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I'm interested to see how many foreigners here have actually used public transport within the Greater Cairo area:
Microbus (white vans about 15 seats) Minibus (normal bus with a number) Trucks (smaller transports) Metro Railway Other (please state)
jean_bean Member # 13715
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have buzzed all over Cairo in Taxis - but always with the hubby. and only used the microbus with him in Hurghada.
Sashyra8 Member # 14488
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I've used taxis by myself all over Cairo,too.And also railway to Luxor.Both without any problem whatsoever other than the usual haggling with the taxi driver on the fees. And i doubt i would ever use any kind of bus,but could try the Metro.
With a name like Smuckers Member # 10289
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That microbus minibus thing is sheer evil!
Mizz Egypt Member # 3567
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I have driven with a normal bus only once in my life in Egypt, it was overcrowded and you can possibly imagine what happened..
I used taxis while living in Cairo.
massenburg Member # 10776
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What about the Toktok ?? They have them in Giza.
massenburg Member # 10776
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I sure miss the Swiss transportation system.
Oldbag Member # 9889
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We've got TokToks here but I wasn't really thinking of individual taxis, toktoks as public transport, but I guess they are.
Mother War Member # 8386
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I've used taxis, Superjet bus (to and from Alex)and microbuses in Cairo and Alex.
Marmia Member # 13506
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Ive used taxis, microbus twice, minibus once - bcos once was enough. When we were in a little suberb off Alex we used a horse drawn cart (two planks of wood as seats (very bumby!) and when in my husbands town we sometimes use tuk tuks which I think are great.. Id love one! cross between a glorified golf cart & a "bumper car: from the fun fair some with flashing lights and music to entertain. we have a car which I prefer above all other as its safe, comfortable and not held together by string or cellotape!
bosox65 Member # 14647
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Oh marmia I looked at those horse drawn things in Alex and I could feel my backside hurting just looking at them!!! lol. Looks fun but I'm not into the bumps!
I've taken the bus, the mini-bus and the train (not sure if it's the metro or not...it was the local train in Alex)
I like the microbusses but I don't think I'd take it without my husband. The bigger busses are ok too but sometimes hard to exit when there's a ton of people standing. I'll take a bus over a taxi anyday! My husband kept telling me let's take a taxi and I was like no way jose I'm much more calm in a bus!!!
We took a microbus from Cairo to Alex though it was a nicer one than we normally would take just to get to a shorter distance. It was cool because the Quran was playing the entire time so it was very soothing to us both.
newcomer Member # 1056
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Microbus (white vans about 15 seats) - Yep, for short journeys only if I can get a seat near the front. I'm not keen on being squashed up with smokers for long journey's (and the driver and front seat passengers always seem to be smoking when I get on a microbus). And I hate squashing past everyone with my behind in their faces to get off! Most trips north of the Nile seem to cost 1/2 - 1 LE per trip now.
Minibus (normal bus with a number) - Yep, but will only sit either on the front seat or a non-window seat, this way I avoid the men trapping me in by the window when they get too close. Most trips north of the Nile seem to cost 1.10 LE now, but the older versions charge 1/2 - 1 LE.
Trucks (smaller transports) - Once in a village, but only accompanied by the family I knew; haven't braved it on my own in Cairo.
Metro - Yep, but only in the front two ladies carriages. Tickets cost 1 LE now
Railway - Yep, travelling back on my own from the village to Cairo. I had a single seat to myself in a first class carriage all the way and it was great, no hassle.
Other (please state) - 25 piaster-sardine-tin-bone-shakers (the big old buses you see rattling past with people hanging out of them!): Same rule as minibuses regarding the seating.
- CTA air-conditioned buses: Great as long as you don't have to wait for one as you could wait for 1 1/2 hours for the one you want. Additional rule to the outside-seat rule, don't sit near the back unless you want to watch couples all over each other or it be assumed that you want to join them! Most trips cost 2 LE, but you may get a discount if the air conditioning isn't working
- The new anti-pollution big green buses: These are the most comfortable, least hassle, and a cheap way to travel. The seats are low, so no funny-business from the men as everyone can see everything and the fares are graded by distance. Most trips north of the Nile seem to cost .75 - 1 LE now.
- Taxis: Occasionally, if I am late/there is no direct bus route and I don't want to wait around to change buses/I'm feeling lazy/I have a lot of shopping (although its amazing how many shopping bags you can get into a microbus if you really try ) Always make sure I have the exact change, get out of the taxi and hand the money in through the window and walk away with no discussion.
- Yellow taxis: Nice, clean, air-conditioned, safe as the office tracks the taxis. But as they are now trying to use the ring-road to speed up the journey, this is adding extra onto their fares as the trip is longer. Others say that they are not so prompt or reliable now.
- Horse-drawn cart: When I played at being a tourist once with some friends.
Exiled Member # 14410
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I traveled all the modes of transport that Oldbag listed and i am proud to say i even traveled on the Nuweiba - Aqaba ferry (the Princess not the slower one).
My favorite of them all are the express trains to Alex. That is like so convenient to arrive in 2 or so hours in Sidi Jabir. My second favorite mode of travel is microbus.
From the corniche(downtown)to maadi is like a rocket ride
The most disliked mode of transport is the Metro.
Oldbag Member # 9889
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I don't understand about the Metro why so many haven't used it - it is quick, relatively clean, efficient and cheap. The ticket machines are so similar to the London Underground, time intervals between trains are quite short, I think the Cairo Metro is wonderful - its just a pity it doesn't cover more of the city!
Exiled Member # 14410
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quote:Originally posted by Oldbag: I don't understand about the Metro why so many haven't used it - it is quick, relatively clean, efficient and cheap. The ticket machines are so similar to the London Underground, time intervals between trains are quite short, I think the Cairo Metro is wonderful - its just a pity it doesn't cover more of the city!
4 Main reasons:
1- I am a little claustrophobic
2- There are hardly any seats available (until reaching sadat station)
3- People stare A LOT on the metro - i normally don't have a problem with people staring too much but the metro - ppl focus.
4- It just feels kind of grim and depressing – I used to use it only during rush hour when I didn’t want to drive/take a cab.
I mean as soon as i am above ground in Medan Tahrir i am like Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Oldbag Member # 9889
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If you're on Facebook, try this group - mainly for denizens of the London Underground - but suitable I'm sure for all Metro users the world over
posted ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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) Always make sure I have the exact change, get out of the taxi and hand the money in through the window and walk away with no discussion.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)