Cheapest Way To Visit Cairo??

dhan

Hi all

I am planning to have a family holiday in Egypt in August of this year.For those who have recently been to Egypt, what is the best way to have a holiday in Egypt.I am not that interested in the resort holiday and would rather be in Cairo where all the major attractions are?? Flight to cairo works out at around £2000.However a B&B holiday in the resorts ie luxor can cost as low as £1200 inc flights .I am wondering if it is possible to buy the cheapest holiday which is nearest to cairo and then spend a few days in Cairo as hotels are very cheap in cairo.I have got a limited budget but want to make the most of it!!

Any suggestions or practical advice would be very welcome.

Voyager2002

Student travel agencies used to offer cheap flights to Cairo: there is plenty of competition on that route.

Anyway, no-one will charge you extra for booking a package and not staying in the hotel. Luxor is a long way from Cairo, but the overnight sleeper trains are supposed to be very pleasant.

typeractive

It was a while ago when I was there. Back in 2002 I think? Anyway, just a couple of tips:

1. wash your hands regularly - especially when handling money, as it is filthy and one of the most common ways of passing bugs - you don't want a nasty tummy bug on ya holidays!

2. when going to the Cairo Museum, as I would imagine you want to see King Tut and all the wonderful things, make sure you take some water along and dress in light clothing as when I was there, ventilation was bad (no aircon etc) so it did make quite a few people dizzy. Allow for plenty of time in the museum as there really are some amazing artefacts.

The pyramids are great, if not over commercialised Some nice views over Cairo from where they sit. Be careful of any camel rides you take up there (if you take any) as I heard stories of people being lead off to teh desert and then being demanded to pay higher prices to get back!

ANYTHING that is presented from the street merchants can be haggled right down in price. If you're not interested say: "les shetran" which apparently means no thanks/leave me alone - politely. When I tried this it seemed to work - I think they know you mean business then...or perhaps no business ...I just kept saying - the shotgun! haha

Have a fab time, you will no doubt enjoy it, and especially if you are into all the majestic features of a hidden world. Very interesting.

Cheers,

alanrowell

£800 isn't much of a saving as unless you take the bus to Cairo (approx 8 hours each way) the cost of internal flights plus extra hotel bills will soon get rid of that saving.

You could try just booking just a flight to Sharm el Sheik - www.redseaflights.com is recommended

Personally I'd book a flight to Cairo itself - BA / Egyptair direct or Olympic via Athens - and book a hotel separately or if you are feeling daring have a look at www.whichbudget.com/budget-airlines-en.html#to37

Have a look at the appropiate forums on www.holidaytruths.co.uk www.tripadvisor.com & www.fodors.com remembering that the last two are designed mainly for Americans and their tastes.

Vampgirl

As has been said already: best to book a flight to Cairo with either BA/Egyptair or often cheaper to go not-direct with Olympic, Alitalia or Iberia.

But seriously, having lived in Cairo I'd reccomend looking at two-centre package deal if this is your main family holiday. I wouldn't recommend any one have Cairo as the main part of their holiday. Firstly most of the main egyptology sights are nearer to Luxor. All you have near/in Cairo are the Pyramids, the Museum and the step pyramid of Saqqara. All the temples and valleys of the kings and queens are too far away from Cairo to visit.

Secondly Cairo is the dirtyest, busyest, noisyiest city you can imagne. Its hardly condusive to a nice family holiday. Its full of traffic and pollution - whilst I love the city it just isn't what I'd reccomend for a relaxing holiday. You'd want to spend maximum 3-5 days in Cairo then move on somewhere quieter.

satan666wayne

typeractive wrote: »

The pyramids are great, if not over commercialised

Cheers,

I heard tesco are trying to open up in one:rotfl:

mystic_trev

Luxor is certainly NOT a resort and would (probably) be the best place to use as a base if you're going for the History, which I assume you are are. Also Cairo is certainly not a place I'd go for a family holiday, it's great for a few days but not a couple of weeks. You're also going in August which is bloody madness!

I've travelled extensively around Egypt, from Alexandria in the North down to Abu Simbel near the Sudan border, and it is a great place. Obviously from a Historical poit of view, most of the Sights are in and around Luxor. The Cairo museum is definately a must in Cairo, as for the Pyramids, well it's nice to see the last survivng Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Pity it's stuck next to Giza one of the Seven Sh1tholes of the Modern World!

DUKE

I was in Luxor in June 2005. We booked all of our trips through someone in the High St for about £450 for 2 people. We did most of the tombs ..... Had an overnight stay in aswan, Crocodile Island, Banana Island - they have an Asda there :rotfl: We didn't book with the TA as they wanted £150 for one trip and they try to put the fear of God into you by telling you not to go local as it's not safe - shame on you Thomson! :mad: We were too tired out to go to Cairo but we could've got the train for about £8. Do avoid stray children as you'll never get rid of them. Barter as if your life depends on it Take plent of bog roll as they will try and sell you a square for 10p, do not fall for it. Enjoy

DUKE

It cost 2p on the bus, and they will probably ask you for something ridiculous like a fiver for a caliche (horse & cart) offer them about 50p max. All of the trips that we went on came with an air con mini bus and a guide.

mumkin_2

tbh i would spend the extra on going straight to cairo, my dh is egyptian and last time he flew to sharm and got the bus over to cairo, he said NEVER again. He added that the thought of doing that with me and our daughter as well would have been a complete nightmare!! Then do things on the cheap in cairo, which, like you say is quite easy. You could easily fill a week full of sightseeing, if not two combined with visits to the coast in Alexandria...

Again, i personally found the sleeper from Luxor not too nice... but that was a few years ago. Also, you have to think about time, if you're limited in how long you have off work then you'll lose valuable time travelling. That is normally our biggest concern.

Once we flew with Olympic (who are cheap); they have crap connection times but we stopped over for a night in Athens and visited the Acropolis etc. Although Athens in August will be pretty grotty... however Luxor is hot in August too...

Just to add, i know no one meant anything horrible by their comments about bartering with the locals, but i always try to pay a mix between what i think is a fair price and what i can afford. By all means barter, but when you're getting all in a fluster about them charging you ten pence for some bog roll just bear in mind that the old lady who's floggin you it will probably be using that money to feed her family, not blowing it on booze and drugs and a night out in town... my advice would be to keep it in proportion and remember that most people out there have a hell of a lower standard of living than we do.

Hope something in here helps

dhan

Thanks for all the info............. all very helpful and much appreciated!!
I was planning to stay for 7 days ............ will it be worthwhile or will it be better to go for 14 days?? I am just wondering whether to go there some other time when I have more time and plan it better and well in advance!!
Thanks again