Egypt · Africa
Cairo, Egypt: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 9.6MCurrency: EGPTime zone: Africa/Cairo
US travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Best months to visit
Mar, Apr, Oct and Nov
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the country's largest city, with a population of about 9.6 million people. It sits at the northern end of the Nile and serves as the cultural and administrative center of the country, home to the pyramids of Giza on its outskirts and a long list of museums, mosques, and markets. Prices in Egypt are low by international standards, and daily costs for a visitor break down into three tiers: about $20 a day for a budget trip, $40 for a mid-range visit, and $90 for a more comfortable, luxury-leaning stay. Over a full week those add up to $140, $280, and $630. The climate is dry almost year round, with the most comfortable weather and the highest visit scores in March, April, October, and November, while June through August bring the hottest temperatures and count as the off season for both crowds and prices. Travelers should also be aware of the US State Department's country-level advisory and the UK Foreign Office's detailed guidance on safety, scams, and local customs before planning a trip.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
21°
4mm
Feb
20°
2mm
Mar
26°
5mm
Apr
30°
1mm
May
34°
1mm
Jun
38°
0mm
Jul
40°
0mm
Aug
39°
0mm
Sep
36°
0mm
Oct
31°
0mm
Nov
27°
2mm
Dec
22°
4mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in Cairo cost?
A seven-day trip runs about $140 on a budget itinerary, $280 at a mid-range level, and $630 if traveling in more comfort. These totals scale directly from the daily estimates of $20, $40, and $90.
When is the best time to visit Cairo?
March, April, October, and November have the highest visit scores, with warm but not extreme daytime highs, low rainfall, and strong sunshine hours. These months avoid both the winter chill of January and February and the intense heat of summer.
Is Cairo safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Egypt Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, and this advisory applies at the country level rather than specifically to Cairo. The UK Foreign Office notes that most visits are trouble-free but flags terrorism risk, occasional scams in tourist areas, and reports of sexual harassment, mainly in Red Sea resorts rather than in Cairo itself.
Is a budget trip to Cairo realistic?
Yes, the budget daily estimate is $20, which covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport. Travelers sticking to this tier over a week would spend around $140 total.
When is the cheapest time to visit?
June, July, and August are listed as the off season, which is also the cheapest and quietest time to visit despite also falling within the peak season window for July and August. Temperatures are highest in these months, with July highs averaging 39.6C.
What about food and getting around the city?
Cairo offers a wide range of food options, from inexpensive street food to full-service restaurants, and these costs are built into the daily budget and mid-range estimates of $20 and $40. Local transport, including taxis and the metro, is inexpensive and factored into the same daily figures.
Keep reading
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.