3 Days in Cairo,Egypt: The Perfect Cairo Itinerary
CAIRO IS COMPLICATED
Thinking about making a trip to the oldest country in the world? Look no further: here’s how to spend just 3 days in Egypt, specifically Cairo, without spending too much time or too much money during your visit.
I took a trip to Egypt 11 months ago in hopes of jump starting my travel content business. What I did not know was how difficult Egypt would be to travel, especially by yourself. Cairo Egypt is not to be underestimated! It’s a love and hate thing, but you must be mentally prepared for what you will face. Cairo is the Capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world with a population of 9.54 million (last reported in 2017) thats TWICE the size of NEW YORK! In this blog we will focus on just 3 main places I want you to get to know, because each location is apart of the Egyptian culture and history, they also make for a good photo-op too. 😊
(Day 1)MOST FAMOUS MARKET IN CAIRO
On your first day in Cairo Egypt, I would want you to visit this market or BAZAAR as it’s called. It’s the most Famous for numerous reasons but from a tourist perspective you can already see how beautiful this maze market is. You can buy just about anything you want with a rate that fits your pocket.
Lifestyle-Tip -NEGOTIATE EVERYTHING! The first mistake you don’t want to make is think the way items are sold in the streets or in stores follow the same rules in America. Learning to Haggle items shows the value of a customers worth against business owners and hustlers. Get comfortable with negotiating prices and never settle for first rates. Tourist without knowing the value of items can get charged double the prices so try and haggle down on items you like.
Getting to Khan El Khalili can be a little tricky, you have the option of taking public transportation but honestly to save you the time and hassle just call an Uber or Taxi.
Khan El Khalili is perfect for getting for your shopping fix! They have everything from Food, Lamps, Purses, Clothes, and Antiques, they even make custom perfumes and Colognes! Most shops open from 9am to well after Sundown (Except Friday morning and Sunday) I would suggest seeing it in the night, it is the best time because there are live performances, and the secret shops turn on their lamps like you see in the photos above.☝🏾 Based off my time and experience in Cairo, I feel this place is best to get your feet wet in the country and understand how people move and network around town.
(Day 2) The Egyptian Museum
(Day 2) The Egyptian Museum
If you haven’t felt overwhelmed by your first day in Cairo, then good job you might make it through all 3 days :D. The next day I want you to do some sight seeing and learn of the historic pieces that have been recovered from the sands of Egypt. Just as its history the location of this museum is equally important, it’s located very close to the Tahir square where 2 revolutions took place. This is will probably be the busiest street you will see with the most INTENSE traffic you will feel.
Upon arriving heres the prices you need to know before entering:
Entrance Fee - 200 EGP = 10.74 USD
Photos with Phone = 50 EGP = 2.69 USD
Videos - 300 EGP = 16.12 USD
⚠️Warning ⚠️
Because the museum is such a huge tourist attraction the hustlers swarm right in front the entrance, they will ask you tons of questions to see what kind of “tourist” you are. They are aggressive, keep that in mind, but like I said before you aren’t in any real danger, they are just after what’s in your pockets :D
I went ahead and pin pointed exactly where the museum is, welcome. ☝🏾
Your second day in Egypt should be your most relaxing day because this day you will be taught the proper history of Egypt through this museum. You get see firsthand artifacts, mask, golden daggers, and real gold earnings recovered from an era B.C. I spent all day checking out the place, in fact there’s too much to see. Unfortunately, last year they took out a lot of the cool stuff they recovered and transported it to new location. If you’re the type of traveler or tourist that needs a guide or history tour, there will be plenty of them swarming around the entrance negotiate your price!
They are building a brand-new Museum and it’s supposed the biggest museum in the world, it’s being built near the pyramids of Giza, so collectively you have everything within your reach. It’s scheduled to open November of this year.
(Day 3) The Pyramids of Giza
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering why I had you visit the pyramids on your last day? Its simple really, save the best for the last! Entering the pyramids of Giza is a world of its own, the way this 3-day tour works, is by starting from the farthest point and working your way back to the pyramids. This is way you will be further equipped, well adjusted, and prepared to the enter the madness of the pyramids.
How to get there?
Depending on where you’re at you can take public transportation, taxi, or call an Uber, there’s even some tour buses that can bring you and guide you through. To save you time and headache just call an Uber.
How much ?
Here are the entrances fees to the pyramids so you don’t need to search online for it. I wish I knew this information before hand because I was almost scammed out of $100. If anyone offers you a different rate just walk away. Don’t accept any tours, don’t buy from any 3rd party, just buy everything you need at the entrance and enjoy the pyramids.
Entrance Fees
Giza Pyramids - 200 EGP
Entry inside the Great Pyramid - 400 EGP
Entry inside the 2nd or 3rd Pyramid - 100 EGP
Tours?
You will have access to everything you see before you, horse ride tours, camel tours, public tours, small sellers selling refreshments and more will all be there. If you’re interested in anything, remember to never settle on the first rate always haggle down.
That’s all the information I have 🙌🏾 I hope this 3-day tour works in your favor, Egypt is a wonderful country to explore and full of wonders, one thing I forgot to mention is to please be patient with the people, they may get under your skin, but they mean well.
