Cairo on a Budget
A city where the exchange rate stretches most budgets a properly long way, and a centuries-old bazaar costs nothing to wander, here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down too.
Cairo is one of the more affordable major cities in the world to visit, the exchange rate stretches most budgets a long way, and several of its best experiences, Khan el-Khalili’s atmosphere, the Nile corniche, cost nothing at all. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Khan el-Khalili and the Nile corniche are free
Wandering Khan el-Khalili’s lanes costs nothing, only individual purchases add up. Walking the Nile corniche is free too, only the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and a felucca ride charge admission.
Visit outside peak season for lower prices
Cairo’s hotel prices and crowds spike from October through April, the most comfortable weather for sightseeing driving demand. Summer months instead offer noticeably lower rates, though the heat runs properly intense.
Use the metro and ride apps over street taxis
Cairo’s metro is genuinely cheap and efficient, and ride-hailing apps offer considerably more reliable pricing than hailing a taxi on the street. Traffic can be heavy, worth planning around rush hour where possible.
A koshary stall beats a Giza tourist restaurant
Koshary, a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and fried onions, is widely a Cairo staple, cheap and considerably better value than a sit-down restaurant near the Pyramids. A ta’ameya, Egyptian falafel, stand remains one of the better cheap eats too.
Consider Downtown Cairo over Giza or Zamalek
Hotels right by the Pyramids sit at the top of the price range given the location. Downtown Cairo runs noticeably cheaper while offering a genuinely central base for the museum and Khan el-Khalili.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
