Cairo: By Bus

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By Bus

Most visitors to Cairo aren't likely to use the local city buses. But buses are far and away the cheapest mode of transportation, with tickets costing a mere 10pt to 50pt. Buses arrive at and depart from the Maydan Tahrir (Liberation Square), the Maydan Ataba and Opera Square, the Pyramids Road, Ramses Station, and the Citadel. Route numbers are sometimes missing from the buses, so it is always best to ask where a bus is going before it lurches off with you onboard.

Much less of an experience, and more reliable, are the orange-trimmed minibuses. They charge slightly more than the larger buses (25pt to £e1), and are usually much less crowded. If you decide to use either type of bus service, be very cautious. Especially on large buses, pickpockets are known to look for potential victims.

An exception to the rule, the Cairo Transport Authority operates a fleet of comfortable air-conditioned buses that are surprisingly convenient and affordable. Marked with a large CTA logo on the side, for £e2 the bus will take you from the airport, through the city's northeastern suburbs and Downtown, eventually passing through Giza to deposit you at the foot of the pyramids. It stops at Abdel Menem Riyad Station in Maydan Tahrir, but you can flag it down or ask the driver to let you off at any point along the route.

Another option is the microbuses, or service taxis. These privately owned 12-seaters, painted blue and white, cost 60pt and go from all the major terminals to just about anywhere you want to go. They are unnumbered however, so ask the driver where he's headed.

Major Bus Routes

To and from Maydan Tahrir: No. 400 for Heliopolis and Cairo International Airport (all terminals); 268 and 63 for the Khan al-Khalili; 951 and 154 for Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Citadel; 997 for the pyramids in Giza; all lines except 154, 951, and 268 for Ramses Station.

To and from Maydan Ataba and Opera Square: 948 for Cairo International Airport; 950 and 80 for Khan al-Khalili; 104, 17, and 202 for Maydan Tahrir and Mohandiseen; 94 for Fustat and the Mosque of 'Amr; 50 and 150 for the Shrine of Imam Sahfe'i; 48 for Zamalek.

To and from the pyramids: 804 for Ramses Square and the Citadel; 905 for Maydan Tahrir and the Citadel.

To and from Ramses Station: 65 for Khan al-Khalili, 174 for the Citadel.

To and from the Citadel: 840 for Maydan Ataba and Maydan Tahrir; 905 for Rodah Island, Shar'a al-Haram, and the pyramids.