Just thought I would give some feedback on services / hotels I tried to use:

Initially looked at the Cairo Shuttle Bus, which wanted EGP 200 for the ride from the airport to the Ramses Hilton

Following FT suggestions, I looked at the London Cab, which wanted EGP 150 for the same trip. Decided to book it, but the credit card would not go through. They claimed I could pay cash to the driver, who would apparently be waiting for me with a sign and my name. Of course they were advised which flight I would be coming on.

I flew BA and they landed on time, but there was no London Cab driver outside Terminal 1. I also did not find any Vodafone or other phone vendor in this terminal and so could not call London Cab.

Ended up bargaining with one of the more decent guys hanging around outside and we settled on EGP 100. His English was minimal and my Arabic was even worse - so we settled into silent mode for the ride. However, he brought me to the Hilton without any issues.

I had to go to the Le Meridien Pyramids next and tried to order a car through Careem, using the hotel wi-fi. Car booked at an indication price of EGP 125, but even though I waited just outside the Hilton gate and the App showed the driver was at the Hilton, no car appeared.

So I was forced to bargain with another local, white cab. Agreed on a price of EGP 40 for the ride from the Hilton to the LeMeridien Pyramids and again got there without any hassle.

Meanwhile, Careem charged me money for what they claimed was my no-show!

Finally, needed to go to the airport and this time I tried just getting a road side cab. The first guy who stopped agreed to take me from Giza to the airport for EGP 100.

So I think I lucked out with the local cabs - albeit I rode in cars without air-conditioning.

Of course my trip was COMPLETELY SCREWED up by the QR ban - and instead of flying First / Business from Cairo, I ended up having to buy a coach ticket on TK because I simply had to get out and use up my pre-booked non refundable hotels in Asia.