Cost To Visit Cairo: Complete 2026 Budget Guide

Is Cairo Expensive to Visit?

Cairo is very affordable when compared to the U.S. and other major global cities. You’ll spend significantly less on food, lodging, and attractions. Within the Middle East, Cairo is one of the cheapest capitals, more affordable than places like Dubai or Tel Aviv.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Cheapest and most expensive seasons to visit
• Where to stay based on your budget
• Food, attractions, and transportation costs
• Daily and weekly budgets
• Popular day trips from Cairo
• Flight prices to Egypt from the U.S.

Seasonal Cost

The time of year you choose to visit Cairo will heavily impact your total cost. Hotel and flight prices shift based on tourist demand and weather.

Peak Season (October–April)

• Most pleasant weather: sunny and cool
• Ideal for visiting pyramids, walking markets, and sightseeing
• Highest prices for hotels and flights
• Big crowds at popular attractions

Shoulder Season (May & September)

• Hot but not unbearable—especially in the early morning or evening
• Fewer tourists
• Hotels and tours often discounted
• Still good for sightseeing with breaks during midday heat

Off-Season (June–August)

• Extremely hot (daytime temps above 40°C / 104°F)
• Minimal tourist crowds
• Deepest discounts on hotels, tours, and even flights
• Best for early-risers and budget travelers willing to adapt to the heat

Most Expensive Times To Visit Cairo

• Late December through early January (Christmas & New Year)
• Around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (dates vary yearly)
• Late October to March (general peak season)
• Last 10 days of Ramadan, especially near Eid
• During international school holidays

Cheapest Months To Visit Cairo

• June, July, and August (hottest but cheapest)
• Mid-May to mid-September (excluding Eid)
• Mid-Ramadan (quieter, fewer crowds, good discounts)

Where You Stay

Cairo’s massive size means your location can make or break your trip—not just for convenience, but for how much you spend.

Most Expensive Areas To Stay

• Zamalek
  • Upscale island in the Nile
  • Home to embassies, boutique hotels, and high-end dining
  • Quiet, leafy, and secure
  • Near: Cairo Tower, Opera House, Nile River cruises
• Garden City
  • Historic and affluent with many embassies
  • Elegant architecture, premium hotels
  • Quiet and central
  • Near: Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square
• Luxury hotels in Downtown Cairo
  • Nile-view properties and high-rise luxury chains
  • Ideal for business and high-end travelers
  • Near: Egyptian Museum, Khan el Khalili, Islamic Cairo

Affordable Areas To Stay

• Downtown Cairo (Mid-range)
  • Lively streets, mix of budget hotels and boutique guesthouses
  • Easy access to metro and attractions
  • Noisy but very central
  • Near: Tahrir Square, cafes, Egyptian Museum
• Giza
  • Affordable hotels with views of the pyramids
  • Better for first-time visitors focused on historical sites
  • Slightly far from downtown but worth it for pyramid proximity
  • Near: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Sound & Light Show

Cheapest Areas To Stay

• Mohandiseen / Dokki
  • Local feel, basic accommodations
  • Fewer tourists, more authentic everyday Cairo
  • Good Uber or metro access
  • Near: Cairo University, Cairo Zoo
• Heliopolis / Nasr City
  • Close to Cairo International Airport
  • Affordable hotels and longer-term apartment stays
  • Longer commute to major attractions
  • Near: Baron Empain Palace, City Stars Mall

Cairo Vacation Costs

Below we break down average costs across key travel categories.

Average Accommodation Cost (per night)

• Budget traveler
  • Basic guesthouses or hostels
  • Shared or private rooms in Downtown or Dokki
  • Often includes free breakfast
• Moderate traveler
  • Mid-range hotels in Giza, Downtown, or Heliopolis
  • 3-star with A/C, Wi-Fi, private bathroom
  • Some boutique properties with pyramid views
• Luxury traveler
  • 5-star hotels in Zamalek, Garden City, or Nile Corniche
  • Amenities include pools, rooftop dining, and private guides
  • International chains and historic palace hotels

Food Cost (per person, per day)

• Budget
  • Street food like koshari, falafel, and shawarma
  • Local cafes and bakeries
  • Meals for under EGP 100 / USD $3.20
• Moderate
  • Sit-down meals at mid-range restaurants
  • Mix of Egyptian and international cuisine
  • Meals from EGP 150–300 / USD $5–$10
• Luxury
  • Fine dining, rooftop lounges, or hotel restaurants
  • Western-style breakfasts, wine, multi-course dinners
  • Meals from EGP 500+ / USD $16+

Transportation Cost

• Metro
  • Fast, efficient, and very cheap
  • EGP 5–10 / USD $0.20–$0.35 per ride
• Uber / Careem (Rideshare)
  • Safer and more convenient than taxis
  • Rides within Cairo: EGP 50–150 / USD $1.60–$5
• Taxis
  • Often require haggling, not always metered
  • Similar in cost to Uber but less reliable
• Private driver for the day
  • Great for visiting pyramids or Saqqara
  • Costs from EGP 800–1,500 / USD $25–$50
• Car rentals
  • Not recommended due to traffic and local driving habits
  • Better to hire drivers instead

Attractions

• Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx – EGP 540 / USD $17.50
• Great Pyramid interior (optional) – EGP 600 / USD $19.50
• Egyptian Museum – EGP 450 / USD $15
• Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali – EGP 300 / USD $10
• Khan El Khalili Bazaar – Free to enter, but you’ll spend money shopping
• Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, etc.) – Free to EGP 100 / USD $3.20
• Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids – EGP 300+ / USD $10+

Day Trips From Cairo

Below are the most popular day trips from Cairo, what you can do there, and how much it costs:

• Saqqara & Dahshur
  • Step Pyramid and Bent Pyramid
  • Close to Cairo, 30–45 mins by car
  • Entry costs EGP 200–400 / USD $6.50–$13
  • Transport by Uber or private car: EGP 500–1,000 / USD $16–$32
• Alexandria
  • Coastal Mediterranean city, 2.5–3 hours away
  • Known for: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Fort Qaitbey, catacombs
  • Entry fees: EGP 80–250 / USD $3–$8
  • Round trip by train or bus: EGP 150–300 / USD $5–$10
  • Private driver or guided tour: EGP 1,200–2,000 / USD $40–$65
• Fayoum Oasis
  • Peaceful desert escape with waterfalls and sandboarding
  • 1.5–2 hours from Cairo
  • Transport via tour or private car: EGP 1,000–1,800 / USD $33–$58
  • Entry to Wadi El Rayan: EGP 150 / USD $5

Daily Budget (Per Person)

• Budget Traveler
  • Hostels or budget hotels, street food, public transport
  • USD $20–$30 per day
• Moderate Traveler
  • 3-star hotels, sit-down meals, some rideshares, entry tickets
  • USD $50–$80 per day
• Luxury Traveler
  • 5-star hotels, fine dining, private guides and transport
  • USD $150–$250+ per day

Weekly Budget (7 Days)

• Budget Traveler
  • Lodging: $100–$150
  • Food: $60–$100
  • Transport: $15–$30
  • Attractions: $30–$50
  • Total: $205–$330
• Moderate Traveler
  • Lodging: $250–$400
  • Food: $120–$160
  • Transport: $40–$60
  • Attractions: $70–$100
  • Total: $480–$720
• Luxury Traveler
  • Lodging: $1,000+
  • Food: $250+
  • Transport: $100+
  • Attractions: $100–$150
  • Total: $1,450+

Flight Cost

Flight prices to Cairo vary based on:

• Your U.S. departure city
• Season of travel
• Airline

Average round-trip cost from U.S. airports:

• Peak season: $900–$1,300
• Shoulder season: $700–$1,100
• Off-season: $600–$950

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