Typical Black and White Taxi
Egyptian travel sites will often advise people to negotiate the price of the Taxi in advance. This continues to be good advise for someone who wishes to rent a taxi for a day, a number of hours, or who expects the taxi to wait while one visits sightseeing areas.
But for normal trips around town, this simply is not the way to get the best fares. Egyptians hail a cab without negotiating a price because they know the approximate cost for their destination. In order to hail the taxi, while facing traffic, hold the right arm somewhat down with the hand open. When a taxi pulls up, simply state your destination. If it is not a very well known location, such as an business office, you may wish to have the address written in Arabic (supplied by your hotel, for example). The driver will indicate if he wishes to take you to that location. Men should usually sit in the front passenger seat, while women normally sit in the back of the taxi, though these standards are becoming more lax.
Upon arrival, simply pay the amount required for the trip. The table below supplies typical prices for typical destinations. There may even be a small tip involved if the taxi driver is particularly courteous, informative or funny, but the amount is paid as a lump sum. Hence, it is important for tourists to have an idea of what the taxi driver expects for trips to various parts of the city. Even so, one might find the taxi driver arguing the price if the tourist appears overly wealthy. For this reason, it is often best to walk a short distance from a five star hotel prior to hailing a cab. There does not seem to be the same problem involved with three and four star hotels. However, other tricks include making camera equipment as inconspicuous as possible and not engaging the taxi driver with tourism questions. Invariably, the taxi driver will wish to become your tour guide. In fact, one trick we have used is to have the hotel write the destination in Arabic, handing this to the taxi driver, and then saying little if anything while in route.
On the other hand, taxi drivers who speak the language of the tourist can be helpful, and will try to be. Allowing the taxi driver to provide information should result in a small increase in the fare from the prices outlined below.
1: Nile Hilton to the Citadel - 20 L.E.
2: Citadel to Khan el-Khalili - 12 to 16 L.E.
3: Nile Hilton to the Khan el-Khalili 16 L.E.
4: Nile Hilton to Heliopolis 30 to 40 L.E.
4: Nile Hilton to Airport with bag handling 80 L.E.
5: Nile Hilton to Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) 24 L.E.
6: Nile Hilton to the Giza Pyramids 30 to 60 L.E.
7: Nile Hilton to Zamalek 10 to 14 L.E.
The reason for the difference in fares depends on traffic and traffic jams. For example, if the taxi trip is taken during rush hour and takes twice the normal amount of time, then the taxi driver should be paid more. Also, these rates are for one passenger. The amount should be increased by a modest amount for additional passengers. For example, a trip which would cost 5 L.E. for one person should probably be increased to 7 L.E. for two, or perhaps 8 or 9 L.E. for three people.
Keep in mind the exchange rate. For example, a trip which costs 10 Egyptian pounds (L.E.) is about $1.63 USD. You should consider a lower limit for short trips. For example, a trip from the Nile Hilton to Garden City, while a short trip, should still run probably five Egyptian pounds. Below this amount, it is hardly worth the taxi driver's time. Most of these prices are above that which an Egyptian will pay for good reasons. The average Egyptian income is less then that of most tourists, and it should not be the aim of tourists to pay the Egyptian rate. Taxi drivers do not get rich, few own their own cabs, and most must pay a daily fee to the owner which is the same regardless of how good a day the driver had.
When paying for the taxi, exit first, pay the taxi driver through the window, and walk away. This is really what the driver expects. If he suspects that you are a wealthy tourist, he may put up some argument, but simply avoid this and keep walking. However, one must remember to carry plenty of small Egyptian notes. In order for our suggestions on paying taxi drivers to work, one must pay the exact amount. Giving the taxi driver a larger note and expecting change will promote a discussion as to the amount of the fare.
It is really not recommended to attempt to hire a taxi for a day, or even for several hours. Taxis are plentiful in Cairo, and it is much better usually to simply take a taxi to a destination, and then find another taxi when you are ready to leave. However, if you decide to hire a taxi to tour outlying areas such as Saqqara and Dahshur rather then taking a more economical organized day tour, expect to pay between 150 and 200 L.E.
Egyptian travel sites will often advise people to negotiate the price of the Taxi in advance. This continues to be good advise for someone who wishes to rent a taxi for a day, a number of hours, or who expects the taxi to wait while one visits sightseeing areas.
But for normal trips around town, this simply is not the way to get the best fares. Egyptians hail a cab without negotiating a price because they know the approximate cost for their destination. In order to hail the taxi, while facing traffic, hold the right arm somewhat down with the hand open. When a taxi pulls up, simply state your destination. If it is not a very well known location, such as an business office, you may wish to have the address written in Arabic (supplied by your hotel, for example). The driver will indicate if he wishes to take you to that location. Men should usually sit in the front passenger seat, while women normally sit in the back of the taxi, though these standards are becoming more lax.
Upon arrival, simply pay the amount required for the trip. The table below supplies typical prices for typical destinations. There may even be a small tip involved if the taxi driver is particularly courteous, informative or funny, but the amount is paid as a lump sum. Hence, it is important for tourists to have an idea of what the taxi driver expects for trips to various parts of the city. Even so, one might find the taxi driver arguing the price if the tourist appears overly wealthy. For this reason, it is often best to walk a short distance from a five star hotel prior to hailing a cab. There does not seem to be the same problem involved with three and four star hotels. However, other tricks include making camera equipment as inconspicuous as possible and not engaging the taxi driver with tourism questions. Invariably, the taxi driver will wish to become your tour guide. In fact, one trick we have used is to have the hotel write the destination in Arabic, handing this to the taxi driver, and then saying little if anything while in route.
On the other hand, taxi drivers who speak the language of the tourist can be helpful, and will try to be. Allowing the taxi driver to provide information should result in a small increase in the fare from the prices outlined below.
1: Nile Hilton to the Citadel - 20 L.E.
2: Citadel to Khan el-Khalili - 12 to 16 L.E.
3: Nile Hilton to the Khan el-Khalili 16 L.E.
4: Nile Hilton to Heliopolis 30 to 40 L.E.
4: Nile Hilton to Airport with bag handling 80 L.E.
5: Nile Hilton to Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) 24 L.E.
6: Nile Hilton to the Giza Pyramids 30 to 60 L.E.
7: Nile Hilton to Zamalek 10 to 14 L.E.
The reason for the difference in fares depends on traffic and traffic jams. For example, if the taxi trip is taken during rush hour and takes twice the normal amount of time, then the taxi driver should be paid more. Also, these rates are for one passenger. The amount should be increased by a modest amount for additional passengers. For example, a trip which would cost 5 L.E. for one person should probably be increased to 7 L.E. for two, or perhaps 8 or 9 L.E. for three people.
Keep in mind the exchange rate. For example, a trip which costs 10 Egyptian pounds (L.E.) is about $1.63 USD. You should consider a lower limit for short trips. For example, a trip from the Nile Hilton to Garden City, while a short trip, should still run probably five Egyptian pounds. Below this amount, it is hardly worth the taxi driver's time. Most of these prices are above that which an Egyptian will pay for good reasons. The average Egyptian income is less then that of most tourists, and it should not be the aim of tourists to pay the Egyptian rate. Taxi drivers do not get rich, few own their own cabs, and most must pay a daily fee to the owner which is the same regardless of how good a day the driver had.
When paying for the taxi, exit first, pay the taxi driver through the window, and walk away. This is really what the driver expects. If he suspects that you are a wealthy tourist, he may put up some argument, but simply avoid this and keep walking. However, one must remember to carry plenty of small Egyptian notes. In order for our suggestions on paying taxi drivers to work, one must pay the exact amount. Giving the taxi driver a larger note and expecting change will promote a discussion as to the amount of the fare.
It is really not recommended to attempt to hire a taxi for a day, or even for several hours. Taxis are plentiful in Cairo, and it is much better usually to simply take a taxi to a destination, and then find another taxi when you are ready to leave. However, if you decide to hire a taxi to tour outlying areas such as Saqqara and Dahshur rather then taking a more economical organized day tour, expect to pay between 150 and 200 L.E.
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