Cairo Trip Cost Breakdown 2026: How Much Will You Spend?

One of the first questions any traveler asks: how much is this trip actually going to cost? Not the vague "it depends" answer that most travel blogs give — real numbers, broken down by category, so you can plan with confidence.

Here is what a trip to Cairo costs in 2026, from shoestring budget to full luxury, with detailed breakdowns for every major expense.

Daily Cost Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation	$5	$16	$72
Food & Drink	$5	$14	$45
Transport	$2	$5	$14
Activities & Entrance Fees	$2	$7	$31
Miscellaneous	$1	$3	$18
Daily Total	$15	$45	$180

These are per-person estimates for 2026. Couples sharing a room will spend less per person on accommodation; solo travelers will pay the full rate.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation is typically the biggest single expense and varies dramatically by neighborhood and quality.

Budget ($5/night)

• Hostels with dormitory beds or basic private rooms
• Guesthouses in neighborhoods outside the main tourist core
• Budget hotels with minimal amenities but clean rooms
• Where to look: Areas away from Giza — pyramids and Sphinx on the western plateau tend to be significantly cheaper

Mid-Range ($16/night)

• 3-star hotels in good locations with breakfast included
• Boutique guesthouses in the Giza — pyramids and Sphinx on the western plateau or Islamic Cairo — medieval mosques, madrasas, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar areas
• Apartment rentals with kitchen access (great for saving on food)
• This is the sweet spot for most travelers — comfortable without overspending

Luxury ($72/night)

• 4-5 star hotels in prime locations
• Boutique luxury properties with rooftop pools, spas, and concierge service
• Serviced apartments with premium finishes in Giza — pyramids and Sphinx on the western plateau

Pro tip: Booking 2–3 months in advance typically saves 15–25% compared to last-minute rates. Shoulder season rates can be 30–40% lower than peak (December to February and around Christmas/New Year).

Food & Drink Costs

Cairo's food scene is one of its highlights, and you can eat extraordinarily well at every budget level.

Budget ($5/day)

• Breakfast: Local bakery or street stall — $1
• Lunch: Street food or market meal — $2
• Dinner: Local restaurant in a non-tourist area — $2
• What to eat: Koshari — layers of lentils, rice, pasta, and crispy onions with tomato sauce from a street vendor is one of the best budget meals in the city

Mid-Range ($14/day)

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or cafe — $3
• Lunch: Sit-down restaurant — $4
• Dinner: Well-reviewed restaurant with drinks — $6
• Snacks & coffee: — $1
• What to eat: Ta'meya — Egyptian falafel made with fava beans instead of chickpeas at a proper sit-down restaurant is a must

Luxury ($45/day)

• Fine dining, tasting menus, rooftop restaurants, and craft cocktail bars
• What to eat: Molokhia — green jute leaf stew served over rice with garlic and coriander at a top-rated establishment
• Wine or cocktails at Cairo's best bars add $9 per evening

Local tip: The best meal-to-dollar ratio in Cairo is almost always at street-level eateries and markets. Tourist-facing restaurants near Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx charge 2–3x local prices for similar quality.

Transport Costs

Budget ($2/day)

• Cairo Metro is cheap and covers key areas including downtown and Giza
• Walking between central attractions (free and the best way to discover hidden corners)

Mid-Range ($5/day)

• Mix of public transit and occasional taxis or ride-shares
• Avoid driving yourself — Cairo traffic is among the most intense in the world

Luxury ($14/day)

• Private transfers, taxis for most trips, and possibly a hired driver for day trips
• Uber and Careem are essential for navigating Cairo's chaotic traffic

Getting from the airport: Budget $10–$35 for the airport transfer depending on whether you take public transit or a private car.

Activities & Entrance Fees

Budget ($2/day)

• Free walking tours (tip-based), parks, markets, and street exploration
• One paid attraction every other day
• Free highlights: Many of Cairo's best experiences cost nothing — walking through Giza — pyramids and Sphinx on the western plateau, visiting public parks, and people-watching at local cafes

Mid-Range ($7/day)

• 1–2 paid attractions per day (museums, temples, viewpoints)
• Occasional guided tours or food experiences
• Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx entrance: approximately $4
• Khan el-Khalili bazaar entrance: approximately $4

Luxury ($31/day)

• Private guided tours, skip-the-line access, exclusive experiences
• Cooking classes, spa visits, and premium cultural performances

Total Trip Cost by Duration

Duration	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
3 days	$45	$135	$540
5 days	$75	$225	$900
7 days	$105	$315	$1260
10 days	$150	$450	$1800

Per person, excluding international flights. Couples sharing accommodation will spend 20–30% less per person.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Hire a reputable guide for the Pyramids to avoid aggressive touts
2. Negotiate everything — from taxis to souvenirs to camel rides at the Pyramids
3. Visit the Pyramids at opening time (8 AM) to beat tour bus crowds
4. Visit free attractions — Parks, markets, and neighborhood walks cost nothing and are often the highlight of a trip
5. The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza houses Tutankhamun's treasures
6. Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen — breakfast and snacks from a supermarket save $6 per day
7. Cross streets assertively — Cairo traffic does not stop for pedestrians
8. Avoid currency exchange at the airport — Rates are always worse. Use ATMs or local exchanges instead
9. Set a daily cash budget in Egyptian Pound (EGP) and withdraw at the start of each day
10. Book activities directly rather than through hotel concierges, who typically add a 10–20% markup

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Tourist taxes: Some accommodations charge a nightly city or tourist tax ($1–$2/night)
• SIM card / data: A local SIM with data costs $2–$3 for a week
• Visa fees: Check whether Egypt requires a visa — costs vary by nationality
• Travel insurance: $5–$14 per day depending on coverage level
• Tipping: Research local tipping customs — some destinations expect it, others do not
• Baggage fees: Budget airlines charge for checked luggage ($15–$50 per bag)
• ATM withdrawal fees: Some banks charge $3–$5 per transaction; use fee-free cards when possible

Is Cairo Expensive?

Compared to other destinations in Africa: Cairo is quite affordable. Your money goes far here, especially for food and accommodation.

The verdict: A mid-range traveler spending $45 per day in Cairo will enjoy comfortable accommodation, excellent food, and access to all major attractions. That is a strong value proposition for what is genuinely one of Africa's best destinations.

Budget travelers can absolutely make it work for $15/day with careful planning. And at the luxury end, $180/day buys an outstanding experience by any global standard.

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