Walking is the most fun, and for sure is the fastest - obviously over walkable distances. Do consider it once you have recovered from the biological alarm that bursts off at the chaotic traffic of Cairo, but consider making sure that you know your way back, otherwise memorize the pronunciation of the are where you are staying.

Fifty-five piasters (around $0.15 maybe less) would take you up to nine stations; there are now two lines, one running north-east-south on the east of the Nile with 32 stops between Helwan and Al-Marg, the other runs north-south-west from Shoubra via Midan Al-Tahrir to Giza. The Metro usually starts at six o'clock in the morning and closes at midnight.

Buses travel through almost all parts of Cairo. Even though buses were not meant for tourists, it has been denoted that, just to provide themselves with a sense of excitement, tourists have attempted to use the Cairo buses. Getting aboard a Cairo bus which is either white and red or white and blue, is quite a struggle, as the bus never stops in a station unless an elderly person is about to get on/off the bus, otherwise people can find a way of jumping on/off the bus which usually requires a world class athlete as bus drivers generally drive at full speed. Consider waving to the bus driver before attempting to get aboard, as here he might slow down a bit or stop if you are lucky. Some useful Cairo bus routes are the Tahrir to Cairo Airport #400 (terminal 1), Tahrir to Pyramids/Mena House #900 or 913 (terminal 2), Tahrir to Citadel/ Ibn Tulun #174. There are air-conditioned coaches from Cairo Airport to the Pyramids #355 and #357, from Midan Abdul Mun'im Riad to Heliopolis #356.