Although a stunning and crowded labyrinth at first sight, you will find that it is actually quite easy finding your path in Cairo. The best way to move around is by taxi. Compared to Western standards, taxis are very cheap in Cairo , and there is at least one official black and white cab to hail just around the corner. There are also Peugeot taxis in a variety of colors and sizes – make sure they all have the emblem and the number painted on the driver's door.
As the meters do not usually work, make sure you agree on the price before getting into the cab. Although most taxi drivers are honest, you do not know when you will find one of the few trying to cheat the unwary foreigners. Also, keep in mind that single men sit in front and single women in the back, and don’t get scared if you pick up some other passengers along the way – it's quite usual in the crowded city of Cairo! Sure, for a much more elegant getting around, you can always order a curbside limousine service, offered by Misr (Egyptian) Limousine.
A very inexpensive and comfortable way of getting around in Cairo is the metro – actually the only system in Africa! Make sure you get into the right carriage, as the first one is for women only. The stations are quite clean and, excepting the rush hours, you will find them not too crowded.
For Heliopolis you have yet another option - one of the few surviving tram lines, connecting with central Cairo.
Consider the river bus (felucca) as a lovely way to admire the city from the Nile , especially in the evenings. Boats depart for a landing over on the Giza side of the river, while the last stop is for Coptic Cairo.
Although increasingly popular among the locals, the buses and minibuses are not a recommended way for geting around in Cairo – they get extremely crowded, and, as the routes are not marked, they might get tricky unless you actually speak and read Arabic.
Think of hiring a car only if you have excellent nerves and a strong heart, as the traffic is crazy, crazy, crazy, and it sometimes seems like there are no rules at all!
