Have anyone ever used the Cairo Metro System.

Yes. It is pretty easy. What do you want to know?

Is it safe for a women and two teens to use?

My husband is working in cairo and has a driver and wants us to use him, however we are adventurous and love to try new things.

bookmarking

Yes. It is safe. I am a woman and have used it alone and with other women. One thing that is nice to know is that there is a women's car (usually toward the front) in which only women can ride (and their children). I am not sure at what age male children can no longer ride in the women's car. It is also safe to ride in the other cars -- the women's car is just an interesting experience.

The metro works just as you would expect -- buy a ticket at the ticket window and then find the line going in the direction you want. I forget what the cost is but it is very cheap. It is good to have small money to use at the ticket window as they are not fond of making change.

The metro doesn't go everywhere so having a driver will be nice too. Have fun!

I've used the Cairo Metro and it's okay.....but personally - I'd take advantage of the driver. Private car, A/C, going where YOU want to go.......worth it, especially in the heat of the summer!

I use the Metro a fair amount, but it is awfully hot and steamy in the summer. And crowded during rushhour. I'd use the car & driver. Once you've riden in a car in Cairo rush hour traffic you'll have satified your adventurous spirit.

Back to Metro. It costs $1 per direction. If you want to give it a try you could take a short hop. Say from Tah'rir Square downton to Mar Girgis which is where Old Cairo is -- the Coptic area.

I think puberty is the cut off for boys in the women's car. The other cars aren't unsafe -- just more comforting.

The Cairenes are always curious about westerners who ride the Metro and they will stare at you. Smile back & say "Hi" or "Salaam Ali." Interact with their children & they'll love you.

sunshine - you can correct me if the situation has changed.....but the MOST FRIGHTENING thing happened when we went with our boys on the Cairo metro.

Because my DH was with us, we went into the regular cars, and the doors (unlike ones in Europe, US, etc) just close - they don't "reopen" if someone steps thru or blocks it with their hand. Our older son almost didn't make it onto the subway because some people crowded in front of him and blocked him and the door started to close. (I was holding his hand but they broke right thru us!)

It was only with the help of some wonderful, young Egyptian military men that we were able to physically hold the door open enough to get him on!!!!

Are the doors on the metro still like that?

GRCxx3, You're right -- when they close, they close. They don't bounce open for people (or arms) stuck in the middle. You have to push your way on & off, too. The poeple who use the subway use the full door when they get on or off. They don't follow the system of right for getting on and left for exiting. (or visa versa)

sunshine...do you live in Cairo? If so I would love to email you and ask you some general questions about Cairo. My husband is now staying in Heliopolis but will be moving to his apt. across from the Nile City complex.

My email is
[email protected]
Lisa

I realize this is a very old thread, but it is the only one I found regarding the Cairo metro.

My questions:

a) Are there signs in regular latin characters, or just in arabic characters, if the latter, I will probably not make any sense out of it.

b) What are the respective stations for Giza and for the Egyptian museum.

Thanks in advance.

I wish there was an ALL women's car on my Australian train!!