Heya!

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if the taxis at Cairo Airport are reliable (like is there a nice little system or do you just walk out and start looking for a taxi?), or would you suggest that we get an airport transfer to get to our hotel?

Also around how much would we expect to pay to get from the airport to the city (we will be going to the Marriott Casino Hotel in Zamalek)?

Thanks!

Check this out:
http://connect.contiki.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/112105522/m/443104753

Upon exiting the airport all the taxi cowboys will be quite persistent to get you to take their bunkies for exorbitant sums.There isn't a proper set price with these cowboys .This is usually the first of many scams that you will encounter in Egypt.

Its better to go to the official stands situated on the right of the exit about a 50m walk.There will be stands for the limosine transfer. They will tell you the price upfront and it should be around the USD 20-25 to downtown Cairo- Midan Tahrir area for the entire vehicle not per person. Zamalek area from memory is also quite close.Its also a upper class surburb on an island near the Nile .

Thanks we will probably go for the limosine transfer, the hotel website said its about US$25 too

Do you know if they expect to be paid in US dollars or Egyptian pounds? I don't want to exchange all my money and realise I need some US dollars.

They would prefer USD, but make sure you have small denominations rather than the larger notes i.e.50, 100 bills. Also the Egyptians are also fussy about the USD they only want the new USD in good condition rather than the old series. Some people from the US brought the old series 100notes and were knocked back. From Australia we mainly get the new USD from money exchangers but certainly check the condition of it.Don't accept torn notes, notes with holes etc. from your money changer.