Stopover In Egypt.

[coalminer]

I'm planning a holiday trip back home, and the best fare for this trip was by Egypt Air.

I have been never before to Egypt and as we will have to wait from 6.00 AM to 11:00 AM for a connection flight E was thinking to make a "quick" visit to Cairo.

I have been looking at Google Maps, and the distance between the airport and the pyramid of Cheops and other pyramids is about 30 to 50 away connected trough highways.

But it is difficult to gues if anyone would need 30 minutes or 3 hours to do that distance.

Has anybody been to Cairo (Egypt) recently and done this trip?

Can this trip be done in the time frame of about 3 hours?

Can anybody provide a link to a forum which is better appropriated to get this information?

Any information about this is welcome.

TIA

For the Mod's:

If this topic is posted in the wrong topic or cannot be posted in Thaivisa at all, please move or delete it.

[happylarry]

I had a holiday in Egypt about seven years ago.

We stayed in Luxor but went to the red sea for a couple of days. The buses are not allowed to travel across the country on their own because of bandits, so they all have to queue up in Luxor and then when they are all there they set off with a police escort to travel at high speed across the desert.

Egypt is not a place that you want to be going around on your own , believe me, and as for doing any sort of sightseeing in three hours....what is the point, you will only be adding stress to your journey. Relax and have a meal in the airport and you wont have to worry about passing through immigration twice then either.

HL

[MiG16]

moved to travel section

where hopefully you may get more replies?

happy travels

[Tonto21]

Hi coalminer

I had a stop at Cairo airport about 4 months ago for about the same time frame. Egypt air laid on free of charge trip to the pyramids. Just keep the little Egypt air sticker they give you to wear when you check in, (as this indicates your are in transit) someone from the airline should ask you about your connecting flight in Cairo, if there’s time they will do the rest…. Free all in! Have a good one.

As a foot note; Cairo is now literally on the edge of the sphinx and pyramids, and there are armed guards to stop the local pinching the stone to build there houses. Funny story; I first when there in 84 and as I stood and took it all in, tourists everywhere, a middle aged American couple were in ear shoot, she was very vocal in her dismay that they would build the sphinx and pyramids so close to the city!!!!!!!! Even her husband rolled his eyes at her.

[coalminer]

Hi coalminer

I had a stop at Cairo airport about 4 months ago for about the same time frame. Egypt air laid on free of charge trip to the pyramids. Just keep the little Egypt air sticker they give you to wear when you check in, (as this indicates your are in transit) someone from the airline should ask you about your connecting flight in Cairo, if there’s time they will do the rest…. Free all in! Have a good one.

Thanks a lot for the heads-up, mate.

Glad to be informed that the visit to the pyramids is free-of-charge now as according to the information in Google an entry ticket would be sold at 150 EPD each.

As a foot note; Cairo is now literally on the edge of the sphinx and pyramids, and there are armed guards to stop the local pinching the stone to build there houses. Funny story; I first when there in 84 and as I stood and took it all in, tourists everywhere, a middle aged American couple were in ear shoot, she was very vocal in her dismay that they would build the sphinx and pyramids so close to the city!!!!!!!! Even her husband rolled his eyes at her.

I noticed that when looking in Google Maps.

Unbelievable that they let build a capital city where (almost) at each street corner there is a pyramid.

If I'm recalling well, the nearest pyramid to the airport is only a 25km away.

PS.: Do you kmow if a Thai national needs a visa to Egypt is she is only in transit?

[happylarry]

Sorry coalminer....I stand corrected from my earlier post, but I was only speaking as I found, on my visit to Egypt.

If it is an official airline tour then it must be ok and they will make sure you are back in time.

It is still a definate fact though about other areas of Egypt.

Enjoy your trip.

HL

[Tonto21]

Do you know if a Thai national needs a visa to Egypt is she is only in transit?

As it happens……. There were 3 Thais in transit as well, they had no problems. The Cairo ground staff take your passport off you, they are held at the airport, you get them back when you return to the airport> One more thing the mini bus stopped at a perfumery to try and flog some slinky! But don’t panic, no worries or pressure to buy anything. Just take some small money as you will be guided on the trip, you may want to give a tip! Enjoy!!!

[coalminer]

As it happens……. There were 3 Thais in transit as well, they had no problems. The Cairo ground staff take your passport off you, they are held at the airport, you get them back when you return to the airport

On a previous trip with stopover in Abu Dhabi, they wanted to see a "transit Visa" on my wife's passport.

Will inform at the Embassy to be 100% sure.

One more thing the mini bus stopped at a perfumery to try and flog some slinky! But don’t panic, no worries or pressure to buy anything. Just take some small money as you will be guided on the trip, you may want to give a tip! Enjoy!!!

I don't mind to nut some "stinky" and give it as a present to some "friends & family" in my home country.

But where te h_ll can you get Egyptian dinars in small money?

As far as I could see, the major banks don't trade the Egyptian Dinar.

[Tonto21]

As it happens……. There were 3 Thais in transit as well, they had no problems. The Cairo ground staff take your passport off you, they are held at the airport, you get them back when you return to the airport

On a previous trip with stopover in Abu Dhabi, they wanted to see a "transit Visa" on my wife's passport.

Will inform at the Embassy to be 100% sure.

One more thing the mini bus stopped at a perfumery to try and flog some slinky! But don't panic, no worries or pressure to buy anything. Just take some small money as you will be guided on the trip, you may want to give a tip! Enjoy!!!

I don't mind to nut some "stinky" and give it as a present to some "friends & family" in my home country.

But where te h_ll can you get Egyptian dinars in small money?

As far as I could see, the major banks don't trade the Egyptian Dinar.

Have they changed there currency, I thought it was still Egyption pounds? But no matter they will take anything, well probably not Bt, US Dollers or Pound sterling best. As for the sinky, I got some when there, it's fine and the price was OK.

[jhdog]

Hi,

I had a stopover in Cairo last October. I thought it might be interesting. It was

the worst place I have been yet and I have been to many countries. From when I arrived to when I left there was

people trying to rip me off. Everything is lies, lies, lies.

Only ever go there as part of a tour group where you will be protected.

It's dirty, rundown and has about 20 million people. The traffic is chaotic and you

feel guilty even if you make eye contact with a female. Also the egyptian male look on all

female westerners as sex objects.

I could go on and on because there is lots more but I hope you get the picture.

I am going back with egypt air in april and you can be sure I will not be leaving the airport.

Even though I was happy with the egypt air flight, needless to say I will not be using

this route again.

You will need to buy a visa to leave the airport (about 15 dollars from memory)

Also, their currency is the egyptian pound.

[Ricardo]

Unbelievable that they let build a capital city where (almost) at each street corner there is a pyramid.

If I'm recalling well, the nearest pyramid to the airport is only a 25km away.

Happily the original pyramid-builders, in anticipation of air-safety laws, put a red flashing-light on top, I saw it on 'StarGate'.

[coalminer]

Have they changed there currency, I thought it was still Egyption pounds? But no matter they will take anything, well probably not Bt, US Dollers or Pound sterling best. As for the sinky, I got some when there, it's fine and the price was OK.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSS

Currency of Egypt is Egyptian Pound.

But you are right, as in most parts of the world, it would be wiser to use Dollar, Euro or Pound Sterling.

If the "stinky" smells good, I will buy some for my wife.

For myself, no other "stinky" as AZZARO might touch my skin.

[Tonto21]

Hi,

I had a stopover in Cairo last October. I thought it might be interesting. It was

the worst place I have been yet and I have been to many countries. From when I arrived to when I left there was

people trying to rip me off. Everything is lies, lies, lies.

Only ever go there as part of a tour group where you will be protected.

It's dirty, rundown and has about 20 million people. The traffic is chaotic and you

feel guilty even if you make eye contact with a female. Also the egyptian male look on all

female westerners as sex objects.

I could go on and on because there is lots more but I hope you get the picture.

I am going back with egypt air in april and you can be sure I will not be leaving the airport.

Even though I was happy with the egypt air flight, needless to say I will not be using

this route again.

You will need to buy a visa to leave the airport (about 15 dollars from memory)

Also, their currency is the egyptian pound.

Hi jhdog

It didn’t go smooth then?

I can, with confidence say coalminer will not have to much trouble with the local; he will be there early morning (most locals still in the scratchers) light road traffic due to time of day traveling by Egyptian air mini bus, one stop, to the stinky shop, then onto the big dog and pointy stone things. Tourists and hawkers who follow the cash don’t turn up till late morning. As for visa, you know better than me regarding visa cost……. However Air Egypt must have some sort of deal (probably tourist promotion) it will not cost a cent! Or should that be pound! If he left the air port under his own steam, yes it would cost him a day visa. On everything else regarding Egypt, your pretty much spot on, I first went there in 84, courtesy of HM Forces. The place was a building site then and still is now. But to miss out on a free look-see to one of the wonders of the world……..Shame I think.

[Flow]

Hi,

I had a stopover in Cairo last October. I thought it might be interesting. It was

the worst place I have been yet and I have been to many countries. From when I arrived to when I left there was

people trying to rip me off. Everything is lies, lies, lies.

Only ever go there as part of a tour group where you will be protected.

It's dirty, rundown and has about 20 million people. The traffic is chaotic and you

feel guilty even if you make eye contact with a female. Also the egyptian male look on all

female westerners as sex objects.

I could go on and on because there is lots more but I hope you get the picture.

I am going back with egypt air in april and you can be sure I will not be leaving the airport.

Even though I was happy with the egypt air flight, needless to say I will not be using

this route again.

You will need to buy a visa to leave the airport (about 15 dollars from memory)

Also, their currency is the egyptian pound.

Memories memories... I stopped in Egypt for 3 days on my way back to Thailand 10 years ago. Awful place. Got ripped off too - everywhere. Touts everywhere I went all dishonest as hel_l and incredibly rude. Even the shoeshine boy inside the Hilton in Cairo hurled insults at me for declining his offer to clean my shoes that had a bit of sand on them. The Pyramids very interesting but be careful of the bogus tour guides and the dishonest ticket lady selling you the ticket to go inside the pyramid. The airport? well it was 10 years ago, don't kow now, but one of the worst. I would never go to Egypt on my own again ever. Friends have said that package tours to Egypt are Ok, though...

[connel707]

When you arrive in Cairo airport, the waiting area is really a mess.. if you ask the Air Egypt staff nicely, they will give you a free car to go into Cairo and meal vouchers also...... they keep your passport at the desk as you need a visa for Egypt...... but you will never do it in that time ...sorry... Cairo is a city of 20,000,000 peoples and the roads are a wee bit busy at that time ......its a pity you do not have a couple of hours more as I did, the driver took me across the Nile to the pyramids at Giza, Oh, the roads are amazing...Cairo is a city planners nightmare....then I had a great tour of Cairo, mint tea etc, and for my free meal he took me to one of the most expensive areas in Cairo to see how the rich Egyptians live....!! take drinks and sandwiches with you , and a good book.... the airport is a real dump , but the staff are ok...

[coalminer]

…. However Air Egypt must have some sort of deal (probably tourist promotion) it will not cost a cent!

But to miss out on a free look-see to one of the wonders of the world……..Shame I think.

I think that Egyot Air made some sort of deal with Tourist Promotion as the pyramids of Egypt are not longer listed in top 10 wonders of the world anymore.

FYI, my last flight to Europe was with Etihad and I swore never to take an Etihad airplane after that flight.

When the plane started to take the taxi track at 2:55 AM and reached the main track a few seconds before 3:00 AM, the motors of the airplane were shut down and we were left in the (steaming hot) airplane in front of the taxi track.

Explanation of the pilot:

"Islam religion don't allow an airplane (or any other device) to fly between 3:00 AM and 6:00AM om a Saturday."

My child who was 4 years old at that time, was 3 hours crying because she was thirsty and the air was TOOOO HOT in the cabin.

Other children and elder people were crying and shouting at the crew as well.

Nobody of the crew made an attempt to offer us water or refreshments during that 3 hours.

Hitler was a boy scout compared to the Etihad crew and the Etihad Airline.

[Tonto21]

Hi coalminer

A bit of a mixed bag a! Just suck it and see.

Good luck mate.

PS: you will be flying into there new airport..... Not the old one.

[jhdog]

My memory of the pyramids is getting collected by a hired driver for the day.

We then proceeded to visit the pyramids of Giza. He dropped me at a place nearby where

I was told to get a horse and a guide and I would be able to avoid all the touts and

scammers. Needless to say, they tried to charge me a ridiculous price for the horse and guide

but I still ending up paying about 350 egyptian pounds.

After visiting the Giza pyramids I went to see the Saqarra pyramid,

I took a walk around the back of the pyramid. I had to pass an arab

and an armed police man and he shouted loudly at me to come look at something.

I knew it would be another attempt to get money as I was getting used to

it at this stage. I took a quick glance through two holes in the wall at a statue

and he immediately started shouting for money. I would not pay and walked off.

He then started saying "Policeman, Policeman"and pointing at his armed friend.

I didn't back down though and left swfitly.

I was not due to finish my day until about 5pm but I told the driver to drop me back

to my hotel at about 2pm. I had had enough.

Of course on the way back he stopped at a carpet factory where kids made carpets and

they tried to sell carpets to me!

[happylarry]

I stayed at the Movenpick Hotel on Crocodile Island, right in the middle of the Nile.

It was fantastic as long as you stayed inside the hotel grounds.

But go outside and the country is terrible. Never want to go there again.

HL

[Tonto21]

My memory of the pyramids is getting collected by a hired driver for the day.

We then proceeded to visit the pyramids of Giza. He dropped me at a place nearby where

I was told to get a horse and a guide and I would be able to avoid all the touts and

scammers. Needless to say, they tried to charge me a ridiculous price for the horse and guide

but I still ending up paying about 350 egyptian pounds.

After visiting the Giza pyramids I went to see the Saqarra pyramid,

I took a walk around the back of the pyramid. I had to pass an arab

and an armed police man and he shouted loudly at me to come look at something.

I knew it would be another attempt to get money as I was getting used to

it at this stage. I took a quick glance through two holes in the wall at a statue

and he immediately started shouting for money. I would not pay and walked off.

He then started saying "Policeman, Policeman"and pointing at his armed friend.

I didn't back down though and left swfitly.

I was not due to finish my day until about 5pm but I told the driver to drop me back

to my hotel at about 2pm. I had had enough.

Of course on the way back he stopped at a carpet factory where kids made carpets and

they tried to sell carpets to me!

Ha ha, yes you’re so right! I remember my first trip there, when we went to the “big dog and point stone things (about 50 of the lads) some went on a camel ride into the desert, to some other pyramids, when they got there they got of the camels for a look see. When they went to get back on the camel the drivers said if they don’t pay now they can’t ride back……… the guys told them to stick the camel up there crevice and walked back about 4 km, the camel blokes were pissed, we nearly had an international incident…Ahh fond memories!! But can honestly say this last visit, not a feather out of place, it was good.

[bina]

my parents loved egypt both times, they crossed over from israel and went to two different tours (one booked, the other free range)...

muslem friends just came back (he escorted his sister) and he felt that egypt was becoming more fundamental and anti tourist (his sister doesnt wear head coverings but does wear modest clothes) and he has an israeli arabic accent and passport so he covered it with paper; he also didnt like the food (different than what he's used to from mother's house), but that it is a nice place to visit...and he liked the airport and duty free. but he's just a kid from a local village, not a sophisticated traveller.

as others have said, dont think u will have time (3 hours?!!) cause of traffic and whatever.... three hours is never enough time to travel anywhere: we were in uzbakestan for 5 hours and couldnt leave the airport, in athens same same... its always a shame to waste some extra time just sitting in airports ....

bina

israel

[IMA_FARANG]

Quote:

Explanation of the pilot:

"Islam religion don't allow an airplane (or any other device) to fly between 3:00 AM and 6:00AM om a Saturday."

My child who was 4 years old at that time, was 3 hours crying because she was thirsty and the air was TOOOO HOT in the cabin.

Other children and elder people were crying and shouting at the crew as well.

Nobody of the crew made an attempt to offer us water or refreshments during that 3 hours.

I spent 5 years working in the middle east...and I never heard that explanation before. Friday is the Islamic equivalent of Sunday to Christians...when I worked in Saudi Arabia Friday was a day we did not work. Saturday was just another normal work day. In Saudi Arabia the stores all close for prayer call hours...but that's usualy only about 15 to 30 minutes maximum.

Having said that I once sat on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with a refuel stop in Dharhan, Saudi Arabia. The Sauidi governmnet would not let us off the plane, so we had to wait about an hour while the plane was refueled and cleaned. But he engines were kept running and the air conditioning working...even though the cleaning crew opened the doors to go in and out several times.

The only time I can see you might not be offered water is during Ramadan...when Moslems do not drink water or eat during the day. However, the Koran specifically exempts "women with children, young children, and the elderly who might suffer from not drinking water" from that prohibition on drinking water. Sounds to me like the pilot was not telling you the true story.

Actually isn't Ethihad an airline based out of the UAE not Egyptian? I think it is.

[coalminer]

my parents loved egypt both times, they crossed over from israel and went to two different tours (one booked, the other free range)...

muslem friends just came back (he escorted his sister) and he felt that egypt was becoming more fundamental and anti tourist (his sister doesnt wear head coverings but does wear modest clothes) and he has an israeli arabic accent and passport so he covered it with paper; he also didnt like the food (different than what he's used to from mother's house), but that it is a nice place to visit...and he liked the airport and duty free. but he's just a kid from a local village, not a sophisticated traveller.

as others have said, dont think u will have time (3 hours?!!) cause of traffic and whatever.... three hours is never enough time to travel anywhere: we were in uzbakestan for 5 hours and couldnt leave the airport, in athens same same... its always a shame to waste some extra time just sitting in airports ....

bina

israel

Actually, the time between connecting flights is 5 hours (6:00 AM to 11:00 AM).

On my own, I would not risk ro miss my connection flight for a few pyramids.

But as some other posters have been pointing out, this is an organised tour by Egypt Air.

I guess that Egypt Air will have calculated the 5 hours frame to do a short trip to the pyramids.

[coalminer]

Quote:

Explanation of the pilot:

"Islam religion don't allow an airplane (or any other device) to fly between 3:00 AM and 6:00AM om a Saturday."

My child who was 4 years old at that time, was 3 hours crying because she was thirsty and the air was TOOOO HOT in the cabin.

Other children and elder people were crying and shouting at the crew as well.

Nobody of the crew made an attempt to offer us water or refreshments during that 3 hours.

I spent 5 years working in the middle east...and I never heard that explanation before. Friday is the Islamic equivalent of Sunday to Christians...when I worked in Saudi Arabia Friday was a day we did not work. Saturday was just another normal work day. In Saudi Arabia the stores all close for prayer call hours...but that's usualy only about 15 to 30 minutes maximum.

Having said that I once sat on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with a refuel stop in Dharhan, Saudi Arabia. The Sauidi governmnet would not let us off the plane, so we had to wait about an hour while the plane was refueled and cleaned. But he engines were kept running and the air conditioning working...even though the cleaning crew opened the doors to go in and out several times.

The only time I can see you might not be offered water is during Ramadan...when Moslems do not drink water or eat during the day. However, the Koran specifically exempts "women with children, young children, and the elderly who might suffer from not drinking water" from that prohibition on drinking water. Sounds to me like the pilot was not telling you the true story.

Actually isn't Ethihad an airline based out of the UAE not Egyptian? I think it is.

I don't argue wuth you about your explanation, but the facts are there as described.

And you can ask my wife, my child and 300 other passengers as well.

What is even more repealing is that my child had a bottle of water which I baught at the airport a few minutes before but had to leave it at check-in as no liquids were permitted in the airplane.

But a few minuites later, she was left without a drop of water for 3 hours in the hot sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had this discussion before with someone at Thaivisa who was working for Etihad, but he never responded to this.

[Tonto21]

Oh! coalminer, I bet you wish you never asked a? As I said before...... get there, and see what happens.... I had no problem. Good luck.

[coalminer]

Oh! coalminer, I bet you wish you never asked a?

Actually, I enjoy the reponses to this thread.

Online and offline.

As I said before...... get there, and see what happens.... I had no problem. Good luck.

Going there is without doubt as I made already the reservations.

And I don't expect any problems neither.

We will enjoy out trip and report as we come back.

[bendejo]

I too have been considering taking EgyptAir on my next trip to the Occident and doing the Cairo stopover.

Two things I have heard repeatedly over the years, though:

1) the tout/pickpocket/scam situation in Cairo and the Sphinx/Pyramid area is probably the worst in the world, could make Phuket seem like Brighton

2) food poisoning is nearly impossible to avoid. I can't qualify this one, though, as most tourists don't seem to understand you shouldn't eat things like lettuce in places with questionable water supplies and poor sanitation.