The Logistics of Settling In 157usually in the front window and/or on the side of the bus.
Unfortunately (if you are new to Egypt), many are printed
only in Arabic numbers, but some also display English
numbers. Unless you are getting on a bus at one of the
main stations, you need to be able to read the numbers
quickly because the buses may not come to a complete
stop, but only slow down. Sometimes the buses are full
when they pull into a station, and even fuller when they pull
out the other side a few seconds later. You enter through
the back door. Don’t wait for people to queue or offer to
let you go in front—they probably won’t. You just have to
push and shove your way onto the bus. You leave the bus
through the front door, so if you aren’t going far, better
start squeezing your way forward as soon as you get on.
At some point during your journey, a man will manage
to find you to sell you a ticket, so have correct change
handy. Buses are great places for pickpockets and the
occasional pinch, with all those people squashed together.
Therefore, take particular caution with your wallet, purse and
money pouch.
There is a pamphlet, sold at newsstands, that lists all
bus routes for Cairo’s buses and minibuses. Unfortunately,
it is only in Arabic, so may not be of much help. You will
need to know what number bus or minibus will get you to
your destination. Sometimes people are helpful, sometimes
they are not. If the bus is stationary, the easiest way to find
out where a bus is going is to simply yell your proposed
destination. The driver (or passengers) will either wave you
on or off to another bus. Another strategy, if you don’t speak
Arabic, is to have someone you know write your destination
in Arabic on a small slip of paper. (By the way, this also
works well with taxi drivers.) You can then hand the paper
to the driver who will tell you if you have the right bus.
Unfortunately, this only works with stationary buses. You
probably want to make your first trip during off-peak hours
when buses are a little less crowded.
Minibuses are definitely a little easier than regular
buses. Supposedly, rules limit the number of passengers on
minibuses, and people are not allowed to crowd each other