Since 2011’s Egyptian Evolution and the ensuing volatile situations, Egypt’s tourism industry has been dealt a severe blow. In 2010, the country welcomed 14.7 million visitors. That number dropped to 9.3 million in 2015, though it was already an increase compared to the proceeding few years.

If you fret over traveling to Egypt, I can tell you now that the country is a rather safe place to visit these days. In a recent trip to Cairo, where I spent 10 days, I didn’t sense the slightest sign of danger. The city is quite peaceful and people are very friendly, save for some phony tour guides that prey on gullible tourists (more on that later).

In fact, with increased airport security and a cheap Egyptian currency, this could be your best time to visit Egypt. If you’re planning on your first trip to the country, here are some tips that will help you smooth the journey.

1. Change your currency at Egyptian banks or hotels

Traditional thinking goes that it’s easier to change currency in Singapore – or other developed countries, for that matter – and rates are better. That’s not the case for Egypt, where you can get better rates from local money changers.

I changed my US dollars at the hotel I stayed in Cairo Heliopolis. The rate was almost the same as the real-time rate on XE, which never happens in Singapore. It might be because that Egyptian Pound is rather weak now, making foreign currency more attractive in the country.

Bring US dollars or Euros. Chinese Yuan are very popular there too.

2. Get a local SIM card

Getting a local SIM card is the best way for you to stay connected. Data roaming in Egypt is extravagantly expensive as there is no partnership between local operators and foreign telecom companies.

Buy a local SIM card from the operator Orange. For only EGP195 (S$15.7 or US$11), you’ll get a prepaid card that comes with 3GB data if you request data only. A 25-minute talk time is included in the card by default.

3. Uber is the best way of getting around

First of all, do not use the car service at the hotels. The chance is that you are going to be ripped off. I took a 20-minute hotel car ride and was charged EGP250 (S$20 or US$14). When I called an Uber to the same place the next day, the fare was only EGP30 (S$2.4 or US$1.7)!

Taxis are not any better, because you will get stuck in traffic easily and you can only guess how crazy the meter will run.

There is a strange thing in Cairo: No traffic lights. During the 10 days, I went to different directions of the city and cars ran hours on the road without even bumping into one traffic light! The only one I saw was at the Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo.

As a result, the traffic in Cairo is a big mess. Despite having great road infrastructure (roads are very good in Cairo), congestion is a common scene. All the cars on the road seem to have problem staying in the lane and often stride across the dotted lines. With this unruly road behavior, renting a car is also out of the picture.

This makes Uber the best choice, and there is plenty of Uber cars in Cairo. I booked Uber to the pyramids, museums and all other tourist sites, and I waited no more than 10 minutes for each booking.

There are two options for Uber rides in Egypt: UberX and Uber Select. The latter claims to be better cars and each ride is about EGP10 (S$0.8 or US$0.57) to EGP20 (S$1.6 or US$1.14) more expensive than the former.

I chose the Uber Select in the first few days and decided to try UberX in the last few. Honestly, I didn’t feel much difference, except that Uber Select are Hyundai or Toyota cars while UberX are Geely cars. But the Geely is quite spacious and comfortable as well!

4. Get locals to help you if needed (especially when you need someone who speaks Arabic)

The majority of Egyptians don’t speak English. This could become a problem when you book Uber cars. Some of the drivers can understand very simple English, but most of them can’t communicate in English.

The bright side is that local people are very friendly and willing to help. When you have difficulty telling drivers where exactly you are, hand your phone to locals on the street and they will help you get the driver around. I tried this a few times and it worked every time!

5. You might need masks

The air quality in Cairo is poor. It’s sandy and dusty. After all, the city is surrounded by the desert. It’s worse on the road with all the exhaust of the vehicles. I often smelled gasoline when the Uber car hit the road.

Those who have sensitive respiratory tract, bring masks. The exhaust mixed with dust can be intolerable.

6. Don’t fall into tourist traps

There is quite a bit a hustle on the streets in Cairo. In the alleys of the old Cairo city and on the roads that lead to the historical sites, many peddlers will come to foreign tourists and try to sell small souvenirs and trinkets. The catchphrase is “one dollar”. (I have no idea if they will take one dollar and go away.)

At the tourism hot spots, especially the pyramids, it’s easy to bump into phony tour guides, who pretend to be offering you genuine service but in fact are trying to rip you off.

Remember an important rule: Whoever approaches you that says he/she will show you around, offer you a horseback ride or take a photo of you for free, do not fall for it. It is definitely not free! Just ignore those people. Don’t even talk to them, or you’ll very likely end up in trouble.