Cairo offers exceptional Middle Eastern value with daily budgets of $25-60. Historic Islamic Cairo provides authentic experiences ($25-40/day) while modern Zamalek areas cost more ($45-60/day). Accommodation in traditional hotels costs $15-35/night, with luxury Nile-view properties reaching $100+. Egyptian cuisine and street food cost $3-8 per meal, with international restaurants $10-20. Activities include pyramid tours ($15-30), museum visits ($5-15), and Nile cruises ($20-50). Metro rides cost $0.25-0.50, while taxi tours run $20-40. Home to ancient wonders, Islamic architecture, and the mighty Nile, Cairo combines 5,000 years of history with modern urban energy, offering the world’s most affordable access to ancient civilizations and archaeological treasures.
Plan the practical part
Cairo Trip Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit in 2026?
Daily budget guide for Cairo (prices in EGP)Updated
- BudgetEGP 1,277–EGP 3,065 / day
- Mid-rangeEGP 3,065–EGP 61,308 / day
- LuxuryEGP 61,308–EGP 91,963 / day
What a day in Cairo costs
Budget
EGP 1,277–EGP 3,065 / day
≈ $25 USD
Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.
Mid-range
EGP 3,065–EGP 61,308 / day
≈ $60 USD
Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.
Luxury
EGP 61,308–EGP 91,963 / day
≈ $1,200 USD
Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.
Estimates are per person, per day, in EGP. USD equivalents use open.er-api.com exchange rates from 3 Sep 2026.
Make it your trip
What could your trip cost?
Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.
Estimated trip budget · EGP
7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range
- Daily budget per person
- EGP 3,065–EGP 61,308
- Season adjustment
- ×1
An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.
Where the money goes
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | EGP 25 | EGP 75 | EGP 225 |
| Eat | EGP 5 | EGP 15 | EGP 45 |
| Do | EGP 100 | EGP 300 | EGP 500 |
| Categories combined | EGP 130 | EGP 390 | EGP 770 |
Category figures are typical daily spends; the tier totals above them include everyday extras, so the two need not match to the unit.
Everyday prices
- Prices
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Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2.98,"avg":3.45,"max":5.02,"usd":{"min":"0.06","avg":"0.07","max":"0.10"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"EGP"},{"good_id":64,"item_name":"Summer Dress in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":399.69,"avg":819.63,"max":1498.92,"usd":{"min":"8.21","avg":"16.83","max":"30.77"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"EGP"},{"good_id":65,"item_name":"Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages for 20 Years Fixed-Rate, Yearly, Fixed-Rate","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":11.63,"avg":12.92,"max":14.21,"measure":"percent"},{"good_id":68,"item_name":"Imported Beer, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":22.92,"avg":40.35,"max":59.97,"usd":{"min":"0.47","avg":"0.83","max":"1.23"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"EGP"}]
- Currency
- EGP
- Exchange rate
- EGP 1
Typical prices at the time of research, in EGP; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.
Prices through the year
- Low×0.9
- High×1.2
- Shoulder×1
Stretch your budget
Ways to save
- Get Cairo Pass ($130) only if visiting multiple major sites – individual tickets may be cheaper in 2024
- Students under 30 get 50% discount at Pyramids, Egyptian Museum with valid student ID
- Travel during low season (May-September) for cheapest flights and accommodation despite heat
- Stay in shared hostel dorms ($5-8/night) or basic private rooms ($15/night) in downtown Cairo
- Eat street food: shawarma $2, falafel sandwich $1, Arabic bread 5 cents from local vendors
- Use unmetered taxis and agree on price before getting in, or use very affordable public transport
- Bargain is essential – haggling is part of culture, not doing so means getting ripped off
- Arrive without reservations and negotiate hotel prices down – can save 75% vs pre-booking
- Eat at casual street restaurants instead of guesthouses – pay 1/4 the price for same food
- Group attractions together in big cities like Cairo to minimize transport costs
- Pack face masks and sunglasses for sandstorm season (March-May) to avoid buying expensive gear
- Choose soda over alcohol with meals to keep spending down
- Navigate Khan El Khalili or Mohammed Ali Street markets for authentic cheap food
- Use budget airline Sphinx International at Giza for cheaper European connections since 2023
Budget tips
- Stay in central neighborhoods with good metro access to reduce transport costs
- Use the Cairo Metro and ride hailing apps instead of negotiating every taxi trip
- Eat koshari, falafel, and grilled meals at busy local spots for excellent value
- Visit major sites early in the day to avoid heat, crowds, and unnecessary spending on last-minute tours
Worth the splurge
- Sunset dinner cruise on the Nile with live music.
- Helicopter tour over the Pyramids of Giza.
- Spa treatment at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza.
- Private after-hours tour of the Egyptian Museum.
Local discounts
- Cairo Pass
- Student Discounts
Free things to do
- {"name": "Khan el-Khalili Bazaar", "tips": "Arrive before 10 a.m. to browse with fewer touts", "bestTime": "Early morning or after 8 p.m. when lanterns glow", "description": "Labyrinthine souk dating to the 14th-century famous for spices, silver and handcrafted souvenirs"}
- {"name": "Al-Azhar Mosque", "tips": "Carry a scarf; shoes must be removed at entrance", "bestTime": "Weekday mid-morning between prayers", "description": "One of the world’s oldest universities and a jewel of Fatimid architecture"}
- {"name": "Al-Muizz Street", "tips": "Start at Bab al-Futuh gate and walk south for chronological order", "bestTime": "Sunset when minarets are flood-lit", "description": "Pedestrian spine of Islamic Cairo lined with restored Mamluk and Fatimid monuments"}
- {"name": "Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary)", "tips": "Look for the suspended nave above the Roman gatehouse", "bestTime": "9–11 a.m. before mass ends", "description": "Coptic basilica dating to the 3rd century famed for its wooden iconostasis"}
- {"name": "Abu Serga Church (St Sergius & Bacchus)", "tips": "Combine with Ben Ezra Synagogue in the same compound", "bestTime": "Late morning when the crypt is open", "description": "Ancient basilica believed to shelter the Holy Family during their exile"}
- {"name": "Nile Corniche (Mamsha Ahl Misr)", "tips": "Begin at Qasr El-Nil Bridge and follow the lower deck riverwalk", "bestTime": "Dusk for pastel sky reflections", "description": "4-km riverside promenade with benches, cafés and sweeping Nile views"}
- {"name": "Tahrir Square", "tips": "Download a 2011 revolution audio tour", "bestTime": "Golden hour for photos of the Egyptian Museum façade", "description": "Historic plaza that served as the epicenter of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising"}
- {"name": "Zamalek Island Stroll", "tips": "Explore 26th of July Street’s boutiques then detour to leafy side alleys", "bestTime": "Late afternoon to catch gallery openings", "description": "Cosmopolitan district on Gezira Island known for art spaces, cafés and embassies"}
- {"name": "Al-Hussein Mosque & Square", "tips": "Enjoy free evening majlis with tea from surrounding kiosks", "bestTime": "After sunset when the square fills with families", "description": "12th-century mosque and lively plaza adjacent to Khan el-Khalili"}
- {"name": "Islamic Cairo Free Walking Tour", "tips": "Reserve online and tip the guide in Egyptian pounds", "bestTime": "9 a.m. departure to avoid midday heat", "description": "Pay-what-you-wish guided walk covering gates, mosques and crafts of historic quarter"}
Frequently asked questions
How expensive is Cairo?
Daily costs €30-50 for budget travelers (hostels, street food, public transport).
Best money-saving tips?
Use local minibuses (microbuses), eat at street stalls, book hostels in advance, share rides, visit free attractions.
Average meal cost?
Budget €3, mid-range €6, fine dining €20.
Safety?
Generally safe; watch out for petty pickpockets, avoid political gatherings, agree on taxi fares upfront, and keep valuables discreet.
Planning the trip? Read the full Cairo guide.
Budget