I don’t give a shit about the fearmongering on this board. I can get cheap (~€60) flights to Cairo in April and I want to see the Pyramids, maybe go down river to Luxor. How expensive is Cairo, what’s the visa situation like, and how would I go about staying in the city?
>egyptwhiners need not apply
>How expensive is Cairo
Dirt cheap
>what’s the visa situation like
Show up at the airport and pay the $30 or whatever
>how would I go about staying in the city?
Find a place that reviews say is quiet, the honking never ends
>I don’t give a shit about the fearmongering
Egypt isn't dangerous as a man, just very shitty
Mostly this. Egypt is just kinda shitty and the more money you throw at the problem; the better the experience gets.
It pays to hire a guide with transport from a local agent like EMO Egypt Tours. Dont have to worry about haggling for transport and the guide acts like a buffer between the aggressive touts and other riffraff.
You can look at going on the cruises down the Nile to Luxor; the stop at the local temples along the way.
NB - take diarrhea meds with you.
Cairo is fricking kino. Egypt is a the true filter country.
Imo, skip Giza and go to Saqarra/Dahshur. You'll have the place to yourself and get to be Indiana Jones for the day around some of the world's oldest buildings. If you can get tuk tuk bakc into the city, it's fricking wild buszzing through places foreigners will never ever see. (Well, 'city' = the final metro station).
Listen to the recent Fall of Civilizatoin episde to contextualise the history. (3.5 hours long, would make good flight listening).
Luxor is fricking hassle city central. Protip = rent a bike and cycle the valley of the kings. One of the best days out ever.
I much prefer Aswan to Luxor. Far more chill; Nubian vibes. Falucca at sunset on the Nile in Aswan near the cataracts is beautiful. The temple there was the last bation of ancient Egyptian culture, language and religion as everywhere around started falling to Christianity. There's also some kino tombs up in the hills. You can get kids to take you around the islands on boats for dirt zero.
You'll have to get train or fly to Aswan/Luxor. Nile Cruises are between Aswan and Luxor. Defo worthwhile. You can just visit boats on the ground and book in-person. FAR FAR FAR FAR cheaper than booking abroad. You might have to visit 5+ boats to shop prices. Stock up on booze at the local shops, as booze on the cruise can be a bit raunchy.
Cairo has kino bars tucked away. is generally dirt cheap.
FRICKING CHECK THE REVIEWS LIKE CRAZY. SOME SHIT IS FILTHY IN CAIRO. LOOK OUT FOR ANY SIGNS OF BEDBUGS ETC.
Lots of info really depends on how much money you want to spend, and availabilty. There's also Siwa Oasis, Sinai (Dahab), fricking around in the desert, etc.
Oh, get Uber everwhere in Cairo. Best thing which ever happened to the city. Going out before Friday prayers = blissful as everybody's resting and you can hear yourself think.
Feel free to ask Qs.
I'm considering driving all the way from Cairo to the south of the country to visit all the ancient sites. I don't want to go on a cruise (I think they're too expensive). Is it a bad idea ? Traffic is a mess but outside of Cairo that must be fine, right?
Sorry to potentially be a buzz Killington here, but from what I've heard/remember, this could be a fricking horrid idea, and potentially impossible.
Never driven in Egypt, so pinch of salt,etc, but Egypt is a police state. Cops are on your side, but they don't like you venturing off track. There'll be lots of police checkpoints, and they may straight up refuse you access to "hotter" towns. I've heard of foreigners needing police permits or escorts for some places. (Asyut comes to mind for some reason). These cops probably won't speak English too.
The liability of having a non-Arabic speaking foreigner driving around ultra conservative regions might get police chiefs nervous. If anything happens to foreigners, Egypt's tourism income(15% of economy?) nosedives. They're on edge about it, especially given there's so many morond and straight up Islamic militants in the country itching to do stupid shit.
Egyptians roads are ogre, too. Unless you're a VERY experienced driver in Africa, it could just be straight up dangerous. People dont give a frick about anything, and you'll be blamed for any accident.
I got my all-inc cruise for $70/night for 2 people 2 years ago. Expect to pay 100 on the ground, if it sways you.
Flights aren't that expensive and worth looking at. Trains aren't the cleanest, but they're fine. A little uncomfortable overnight, but do the trick.
Tbh, youd be better off hiring drivers in locations to hit the sites. Guide/driver = shield from hassle and scams.
Cairo = Islamic old centre, Coptic Cairo, saqarra/Dahshur, Giza
Luxor = valley of Kings and Karnak
Aswan = philae
That's easily enough to give you a taste. You could also just visit Cairo then get a bus to Sinai and do diving, chilling , visit Mt Sinai/st Catherine's monastery and fly back from Sharm for dirt cheap.
My last trip I did a loop: Sinai - Cairo - Aswan - Luxor - Hurghada (3 nights all inc) cost £1k for just under a month of accom and expenses. Flights were dirt cheap.
Terrible idea.
In agreement with
Alright thanks
Tunisia is another north African police state and I had no trouble with the road traffic (although it was terrible when compared to any european country, Albania included)
https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g294200-i9124-k13913195-Driving_a_rental_car_in_Egypt-Egypt.html
Looks like it was done last year with no issue. Would have to look into the 'police escort' between Cairo and Luxor though. Very interesting that he was able to use the western desert road. That would open up some of the oases.
You unironically might be wise to make a thread on /r/egypt so some locals can fill you in on checkpoints, curfews, drivable roads, etc. Say that you're 100% doing it, and won't be told "its too dangerous" to minimise homosexualry.
Found some old forgotten hotel.
that looks like the kind of thing the brits built before they got kicked out
Wrong thread, mate. No way in hell this could be Egypt. Terrain, look of the sea, vegetation, architecture, organisation, cleanliness, cloud cover is all off.
My guess is you meant to post in the Japan thread.
Yes I posted 4 pics before realising and then could only delete 2 before SighSee started to say I couldn't delete more...
I was in Cairo last year for work, there for 12 days. I liked it. I'd recommend staying at this hotel one or two nights, I had a great experience there. You can book on booking.com
https://gamaleya.com/
What do you do which would bring you to Cairo on business?
I sell rotten street meat
Nobody is afraid of Egypt. They just get really fricking pissed off at the dishonesty and greed of the people. The country consistently comes in as one of the cheapest in the world for dining and lodging, but you're gonna have to do some hustling yourself to get those good deals.