population 6,800,000
Area 18,000,000
Timezone UTC+2
Currency Egyptian pound
Airports Cairo International Airport (CAI)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$26.43
1 USD = 47.1500 EGP
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Cairo

Cairo Hotel Seasons

Cairo Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar12.00 - 20.00
starstarstarstarstar15.00 - 24.00
starstarstarstarstar24.00 - 50.00
starstarstarstarstar57.00 - 129.00
starstarstarstarstar108.00 - 245.00

Cairo Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed5.00 - 9.00

Cairo Attractions Prices

Best tours in Cairo

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Great Pyramids & SphinxThis price gets you into the grounds and not inside the pyramids themselves. If you don't arrive as part of a tour, you'll be relentlessly pursued by guides.
adults
5.09
Great Pyramid of KhufuThis is a separate admission to enter the largest of the pyramids at the complex
adults
9.33
Pyramid of MenkaureThis is a separate admission to a smaller pyramid at the complex
adults
4.24
Egyptian MuseumThis is the absolute must-see attraction in Cairo itself. Admission does NOT include entrance to the (disappointing) mummy exhibit.
adults
9.54
Mummy exhibit Once you enter the Egyptian Museum, you have to pay this very high separate admission to see the small mummy exhibit upstairs.
adults
3.82

Cairo Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastMany hotels will include breakfast in the price. Otherwise, check local cafes and street stands for great deals.2.33 - 4.24
Budget lunchAs long as you avoid tourist restaurants, you can eat really well and cheaply in Cairo.2.55 - 4.24
Budget dinnerAssuming you want to dine at a cafe or local restaurant, you can still eat local favorites for very little.3.61 - 6.36
Beer (.33l bottle)There are few bars in Cairo that are not at hotels or filled with prostitutes. 1.91 - 2.55
Beer (.33l bottle, retail)You can get good local beer at little shops if you can't find a good bar.0.95 - 1.48

Cairo Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to city center3.18 - 4.24
Public bus from airport to city center0.32
3km taxi ride in Cairo1.06 - 1.70

Getting to Cairo

Getting around Cairo

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When to visit Cairo

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January64460.2
February70480.2
March75520.2
April82570.1
May91630.0
June95680.0
July97700.0
August95720.0
September90680.0
October86640.0
November79570.1
December68500.2

Cairo Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar5:58am6:07pm
21 Jun4:54am6:59pm
21 Sep5:42am5:53pm
21 Dec6:46am4:59pm

Where to go before and after