What is the best way to get around in Cairo and close cities in Egypt?

I want to take a trip to Egypt but only speak English and am not quite sure how to go about it. I would rather go on my own then with a tour group, but what would be the best way to see all of the pyramids and cities? I would love to hear any suggestions on traveling to Egypt. Thanks

Public Comments

1. I am an American and have been to Cairo twice. The most important thing to consider if you are not going with a tour, which I would recommend for your first time, is to hire a taxi driver to take you where you want to go and to negotiate for you with the people you encounter. If you are a female I would not recommend going by yourself, if you are a guy I would not recommend going by yourself either. Crime (not violent crime) such as robber is not uncommon as you would expect in any major city and going alone makes you more of a target. You can use the Internet to locate a local guide to pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel and such I will be a great trip. You should also bring some water in bottles to use for brushing teeth and such. Good Luck
2. To make the basic visits specially in Cairo is quite easy. There are many Pyramids in Egypt, but the great ones you mean are easy to visit while in Cairo. You need to take it step by step and don't think to visit all the cities in one trip. You should first know your priorities and select what can you do in the first visit. Get some help to design a route of your trip. Keep in mind that life in Egypt is not much organised like Europe and books are not enough to move in the streets of Cairo. You need many kind of advices and help. If you need help in some details, be free to send me
3. i went and stayed on the red sea and took a day trip to Cairo, it was long but worth it. i suggest a private tour guide, mine was great i had an amazing one who booked a taxi, got us a good deal on camel rides and took us to the best parts of the museum. many of the people try to take advantage of you and keep pestering you for tips etc, so be careful. It is easy enough to look around the pyramids as the are in outer Cairo and even have a KFC opposite! but if you want to go anywhere else in Cairo i really would suggest a guide and make sure you book a good taxi company as the driving is awful out there,probably book through your hotel - sometimes you need to take a guard with you. i wouldnt worry about the language, most of them speak english out there. but it really was worth it - a once in a lifetime experience i jsut recommend a private tour guide or to go as a group because it is quite hetic out there!
4. I think it is much better to take an organized tour. If you do not like to be among many people you can ask for a private tour. You will move easily and will learn much more about Egypt this way.
5. I personally dont recommend for any female to travel to any foreign country alone....but if u really must go, then hire a Trustworthy driver and guide....u pay a fee for the entire day, and he drives u wherever u want to go. I have a guy I use, who speaks a little english and is Very fair on prices....but just be careful whatever u do. In town if u take a taxi, take the yellow ones, they are metered and only cost a little bit more but u will know youre getting the right price etc....take care