One Day In Cairo

[Agamemnon]

Do the Pyramids... but do NOT ride a camel to and from them. They'll chap your ass like no one's business.

[Flames89]

How long to "do the pyramids"? How would you get there from downtown?

[surferguy]

taxi if i remember... can't remember how long though...sorry.

[FacePaint]

Originally Posted by worth

I plan on going to Egypt for 3 weeks as well. No tour, I plan on traveling on my own. I take it the rest of the trip was good outside of Cairo?

My spelling will be off but we did Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, St. Catherines, Dahab... all great! Cairo is a little intimidating at first with the crazy traffic, littering, and as a white couple we were like a circus act. Luxor was probably my favorite- Valley of the Kings is great, but I really enjoyed the Workers Villiage too.

[FacePaint]

Originally Posted by Flames89

How long to "do the pyramids"? How would you get there from downtown?

Depending what time of day you leave it can be from 15-45 minutes. You can see them in half a day.

[Flambé]

I walked from the Pyramids (or the Pizza Hut across from the Sphinx, to be exact) to our hotel The Grand Pyramids and it was about a 20 minute walk. Fairly easy to get there, be it by taxi or guide.

Don't let the locals dress you up as a sheik and take your picture. Big time rip off! As well, if you want to see the tombs nearby, be prepared to tip, or ignore them when they request the tip after letting you in. Pyramids should be a quick trip. In and out.

Good old bakeesh.

If you get a chance to see a Whirling Dervish show, take it. Very cool. Once a week though, if I'm remembering correctly.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Do the Pyramids... but do NOT ride a camel to and from them. They'll chap your ass like no one's business.

But definitely ride a camel somewhere. It was a highlight for us. Hang on tight when it goes down do it doesn't pitch you over the beast's head.