Hotel
Fairmont Nile City
A Nile Corniche hotel with river view rooms and a rooftop pool on the 25th floor that looks over the Nile and, on clear days, the Giza pyramids.
Live prices
Price checked when you search
CAI · 30.06° N · 31.25° E · Egypt
Cairo
The pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and a thousand years of Islamic Cairo.
Find flights to Cairo
About Cairo
In short
- Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Khan El Khalili bazaar
- Citadel of Saladin
- Felucca ride on the Nile
At a glance
- Country
- Egypt
- Region
- Africa
- Local time
- GMT+3
- Time difference
- 3 hours behind Dhaka4 hours behind in January
- Currency
- Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- Languages
- Arabic and English
- Main airport
- CAICairo International Airport
- Flight time
- About 5 hoursFrom London
- Best time to visit
- October to April
- Deals
- 3 deals
Cairo is a huge, lively city on the Nile and the starting point for most trips to Egypt. The pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx stand on the edge of the city, and the Grand Egyptian Museum nearby holds the treasures of Tutankhamun.
In Islamic Cairo, minarets rise over medieval streets around the Khan El Khalili bazaar, and the Citadel of Saladin looks down on the city. Coptic Cairo has some of the oldest churches in Egypt.
From Cairo you can fly or take the train south to Luxor and Aswan for a Nile cruise. October to April has the most comfortable weather.
Before you go
Entry and visas
Entry rules depend on your passport and the reason for your trip, and they change from time to time. Check the official sources below before you book, including how long your passport must stay valid, and use only official government channels if you need a visa.
Health
Read TravelHealthPro's Egypt page and book a travel health appointment well before your trip. Cairo is hot for much of the year, so drink plenty of water, use sun protection and plan breaks in the shade. Take care with food and water hygiene.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Carry some cash for markets and small purchases, tell your bank before you travel and check its fees for card payments and cash withdrawals abroad.
General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.
Checked on 14 October 2026
When to go
- JanuaryBest
- FebruaryBest
- MarchBest
- AprilBest
- May
- JuneNot ideal
- JulyNot ideal
- AugustNot ideal
- September
- OctoberBest
- NovemberBest
- DecemberBest
October to March is the most comfortable time, with average highs of about 19 to 30°C. June to August average about 35°C. From March to May, wind storms can carry Saharan dust into the city.
Deals to Cairo
See all deals
Flight · Return
Cairo
Search live prices from
Pictures of Cairo
The Great Sphinx, with the Pyramid of Khafre behind 
Lamps and lanterns for sale in a Cairo bazaar 
A felucca on the Nile in Cairo at dusk 
Inside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Citadel, built in the 19th century
Questions about Cairo
See all questionsWhat currency is used in Cairo?
Egypt's currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Carry some cash for markets and small purchases, and check your bank's fees for using your card abroad.
Do I need a visa to visit Cairo?
It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip. Check the official entry information for Egypt before you book, and use only official government channels if you need a visa.
Checked on 14 October 2026
What should I wear to visit a mosque in Cairo?
Wear loose, modest clothing; women usually cover their arms, legs and hair. Take your shoes off before the carpeted prayer hall, and be respectful of people at prayer.
Is there a metro in Cairo?
Yes, the Cairo Metro has run since 1987, and some carriages on each train are reserved for women.
Are the pyramids in Cairo?
The pyramids and Great Sphinx stand at Giza, on the west bank of the Nile, within greater Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum is about 2 km from the pyramids, so you can plan the two together.
When is the best time to visit Cairo?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with average highs of about 19 to 30°C. June to August are the hottest months, averaging about 35°C, and wind storms can bring Saharan dust from March to May.
