Get around in Cario

The American University in Cairo has made a good map of Cairo . It is a must-have when you want to get around on your own. CAIRO A-Z from The Palm Press offers a more detailed city map in 300 pages.

By metro

Cairo has the only metro system on the African continent. While its two lines are all too limited in scope, they’re a major boon in the areas they do go to and the flat fare of 75 piasters per trip is a steal. The key interchanges are Mubarak, at Midan Ramses, and Sadat, below Midan Tahrir. Note that in each train, the first car is reserved for women.

By taxi

The fleet of black-and-white taxis that ply Cairo’s streets are convenient but a hassle: communication can be an issue and, since cabbies systematically refuse to use their meters (understandably, since the official rates are completely unrealistic), prices certainly will be. Try to get a taxi on the fly instead of those loitering outside 5-star hotels and restaurants to minimize price inflation. Using a big hotel as your destination may also inflate the price. Always choose the taxi, don’t let the taxi choose you.

There are two basic tactics: 1) agree on a price beforehand, which may prevent ripoffs but will mark you as a tourist and probably result in a long negotiation, or 2) get in, state your destination, and pay an approximation of the local fare once you get there. A rule of thumb is 3 LE for short trips, 10 LE for longer ones, where length is measured in distance or time. As an example, the cost from Zamalek to Midan Tahrir should be 3-4 LE, from Zamalek to Midan Hussein (Islamic Cairo) is 8-10 LE. Cabbies usually expect more money (1 or 2 LE) for ferrying more people. If you decide not to negotiate the price beforehand (this is the better method) be ready to jump ship and/or bargain hard if the cabby brings up the fare after you are in the car. They rarely accept more than 4 people to a taxi.

By bus

The large red, white and blue public buses cover the entire city and are much cheaper, but are usually crowded. However, there are the similar air-conditioned buses that charge 2 L.E. for the trip and prohibit standing on the bus. They can be found in the main squares in Cairo. Also found in main squares are the smaller mini-buses that are usually orange and white or red, white and blue.