Driving in Cairo

[Taggart]

I enjoy not having to drive in general, but I've heard that it's advisable to not rent a car while in Cairo and take a cab instead, because of the aggressive driving there.

Do you think that Cairo's streets are more hectic for driving than other large cities?

[mushtaq]

The Cairo streets are crazy, the only way to drive here is to put a blindfold on and hit the gas paddle

My advice is to hire a car and driver for the day, it's very cheap compared to hiring a car back home, and you have no stress, your hands are free to use your camera too.

To cross the street you have to make sure you make a will out and hope you make it to the other side.

Crossing streets here reminds me of the old video game called Frogger

If you have to cross the streets, my tip is to stand beside a local crossing the road (make sure he/she is nearer to the oncoming traffic) and just follow the moves.

[Egyptian_Sharm]

you are so much right Mushtaq , i suffer myself driving in cairo .


xxx

[FourBear]

I've found that there are crazy drivers everywhere, and that it's always easier to have someone else do the driving for you. Cairo sounds like some of the other cities I've been in, in terms of having to look out wherever you go.

[Egyptian_Sharm]

can easly tell you that most Egyptian drivers do not respect any traffic rules .

xxx

[Tangent210]

Yeah I would suggest getting a cab. Not only because it's less stressful but you can take pictures while covering a large area of land which you can't do at all when you're driving.

[mamab]

Thankfully, I will take your advice for when we get to Cairo, and probably the rest of the trip, as well.

I'm envisioning the picture of twenty tourists standing next to a local, while crossing the street. Do you have to tip them if they act as a buffer when doing something like that? LOL

[Nefertari]

Unless you are born in Cairo and have the 'Cairo driver gene' from birth, to try it is suicide

Any people that drive in Cairo and survive deserve a medal in my opinion and even being a passenger in a taxi is an experience not to be tried with any heart problems

It took my friend and I 3 days to learn to cross the roads near to the museum, the trick is to shut your eyes, hold up your left hand, and walk. On reaching the other side in one piece is a matter for huge celebrations and many have to hang onto a lamp post or kiss the ground thanking God for saving them.

All driving laws, if there are any, are totally ignored, even traffic lights are ignored unless there is a policeman there.

Traffic is either fast or stopped

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZfAdN8fjLI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHlxd...elated&search=

[Taggart]

It sounds like maybe the best way to cross the street is to take a taxi!

Cairo sounds worse for traffic than New York City. I've never driven in New York, but I've had taxi rides and a crazy bus ride.

[Iman]

I've seen so many videos on youtube showing the driving in Cairo and I always sit with my jaw hanging and not quite understanding how they ever manage to get anywhere. The road lines are ignored, stoplights ignored, no lights used, etc. It's a wonder to me that there aren't more fatalities!!
I decided that even being a passenger in a taxi would probably scare me half to death and I might just have to keep my eyes closed.