Getting to Cairo
Airport
Cairo International Airport is 25 km north-east of the city centre. There are 2 terminals: Terminal II is the new terminal and services most international flights, while Terminal I, the old terminal, is the hub for EgyptAir and services both their domestic and international flights. There are large official taxis (called "limousines") that charge a fixed rate of E£46 for a trip to the city centre. A taxi for the same ride should cost E£35, but will involve some heavy haggling, so the official taxi may be the easier option. There are two city busses and a mini-bus that takes you to and from the Airport. Bus number 356 is the designated airport service, which is a large white, air conditioned, and luxury coach. It runs to the city centre at Midan Abdel Moniem Riad (behind the Egyptian museum) and costs E£2, plus E£1 per large luggage item. Local bus No 400 (25pt) also goes to the city centre, as well as minibus No 27 (50pt). The bus stand is at the far end of the car park.
Phone: Terminal one: +2 (0)2 2265 5000/01/02/04/05
Terminal two: +2 (02) 22652222/24/25
Public transport
The local buses are like a carnival ride, as they rarely come to a full stop to let passengers on and off! There is a mini-bus that has set routes like the normal bus, but they are smaller so carry fewer passengers, and do actually stop to let people on and off!
Taxi
Taxis are inexpensive in Cairo, and the way that most tourists navigate the city. It is important to fix a price before you get into a taxi, and always haggle over the price. Attempting to take advantage of naive tourists is a favorite pastime of Cairo taxi drivers.