Visit Cairo

Visit Cairo

• Overview

    Egypt’s capital city, Cairo has stood as a meeting point for different civilizations for centuries. It is found just south of the Nile River delta and is one of the most important centers for culture and commerce in Africa and the Arab world. Many multinational companies have regional headquarters here, while Cairo also features the second largest higher education institution in the whole world: al-Azhar University. With ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman remnants, as well as landmarks from all eras of Islam, Cairo is noted as a city where history greets you at almost every corner.

• Climate

     Cairo sees two different seasons throughout the year.  Between November and April, the weather is mild while it turns much warmer from May to October.  In addition, the spring months bring the Khamsin wind which can reach speeds of 150 kilometers per hour and fill the sky with sand and dust.  During the summer, it can be brutally hot with temperatures as warm as 35 degrees Celsius and even getting as warm as 40 degrees on occasion.  It can be much colder in the winter with overnight lows as cool as 8 degrees.  Precipitation in the city is almost non-existent with an average yearly rainfall of only 22 millimeters.  However, the summer can also be surprisingly humid.  

• Transportation

      Using the public transport system in Cairo for getting around the city is the best possible way to experience it. While the independent traveler with a map may be successful, the chance of getting confused is more likely, with several places being omitted from such maps. The most popular public transport system in Cairo is the metro, which although limited in scope, is the best and most convenient way to travel across the city. It is important to note that most tourist attractions can be visited through either of the two metro lines.

        Another very popular method of transportation in Cairo is the taxi. Though it is a convenient mode of travel, it can be a hassle. The reason being that the taxis do not have any meters, which make it really difficult for the travelers to know what the actual fare is.

     Using the public transport system in Cairo for getting around the city is the best possible way to experience it. While the independent traveler with a map may be successful, the chance of getting confused is more likely, with several places being omitted from such maps. The most popular public transport system in Cairo is the metro, which although limited in scope, is the best and most convenient way to travel across the city. It is important to note that most tourist attractions can be visited through either of the two metro lines.

     Another very popular method of transportation in Cairo is the taxi. Though it is a convenient mode of travel, it can be a hassle. The reason being that the taxis do not have any meters, which make it really difficult for the travelers to know what the actual fare is.

• Quick Facts

           Name: Cairo

          Region/State: Cairo

          Population: 6,758,581

         Area: 453 Sq km

        Elevation: 23 m (75 ft)

        Rainfall (January / July): 0.1 in / 0 in

        Temperature (January / July): 66 F /94 F

         Major Airports: Cairo International Airport

         Business Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM

        Time Zone: EET (UTC+2)

          Electricity: 220 Volts