Cairo

Go to Cairo for the Giza pyramids, the historic Islamic quarter and the Egyptian Museum, all in one large city.

Find a room in Cairo Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Cairo

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Cairo is Egypt's capital and largest city, on the Nile just south of where the river enters the Nile Delta. Greater Cairo has more than 22 million people and is the largest metropolitan area in Africa. The Giza pyramids sit in Giza, the city next to Cairo, and the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square holds the world's most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Islamic Cairo adds hundreds of mosques, tombs and madrasas, which is why the city is often called the city of a thousand minarets.

Cairo suits travelers who like dense, layered cities and can handle heavy traffic and noise. Traffic and air pollution shape your days, so group sights by area and plan trips outside rush hour. Winter is the mildest season, with daytime highs of 14 to 22 °C. Dust storms can blow in from March to May. Plan several days, and give Giza a half day or more on its own.

Cairo in five

Buy monument tickets on the official siteGiza, the Egyptian Museum and most state sites sell tickets online. Buying ahead saves time at the gate.Egypt monuments tickets
Pair Giza with the Grand Egyptian MuseumThe museum sits near the pyramids, so one day on the Giza side covers both without crossing the city twice.
Plan around traffic, not distanceA short hop across Cairo can take an hour at rush hour. Ride the metro where it goes, and use ride-hailing apps for the rest.
Dress for mosques and old CairoCover shoulders and knees in Islamic and Coptic Cairo. Women are often asked to cover their hair in working mosques, and shoes come off at the door.
Check the visa before you flyMany passports can get an e-visa or a visa on arrival. The rules differ by nationality.Egypt visa guide

Things to do in Cairo

See all attractions in Cairo

Mosque · CairoAl-Hakim MosqueAim for around midday; the mosque gets busier toward sunset.

Museum · CairoAbdeen Palace MuseumBuy tickets at the ticket office in front of the museum. It has no clear sign, so ask for it by name.

Museum · CairoThe Egyptian Museum in CairoAllow at least 3 to 4 hours for a thorough visit.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CairoPut the places you like in Cairo on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Cairo International (CAI); Sphinx International (SPX) near Giza
Getting there: Flights from Europe and the Gulf; trains and flights on to Luxor and Aswan
Getting around: Metro for the center, ride-hailing apps elsewhere
Best base: Zamalek or Downtown for the city, Giza for the pyramids
Time needed: 3–4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh19°Low10°Cool, clear
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Mild
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°Dust storms
AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low16°Warm
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low20°Hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low23°Very hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh39°Low24°Hottest
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low24°Very hot
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low23°Hot
OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low20°Warm, clear
NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Mild
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Cool

Average daily high and low in Cairo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cairo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 39%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Cairo

10:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today32°19°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue30°19°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed31°20°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu28°18°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri25°18°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat23°16°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun25°15°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 07:47 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP

Amount

Converted to

EGP · Egyptian Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Saqqara and Dahshurabout 1 hour by carStep Pyramid, the Bent and Red pyramids, and quieter tombs.
Alexandriaabout 2.5–3 hours by trainThe Corniche, the library and Roman sites on the Mediterranean.Read the guide
Luxorabout 1 hour by planeOvernight trip for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.Read the guide

Before you go to Cairo

Giza and museum ticketsAdvance tickets for pyramids and museumBook timed entry

Cairo guided daysA driver-guide beats rush-hour taxisCompare tours

eSIM for CairoRide-hailing apps from the arrivals hallRead the guide

Insurance for CairoMedical cover for crowds and trafficRead the guide

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Rules for Cairo, checked

Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa before travel. Check your entry rules on the official Egypt e-visa portal before you book.Source
The fourth and fifth cars on Cairo Metro trains are reserved for women, though women may ride in any car.
Egyptian law bars the export of antiquities without a permit. Check with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities before you buy anything old.
Dial 122 for police and 123 for an ambulance anywhere in Egypt.
Remove your shoes at mosques. Women should cover their hair, and both men and women should cover shoulders and knees.

Plan around Cairo

All of Egypt

Regions, e-visa, money and safety

Read the guide Luxor

Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, an hour by air

Read the guide Aswan

Nile at its prettiest, the base for Abu Simbel

Read the guide Red Sea coast

Hurghada and Marsa Alam reefs by air

Read the guide Visa on arrival or e-visa

Which passports can use which route

Read the guide Best time to visit Egypt

Months and heat across the country

Read the guide

Cairo FAQ

How many days do I need in Cairo?

Three to four days covers Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, and a day in Islamic and Coptic Cairo.

Is it better to stay in Giza or central Cairo?

Stay in Giza for a short trip built around the pyramids. Stay in Zamalek or Downtown if you want the old city, food and evenings out.

How do I get from Cairo airport to the city?

Ride-hailing apps and airport taxis are the easiest options. Allow 45–90 minutes to Downtown or Zamalek depending on traffic.

When is the best time to visit Cairo?

October to March is mild. Summer highs reach the mid 30s °C, so sightseeing then means early starts.

Is the Grand Egyptian Museum worth visiting?

Yes for most visitors: it houses major pharaonic collections, including Tutankhamun's treasures, in a building beside the pyramids. Allow half a day, and pair it with Giza on the same side of the city.