My Travel Choices

MTC cost guide

Cairo trip cost: three central hotels for two, January 2027

Where should you stay and eat in Cairo? The three priced hotels are central: Paradise Boutique in Abdeen near downtown, and Ramses Hilton and Sofitel Downtown Nile on the river. Meals are priced from public hotel restaurants at Citystars in Heliopolis, which is outside downtown, so the food figures come with extra travel and traffic time rather than a walk from your hotel. Giza visits are not included.

Scope, dates and party

These are dated ground-cost examples for two adults sharing one room, six nights over seven days, 19–25 January 2027. Hotel offers were observed on 1 October 2026; restaurant menus were checked on 1 October (Alexandria) and 2 October 2026 (Cairo). Flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. They are not booking quotes, year-round ranges or calculator defaults.

What is specific to this budget

  • Three named hotels, each with two baskets. Baskets A and B keep the hotel and change only the dinner; lunches, transport and activities stay the same. The hotels are ordered by their own price here, not by a universal budget-to-luxury rule, and each hotel's room, breakfast, cancellation and payment terms are printed beside its figures.
  • Breakfasts already included in a hotel rate are deducted once and never bought again; taxes and service already inside a hotel or menu price are not added a second time. The provider notes that additional charges may still apply, so a listed hotel total is not a guaranteed final bill. Lines marked as MTC allowances are planning budgets, not supplier prices.
  • Cairo hotel offers were quoted in euros and converted at a single stated rate, not the provider's own dollar conversion. Ramses Hilton asks for a refundable deposit on top of the room price: keep that cash available, but it is not counted as a cost.

Downtown hotels and Citystars dining

Downtown and the Nile corniche put the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and river walks closer. Citystars is a large mall and hotel complex in Heliopolis with many restaurants, but reaching it from downtown is a car ride that can be slow at peak hours; the local ride allowance in these examples does not guarantee every trip.

If you would rather eat near your hotel, downtown restaurants are not priced here; treat the meal lines as an upscale benchmark, not a rule about where to eat.

Planning the days

Choose Downtown for a busy central base, Zamalek for an island neighbourhood, or a hotel close to your main historic district. Group visits by area and leave room for traffic. A central-city hotel does not make every Cairo and Giza attraction a short walk away.

Season

Cooler November–March favours sustained city walking; summer heat reduces outdoor comfort. Shoulder-month scores are editorial interpolation.

Arrival and getting around

The arrival reference is CAI. Check your actual airport and hotel address before comparing transfers. Keep travel days separate from sightseeing days, and compare room rates with their meal plans and mandatory charges.

Common questions

How long should I stay? Allow 4–6 sightseeing days for this scope, with travel days and excursions considered separately.

Does a central Cairo stay include Giza? No. Add transport and any chosen admission separately when planning a Giza outing.

Dated cost examples

Six dated, itemised examples from 2027-01-19 to 2027-01-25: 6 nights and 7 days for two adults sharing one room, which is 14 person-days. Prices are as observed in October 2026, cover ground costs only, and are not multiplied out to other party sizes or trip lengths.

Dated planning example for two adults sharing one room, 19–25 January 2027: seven days and six nights, flights excluded. Hotel offers observed 1 October 2026 (quoted in EUR); restaurant menus reviewed 2 October 2026. Not a booking quote, a checkout price or an annual default; reprice your own dates, party and room.

Hotel charges listed by the provider are counted once, and breakfasts already in the rate are never bought again. Meals are benchmarks from the public Esplanade and Al Khal restaurants at InterContinental Cairo Citystars (menus reviewed 2 October 2026, tax and service included). They are upscale hotel restaurants outside downtown, so allow for traffic and extra travel; they are not a cheap citywide average and January prices are not guaranteed. Transport, drinks and activities are MTC allowances, not quotes. No halal certification is inferred.

Budget · Example A

Total for two adults

551.87 USD

39.42 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 156 EUR (stay) = 156 EUR ≈ 177.14 USD

    Source-backed: Paradise Boutique Hotel, Economy Double Room, breakfast for two. Quoted 156 EUR including listed tax 14%, service 12% and city fee 1%; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    2 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 1,680 EGP ≈ 32.32 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-dinner) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Paradise Boutique Hotel — Economy Double Room; breakfast included for two adults. Cancellation and payment: Free cancellation before 14:00 on 19 January 2027 (check the local time when booking); pay at the property. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Budget · Example B

Total for two adults

765.96 USD

54.71 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 156 EUR (stay) = 156 EUR ≈ 177.14 USD

    Source-backed: Paradise Boutique Hotel, Economy Double Room, breakfast for two. Quoted 156 EUR including listed tax 14%, service 12% and city fee 1%; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    2 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 1,680 EGP ≈ 32.32 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 1,075 EGP (person-dinner) = 15,050 EGP ≈ 289.50 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Paradise Boutique Hotel — Economy Double Room; breakfast included for two adults. Cancellation and payment: Free cancellation before 14:00 on 19 January 2027 (check the local time when booking); pay at the property. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Mid-range · Example A

Total for two adults

1,899.47 USD

Refundable deposit of 132.06 EUR held separately; not counted in the total.

135.68 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 1,172.03 EUR (stay) = 1,172.03 EUR ≈ 1,330.84 USD

    Source-backed: Ramses Hilton, Classic King Room with City View, room only. Quoted 1,172.03 EUR including listed VAT 14%, service 12% and city fee 1%; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR. The refundable deposit is not included here.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    14 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 11,760 EGP ≈ 226.22 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-dinner) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Ramses Hilton — Classic King Room with City View; room only (breakfast sold separately). Cancellation and payment: Non-refundable; pay online. A refundable deposit of 132.06 EUR is extra cash you must hold, not a cost counted in the total. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Mid-range · Example B

Total for two adults

2,113.56 USD

Refundable deposit of 132.06 EUR held separately; not counted in the total.

150.97 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 1,172.03 EUR (stay) = 1,172.03 EUR ≈ 1,330.84 USD

    Source-backed: Ramses Hilton, Classic King Room with City View, room only. Quoted 1,172.03 EUR including listed VAT 14%, service 12% and city fee 1%; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR. The refundable deposit is not included here.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    14 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 11,760 EGP ≈ 226.22 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 1,075 EGP (person-dinner) = 15,050 EGP ≈ 289.50 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Ramses Hilton — Classic King Room with City View; room only (breakfast sold separately). Cancellation and payment: Non-refundable; pay online. A refundable deposit of 132.06 EUR is extra cash you must hold, not a cost counted in the total. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Premium · Example A

Total for two adults

1,866.18 USD

133.30 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 1,313.47 EUR (stay) = 1,313.47 EUR ≈ 1,491.45 USD

    Source-backed: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile, Classic Double Room with Two Double Beds, breakfast for two. Quoted 1,313.47 EUR including listed taxes and fees; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    2 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 1,680 EGP ≈ 32.32 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-dinner) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile — Classic Double Room with Two Double Beds; breakfast included for two adults. Cancellation and payment: Non-refundable; pay online. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Premium · Example B

Total for two adults

2,080.27 USD

148.59 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel, six nights (listed charges included)

    1 × 1,313.47 EUR (stay) = 1,313.47 EUR ≈ 1,491.45 USD

    Source-backed: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile, Classic Double Room with Two Double Beds, breakfast for two. Quoted 1,313.47 EUR including listed taxes and fees; converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR.

  • Breakfasts not covered by the hotel (menu benchmark)

    2 × 840 EGP (person-breakfast) = 1,680 EGP ≈ 32.32 USD

    Source-backed: Esplanade 'Egyptian Sunrise' breakfast, tax and service included. Breakfasts already included by the hotel are deducted exactly once.

  • Lunch main course per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 280 EGP (person-lunch) = 3,920 EGP ≈ 75.41 USD

    Source-backed: Al Khal koushary, tax and service included.

  • Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)

    14 × 1,075 EGP (person-dinner) = 15,050 EGP ≈ 289.50 USD

    Source-backed: Basket A: koushary, 280 EGP. Basket B: lentil soup 175 + veal knuckle fatta 700 + Om Ali 200 = 1,075 EGP. Al Khal menu, tax and service included; this replaces dinner rather than adding a meal.

  • Drinks allowance per day for the two of you

    7 × 600 EGP (party-day) = 4,200 EGP ≈ 80.79 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary budget, not a quoted drink price or a hydration recommendation.

  • Cairo airport car allowance, each way

    2 × 600 EGP (direction) = 1,200 EGP ≈ 23.08 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget for two passengers, not a verified supplier fare; leave it out if you do not use Cairo airport.

  • Local car ride allowance

    12 × 180 EGP (ride) = 2,160 EGP ≈ 41.55 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Planning budget, not a route quote or guaranteed coverage; dining at Citystars may need extra travel from downtown.

  • Optional activities allowance per adult

    2 × 1,200 EGP (adult) = 2,400 EGP ≈ 46.17 USD

    MTC allowance (not a supplier price): Discretionary planning budget; no named ticket or admission is promised.

Hotel: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile — Classic Double Room with Two Double Beds; breakfast included for two adults. Cancellation and payment: Non-refundable; pay online. The provider says additional charges may apply; the listed total is not a guaranteed final bill.

Not included: Flights, Visas and insurance, Shopping, Unlisted excursions

Reference exchange rates dated 2026-09-30: 1 EUR = 1.1355 USD · 1 USD = 51.9854 EGP. Your card rate at payment may differ.

Rate source as recorded in the research: Central Bank of Egypt average market rate for 30 Sep 2026 (midpoint 51.9854 EGP per USD, from search-index evidence); Cairo hotel offers were quoted in EUR and converted at 1.1355 USD per EUR, not the provider's own USD conversion

Practical notes

The arrival reference is CAI. Check your actual airport and hotel address before comparing transfers. Keep travel days separate from sightseeing days, and compare room rates with their meal plans and mandatory charges.

Limits of these examples

Qualified dated planning examples, not live availability or annual defaults. Restaurant benchmarks may change before travel. Listed hotel charges are included once; additional supplier charges remain possible. Reprice actual dates/party/room. Transport/drinks/activities are labelled gross MTC allowances, not supplier quotes.

Cost sources (6)

Compiled and totalled by My Travel Choices (MTC) from the dated sources credited with each example. Research estimates, not bookable offers. How we build these examples · Cite this guide

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