Is Cairo expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Cairo is cheap for food, transport and hotels by European standards, but the big sights are not: ticket prices for foreigners have risen sharply and are pegged to hard currency. Plan on about EGP 2,800 a day per person on a budget, EGP 6,500 mid-range and EGP 16,500 for comfort. Entry tickets, drivers and guides take most of the money; a koshari lunch costs less than €2.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | EGP1,000 | EGP2,500 | EGP8,000 |
| Food & drink | EGP500 | EGP1,200 | EGP3,000 |
| Sights & tickets | EGP1,000 | EGP2,000 | EGP3,500 |
| Local transport | EGP300 | EGP800 | EGP2,000 |
| Per person, per day | EGP2,800 | EGP6,500 | EGP16,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cairo day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bowl of koshari | roughly EGP 40–100 |
| Ta'ameya (falafel) sandwich | roughly EGP 10–30 |
| Sugar-cane juice | about EGP 15–30 |
| Grilled kofta, per quarter-kilo | roughly EGP 300–600 |
| Metro ride | a few tens of pounds at most, depending on distance |
| Uber across central Cairo | often around EGP 100–250, more to Giza at rush hour |
| Giza Pyramids general ticket | several hundred pounds for foreigners; extra to enter the Great Pyramid |
| Grand Egyptian Museum ticket | over EGP 1,000 for foreign adults — check the official site |
| Mid-range pyramid-view or Zamalek double room | EGP 3,000–7,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Sights are the biggest expense: Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, the Citadel and the Egyptian Museum each charge foreigners prices that have risen quickly in recent years, and extras such as entering the Great Pyramid or taking photos in some sites are charged separately. A private driver or guide for Saqqara and Dahshur adds to that. Hotels are cheap downtown but much more expensive with Nile or pyramid views. Food is the cheapest part of a trip: street food costs very little, although sit-down restaurants add 14% VAT and often a 12% service charge.
When it is cheaper
Summer (June to August) is the low season, with hotel rates and tour prices often lower than in the November–February peak, but highs reach 36–38°C. Entry tickets do not change with the season.
How to spend less
- Use Uber or Careem instead of street taxis: prices are fixed in the app and you avoid haggling.
- Share a private driver for Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis with other travellers; a car for the day is often cheaper than separate tours.
- Eat where Egyptians eat — ful, ta'ameya and koshari shops downtown — and ask prices before ordering in tourist areas.
- Buy tickets for the GEM and Giza on the official sites and check what is included before paying for extras.
- Carry small notes for tips (baksheesh), which are expected for small services.
- Check whether your student card qualifies for reduced entry; many sites offer large student discounts.
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Common questions
Is Cairo expensive for tourists?
Food, hotels and transport are cheap, but entry tickets for foreigners are high and priced close to hard-currency levels.
How much does it cost to visit the Pyramids?
The general Giza ticket costs several hundred Egyptian pounds for foreigners, with extra tickets to enter the Great Pyramid. Check current prices on the official site.
Do I need to tip in Cairo?
Yes, small tips (baksheesh) are expected for services. Check whether a restaurant has already added a 12% service charge.