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Muslim business traveller's guide
Cairo is one of the easiest cities anywhere for a Muslim business traveller: Egypt is overwhelmingly Muslim, so food is halal by default (no pork in mainstream kitchens) and mosques are on almost every street, with the adhan carrying across the city five times a day. The historic Al-Azhar quarter and Khan el-Khalili bazaar sit at the spiritual and commercial heart of the old city, while the Cairo Metro plus the Uber and Careem ride apps make the sprawling capital manageable between expo sessions.
Getting in
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
• Uber / Careem — 30-60 min to the centre (easiest and most predictable; book inside the terminal)
• Airport taxi — 30-60 min (agree the fare in advance or insist on the meter)
• Airport bus / shuttle — ~60-90 min (cheapest; slower and less direct)
Getting around
The Cairo Metro (three lines, with a new monorail and LRT expanding the network) is fast and beats the city's heavy traffic; buses and microbuses fill the gaps but are harder for visitors to navigate.
Buy a rechargeable Metro smartcard (or single-ride tickets) at any Metro station.
Uber and Careem are the simplest and most transparent option; with street taxis, agree the fare first as meters are often not used.
Visa & entry
Money
Egyptian Pound · EGP
Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but cash is essential for taxis, markets and small cafés; carry small notes.
Tipping (baksheesh) is customary — small tips for service, porters and drivers are expected.
Connectivity
Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat and WE tourist SIMs at CAI arrivals (passport required)
eSIM: Airalo and similar eSIMs cover Egypt
Plug: Type C / F (European 2-pin) · 220V / 50Hz
Emergency
General: 122
Fire: 180
Safety
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors travel from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to connect to Cairo from each — entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note above.
London
Egyptian street food & grills
Downtown & citywide · $
halal by default
Koshari, ful and ta'ameya (falafel), shawarma and grilled meats are everywhere and halal by default — no need to check.
Khan el-Khalili & Al-Azhar quarter
Islamic Cairo · $-$$
halal by default
Historic cafés and grill houses around the bazaar — mixed grills, kebabs and mint tea in the heart of old Cairo.
Zamalek & Mohandessin dining
west-bank Cairo · $$-$$$
widely halal / pork-free
Upscale restaurants and cafés popular with business visitors; mainstream meat is halal, though a few venues also serve alcohol.
Egyptian sweets & bakeries
citywide · $
halal by default
Basbousa, konafa, om ali and baklava from traditional sweet shops across the city.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Islamic Cairo
The 10th-century mosque and seat of Al-Azhar, one of the most important centres of Sunni learning in the world.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali (Alabaster Mosque)
Citadel of Saladin
The landmark Ottoman-style mosque crowning the Citadel, with sweeping views over the city.
Mosques citywide
citywide
Cairo has thousands of mosques — one is never far, and hotels, malls and the airport all have prayer rooms (musalla).
Giza Pyramids & the Great Sphinx
Giza
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, on the desert edge of greater Cairo (ticketed).
Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Islamic Cairo
The centuries-old market for copper, spices, lanterns and souvenirs, beside Al-Azhar and Al-Hussein mosques.
Citadel of Saladin
Mokattam hills
The medieval fortress crowned by the Muhammad Ali Mosque, with panoramic views over Cairo (ticketed).
Sources: https://egymonuments.gov.eg · https://visa2egypt.gov.eg · https://www.cairo-airport.com
Nearby and frequently-paired destinations, with the same Muslim-traveller guide.
United Kingdom