cairo questions ..
Feb 21, 2006 | 11:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+, LH SEN), ST elite plus (AF PFL), oneworld emerald (AT),IHG Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,136
cairo questions ..
hi everybody,
sorry for crossposting but since i didnot get any answers in the africa forum and the trip starts the day after tomorrow i will try it here again ;-)
this weekend i will be on a 'mini-break' to cairo and still have some questions.
1. i am a more or less 'plastic kind of guy' hating to carry around (even small) bundles of cash. can i withdraw cash on egyptian ATMs with a 'maestro' card or do ATMs in egypt only provide cash for credit cards (where i would have to organize a PIN)???
2. where (upon arrival) in cai - terminal 2 can i find cash machines ?? after customs and immigration or even before?
3. or would you recommend bringing some and $ and change them exchange offices at the airport (especially to get some small bills for baksheesh :-) )?
4. my hotel will be the sofitel near the pyramids. would you recommend to head for a limousine service or try an official black-and-white-taxi - i will definitely not take a "inofficial"-limousine-service :-) ???
5. what would be the current (realistic) price for the drive cai-airport to the pyramids - 100LE ???
thanks a lot for your answers and i promise, i will write a trip-report after my return ...
CHris
sorry for crossposting but since i didnot get any answers in the africa forum and the trip starts the day after tomorrow i will try it here again ;-)
this weekend i will be on a 'mini-break' to cairo and still have some questions.
1. i am a more or less 'plastic kind of guy' hating to carry around (even small) bundles of cash. can i withdraw cash on egyptian ATMs with a 'maestro' card or do ATMs in egypt only provide cash for credit cards (where i would have to organize a PIN)???
2. where (upon arrival) in cai - terminal 2 can i find cash machines ?? after customs and immigration or even before?
3. or would you recommend bringing some and $ and change them exchange offices at the airport (especially to get some small bills for baksheesh :-) )?
4. my hotel will be the sofitel near the pyramids. would you recommend to head for a limousine service or try an official black-and-white-taxi - i will definitely not take a "inofficial"-limousine-service :-) ???
5. what would be the current (realistic) price for the drive cai-airport to the pyramids - 100LE ???
thanks a lot for your answers and i promise, i will write a trip-report after my return ...
CHris
Feb 21, 2006 | 1:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: UK
Programs: reformed ex basic Member
Posts: 3,148
ok take lots of $ in cash and change it as you need it
ATM network for cash will work probably, as you have a maestro card, but not that many machines within walking distance of the hotels out near the pyramids
if you are buying your visa on arrival, have $15 ready in US dollar cash, no need to change currency for that
rates are probably not that great at the airport counters anyway
as it is your first time.. get the hotel to pick you up.. you can save $$ on the return journey, when you are more in tune with how things work locally.
ATM network for cash will work probably, as you have a maestro card, but not that many machines within walking distance of the hotels out near the pyramids
if you are buying your visa on arrival, have $15 ready in US dollar cash, no need to change currency for that
rates are probably not that great at the airport counters anyway
as it is your first time.. get the hotel to pick you up.. you can save $$ on the return journey, when you are more in tune with how things work locally.
Feb 24, 2006 | 12:17 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+, LH SEN), ST elite plus (AF PFL), oneworld emerald (AT),IHG Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,136
just answering my questions having arrived in cai this afternoon.
1. maestro cards are welcome on most of the cash machines.
2. didnot find any atm (but was not looking that closely as i exchanged 100EUR at an exchange office and got ripped off (they handed over 150LE less and i didnot count the pile of bills at the counter. i found out later in the hotel)
3. didnot get smaller bills as 10LE although i asked for it :-(
4. i am not quite sure if i got an 'official' limousine service. i turned right after leaving customs and was immediately surrounded by guys offering limousine service :-) i picked one and the others followed him and made better offers - it the best offer 65LE for the 1 hour drive (including a short stop and a complimentary orange juice :-) ) - o.k. afterwards mohammed-the driver- offered to organize an english speaking guide for tomorrow (the guide costs 200LE) - perhaps it was a big mistake to accept his offer - we will find out tomorrow :-)
5. they started to charge 100LE - in the end i payed 65LE ...
cheers
CHris
1. maestro cards are welcome on most of the cash machines.
2. didnot find any atm (but was not looking that closely as i exchanged 100EUR at an exchange office and got ripped off (they handed over 150LE less and i didnot count the pile of bills at the counter. i found out later in the hotel)
3. didnot get smaller bills as 10LE although i asked for it :-(
4. i am not quite sure if i got an 'official' limousine service. i turned right after leaving customs and was immediately surrounded by guys offering limousine service :-) i picked one and the others followed him and made better offers - it the best offer 65LE for the 1 hour drive (including a short stop and a complimentary orange juice :-) ) - o.k. afterwards mohammed-the driver- offered to organize an english speaking guide for tomorrow (the guide costs 200LE) - perhaps it was a big mistake to accept his offer - we will find out tomorrow :-)
5. they started to charge 100LE - in the end i payed 65LE ...
cheers
CHris
Feb 24, 2006 | 1:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: VIENNA VA
Programs: BA emerald, AF rouge ,UA premier executive, SQ,ANA, HYATT,, AMENITI
Posts: 839
Short and sweet
1) No
2) Very difficult at airport or in hotel area
3) Yes.Exchange rates are the same In Egypt.Not included hotels
4) Your best bet is a limousine from an official desk at arrival hall at airport
5) That is enough
Enjoy your visit
1) No
2) Very difficult at airport or in hotel area
3) Yes.Exchange rates are the same In Egypt.Not included hotels
4) Your best bet is a limousine from an official desk at arrival hall at airport
5) That is enough
Enjoy your visit
Feb 25, 2006 | 8:27 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
Originally Posted by f0zzyNUE
hi everybody,
sorry for crossposting but since i didnot get any answers in the africa forum and the trip starts the day after tomorrow i will try it here again ;-)
this weekend i will be on a 'mini-break' to cairo and still have some questions.
1. i am a more or less 'plastic kind of guy' hating to carry around (even small) bundles of cash. can i withdraw cash on egyptian ATMs with a 'maestro' card or do ATMs in egypt only provide cash for credit cards (where i would have to organize a PIN)???
Our bank cards worked, with 4 number pin.
I brought cash, but only used it to get rid of it. no advantage.
if no visa stamp, you have to buy one before customs.
2. where (upon arrival) in cai - terminal 2 can i find cash machines ?? after customs and immigration or even before?
If that is the international terminal, there is one on the left, after customs. It looks like an old faxhioned slot machine, but works.
3. or would you recommend bringing some and $ and change them exchange offices at the airport (especially to get some small bills for baksheesh :-) )?
can exchange in terminal. The only way we could get small bills was to get them from our guide.
4. my hotel will be the sofitel near the pyramids. would you recommend to head for a limousine service or try an official black-and-white-taxi - i will definitely not take a "inofficial"-limousine-service :-) ???
don't know we were met. my wife signed us up for the red carpet guide service, and they did everything.
5. what would be the current (realistic) price for the drive cai-airport to the pyramids - 100LE ???
thanks a lot for your answers and i promise, i will write a trip-report after my return ...
CHris
sorry for crossposting but since i didnot get any answers in the africa forum and the trip starts the day after tomorrow i will try it here again ;-)
this weekend i will be on a 'mini-break' to cairo and still have some questions.
1. i am a more or less 'plastic kind of guy' hating to carry around (even small) bundles of cash. can i withdraw cash on egyptian ATMs with a 'maestro' card or do ATMs in egypt only provide cash for credit cards (where i would have to organize a PIN)???
Our bank cards worked, with 4 number pin.
I brought cash, but only used it to get rid of it. no advantage.
if no visa stamp, you have to buy one before customs.
2. where (upon arrival) in cai - terminal 2 can i find cash machines ?? after customs and immigration or even before?
If that is the international terminal, there is one on the left, after customs. It looks like an old faxhioned slot machine, but works.
3. or would you recommend bringing some and $ and change them exchange offices at the airport (especially to get some small bills for baksheesh :-) )?
can exchange in terminal. The only way we could get small bills was to get them from our guide.
4. my hotel will be the sofitel near the pyramids. would you recommend to head for a limousine service or try an official black-and-white-taxi - i will definitely not take a "inofficial"-limousine-service :-) ???
don't know we were met. my wife signed us up for the red carpet guide service, and they did everything.
5. what would be the current (realistic) price for the drive cai-airport to the pyramids - 100LE ???
thanks a lot for your answers and i promise, i will write a trip-report after my return ...
CHris