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A trip to Cairo is worthwhile all year round, but is particularly pleasant between October and April, when temperatures are not too high. The city's public holidays include the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, which takes place on a variable date each year. The festival of breaking the fast after Ramadan is in the ninth month according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The Cairo International Film Festival is held in November.
A visa is required to enter Cairo. It can be purchased before departure for about 22 euros or on arrival for about 25 dollars. The visa is valid for 30 days and passports must be valid for six months after departure. Vaccinations against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria are not mandatory, but recommended. Export bans apply to antique objects and many animals and plants that are under nature and species protection. Tap water in Cairo is not of drinking water quality and should not be used for brushing teeth. Drinking bottled or boiled water is recommended. For food, the motto "cook it, peel it or forget it" should be followed. Prices for restaurant meals start from around 20 EGP. Street food is available for prices below around 10 EGP and is cheaper than in the UK. Regional fruit and vegetables are cheap. Alcohol prices are higher. Imported food, electrical goods and textiles are priced similarly to thse in the UK. Haggling is common.
From the airport to the city centre, bus number 356 goes to Tahrir Square and bus number 381 to Ramses Central Station (fare is about 2 EGP). Taxi fares are higher and trips to the city centre cost around 200 EGP. Prices are often overpriced and passengers should insist on taxi meters and not accept fixed prices. Accommodation in guesthouses and backpacker hostels starts at around 85 EGP per night. A 3-star hotel costs on average around EGP 250 per night and person. Local transport is extensive and includes trains, trams, suburban trains and bus lines (from around EGP 2), minibuses, ferries and metro (from EGP 2). Prices for taxi rides are cheaper than in the UK (starting price is about 5 EGP per three kilometres plus about 1.50 EGP per additional kilometre). Prices are often set higher for tourists, so the price should be negotiated in advance.