Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Cairo
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $17-57 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Cairo
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms
Food & Dining
$5-15 per day
Street food, local eateries, traditional fuul and ta'ameya vendors, local markets
Transportation
$1-5 per day
Public buses, metro system, walking, occasional microbus rides
Activities
$3-12 per day
Free mosque visits, walking tours of Islamic Cairo, occasional museum entries, Nile corniche strolls
Currency: EGP Egyptian Pound (prices shown in USD equivalent)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Cairo
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local fuul and ta'ameya stands instead of tourist restaurants (typically 70-80% cheaper)
Use the Cairo Metro system instead of taxis for transportation (usually 85-90% savings)
Visit mosques and Islamic Cairo for free cultural experiences instead of paid attractions
Buy bottled water from local shops rather than hotels (typically 60-70% cheaper)
Negotiate prices at Khan el-Khalili bazaar and always start at 30-40% of the asking price
Take public buses to Giza Pyramids instead of tour packages (generally 50-70% less expensive)
Stay in neighborhoods like Zamalek or Maadi instead of tourist areas for better accommodation value
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking taxis everywhere instead of using the metro system (typically 5-8x more expensive)
Eating only in tourist areas around major attractions (usually 100-150% markup over local prices)
Not negotiating prices at markets and with street vendors (can overpay by 200-300%)
Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season (typically 40-60% higher rates)