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The rough rule of thumb for knowing how much a certain journey should cost - roughly, a trip from Zamalek to Tahrir would be about 5 Egyptian pounds. This isn't a long journey and takes maybe 10 minutes, depending on traffic. 5 Egyptian pounds is about 50 pence. Longer journeys, especially to tourist destinations, will always give inflated prices, but try to haggle them down. You can also pre-agree the prices for longer journeys, but it's trickier for quicker inner-city taxi rides.

Further, when you get a taxi from the airport, it's very important to disregard the first couple of drivers who offer you their taxi, so that you build some credibility. 50 Egyptian pounds isn't that bad, especially for westerners just arriving, to get a taxi to your hotel in the city, but if you can get it lower, so much the better. The reason it's more expensive from the airport isn't just the distance (it's maybe forty minutes) but also the fact that the taxi driver has to pay a couple of entry fees and bribes in order to be inside the airport area at all.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9521 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9520
Don't let the camel drivers etc rip you off, unless you want to take a ride, in which case be sure to haggle. Also, when they offer to pose for a photo, if you take it, they'll make a fuss about being paid afterwards.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9520 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9519 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9519 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9518
Around Tahrir is the American University in Cairo, a huge government building, some shitty hostels and some decent cafes. One in particular, Ali Baba, has a bit of a hackneyed name but is famous and was the favourite of the recent Novel laureate/Egyptian novelist who died, Naguib Mahfouz. I didn't get around to going to Ali Baba. There are other good outdoor cafes in the area, too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9518 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9517 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9517 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9516
The market of Khan Khalili is great to visit, but closed certain days, so try and find out when. It's got lots of different things; be sure not to get cornered by sales people. If you wander far beyond the main strip, you'll find a local Cairene food market and its fascinating to walk through it, really lots of fun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9515 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9515 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9514 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9514 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9513
Right on 26th of July street (the main arterial avenue) there are lots of bars, restaurants and cafes, so give it a wander and select things if you like the look of them.

The Cairo opera house, which is meant to have good performances, is further south on the island of Gezira.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9513