We are a family with a 5 and a 12 year old, visting Cairo for 4 days in July. We are not going with a tour group. Which is a better place to stay, Cairo or GIza?
We want to stay in a 3 or 4 stars. We would like to stay in Giza, but since it is so far away, we are not sure how safe it is in the night time. We also want to visit Suez, Giza being so far away, I do not know hoe convenient it is to do daytrips everyday from Giza.
Is it plausible to stay in Cairo and hire a taxi to Pyramids?

Are there any reliable tour groups that we hire, once we are in Cairo?

Thank you

It is easy to get taxis (or buses) out to Giza, but I would recommend staying in Cairo itself rather than Giza. Giza just seems pretty removed from the city, and you'd be missing the flavor of being there.

You might consider staying on Zamalek Island, an island in the middle of the Nile. It's residential and home to many of the embassies. You'd find some nice hotels, as well as potential restaurant options. It would be a relaxing place to come back to.

As for a day trip to Suez, while I haven't been there, you're looking at ~80 miles one way. With two kids in tow it might not be the best way to spend the 4 days you have.

Hope that helps.

dunia123

We stayed in Giza last August for 4 nights. It was the one thing I would change about our trip -- I'd have preferred to be in downtown Cairo. Everything is spread out in Giza, so you need to take taxis anyway. It will be a little expensive to take taxis to and from the Giza plateau, but I'd do it anyway -- that way you'll be near the markets, other hotels, restaurants, places to wander around, etc. when you are NOT sightseeing. Also, I highly recommend staying at a hotel with a nice pool. It's very hot in summer, and we used the pool every afternoon after sightseeing.

In January I stayed at the Cairo Marriott which is in Zamelek. I was very happy with this hotel. Taxis are easy to obtain from there and they have a beautiful pool. There are also several restaurants on the premises, although we happily ate at a few nearby restaurants that had been recommended to me. The breakfast buffet at the hotel was large and tasty.

Not many 3 or 4 star hotels I would want to stay in (if any) with swimming pools in Cairo.
If you can live without a pool then the Longchamnps at http://hotellongchamps.com/ is your best bet.

If you must have a pool, check out the Pyramisa. I think somehow that hotel received 5 stars (probably because it has a pool), but it's not a nice 5* place and it might be low enough in cost.

Thank you very much. I think we will stay at Cairo. I will look at Marriot and longchamps.
Any other recos?

Does any hotel offer a day tour packages to the Pyramids?Othewise what are my options to go visit the pyramids and Suez canal(from land only).

Where do I buy the tickets for the Feluca ride on Nile?

You don't buy tickets for a falouka ride. You just go to the dock and hire a falouka. Take what you want to eat or drink on board with you and go out for a couple hours to relax. Depending on where you hire one and how direct you can be about telling them I WILL PAY THIS!, you should be able to go for two hours for LE100, plus give the captain that sails it for you LE20 as a tip. DO NOT pay them the LE100 until you come back safely. Don't worry, they may say to pay up front. Don't do it. Just say thank you and find the next guy. The first one wants your money so he'll say OK if you act as if you don't need him.

ALL hotels have ways to give you a tour to the Pyramids. That is easy. The Suez Canal may be a bit more difficult. If I were you, I'd Goggle Suez Canal Tours Egypt and see what pops up.

Good luck.

For a family I would go with the Marriott...they have lots of special rates on line and with their res. service. Also your time is limited in Cairo...you are with kids...not sure if the Suez Canal has some special interest for you? but if not I'd pass on it...too many other more interesting things for you to see.