Cairo Travel Cost: $2–$13/Day — 2026 Prices & Budget Guide
Based on 9 price checks·Prices in EGP (≈ USD)·Updated October 2026
Cairo offers remarkable value for travelers—if you can navigate its chaos. The same meal costs 30 EGP at a local ahwa or 200 EGP at a hotel restaurant. Egypt's recent currency devaluations have made it exceptionally affordable for visitors with foreign currency.
Popular in Cairo: everyday prices
Arriving by air? Fair transfer prices
Daily Budget by Traveler Type — Cairo (2026)
Estimated daily spend for food, drinks, and local transport. Excludes accommodation and flights.
≈ EGP 805 for a 7-day trip
Street food, public transport, budget accommodation. Eats where locals eat, walks when possible.
≈ EGP 4,725 for a 7-day trip
Mix of local restaurants and tourist spots, occasional taxi rides, comfortable guesthouses.
≈ EGP 6,125 for a 7-day trip
Kid-friendly restaurants, taxi for convenience, family rooms. Budget includes snacks and activities.
≈ EGP 560 for a 7-day trip
Minimal eating out, cooking when possible, free activities, coworking day passes.
Average Travel Costs in Cairo
Egyptian pricing has clear tiers. Street food and local cafés price for Egyptian incomes. Hotel restaurants, tourist sites, and anything near the pyramids prices for foreign visitors. The quality gap between tiers is smaller than the price gap suggests.
A typical daily budget for Cairo covers around EGP 85 (budget) to EGP 310 (mid-range) for food and drinks alone, excluding accommodation and transport.
How Pricing Works in Cairo
We track 9 everyday purchases in Cairo, across 4 categories (drinks, activities, food, transport). Averaged across all of them, visitor-facing prices run about 194% above what residents pay, based on figures last reviewed in October 2026.
The widest gap in Cairo is coffee: EGP 20–40 at local prices against EGP 80–150 in the visitor zone. The most consistent is uber ride at EGP 30–80, which is priced much the same wherever you buy it.
Read down the tables below in that order: the items with the widest spread are where a few minutes of care in Cairo are worth the most, and the tight ones need no thought at all.
Cost of Food, Transport & Activities
Cairo Price List — All Items (2026)
Local prices vs tourist-area prices. Tap any row for a detailed breakdown.
| Item | Local Price | Tourist Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks | ||||
| Coffee | EGP 20–40 | EGP 80–150 | ||
| Shisha | EGP 30–60 | EGP 100–200 | ||
| Activities | ||||
| Egyptian Museum | EGP 200–200 | EGP 300–500 | ||
| Felucca Ride | EGP 100–200 | EGP 300–500 | ||
| Pyramids Entry | EGP 200–200 | EGP 450–600 | ||
| Food | ||||
| Ful and Falafel | EGP 15–35 | EGP 50–100 | ||
| Koshari | EGP 25–50 | EGP 80–150 | ||
| Transport | ||||
| Metro Ticket | EGP 5–10 | EGP 20–30 | ||
| Uber Ride | EGP 30–80 | EGP 100–200 | ||
All prices in EGP. Ranges reflect neighborhood and venue variation.
How Much Does a 7-Day Trip to Cairo Cost? (2026)
Estimated total vacation cost for 7 nights in Cairo, including food, drinks, transport, and accommodation.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food (3 meals/day) | EGP 45 | EGP 128 | EGP 300 |
| Drinks & coffee | EGP 60 | EGP 180 | EGP 450 |
| Local transport | EGP 30 | EGP 90 | EGP 400 |
| Accommodation | EGP 120 | EGP 850 | EGP 3,500 |
| Daily total | EGP 255 | EGP 1,248 | EGP 4,650 |
| 7-day total | EGP 1,785 | EGP 8,733 | EGP 32,550 |
Budget = local prices, street food, hostels. Mid-range = mix of local and tourist spots, 3-star hotels. Comfort = tourist-area dining, 4-star hotels. Excludes flights and activities.
Best Time to Visit Cairo — Seasonal Prices
Prices in Cairo fluctuate by season. Visiting during shoulder or off-season can save you 20–30% on total trip costs.
October–April (cooler months)
~EGP 267/day
Accommodation +30%, flights +20–40%. Book 2–3 months ahead.
May and September
~EGP 205/day
Best value-to-experience ratio. Fewer crowds, fair weather, normal pricing.
June–August (extreme heat in many areas)
~EGP 144/day
Save 30% on accommodation. Some attractions may have reduced hours.
Local insight: October-April offers pleasant temperatures. Summer (June-August) is brutally hot but sees lower prices. Ramadan changes restaurant hours but offers unique iftar experiences.
Hidden Costs in Cairo Most Travelers Miss
These overlooked expenses can add 10–25% to your daily budget. Plan ahead to avoid surprises.
Currency Exchange & ATM Fees
2–5% per transaction
Use a multi-currency card (Wise, Revolut) to avoid markups.
Tourist Taxes & Entry Fees
Varies by destination
Research city taxes and attraction entry fees before you go.
SIM Card / Data Costs
$5–$20 for a tourist plan
eSIMs (Airalo) are often cheaper and more convenient than physical SIMs.
Tipping Expectations
0–20% depending on culture
Research local customs. Over-tipping can be as awkward as under-tipping.
Transport Surcharges
Airport taxis, baggage fees
Pre-book airport transfers or use public transport to avoid inflated taxi fares.
Tips for Cairo
- 1Koshari is the best value meal in Egypt—filling, delicious, and under 50 EGP
- 2Use Uber or Careem exclusively—regular taxis require exhausting negotiation
- 3Cairo Metro beats traffic and costs 5-10 EGP per ride
- 4Arrive at the Pyramids at 8am to beat crowds and heat
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- •Anyone approaching you unsolicited near tourist sites has an agenda—politely decline
- •Camel and horse rides at the Pyramids are overpriced scams—negotiate hard or skip
- •Taxi drivers will claim meters are broken—use ride apps instead
- •Papyrus and perfume shops offering 'free tea' are high-pressure sales situations
Frequently Asked Questions
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