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Airport Guide

Airports in Cairo

There are some wonders of the world that simply need to be immortalized. Grab your camera, a good book and a cheap flight to Cairo for a glimpse at the last surviving wonder of the world, the Pyramid of Giza. This pyramid is thought to have been built around 2600 BC and a closer look at this awesome structure shows it was never finished. Most pyramids have a pointed top, but the Pyramid of Giza is flat and to this day, its incompletion remains a mystery. More mystery surrounds this Great Pyramid – a flight to Cairo and an excursion to the Pyramid might provoke you to seek the meaning behind the Pyramid of Giza...if you can...

Beyond the pyramids, however, lies the metropolitan city of Cairo, home to more than one-quarter of all Egyptians. Cairo's location along the Nile River has made it the heart of Egypt and a must-see tourist destination for centuries.

Travelers booking flights to Cairo can rest assured this city is safe, despite its threats of terrorist attacks. In fact, Cairo flights and tourism bookings are at an all-time high and travelers booking trips to Cairo repeatedly report safe and friendly travel amenities.

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Cairo Climate

“Dry” can mean a lot of things, but in Cairo, “dry” is full of opportunity. After your cheap flight to Cairo, you‘ll arrive in an arid desert where tepid sunlight creates an intense atmosphere that amplifies the tourism experience. Its two seasons don’t quite range from hot to cold, but rather hot to “less hot.” Desert storms in April add some water to the mix, but Cairo as a whole receives less than an inch of rainfall a year.

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When to Fly to Cairo

Besides April, Cairo is a seemingly parched terrain. Ultimately, your decision on when to book a flight to Cairo should be less based on whether or not you like heat, but more based whether or not you love heat.

Peak Season: The period between November through March signifies the cooler season, making it the perfect time to book cheap flights to Cairo. Fortunately, buildings here are designed to keep cool, so solace can be sought through the indoors. Sandstorms bring upon allergies in some people, so pay attention to your body’s natural signs.

Off-peak Season: Pollution in the air becomes prevalent during this hotter than thou stretch of time between June and October. Become Ramadan falls within September and October and most stores close down, the tourism industry slows, making it a perfect time to book even cheaper flights to Cairo.

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Getting Downtown Cairo

There are taxis outside the main arrivals hall; the journey to central Cairo takes around 45 minutes. An Airport Shuttle bus is a convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Cairo and along the Pyramids Road in Giza. Public buses and air-conditioned coaches also leave regularly from Terminal 1.

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Getting Around Cairo

A smart way to improve your Cairo travel is to learn about public transportation. The metro is run by the Cairo Transport Authority, and is both inexpensive and efficient. Microbuses are also a great privately owned option.

Taxis are always available and easily flagged down for convenience. Meters are rarely used, so try to bargain before you commit to a cab. Prices will range depending on time and distance, and fares escalate during rush hour, so a little planning can go a long way.

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Cairo Insider Information

Sufi Dancing: Experience this aspect of live entertainment where art and spirituality connect you to your Cairo travel. Let whirling dervishes swirl around you in elaborate costumes so engulf you in a zikr – a religious act of remembering God. These professional dancers keep meaning intertwined in their moves: Their act of “whirling” symbolizes the turning away from the world and turning toward God. You can find them at folklore shows, and the best in town are known to be at Ghuriya in the Islamic center.

Al Azhar Mosque: You don’t have to be a student at Al Azhar University to visit the school’s ancient mosque. The Al Azhar Mosque, built in 972 AD, stands in the center of campus, and has become a popular site for youth political demonstrations. If a friendly student offers to guide you through the mosque, a small tip is a courteous gesture to let them know you appreciate their kindness. Entry requires you to wear a scarf or burqua (available at the door), and you should wear respectful clothing that covers your skin.

Coffee Shops: Who needs a pub crawl when you can you do a coffee crawl? Coffee shops in Cairo are as socially hopping as bars are in the United States, and are known as a place to gather with old friends and meet new ones. It’s a great place to relax on day one of your journey, especially if your Cairo flight was more than just a few hours. Choose from shisha (hooka), shai (tea), or ahwa (coffee) to fulfill whatever caffeine fix you require.

Shopping: If you’re looking for a unique place to shop, head to Khan Al Khalili , an outdoor market district in the Old City section of Cairo. Though you won’t find many designer digs here, you’re sure to leave Khan Al Khalili with your bags brimming with souvenirs for your return Cairo flight.

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Cairo Airports

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is where your flight to Cairo lands.

Cairo International Airport

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Cheap flights to Cairo

New York City (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$1,129RTwith CheapTickets
New York City (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$839RTwith Vayama
New York City (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$858RTwith Orbitz
New York City (NYC) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$792RTwith CheapOair.com
New York City (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$1,004RTwith Airline Consolidator
New York City (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
from$766RTwith Hotwire

In-flight Reading

The Cairo Trilogy

Naguib MahfouzMahfouz was the first Arabic writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Cairo Trilogy follows three generations of one family in Cairo, from World War One to the overthrow of King Farouk.

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town

Paul TherouxTheroux travels all the way down through Africa, by any means of transport available: train, cattle truck, canoe or “chicken bus”. This excellent travelogue gives a wonderful sense of Cairo and of Africa, from the often-amazed eyes of a foreigner to the continent.

Cairo: A Cultural and Literary History

Andrew BeattieBeattie looks at the past, present and literary traditions of the complex “mother of cities”.

Cairo: Tales of the City

Various authorsA collection of stories, essays and excerpts about Cairo from writers such as Rudyard Kipling and Naguib Mahfouz.

The Yacoubian Building, A Novel

Alaa Al AswanySet in downtown Cairo, this novel by Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany was the best-selling Arabic novel for 2002-3. The building of the title is an apartment block (which stands in the actual city) and in which most of the action takes place.

Travel Tips

Read expert tips on getting the most out of travel

Airline and Air Travel Information
Airport Security
Getting Bumped
Airline Upgrade Guide
Find the Best Airfare Deals
Fat-Finger Fares
Alternate Airports
Last-minute Airfares 101
Booking Flights by Phone
International Travel Tips
Embassies and Consulates Abroad
Trip Planning
Timing Your Trip
Airport Amusements

More travel tips

Contributors to this guide: Word Travels, World Airport Guide, Cheapflights

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Wordtravels.com

Destination guides to countries and cities worldwide www.wordtravels.com

World Airport Guides

Guide to more than 200 airports around the world www.worldairportguide.com

Cheapflights.com

Cheap airline tickets to domestic and worldwide destinations www.cheapflights.com

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