Practical Information

The most comprehensive compendium of useful information on Cairo is Cairo: A Practical Guide, which includes a set of city maps (published by American University in Cairo Press, available at most bookstores for 1X25). The most reliable telephone directory for goods and services is the Cairo Telephone list, published by the Ma’adi Women’s Guild and available for LE15 at the American Chamber of Commerce, Marriott Hotel, Zamalek (tel. 340 8888, suite 1541).

Tourist Office: Main Office, 5 Adly St. (tel. 391 3454). About a 2()-niin. walk from Tahrir Sq.: follow Tala’at Harb St. past Tala’at Harb Sq. and turn right on Adly St. The office is 3 blocks down on the left, marked “Tourist Police.” Free map. While the staff is short on actual facts, they can usually steer you in more or less the right direction for more information, and will readily write out questions in Arabic (useful for buying train tickets). Open Sat.-Thurs. 9am-2pm. Other offices at the New Cairo International Airport (tel. 245 4400) and Giza at the Pyramids (tel. 385 0259).

Tourist Police: Tel. 126 or 390 6027 or 75 35 55.