How to Rent a Camel in Cairo
Travel from Cairo to the Giza Pyramids., Determine your budget., Be ready to bargain.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Travel from Cairo to the Giza Pyramids.
The Cairo camel rental process begins with a ride to the Pyramids.
The pyramid site is approximately 14 miles (23 km) from Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Inexpensive, air-conditioned buses are available about every 20 minutes.
You may also take a taxi from nearly anywhere in the city.
You're less likely to have to haggle for a better price in the yellow taxis or on a bus than in the black-and-white taxis. -
Step 2: Determine your budget.
A trip on a pre-arranged tour is more expensive than a walk-up trip.
Your package tour may also include a camel-riding experience.
If you're planning to go on a professional tour of Egypt and the Middle East, check with the tour operator to determine if the tour includes a tour of the pyramids riding camels.
If it does, someone else will handle the legwork for you.
This is certainly the easiest, though also the most expensive option for renting a camel in Cairo.
Several companies offer advance reservations for day trips that include camel-riding pyramid tours.
These packages often include transportation from Cairo, several hours of camel riding, refreshments, and a tour guide.
They tend to cost around US$100, but are usually reputable.
You can hire a camel after you have arrived at the pyramids.
Be wary.
Camel rental agencies have reputations of trying to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.
Some stories involve forcing people who rent a camel to pay a second fee to get off of the camel or repeatedly placing costume pieces (such as a Lawrence of Arabia-style turban) onto a renter just before taking a picture, and then asking for a "costume-rental fee."
Like many services in Cairo, camel rental gets cheaper the better you are at bargaining.
You should expect to pay around 40 Egyptian Pounds (US$7) for an on-site camel rental, though good prices range from 30 to 50 Egyptian Pounds ($5-8). -
Step 3: Be ready to bargain.
Detailed Guide
The Cairo camel rental process begins with a ride to the Pyramids.
The pyramid site is approximately 14 miles (23 km) from Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Inexpensive, air-conditioned buses are available about every 20 minutes.
You may also take a taxi from nearly anywhere in the city.
You're less likely to have to haggle for a better price in the yellow taxis or on a bus than in the black-and-white taxis.
A trip on a pre-arranged tour is more expensive than a walk-up trip.
Your package tour may also include a camel-riding experience.
If you're planning to go on a professional tour of Egypt and the Middle East, check with the tour operator to determine if the tour includes a tour of the pyramids riding camels.
If it does, someone else will handle the legwork for you.
This is certainly the easiest, though also the most expensive option for renting a camel in Cairo.
Several companies offer advance reservations for day trips that include camel-riding pyramid tours.
These packages often include transportation from Cairo, several hours of camel riding, refreshments, and a tour guide.
They tend to cost around US$100, but are usually reputable.
You can hire a camel after you have arrived at the pyramids.
Be wary.
Camel rental agencies have reputations of trying to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.
Some stories involve forcing people who rent a camel to pay a second fee to get off of the camel or repeatedly placing costume pieces (such as a Lawrence of Arabia-style turban) onto a renter just before taking a picture, and then asking for a "costume-rental fee."
Like many services in Cairo, camel rental gets cheaper the better you are at bargaining.
You should expect to pay around 40 Egyptian Pounds (US$7) for an on-site camel rental, though good prices range from 30 to 50 Egyptian Pounds ($5-8).
About the Author
Brenda Turner
Committed to making lifestyle accessible and understandable for everyone.
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