Cairo, Egypt, is home to over 100 hostels, providing numerous options for backpackers. During my recent trip to Cairo, I stayed at Dahab Hostel in Old Cairo. In this blog, I am sharing my Cairo hostels review featuring Dahab Hostel.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of them at no extra cost to you.
Why I love Dahab Hostel
This hostel has an amazing tour desk, a vibe that complements the historic city, and is a fun place to stay. It boasts a prime location, which allowed me to get off the beaten path while still having easy access to the city’s top attractions. The people were incredible, both guests and staff. One of the keys to a great hostel experience is the people, and Dahab Hostel definitely delivered on that.
Where is Dahab Hostel Located in Cairo?
The hostel is located in Old Cairo, in a prime location. It’s only a short walk from the downtown Cairo chaos with local shops and restaurants nearby. You can pick up a SIM card, enjoy a delicious shawarma, and walk the streets safely. I did a Guruwalk tour from this hostel, and the meeting point was just a short walk away. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the traditional Sufi Dance show are easy to get to. So, yes, the location is absolutely perfect.
Tip – The hostel is on the top floor of the building it’s in. There’s a guy who operates the elevator; just let him know you’re going to Dahab.
Looking for things to do in Cairo? Check out my blog post: Cairo, Egypt – Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary.
The Elevator is an Antique – No Joke
The adventure at Dahab Hostel begins the moment you get to ride the ancient elevator. It’s made of solid steel, with a pulley that is clearly visible. When you arrive, there is an operator who has to close the door, and you let him know you’re going to Dahab. He presses the buttons for you, and you’re off. It’s really a cage. I was a bit nervous at first, but it was definitely a fun ride and an experience. To go back down, you need to yell down to the operator and ask him to send the elevator up. In all my travels, I have never seen a system quite like this one before. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
The Dahab Hostel Vibe
I haven’t stayed in other Cairo hostels to compare, but the Dahab vibe was special. It had an ancient, rustic architectural feel that matched that of Old Cairo. The vibe was chill, with a wide range of guests, from young budget backpackers traveling the world to middle-aged guests who had been parked there for months. This isn’t a party hostel, but it does have many cool spots to chill and hang. There are areas where groups of 5-10 people can sit back, unwind, and talk about their day and life experiences. I found the guests to be laid-back, friendly, and sociable. Dahab Hostel is one of a kind, different from any other hostel I’ve stayed at around the world.
I love the vibe and architecture at Dahab Hostel. One of the best hostels in Cairo.
The Dahab Hostel Tour Desk Sets It Apart from Other Cairo Hostels
Most travellers don’t just visit Egypt to see Cairo and then go home. When planning my trip, I researched the Pyramids and camping in the White Desert. I came across Dahab Hostel and the tours they offered, particularly their White Desert camping adventure. I loved that I could book this online in advance, and the tour desk was very responsive. They offered a great selection of tours to choose from. For me, the tour desk convinced me to book with Dahab. The White Desert Camping adventure I booked is one of the best experiences I’ve had while travelling the world.
The tour desk was also a valuable resource, providing other recommendations like visiting the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Sufi Dance Show, both of which are must-sees in Cairo. Besides the excellent tours they offer, you won’t find better prices in Cairo.
Here is the link to check out the Dahab Hostel tour desk.
Check out my White Desert Adventure blog, which I booked at the Dahab Hostel tour desk. My White Desert Egypt Camping Adventure for Only $95.
The Customer Service
Far too often with hostels, after you book, if you have questions about your stay, you don’t get a response, or it’s very slow. This drives me nuts. This was not the case with Dahab. They were very responsive before I arrived, particularly regarding tours and my stay. Once I arrived, the customer service was excellent too, as the staff was very helpful. It sounds simple, but it’s something that many hostels often fail to deliver.
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Dahab Hostel Free Breakfast
From my experience, pancakes are the most common free breakfast offered at hostels. I love pancakes, but I also appreciate an authentic experience while traveling, especially when it comes to food. At Dahab Hostel, they serve an incredible, authentic breakfast.
The breakfast consists of an omelette, fresh naan bread with a local cheese spread, and fresh veggies. It also comes with a type of stew with a protein that was good, but I don’t know exactly what it was. Add in a nice big coffee and a delicious smoothie, and you have a complete, authentic, and healthy breakfast. The breakfast jives with the historic vibe of this hostel, and I highly recommend it.
The Kitchen
Keep in mind that in Cairo, you can eat out for just a couple of bucks. In countries like Egypt, Southeast Asia, and South America, eating out is often cheaper than going to a market and cooking your own meals. The most common meal I would cook in a hostel kitchen is breakfast, which is provided there. That said, if you prefer to cook your own meals, they have a small, clean, and functional kitchen. However, there are many inexpensive restaurants nearby, so make the most of them.
Dahab Hostel Shared Dorms and Private Rooms
During my stay at Dahab Hostel, I had the opportunity to experience both a private room and a shared dorm. On my first night, I stayed in a single private room with a shared bathroom. The room and bedding were clean, and although there was no AC, a powerful fan did the trick. There was a window I could open with a beautiful cityscape view. They also have double-occupancy rooms equipped with AC.
The Dorms
For the rest of my stay, I stayed in a dorm and it was fine. It was clean, had air conditioning, and was a good place to rest my head each night. It wasn’t overly fancy, but it had charging stations, a private lamp, and spacious lockers to keep all my stuff secure. Dorms are a place to sleep for me, and these dorms fit the bill.
Why do I often stay in hostels when I travel? Check out my blog, Hostels for Solo Travel at 49
Ordering in when staying in Cairo Hostels
If you want to stay in and chill and order food, there are some great options in Cairo. I recommend downloading the Talabat app, which is Egypt’s equivalent of Uber Eats. One major difference is the price. I was often paying $2 for delivery—whether it was a shawarma or massive chicken burger with fries and a drink—for just $2, including delivery charges. Now you know what I’m talking about when I say it’s cheaper to eat out or order in than to cook your own meals. And the food was delicious every time.
How to Book Dahab Hostel
I booked this hostel through Hostelworld, the app I use to book hostels worldwide. It cost me about $10 CAD per night, which is a great deal considering the value it provides. The free breakfast alone is worth more than that.
I am sharing my Hostel World Dahab Hostel affiliate link so you can check it out.
Hopefully, this Cairo hostel review will help with your trip to Cairo. Dahab Hostel truly has everything you need. It’s in a prime location, with the tour desk and free breakfast setting it apart, especially given the price. Add to that excellent customer service, clean rooms, and a fun, chill vibe, and there isn’t a better hostel in Cairo. Whether you’re a budget traveller or not, if you are looking for an epic experience while in Cairo, stay at Dahab Hostel.
I am sure you will visit the Pyramids while in Egypt. Learn how I explored them for free with the best Pyramids guide. Check out my blog, Pyramids of Giza, How I explored Them With A Free Guided Tour.
While in Giza want to explore the real Giza? Check out my blog, My Giza City Tuk-tuk Adventure – Exploring the “Real Giza”
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