Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Always buy bottled water or use a filtered water bottle.

How do I handle the tipping culture?

Tipping, or 'baksheesh,' is expected for almost every service. Keep a stack of 5, 10, and 20 EGP notes handy for bathroom attendants, drivers, and porters.

Are the pyramids really in the middle of a city?

Yes. The Giza plateau sits right on the edge of the sprawling Cairo/Giza urban area. You will see city buildings just a few hundred meters from the Sphinx.

Egypt and the Pyramids on a Budget

Visit between October and April, use the Cairo Metro to bypass heavy taxi fares, and stick to local 'koshary' shops for meals to keep your daily spend under $45. Book your site tickets online through the official Ministry of Tourism website to avoid third-party agency markups.

Secure your visa upon arrival. Purchase the $25 USD visa sticker at an official bank kiosk inside the arrival hall at Cairo International Airport before heading to immigration. Do not pay middlemen offering 'fast track' services.
Use public transit and ride-shares. Download Uber or Careem to avoid negotiating taxi fares, which are often inflated for tourists. For longer city transit, use the Cairo Metro; it costs roughly 10 EGP (approx. $0.20) per trip.
Eat like a local. Skip hotel breakfasts. Look for street-side shops selling Koshary (a mix of pasta, rice, lentils, and tomato sauce) or Falafel (Ta'ameya) sandwiches. These meals typically cost between $1 and $3.
Navigate the Giza Plateau. Enter through the Mena House gate early (8:00 AM) to avoid the midday heat and tour groups. Avoid anyone offering 'official' guide services near the entrance; the site is easily navigated on foot with a paper map or offline GPS.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Always buy bottled water or use a filtered water bottle.
How do I handle the tipping culture?: Tipping, or 'baksheesh,' is expected for almost every service. Keep a stack of 5, 10, and 20 EGP notes handy for bathroom attendants, drivers, and porters.
Are the pyramids really in the middle of a city?: Yes. The Giza plateau sits right on the edge of the sprawling Cairo/Giza urban area. You will see city buildings just a few hundred meters from the Sphinx.