Cairo is generally a very warm city. January will be a mix of nice sunny, warm days, with chilly nights. There will also be a possible chance of having random rainy days, though they are usually uncommon. Pack clothes that can be layered together, lightweight sweaters, and jackets. Scarves will be very useful (both for chilly days and when visiting old mosques that would require women to cover their heads and shoulders)
Cairo is a huge metropolitan city, and has a mix of conservative and progressive components to life. It is generally to pack breathable clothes, made of linen or cotton. The weather will have a mix of warm and chilly days so pack things that can be layered together so you’re ready for any random changes in temperature. If you read online you’ll find multiple discussions about what women should wear when visiting cairo; dressing modestly is always a safe bet, (longer skirts and trousers & higher cut tops). You can also pack scarves or a lightweight cape for layering and visiting mosques. Hats will be very helpful to protect from the sun on sunny days, and dont forget the sun screen. Pack a swimsuit!
Electrical outlets are different in Egypt than the US. You can find converters for your devices locally in the city, though it would be easier if you buy one from Amazon before you leave the US.
Driving: getting an international license will be helpful in case you decide to rent a car. Uber: Ubers are available and affordable in USD. The same account you have for the US can work for Egypt, so need to change the account or the payment methods too (credit cards can be used for this method unlike most transportation methods) Local taxis: local taxis are plenty, and cheaper than uber. They can be helpful when uber wait times are very long though they will tend to overcharge tourists so it’s helpful to check the price on Uber before getting in the cab and not pay more than that. Metro: the metro is helpful to get around, and connects downtown cairo, with the cairo museum, and other neighborhoods like Dokki and Zamalek. It can get too crowded during rush hours (8am to 10 am & 4pm to 7pm). Transport to or from the airport: Ubers can be helpful to get from the airport into the city, however Cairo does not have the option to order an SUV uber (uber XL), so if you have more than two checked bags it would be better to book your transport with Cairo Airport Shuttle service, for a convenient and spacious vehicle. They accept payments through credit cards when you book from the website or cash on completion of the trip. Keep cash with you for all transportation methods, except for Uber which takes the same american card you use in the US.
American credit cards will usually work in Cairo, with the exception of Amex. Visa and Mastercards are widely accepted, but Amex are more rare. Call your US bank about withdrawing cash from Egyptian ATMs using your card to understand the limits and any additional fees that will be incurred. Acquiring cash in cairo easy through ATMs, and currency exchange offices. Most museums will accept credit cards for tickets and gift shops. (Including the pyramids and other historical sites) You can ask your bank to exchange some Egyptian Pounds before you get to Egypt, though we would recommend you not exchange a large amount and exchange more as you go in Cairo. Start with 5000 Egyptian Pounds. You will need US dollars for the Visa which you will get upon arrival in Cairo Airport. ($25 USD)
Yes, all foreigners require a visa to enter the country, however this is not an issue. US citizens can acquire a visa upon arrival at Cairo Airport. The visa is paid for in Cash only, and must be in US dollars. It costs $25 so bring this amount in cash with you for every guest (if you are a group of 3, bring $75). This applies to adults and kids.