Cheap flights to Cairo

Dubbed “Umm El Dinya” (Mother of the World) by Egyptians and Arabs, Cairo is one of the most brash and chaotic cities in the world. Yet each year, millions of tourists, many of whom are British, book flights to Cairo to discover one of the world’s great ancient civilisations.

The hustle and bustle of modern Cairo’s busy streets teeming with hordes of people and honking cars is perfectly juxtaposed by the serene felucca boats sailing along the Nile and horses galloping amid the gargantuan pyramids. And while most tourists who book flights to Cairo do so to visit the Great Pyramid of Giza – the last surviving wonder of the ancient world – there’s a lot more to see and do in this exhilarating metropolis.

Six-hundred-year-old Khan al-Khalili is one of the first stops on any tourist’s must-see list. This labyrinthine bazaar offers bargain hunters the chance to haggle for hours while magpies can pick up everything from silver and precious stones to waterpipes and spices. After all that shopping recharge your batteries at the famous Feshawi’s coffeehouse and enjoy some strong Turkish coffee or an icy karkadey (hibiscus juice).

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When to fly to Cairo

Peak Season:

The best time to book flights to Cairo is during the cooler season, roughly November through March. When you are inside, though, it may be chilly. Cairo buildings are designed to keep the heat out, so bring a jacket or sweater to wear indoors.

If you have allergies, you will probably want to leave the city before the sandstorms start in March.

Off Season:

The heat and pollution of summers are so oppressive that most Cairenes leave the city. Although the low humidity does make the heat a bit more bearable, cheap flights to Cairo can be found during the summer months.

During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting (approximately mid-September to mid-October), many museums and tourist sites close early and many restaurants open only after sundown.

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Getting around Cairo

The quickest way of getting around Cairo is on the underground metro. It runs from 6am until 1am daily and there is a carriage that is dedicated to female travellers, which operates until 5pm daily. Above ground, on the always busy roads, there is an abundance of public taxis. Look out for black-and-white vehicles or plain white cars (all metered and able to provide receipts). If you’re stepping into a black-and-white taxi, it’s best to settle on a price in advance. Renting a car is easy – all the major companies have desks at the airports and in cities – and all you’ll need is an International Driving License, but with the busy streets, competition for parking, and decent public transport system it’s not necessary for visitors. 

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