My girlfriend and I are booked onto this tour Day1 6thOct09, arrival in Cairo Airport at 15:25.
This tour does not come with an airport transfer to our Hotel.
(1)I am concerned about getting a taxi to our Hotel. Would we be better off pre-booking now via our Travel Agent, or taking our chances and getting a taxi at the airport?
(2) what is the recommended currency to obtain on arrival for this tour? Egypt pounds? are they best for taxi's? How much should we expect to pay (Each) to get to the hotel.
(3) Will there be others on the same tour with us?
(4) my friend is a vegetarian, will this be a problem, or should she buy up some food before to take on the trip?
I presume our trip dossier will detail the amount of local currency we need to pay to the tour leader. Will this also include any "bakeeksh" payments?
Thanks
LYN
Taxis in Cairo and other issues
My recommendation would be to book through ImTrav -- the taxi drivers in Cairo don't seem to know where they are going -- not sure whether it is a tourist "game" but they tend to stop and continually ask directions with the meter running and taking about twice as long as a trip should take. We had a great driver through ImTrav who waited 3 hours for our delayed plane!
Another example, the last night in Cairo we went to a well known restaurant called the Sequoia right on the Nile River and the taxi got "lost" a couple of times although he sought directions at our hotel prior to leaving for the restaurant. We ended up getting out of the cab and walking!
Also the taxi drivers pretend that they don't know where the hotels are which is a real problem. Always carry a card with the hotel address and directions!
Other information:
Money, there is an exchange right at the airport to convert funds to Egyptian pounds -- the money is very dirty and stinks so wash after touching.
There is a tipping kitty as well as a local payment so you won't need additional money for tipping other than to tip the tour director at the end of the trip. I believe they recommend $3 USD per day but see your dossier.
The shopkeepers in Egypt are very aggressive so don't enter a shop unless you are prepared to buy.
As to food you can get almost anything you want with or without "meat" so your friend so be okay but she should let the tour director know her dietary restrictions.
Your tour and country dossiers should provide more information. Have a great trip!
Maureen
Vancouver, BC Canada
White desert extension
Thanks Maureen, your advice sounds great. You hear so many stories of "shonky" taxi drivers. I'd rather pay more money and have it all organised, then we can relax and enjoy instead of being stressed out
Thanks again
LYN.