Many Gulf passports enter visa-free or with an e-visa; check the official rules for your nationality before you fly.
Use ride-hailing
Uber and Careem are cheap and avoid fare haggling. Confirm the plate number before you get in.
Carry small notes
Keep small pounds for tips, toilets, shoe keepers and tea. Cards work in hotels, malls and most restaurants.
Tipping (baksheesh)
Tipping is part of daily life. Small amounts for help, 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
Book museums online
Buy Grand Egyptian Museum tickets on visit-gem.com; time slots sell out on weekends and holidays.
Expect touts at Giza
Agree prices for camels, horses and guides before you start, and use the official buses on the plateau.
Dress modestly
Cover shoulders and knees in the old city and at religious sites; Zamalek and malls are more relaxed.
Ask before photos
Ask before photographing people, and avoid police, military and government buildings.
Drink bottled water
Use bottled or filtered water, and go easy on salads and street juice for the first day or two.
Pack a layer
November evenings drop to around 14°C, and desert mornings feel colder.
Stay connected
Buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport (passport needed); WhatsApp confirms most bookings.
Cross with care
Traffic rarely stops. Cross alongside locals, and use bridges and underpasses where you can.
Cairo is busy but generally friendly to visitors. Keep valuables close in crowds, check your government’s travel advice, and confirm entry rules for your passport before you travel.