I would be going to cairo to take an exam in November this year. I would like to know what mode of travel would you recommend to and from Downtown Cairo (where i might be staying at a hotel) to International medical center, Belbis - 10th of Ramadan, الشرقية, Cairo Governorate.
I would prefer a budget mode of travel. I have to travel only 1 or 2 times for a 7-8 hours stay at the medical center.
I advise you to take a taxi especially if you should be in Belbis at a specific time. I have never been to 10th of Ramadan but I do know it is situated about 50 kms northeast from downtown Cairo.Public buses are cheap but you cannot trust on timetables (if you find any!) and for a "tourist" it is difficult to find buses which go to 10th of Ramadan. If you have some extra time before going to the medical center I advise you to go to bus stations, where most of the public buses leave , and ask around for the buses to Belbis/10th of Ramadan. I know two stations: 1) Midan Ramses (around Cairo Railway station) and 2) Cairo Gateway (near Orabi metro station).
Thankyou shiribaan for replying. Can you advise me what should approximately be the taxi fare? The distance is 46km according to google maps?
Also anyone famliar with 10th Ramazan city or El-Shorouk help me with this?
Personally I would be willing to pay LE 80 - LE 100 (abt USD 10 -USD 12) for this ride. I've used two kind of taxis in Cairo. Old white and black taxis do not usually turn meters on (if they even have meters) and the fare should be negotiated before getting on the taxi. New white taxis have meters and you should insist the driver turn on the meter. Problem with white taxis is that they might earn some extra money by not taking the shortest way. On the other hand, white and black taxis normally add a tourist extra to a negotiated fare...tourists always pay more than locals even though they do not know it.
If you wish to spare money, take an old looking taxi with an old looking driver, with them you can negotiate lower fares than with brand new cars with young drivers!
By the way, when you pay the taxi, get first out off the taxi and hand the agreed fare to the driver thru the car window. I also advise you to ask tips from the hotel where you are staying in Cairo. Perhaps your hotel can arrange a cheap transport to 10th Ramadan city 'cos usually somebody knows somebody who has a car and free time and could take you really cheap to Belbis...Good luck!
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