Welcome to Cairo

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Your answers help me immensely. Planning a tour from halfway around the world (Canada) by email is a bit nerve-racking so I am glad to have found someone who used them recently. Did you pay for your tour upon arrival? That is what we are doing and we planned on paying in US dollars. Was there a different guide for each city/area you went to? Besides the Maadi being far from everything, what else did you not like about that hotel. I see you used the sleeper train. How was that? We are also doing a Nile Cruise and Sharm. Thanks for the tip on asking the guides to stay longer in a place we are interested in. I will remember that. Did you get approached often with the scams even though you had your guide with you? Just wondered so we know what to expect. Sorry for all the questions. It is our first time to Egypt, we are bringing our two teenage girls and my parents are coming also, so I want everything to go well. Thanks so much for your help.

Wow, are you ever a great help to us. There are 6 of us going, my husband and I, our two teenage daughters, and also my parents. You comments help very much, so that we are more prepared which make it more trouble free for all of us. Thanks for the heads up about the hotel. I will definately email and ask if we can use a different hotel in Cairo. Although we are used to going basic. We had this room once in Chaing Mai, Thailand that was so horrible we laughed hysterically. I'll never forget the look on my daughters faces. May I ask what you tipped your guide. I have found lots of guidelines for tipping everyone else but not too much on the guide. And did you tip them at the end of every day or at the end of your time with that particular guide? I had read about the pens and planned on bringing some. They really do like them, eh? I am sure I will have more questions. We are so excited to go but still have a few months to wait.

Hello...gald to be of some help. If you have travelled before then Egypt should be no major problem! Tips wise For toilets 1 or 2 egyptian pound is enough. For porters at train stations etc try about 10 to 15 pounds depending on how far and how much baggage you have..you can always carry your own bag but they are pretty presistent. Taxis in Cairo are cheap... about 15 Egyptian Pounds to go to most places and maybe an extra 5 when you get out as a tip.. agree your price before hand though. For the guide we paid 50 egyptian pounds each into a kitty and paid each guide at the end of his stint..not every day. So each guide got about 300.00 pounds off us in total and we gave 50 to the driver of the bus. Normally the same driver came with the guide so we also only paid them at the end of the few days. You should probably check with the Guide though that your driver will be the same the next day. 300.00 I think was fairly generous - at least they did not seem to complain. It works at about 50 dollars so thats 10 dollars for each of the adults to each guide.

Hello, I am planning a trip on Egypt in May/June 2007, and I seriously considering going with Best Way. I just wanted to thank you for posting your description and helpful hints to previous travellers. I read some mixed reviews on Best Way and as Flowerlady said, booking via email is a bit disconcerning. I guess my question is how you finalized your trip. It seems like previous complains were due to miscommunications in terms of hotels etc. Aside from confirming my itinerary with Best Way and all of the hotels I will be staying at, what other questions should I ask? Thank you in advance

The Maadi was a little far out and very drab and run down looking. Wasnt the worst in the world but by European or US standards it was close to two star. Breakfast was also very lame. Water pressure was weak, carpets were grey and tatty and the walls all needed painting. Distance was probably the least worring thing as taxis are so cheap it hardly matters. We paid upon arrival in cash, there was a slight increase in price due to train increase. We had a different guide in every new location e.g. Cairo, Aswan, Luxor. They were all very good, but be prepared to tip both them and the driver of your bus. Also most importantly bring lots of single USD bills and pens. Tipping is required everywhere and in some places the kids or bathroom attendants will also take pens in place of money. The sleeper train was great.. we were in first class. It was a little late but the guide stayed with us until we boarded. The sleepers were fine, two to a carriage and there are interconnecting doors which was nice. They were clean and a basin in each room for washing teeth etc. Toilets were also clean on our train but bring spare loo roll or tissue as by the next day it gets scarce. Apparently the normal seated class is not so nice! Nile Cruise is a great way to get around. As for scams take nothing at face value and view everything as a scam until you find out otherwise. The people are all lovely but at the main tourist places you will be approached to buy tat, just be firm and say no thanks. The guide helps alot, e.g. you shouldnt run into any hotel scams or anything like that but just be prepared for the touts. If you go to the market which is an experiene be prepared for a complete culture shock. Wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts as the market is largely used by locals. You will get much more respect this way. Also if taking tea or a drink at the coffee house in the market go away from the main square...and ask how much your drink is before you confirm your order. Bargain for everything.. our guide recommended reducing the asking price by about 70% and then being prepared to pay approx 60% of what was first asked. Try to save your buying of presents etc to the end of your trip and also if the guide brings you to eat somewhere ask him to negotiate the price for you. Finally, drink sealed bottled water and use this for teeth brushing etc. Bring some medicine to avoid stomach upset and diorhea. Seven of us travelled and of those two had mind upset for a few hours but that was all. Just be sensible and careful and if you feel ill nip it in the bud. You will have a fantastic time there, it is very safe and once you learn to say a few small phrases like thanks and No thanks in Arabic you will be fine.

Flowerlady, Yes I would recommend Best Way. I would say that the accommodation in Cairo could have been nicer but its worth mentioning it to them and asking for a nice hotel close to the centre. All our other hotels were fantastic, they offered us a free upgrade in Luxor. If they offer this ask for the Movenpick instead of the Isis. When our train ran late they were very accommodating and rescheduled our iterinary so that we missed out on nothing. The guides we had were very good.. make the most of them and dont be afraid to ask to stay longer if you are interested in a particular sight e.g. the Egyptian Museum. Also, bring all your booking details and iterinary with you to have to hand. And bring the money in dollars to pay the cost. They cannot accept visa and its a pain asking them to convert. Hope this is a help... any other questions let me know.

Hello, My family and I have booked a tour with Best Way Travel. Were you glad you chose them to do your tour? Any comments at all would be appreciated. Thank you.