I’m in Cairo, only about 10 kilometers from The Pyramids of Giza. Only I haven’t seen a single pyramid yet because I’ve been running around renewing my student card and checking into flights to any country South of Egypt.
Spending six hours in the tour group-packed Egyptian Museum was not stressful compared to figuring out where I want to go next. The four places I’ve checked so far have given me prices around $540 USD for a one way flight from Cairo to Addis (Ethiopia) to Dar es Salam (Tanzania). I could probably get to Dar for around $510. For kicks I had Casablanca quoted and it was closer to $300, even though the flight is longer.
I will be here at least a few more days, before heading to Aswan, Abu Simel and Luxor. Hopefully a revelation will come to me in the next 24 hours, along with a reasonable African airfare.
7 responses to “Flight Shopping in Cairo”
That sketchbook continues to rule.
I’m always for the underdog.
Why not Casablanca?
I just wanted to commend you on your excellent budgeting skills. I am currently planning my RTW for next year and I am in awe of your finances page. It is really helpful in estimating and to make sure I?m thinking of everything. Your site is the best travel website I?ve come across because of the wealth of information you include and the witty commentary as well. And you?re giving me a great boost of confidence as a female traveler to travel to places solo like Jordan and Egypt as well as wherever you end up in Africa.
You’ll be in my good graces if you go to Madagascar and snap a photo or two of lemurs.
LEMURS!!!
I looked around for a few minutes, and dug up a couple options: Egypt Air to NBO (Niarobi) for 389 incl. tax one-way, pretty much every other day for the next month. Or you can go via Doha on the very nice Qatar Airways for 417. There are many flights to Addis Ababa for 360-460, including a fun flight via Yemen if you want. As you’ve probably seen, the cheapest flights to Madagascar tend to be from Niarobi or Joburg, but it will still run you something like 600 round trip.
(You can look these up and book them yourself on Kayak.com; just throw in a few dates for the next week and you’ll find them – then go to the Pyramids and not to the travel agent!)
Lucas,
It is my goal in life to rule. Good to hear I’m on track. Thanks. I have about six pages from The Egyptian Museum so you have something to look forward to.
Why not Casablanca? I suppose I’ll go there sometime. I guess because it seems easy, like somewhere you go when you find yourself in Spain. And it would be my gateway into West Africa and I haven’t researched that at all.
Stacy,
I’m so glad you’re using my site for good! I have so much information that I hope it can help someone rather than just boring my friends and family when I get home. Vietnam can be done cheaper. Ask me if you have any questions and try to read the country notes, there’s a lot of details there about some extra expenses.
And Jordan is super easy. Really.
Ali,
Lemurs for you… as long as it doesn’t require a night hike through the jungle or something. I don’t do those.
Cure,
I did get a similar Egypt Air price from an agent here. But I hear Egypt Air is a bad airline and I should avoid it. We’ll see. I also got an offer from Ethiopian Airlines for $509 for either CAI> ADD> NBO or CAI> ADD> DAR (um, those are my made up but hopefulyl understabdable airport codes).
Air Mad will probably be a little over $600 RT, which is okay. And I can get discounts on internal flights with them.
I planned on going to the pyramids today but it rained. So tomorrow, it has to be tomorrow.
Well, if you don’t *see* any lemurs…another tacky postcard will do. 😉
I’m crossing all fingers and toes that there will be no rain on Friday so that you can see the pyramids.
ps…it’s been a blast seeing all the latest photos. Jordan might’ve been expensive yet you were able to take such kickass photos of the desert. Don’t get me started on Petra…you got to see Petra! (is jellus)