Feluccas

A felucca (فلوكة) is a traditonal sailing boat used on the Nile and the Red Sea. Other forms of transport exist on the Nile, such as motorboats - but the feluccas have remained a strong presence along the river.

Many tourists enjoy taking a trip in a felucca in Cairo, in the main city or in the Maadi district. These boats are quite cheap - usually a tourist can expect to pay about 30 Egyptian Pounds - 50 Egyptian Pounds ($5 - $8) and it's quite the Egyptian experience.

Try not to be worried, sometimes you will see teen boys hopping from boat to boat in a dangerous fashion to reel them in, but they are used to it! Some of these boys play their music loudly while you enjoy your trip (or not, depending on how similar his music taste is to yours!). This is more likely to happen on boats in the middle of Cairo, where you will see many boat-parties going on in Spring & Summer.

Other times, an older man will be taking you on your ride - I consider this preferable!

The boats are usually decorated with lights and cushions, Egyptians love decoration and lots of it!