Dear travelers,
Getting to Cairo: Why We Chose the Road Instead of Flying
Many travelers fly between Hurghada and Cairo, and that’s definitely the quickest option. We considered it too.
However, when we checked flights, they were much more expensive than we expected. On top of that, the departure times didn’t really fit our itinerary.
Instead, our hotel arranged a private driver for us.
The drive takes around five to six hours, almost entirely along a highway cutting through the desert.
At first, I wondered if I’d get bored.
Surprisingly, I didn’t. Every now and then you’d pass a gas station, a checkpoint, or a small settlement, but for long periods it was simply road, sand, and sky.
It was actually a really relaxing journey before the sensory overload that awaited us in Cairo.
If you’re not in a rush, we’d honestly recommend driving.
Hurghada and Cairo Feel Like Two Different Countries
Nothing prepared us for this. If your first stop in Egypt is Hurghada, you’re probably going to think Egypt feels pretty relaxed. Your days revolve around beaches, pools, cocktails, buffets, and organized excursions. Everything feels clean, calm, and designed around tourism.
Then you arrive in Cairo.
Suddenly everything changes. Traffic fills every street. Cars appear to come from every direction. People are everywhere. Street vendors line the sidewalks. The sound of horns never really stops.
It was honestly a culture shock.
Not necessarily in a bad way, it was simply very different from what we’d experienced only a few hours earlier.
Hurghada feels like a holiday bubble.
Cairo feels like real life.
Uber Became Our Best Friend
One thing we absolutely loved about Cairo was Uber.
We used it constantly. It’s affordable, convenient, and much easier than negotiating prices with taxis.
One thing we quickly noticed, though, is that there are different levels of service.
The cheapest rides are incredibly inexpensive. But they’re inexpensive for a reason. One of our cars had no air conditioning, the seat belts didn’t work properly, and the vehicle had clearly been on Cairo’s roads for many years.
The slightly more expensive options felt completely different. Working air conditioning. Comfortable seats. Functional seat belts. Better overall condition.
Considering the price difference wasn’t huge, we’d recommend paying a little extra whenever possible, especially during Cairo’s hot summers.
Cairo Traffic Is an Experience All on Its Own
You know those driving rules you’ve spent years learning? Forget them.
Okay… maybe not entirely.
But Cairo definitely has its own rhythm. The biggest surprise? Many drivers barely use their turn signals.
Instead, they communicate by honking.
Need to merge? Horn. Turning left? Horn. Turning right? Horn. Someone walking across the road? Horn.
At first it sounds like complete chaos.
After a while, though, you start realizing there’s actually a strange system behind it all.
Somehow, millions of people navigate this organized chaos every single day.
Don’t Expect Peace and Quiet
One thing we underestimated was just how loud Cairo can be. Our apartment overlooked one of the main streets.
During the day it was lively. At night…
It stayed lively. The traffic didn’t really stop. The horns didn’t stop. People were still outside.
At first, it felt impossible to sleep.
Eventually, you begin to tune it out, but if you’re a light sleeper, it’s worth bringing earplugs.
You’ll thank yourself later.
Our Accommodation Was a Bit of a Rollercoaster
Accommodation ended up being one of the most confusing parts of our trip.
When we booked it on Booking.com, everything looked fantastic. Beautiful room. Jacuzzi. Amazing pyramid view. Great reviews. Reality was… a little different.
The first thing that surprised us happened during check-in. The staff asked us to cancel our Booking reservation.
They explained their reasoning at the time, but looking back, it made us wonder whether they simply didn’t want guests leaving reviews through the platform.
As compensation, they upgraded our room. There were only two of us. Yet somehow we ended up with three huge double beds. Definitely not something we’d complain about.
Then came the biggest surprise. The pyramid view. I’ll be honest, I genuinely thought the photos online had been edited.
Maybe a clever camera angle. Maybe Photoshop. Maybe even a printed backdrop.
Instead…
We opened the curtains and there they were.
The Pyramids of Giza.
Right outside our window.
It was one of those moments where reality actually exceeded expectations.
Unfortunately, not everything else did.
The jacuzzi looked dirty enough that we didn’t even consider using it.
The windows looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a very long time, which was a shame because the view deserved spotless glass.
There were also paint splatters all over the floor, as if someone had renovated the apartment and simply stopped halfway through cleaning up.
Considering it wasn’t exactly a cheap stay, we expected a little more attention to detail.
Would we stay there again? Probably not.
Would we miss that incredible pyramid view? Absolutely.
The Water Bottle Tip Every Tourist Should Know
One of the coolest little details we noticed in Egypt was on the bottled water.
Printed on the label were the words:
“If it clicks, it’s safe.”
At first we had no idea what it meant. Then we realized it referred to the cap.
When you twist open the bottle for the first time, it should make a clicking sound.
That click confirms the safety seal is still intact and that the bottle hasn’t been opened before.
It’s such a simple idea, but we thought it was brilliant.
Since tourists are advised to drink bottled water in Egypt, it’s an easy reminder to always check that your bottle is properly sealed before taking a sip.
The Mistake That Almost Made Us Miss Our Flight
Every trip needs at least one travel fail. This was ours.
Because our return flight was close to midnight, I somehow convinced myself we had one extra day in Cairo.
I don’t know how my brain managed that calculation, but I was completely convinced.
We even booked a guided tour of the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum for what we thought was our final day.
Then Saturday morning arrived. We woke up. Checked our itinerary. And suddenly realized…
We weren’t flying on Sunday. We were flying that very same Saturday.
Lesson learned.
Always double-check your flight dates—especially when crossing time zones or booking late-night departures.
Our Biggest Tips Before Visiting Cairo
If we could go back and give ourselves advice before arriving, it would be this:
- Choose Uber over regular taxis whenever possible.
- Spend a little extra for a more comfortable Uber ride.
- Expect noise; bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
- Read accommodation reviews carefully, not just the photos.
- Don’t assume every listing looks exactly like the pictures.
- Always check that your bottled water seal clicks when opening it.
- Keep an open mind, Cairo isn’t meant to be perfect.
Final Thoughts
We experienced incredible views of the pyramids, drove through endless desert highways, discovered how surprisingly useful Uber is, laughed about our travel mistakes, and learned that sometimes the best memories come from the moments that don’t go according to plan.
If you’re expecting Cairo to be calm and luxurious, you might be disappointed.
But if you’re looking for history, culture, unforgettable experiences, and a city that constantly keeps you on your toes, Cairo delivers all of that and more.
And despite the noise, the chaos, and the near-missed flight…
We’d go back in a heartbeat.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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