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First-class train companies
connect Cairo with Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, but other
local services are badly in need of an upgrade. A
combination of bus and ferry deals will get you safely at
Aqaba in Jordan. A bus transport is also available to and
from Libya.
Cairo's train system is surprisingly efficient, and the
stations are really clean. It's also very cheap and, outside
rush hours, not too crowded.
More and more Cairenes are
using private microbuses to get around. Destinations are not
written on microbus routes, so they are tricky to get around
unless you are used to their routes.
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Overcrowded buses and minibuses are still the most
usual form of getting around for the masses, but for
anyone who prefers breathing while traveling; taxis
are the only way to go. By Western standards, taxis
are very reasonable and there's always one
available.
The only instances when they aren't the best bet are
for long traveling, in which case they can get
really expensive. A new addition to the usual black
and white taxis are the many limousines, some
luxurious Mercedes, others reasonably new saloons,
all with air-conditioning and always with
functioning front and back seatbelts.
Called by phone, they are not
recommended for quick trips but are great for longer
journeys or daily hire. Don't believe those who tell you
that there is no bus available to the city centre from the
airport - there are in fact, two, plus a minibus. |
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Called by phone, they are not
recommended for quick trips but are great for longer
journeys or daily hire. Don't believe those who tell you
that there is no bus available to the city centre from the
airport - there are in fact, two, plus a minibus.
Driving in Cairo is not for the neophyte driver. It can get
very dangerous as local drivers are quite reckless. The
river bus terminal is at Maspero, on the Corniche in front
of the big round TV building. Boats depart frequently for
University, a landing over on the Giza side of the river,
just north of the University Bridge.
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Every second boat
goes on to south to Manial, Rhoda, Giza and Masr al-Qadima
(Old Cairo). The last stop is convenient for Coptic
Cairo. Most of Cairo's trams (known to Cairenes as
'metros') are no longer working. One of the few tram
lines left which visitors might use is the one
connecting central Cairo to Heliopolis.
The best and most reliable public transport in Cairo
is the Metro, which has the added advantage of being
very easy on the pocket. The route connects Helwan
in the south of the city to Heliopolis in the north
with various branches to Shubra, Ataba and Abdin.
There is also a subway connecting Giza and Shubra.
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Trains travels from
5.30am to midnight, the first carriage of each is for women
only. The avenues of Cairo are redolent with taxis, which
may have a fare meter but it is not often used. Fares are
not fixed and should be negotiated before the ride and are
often shared. Taxis from hotels usually cost double that of
flagged taxis.
The bus and minibus services running in the city are
considered risky for visitors because of overcrowding and
the risk of getting pick pocketed. You also need a working
knowledge of Arabic to take buses. Walking is quite a good
option for experiencing the atmosphere of Cairo. But be
warned, streets are not labeled and maps are not much help,
so it is easy to lose your way.
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