Cairo is one of the world’s most spectacular, vibrant, and heavily populated cities. It has an abundance of energy, nightlife, sights to see, and things to do. Despite the crowding, crime is extremely low and visitors are treated well, especially if they try to speak a little Arabic. The city offers a multitude of restaurants and hotels for the business traveler, as well as some great places to shop for gifts to bring home.

Business Hours/Etiquette

The official weekend in Egypt is Friday and Saturday, and government and business offices are closed on these days. Most restaurants and shops are open these days, except during Friday prayers. Hours for business and government offices are usually 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but do not be surprised if 8 a.m. is not an exact opening time. Again, restaurants and shops are more flexible with their hours and are often open well into the night, but not during the early morning. During Ramadan, hours will be adjusted, resulting in later opening times and earlier closing times to accommodate breaking the fast.

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound, which is called a guinay in Arabic. Money-changing facilities are located throughout the city, especially at major hotels and in the downtown business district. Hotels, many restaurants, and many shops accept credit cards and traveler’s checks. Visitors will need cash, though, for taxicabs, tips, and purchases of beverages and gifts.

Although visitors will see many men in Cairo wearing galabeyas (the traditional Egyptian long tunic), business dress for men is a suit and tie. For women, the dress code is conservative, but women should not feel uncomfortable wearing a Western business pantsuit or skirt suit, provided the skirt is not too short and the blouse is not too low cut. Women do not need to have their head or hair covered by a scarf in Cairo.

Finally, many government officials and businesspeople speak fluent English (and French). The staff at major hotels and upscale restaurants also speak English. The only difficulty with communication may be with taxi drivers or shop owners, but friendly, English-speaking Cairenes are more than willing to help bridge the communication gap.

Transportation

The best form of transportation in Cairo for the business traveler is the taxi, which is inexpensive and reliable. Drivers generally know the location of major hotels and sites, and, even if they don’t know the location, they will get the assistance of neighborhood locals until they find the destination. Taxis congregate at major hotels, and hotel employees are willing to help visitors communicate their destinations to drivers. Many drivers speak a little English, French, or German, but many don’t, so it is often best to catch a cab at a hotel to ensure that the hotel staff can assist with communication. Visitors will need cash to pay for taxis, and small bills are best.

When traveling to or from the airport, some hotels offer courtesy shuttle services or will arrange for a private car for a minimal fee. In addition, hotels often have private cars with drivers for daily or hourly rentals for transportation around the city. If this option is available, it may be wise to utilize it because private cars have air conditioning and taxis likely don’t.

Cairo has a subway system and buses, but both should probably be avoided during a business trip. Buses are crowded and the routes are difficult to discern, and the subway may not reach all your destinations. Given the inexpensive nature of taxis, stick with them.

Important Tips

Be careful when crossing streets. Cairo is jammed with traffic, both pedestrian and vehicle, and buses do not always stop at lights.

Riding in a taxi in Cairo can be a white-knuckle experience. What appears to be one lane somehow morphs into three with all the cars jockeying for space. Also, distance between the cars is minimal. Despite all the madness, you will reach your destination.

Don’t drink the tap water. There are many bottled water choices, including imported.

Like many places outside the United States, pharmacies sell most medicines without a prescription—and many administer shots on the premises. Whatever you might need can be located, and major hotels often include small shops selling medicines.

You will need electrical adapters for your U.S. appliances or computers. Many hotels have adapters, but it’s best to bring one.

Hotels

Hotel rates are inexpensive in Cairo compared to those in other world capitals. The following list features luxury hotels with business centers, restaurants, gyms, and concierge services.

Cairo Marriott
Shari’a Saray el Gezira
Zamalek
20-2-735-8888
Located in Zamalek, a great neighborhood on an island in the middle of the Nile with lots of restaurants and nightlife, but still close to downtown.

Grand Hyatt Cairo
Corniche El Nile
Garden City, Roda Island
20-2-365-1234
Located downtown on the Nile with great views and great outdoor dining. Lunch and dinner cruises aboard the hotel’s yacht.

Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino
Midan el Galae (Galae Square)
Giza
20-2-336-9700
On the western bank of the Nile in a bustling neighborhood.

Mena House Oberoi
Pyramids Road
Giza
20-2-383-3222
A wonderful hotel located near the Pyramids that is a favorite among visitors.

Four Seasons Hotel
35 Shari’a Giza
Giza
20-2-573-1212
On the western bank of the Nile and attached to the upscale First Residence complex.

Ramses Hilton
1115 Corniche El Nile
20-2-577-7444
Downtown with a top-floor restaurant featuring great views of the city.
Internet

All major hotels have Internet access in the business centers and wireless or dataport connections in the rooms. Internet cafés are also popping up around the city and are inexpensive.

Restaurants

Cairo has everything you might want in terms of cuisine, from sushi to fondue and, of course, Middle Eastern. Many top restaurants can be found in luxury hotels, but if you are willing to venture out a little, you will find some hidden gems. Cairo, however, is a city of nightlife, and many restaurants outside of hotels do not start serving until 7 p.m. at the earliest, but 8 p.m. is a better bet. Even at 8 p.m., you may be alone. Don’t let that discourage you—the food is good and the experience is even better.

Chin Chin (Chinese)
4 Shari’a Hassan Sabri
Zamalek
Serving excellent Chinese food, it is one of four restaurants in the Four Corners complex.

Kandahar (Indian)
3 Shari’a Gamia’at ed Duwal el Arabiya
Mohandiseen
Near the El Nabila hotel. Ride the golden elevator to the restaurant and ask for a table near the windows. Right next door is Raoucha, offering Lebanese cuisine.

Fish Market (Seafood)
26 Shari’a El Nile
Americana Boat
Giza
Considered the best seafood restaurant in Cairo and found on a boat moored on the Nile. Downstairs is a TGIFriday’s.

Le Steak (Steak)
Shari’a Saray el Gezira
Le Pacha 1901 Boat
Zamalek
Located in a boat moored on the Nile and near the Cairo Marriott. The boat hosts several restaurants serving steak, Middle Eastern, Italian, and pub food.

Nile Maxim
33 Shari’a Saray el Gezira
Zamalek
Not recommended particularly for the food—which is buffet—but for the experience of the Nile River cruise. Dinner cruises are every night; lunch cruises on weekends.

American Food

If the urge hits, there are a multitude of American fast-food or dining establishments around the city. Chili’s, Applebee’s, and TGIFriday’s have locations on boats moored in the Nile. The food is the same as at the American locations, and the restaurants are popular haunts for well-to-do young Cairenes.

Middle Eastern Food

The best place to get Middle Eastern food, especially Egyptian, is from one of the many small shops located virtually everywhere in the city. You can find hummus, shwarma, and falafel (called tammiya in Egypt) at these locations as delicious as in a luxury hotel. Eating at a local haunt, however, is definitely for the more adventurous traveler.

Sites to See with Limited Time

Pyramids
Egyptian Museum
Khan al Khalili market
Monumental temples at Abu Simbel
Nile Cruise—either a dinner cruise or a felucca ride

Carrie Newton Lyons

Carrie Newton Lyons is a law student at Harvard Law School and the liaison between the ABA Law Student Division and the ABA Section of International Law. She has lived and studied in Cairo and has traveled around the world.