days of the week?

I recently read that Friday mornings in Cairo are fairly quiet for prayer time. Does this make it a good time to go out sightseeing, for example to the Giza pyramids, or is everything shut? Does it generally mean less hassle when walking the streets (touts et al)? On the other hand I’ve read that things may get rowdy in the Tahir area later in the day.

Also, are weekends busier for long-distance transport (eg Alexandria, Taba (en route to Petra), Luxor) and visiting tourist sites? If so, is more than a few days in advance enough for train/bus reservations? I’m thinking the travelers wouldn’t necessarily be locals, but people from nearby countries making a holiday by extending weekends.

I have never been to Egypt before, so excuse for asking what some may consider obvious questions. I’m planning a trip (by way of extended stopover) for May. I know my flyout date, but otherwise I like to keep my schedule open to allow for the possibility of spontaneity.

Most Egyptians will not work on Friday morning to prepare for the Great Prayer of the week. In Cairo, this translates into the only time in the week where there is no traffic jam. A one-hour drive suddenly turns into a 15 minute ride. Things go back to "normal", meaning hectic, after 2 pm.

It's the perfect time to go on a quick trip to the suburds. Expats will use Friday morning to go horseriding near the pyramids in Giza, or to go shopping at City Stars in Heliopolis.

Personally I suggest going to the Khan Al Jhalili around noon and sit in a cafe on the main square to observe the Great Prayer in front of Al Hussein mosque.

Many shops close on Fridays, but not all. Tourist sites remain open as usual.