How Much Does Cairo Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Cairo offers an incredibly wide range of spending possibilities, making it one of the most budget-friendly major capitals for travelers. While street food and public transit are exceptionally cheap, costs can escalate quickly through world-class museum fees and luxury Nile-side experiences. Daily budgets typically range from $82 / E£4,323 for budget-conscious solo travelers to over $410 / E£21,616 for those seeking high-end luxury. Visitors should prepare for a landscape where the primary expenses are entrance tickets to historic sites, while day-to-day living costs remain low. The city provides a unique value proposition where a $1.7 / E£90 meal can be just as iconic as a $265 / E£13,966 night in a five-star hotel.
Is Cairo expensive to visit?
Cairo is very affordable for most travelers, with daily costs typically ranging between $82 / E£4,323 and $410 / E£21,616 depending on your accommodation and sightseeing choices.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Cairo
$82
per person /day
$187
per person /day
$410
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $246 | $562 | $1,230 |
| 5-Day Trip | $410 | $937 | $2,049 |
| 7-Day Trip | $574 | $1,312 | $2,869 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to account for the ~26% combined tax and service charge at restaurants and the frequent need for small 'baksheesh' tips of ~$0.84 / E£44. Travelers planning on professional photography should also set aside ~$6.35 / E£335 per major site for mandatory camera permits.
How Does It Compare?
See how Cairo stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Cairo
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Meal (Koshary) A massive, filling meal for ~$1.7 / E£90. | $1.7 E£90 |
| Mid-range Restaurant Dinner Average cost per person is ~$14 / E£726 excluding alcohol. | $14 E£726 |
| Local Beer (Stella/Sakara) Alcohol is only served in licensed bars and hotels. Price is ~$3.81 / E£201. | $3.81 E£201 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cairo Metro Ticket (Long Distance) Tickets cost between ~$0.16 / E£8.65 and ~$0.42 / E£22 depending on the number of stations. | $0.42 E£22 |
| Uber Ride (Downtown to Giza) Much safer and more reliable than metered taxis. Price is ~$5.29 / E£279. | $5.29 E£279 |
| Airport Transfer (Private Car) Expect to pay ~$12 / E£614 for a pre-booked or official airport car. | $12 E£614 |
| River Bus (Nile Ferry) A very cheap way to see the city from the water (~$0.32 / E£17). | $0.32 E£17 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dahab Hostel (Dorm Bed) Rooftop hostel in Downtown Cairo. Privates are available from ~$18 / E£926. | $16 E£868 |
| Garden City Plaza Hotel (Double Room) Mid-range option in a quiet district. | $60 E£3,161 |
| The St. Regis Cairo (Luxury Double Room) 5-star luxury on the Nile. | $265 E£13,966 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Giza Pyramids & Great Pyramid Interior Standard adult international price for full access to the plateau and the main pyramid interior is ~$47 / E£2,455. | $47 E£2,455 |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Full Access Prices vary by tour level. The most comprehensive tour is ~$36 / E£1,897. | $36 E£1,897 |
| Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square) Student ticket is 275 EGP with valid ID. Entrance is ~$12 / E£614. | $12 E£614 |
| Salah El-Din Citadel Includes access to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Cost is ~$9.52 / E£502. | $9.52 E£502 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vodafone Tourist SIM (30GB) Available at the airport and major city branches for ~$12 / E£614. | $12 E£614 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining scene is defined by its affordability and variety, with a filling meal of koshary costing as little as $1.7 / E£90. Even a mid-range dinner at a sit-down restaurant averages around $14 / E£726 per person, though travelers should account for a combined ~26% extra for service charges and VAT. While alcohol is restricted to licensed venues like hotel bars where a local beer costs about $3.81 / E£201, the abundance of street food keeps the daily food budget very low.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Koshary Abou Tarek
$1.26–$2.54 / E£67–E£134Downtown · Local chain
The most famous koshary spot in the world. Try the spicy sauce cautiously—it is ~$0.12 / E£6.18 for extra.
Felfela
$3.17–$7.4 / E£167–E£390Downtown · Local chain
Famous for ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel) and foul. Great for a classic sit-down breakfast.
Zooba
$2.54–$5.93 / E£134–E£313Zamalek · Local chain
Modern, clean take on street food. The hibiscus tea (karkadeh) is excellent for ~$1.41 / E£74.
Gad
$1.7–$4.23 / E£90–E£223Multiple locations · Local chain
Reliable 24-hour spot for shawarma and pizza. Very popular with locals.
Oldish
$4.23–$9.52 / E£223–E£502Downtown · Local chain
Located near Tahrir Square, it offers a peaceful escape with meals for ~$6.44 / E£340.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is highly cost-effective, with the Cairo Metro charging between $0.16 / E£8.65 and $0.42 / E£22 per ticket. For longer distances or comfort, Uber is the preferred choice over metered taxis, with a ride from Downtown to the Giza Pyramids costing roughly $5.29 / E£279. Those looking for a scenic and cheap route can utilize the River Bus Nile ferry for just $0.32 / E£17.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging caters to all extremes, from budget-friendly rooftop dorms in Downtown Cairo like Dahab Hostel for $16 / E£868 to mid-range stays in quiet districts like Garden City for approximately $60 / E£3,161. Luxury seekers will find world-class options like the St. Regis Cairo for around $265 / E£13,966, offering premium views of the Nile. The best value is often found in the historical districts of Downtown and Garden City, which provide central access to major sites.
Accommodation Budget in Cairo
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) to get 50% off entrance fees at sites like the Egyptian Museum, where a student ticket is only about $5.82 / E£307.
- 2 Stick to local favorites like Koshary Abou Tarek or Gad for filling meals under $2.34 / E£124.
- 3 Prioritize the Cairo Metro for cross-city travel to avoid traffic and keep costs under $0.47 / E£25 per trip.
- 4 Purchase a Vodafone Tourist SIM at the airport for ~$12 / E£614 to avoid expensive roaming charges while using navigation apps.
- 5 Opt for the River Bus for ~$0.32 / E£17 to get a water-level view of the city instead of expensive private boat tours.
- 6 Walk between sites in the Zamalek or Downtown areas, as these districts are pedestrian-friendly and offer a wealth of architecture for free.
- 7 Pre-book the official Egypt Tourist E-Visa online to avoid the ~$27 / E£1,436 fee plus potential processing delays at the airport.
- 8 Carry small change to handle 'Baksheesh' (tips) of ~$0.84 / E£44, which are expected for minor services like restroom access.
- 9 Visit the Giza plateau early at 08:00 to avoid the heat and the pressure to hire expensive horse carriages.
- 10 Drink bottled water purchased from local grocery stores rather than at the entrance of major tourist attractions where prices are doubled.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb
+30-50%
Jun, Jul, Aug
-25-40%
Mar, Oct, Nov
Winter is high season with perfect weather of 18–22°C (64–72°F). Summer is brutally hot, often exceeding 40°C (104°F), which leads to significant hotel discounts.
Events to Watch
- ● Cairo International Film Festival (Nov): +20% hotels
- ● Eid al-Fitr (dates vary): High domestic travel demand
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking through the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar to experience the atmosphere of the 14th-century marketplace.
- 2 Visiting the Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church) in Coptic Cairo.
- 3 Exploring the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), believed to have sheltered the Holy Family.
- 4 Crossing the Qasr el-Nil Bridge on foot at sunset to see the Nile and the city skyline.
- 5 Visiting the Ben Ezra Synagogue, a significant historical site in Old Cairo.
- 6 Walking through Tahrir Square, the historic heart of modern Cairo.
- 7 Wandering the leafy, upscale streets of the Zamalek island district.
- 8 Admiring the exterior architecture of the Cairo Opera House grounds.
- 9 Exploring the Monastery of Saint Simon (the Cave Church) in the Mokattam Mountain.
- 10 Visiting the Church of Saint Barbara in the Coptic district.
- 11 Walking along El-Muizz Street to see the highest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture (entry to specific buildings costs extra).
- 12 Visiting the Church of Saint George (Mari Girgis), a unique Greek Orthodox round church.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Sunset Felucca Ride
The ultimate Cairo experience. Sailing the Nile at sunset is worth every penny of the ~$17 / E£892 cost.
Grand Nile Tower Revolving Restaurant
360-degree views of the city, the Nile, and the Pyramids in the distance. A meal is ~$53 / E£2,790.
Full Day Private Egyptologist Guide
Having an expert explain Saqqara and Giza in depth transforms the experience. Roughly ~$74 / E£3,906 for the day.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Cairo
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Cairo and what they cost
Saqqara & Memphis
$25 / E£1,339 by private car
$9.52 / E£502
$53 / E£2,790
Alexandria
$11 / E£558 by train
$6.35 / E£335
$38 / E£2,009
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
1 $ ≈ 53 E£
Yes
Cards are standard in hotels and luxury malls, but cash is mandatory for markets, local restaurants, and street food.
10-15% is common in restaurants even if service is included. Round up taxi fares. Give ~$0.59–$1.17 / E£31–E£62 for small services.
ATMs are everywhere. Use bank-attached ATMs (like CIB, Banque Misr) for security. Avoid independent machines. Withdrawals usually capped at ~$84–$170 / E£4,447–E£8,955.
Essential in Khan el-Khalili and for Nile boats. Start at 50% of the asking price and aim for 60-70%. Never bargain in pharmacies or supermarkets.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.37–$18 for 5GB-10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $11–$14 / E£587–E£741 for 30GB-40GB bundles
WiFi: Available in upscale cafes in Zamalek and hotel lobbies; rare in public spaces.
Buy a local Vodafone SIM at the airport on arrival; it is faster and cheaper than eSIMs.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Cairo.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
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